Down to my last week here, which is always a mixture of anticipation for being home and sadness about leaving. But as the temperature is quickly rising, reaching the mid-30s this week, I'm actually looking forward to cooler days back home, even if it's only zero degrees!
The Om Salon manicure from Riya on Tuesday (mentioned in the last post) was wonderful, and included a forearm honey massage and semolina exfoliating rub. The day before, she drew a beautiful henna tattoo on my right arm when I visited her and her siblings at home.
Wednesday morning was my meeting with Naveen (owner of the building my apartment is in) to discuss the details of our purchase agreement over chai and gujia (leftover Holi sweets). We met in Swati's home with her parents-in-law who currently own the apartment. I have to admit it was slightly disconcerting to make such a big purchase/decision in a room full of Indians speaking Hindi a mile a minute, but I can say that I feel completely confident and optimistic about it nonetheless. Then I was off to Prem Baba's final satsang of the season, a beautiful and festive event. When I dropped in to my favorite rock shop on the way back, run by a couple who have become good friends of mine, and told them about my apartment purchase being almost official, Mahesh congratulated me (badhāī hō!) and his wife Savita suggested I throw a jrrūra (housewarming party) when I come back next year - what a great idea! Just as I got back to my apartment, Prakash (my across-the-hall neighbor) was also just getting in for lunch and invited me to join them. His wife Pushpa had prepared some rice, spicy (very spicy) veg soup and fresh cucumber salad. We had a lovely chat and Pushpa told me to come by and cook with her whenever I'm free, which I will definitely take her up on in the next few days.
On Thursday morning I finally went back to yoga with Ashish, and judging from the muscle pain I felt the next day, it was clear I'd been slackin' on my practice. Don't have too much planned for my last week (and feeling 100% better health wise), so should be able to get a few more classes in before I leave. That afternoon I made my way to Swati's mom's home in Rishikesh city, where she taught me how to knit, using some old wool of my mother's I'd been saving. It was a touching experience.
Friday morning I stopped for street chai and was able to have a semi-decent conversation with Babu, the chai-wallah, in Hindi. He was quite impressed. That might not seem like much of an accomplisment considering I've been to India 5 times, but try learning Hindi, and you'll understand! I went back to Om Salon that afternoon for another apointment with Riya - this time a marvellous papaya facial. It felt so great to care for my face in this way after all it had gone through while I was sick. The treatment started with a rose water wash, then fruit cream massage, papaya exfoliating rub, clay mask, more massage, and to top it all off, a plate of freshly cut papaya to snack on when it was over. Blissful - just what I needed.
It was Mooji's second to last satsang on Saturday, so I ventured over. While I do appreiciate his teachings very much, I still prefer the cozier atmosphere (and sublime musicians) at Prem Baba. The half hour walk home from Mooji's ashram is always a highlight of the outing, strolling along the Ganga with an exquisite view of the mountains.
My book buying seems to be more out of control than usual this year, and I even started packing last night (one week in advance!) to make sure I have enough room for them all in my luggage - which obviously I don't. Gonna have to work some puzzle packing magic if I don't want to have to ship anything home. Or... I just leave a few books here until next year - it's my home afterall! Took it real easy today, a shanti shanti Sunday. Started with a cappuccinno and cinnamon roll at my favorite little bakery with the talented Nepalese barista, then popped in to Amit's (Swati's husband's) store next door to pick up a few more... books. I told Amit that if I come back in again this week wanting to buy more, that he is to tell me to turn around and go read the 40 I already have! He laughed and agreed. Came home for a little afternoon nap (the heat is making me quite tired), then back out for a mango lassi and refreshing feet dip in the Ganga.
That's all for now, and I leave you with a some words from Prem Baba's final satsang on March 15th:
"I am here to show you that it is possible to awaken from the dream of suffering. And that what you are seeking is within you. The seeker is the one who is committed to finding this truth inside themselves. And to find it, focus is needed. This focus is commitment. Commitment to the Truth. Honesty, integrity, the truth of who You are."
The Om Salon manicure from Riya on Tuesday (mentioned in the last post) was wonderful, and included a forearm honey massage and semolina exfoliating rub. The day before, she drew a beautiful henna tattoo on my right arm when I visited her and her siblings at home.
Wednesday morning was my meeting with Naveen (owner of the building my apartment is in) to discuss the details of our purchase agreement over chai and gujia (leftover Holi sweets). We met in Swati's home with her parents-in-law who currently own the apartment. I have to admit it was slightly disconcerting to make such a big purchase/decision in a room full of Indians speaking Hindi a mile a minute, but I can say that I feel completely confident and optimistic about it nonetheless. Then I was off to Prem Baba's final satsang of the season, a beautiful and festive event. When I dropped in to my favorite rock shop on the way back, run by a couple who have become good friends of mine, and told them about my apartment purchase being almost official, Mahesh congratulated me (badhāī hō!) and his wife Savita suggested I throw a jrrūra (housewarming party) when I come back next year - what a great idea! Just as I got back to my apartment, Prakash (my across-the-hall neighbor) was also just getting in for lunch and invited me to join them. His wife Pushpa had prepared some rice, spicy (very spicy) veg soup and fresh cucumber salad. We had a lovely chat and Pushpa told me to come by and cook with her whenever I'm free, which I will definitely take her up on in the next few days.
On Thursday morning I finally went back to yoga with Ashish, and judging from the muscle pain I felt the next day, it was clear I'd been slackin' on my practice. Don't have too much planned for my last week (and feeling 100% better health wise), so should be able to get a few more classes in before I leave. That afternoon I made my way to Swati's mom's home in Rishikesh city, where she taught me how to knit, using some old wool of my mother's I'd been saving. It was a touching experience.
Friday morning I stopped for street chai and was able to have a semi-decent conversation with Babu, the chai-wallah, in Hindi. He was quite impressed. That might not seem like much of an accomplisment considering I've been to India 5 times, but try learning Hindi, and you'll understand! I went back to Om Salon that afternoon for another apointment with Riya - this time a marvellous papaya facial. It felt so great to care for my face in this way after all it had gone through while I was sick. The treatment started with a rose water wash, then fruit cream massage, papaya exfoliating rub, clay mask, more massage, and to top it all off, a plate of freshly cut papaya to snack on when it was over. Blissful - just what I needed.
It was Mooji's second to last satsang on Saturday, so I ventured over. While I do appreiciate his teachings very much, I still prefer the cozier atmosphere (and sublime musicians) at Prem Baba. The half hour walk home from Mooji's ashram is always a highlight of the outing, strolling along the Ganga with an exquisite view of the mountains.
My book buying seems to be more out of control than usual this year, and I even started packing last night (one week in advance!) to make sure I have enough room for them all in my luggage - which obviously I don't. Gonna have to work some puzzle packing magic if I don't want to have to ship anything home. Or... I just leave a few books here until next year - it's my home afterall! Took it real easy today, a shanti shanti Sunday. Started with a cappuccinno and cinnamon roll at my favorite little bakery with the talented Nepalese barista, then popped in to Amit's (Swati's husband's) store next door to pick up a few more... books. I told Amit that if I come back in again this week wanting to buy more, that he is to tell me to turn around and go read the 40 I already have! He laughed and agreed. Came home for a little afternoon nap (the heat is making me quite tired), then back out for a mango lassi and refreshing feet dip in the Ganga.
That's all for now, and I leave you with a some words from Prem Baba's final satsang on March 15th:
"I am here to show you that it is possible to awaken from the dream of suffering. And that what you are seeking is within you. The seeker is the one who is committed to finding this truth inside themselves. And to find it, focus is needed. This focus is commitment. Commitment to the Truth. Honesty, integrity, the truth of who You are."
You spoke Hindi! You packed a week in advance? Impressed Eeeka. Jake and I can't wait to see you and hear the more detailed version of your trip! xo M&J
ReplyDeleteYes, about the packing, I decided my final days in Rishikesh were going to be less stressful than those back home! See you soon 😄 xo
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