Tomorrow TJ and I leave for trekking. We get on the bus at 6:30am and head to Besishwar - a lovely 8-9 hour trip. We'll just spend the night there, and get ready for the trekking excursion to begin. Doing the Annapurna Circuit takes about 16-19 days...and we are tagging on the Annapurna Base Camp, another 10 days or so. I cannot wait to be surrounded by enormous mountains, on sunny days, sweating and getting in shape, while enjoying the magnificent aspect of Nepal.
Especially after teaching and having such a routine at school and at home, then the gym, and random things like going to India, it is going to be so nice to get into the routine of trekking some of the highest mountains. Thorung La pass gets to 17, 800 feet...the highest I will be ever, for now.
The only thing that is really frustrating about doing this trek this time of year, THIS year is the elections. We will be in the mountains on election day - I will be going crazy!!! I doubt there will be any access to news, the internent or anything like that...so I will be going nuts for about a week.
GO OBAMA!!!!! GO DOWN CRAZY PALIN!!!!!!!!!!
So, you may not hear from me for a while. But know, and trust, that we are safe and having a great time. (I have been 'praying' to the anti-blister god. I mean, they have to have an anti-blister god since there are 33.3 million gods in the Hindu religion, right?)
Much love...
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
All is well...as well as it can be. We are having a great time together. It is lovely being together and playing catch up. It is great to still feel so familiar and comfortable with such a close friend, and to be able to start this new 'chapter'.
The internet is really expensive here, so I am making this short.
Today we went to Bodhnath, my favorite place in Kathmandu. We will leave for trekking on Monday. Last night and tonight we are staying at this really cute guest house...we don't know our plans yet for the rest of the days we are here, but that is nice. I like playing it by ear, and doing what ever we want in the moment.
Another beautiful thing about Nepal.
If you want to follow TJ's adventures (and read about his NOLS course, which sounds and looks amazing) he has a blog: tjinasia.blogspot.com (TJ in Asia)
Until later, live it, love it, and laugh...tons!
The internet is really expensive here, so I am making this short.
Today we went to Bodhnath, my favorite place in Kathmandu. We will leave for trekking on Monday. Last night and tonight we are staying at this really cute guest house...we don't know our plans yet for the rest of the days we are here, but that is nice. I like playing it by ear, and doing what ever we want in the moment.
Another beautiful thing about Nepal.
If you want to follow TJ's adventures (and read about his NOLS course, which sounds and looks amazing) he has a blog: tjinasia.blogspot.com (TJ in Asia)
Until later, live it, love it, and laugh...tons!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
today is the day
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....
Today TJ comes to Kathmandu. It is so strange after not seeing him for so long. But I can't wait. I am considering going to the airport with a sign "TJ SEREN"...just in case we don't recognize each other. ;)
As of today, I will be back in the States in 4 months...pretty nuts.
But that I have already been gone 4 months, it seems like it will go by really fast.
LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!
Today TJ comes to Kathmandu. It is so strange after not seeing him for so long. But I can't wait. I am considering going to the airport with a sign "TJ SEREN"...just in case we don't recognize each other. ;)
As of today, I will be back in the States in 4 months...pretty nuts.
But that I have already been gone 4 months, it seems like it will go by really fast.
LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
A Breath of Fresh Air
I am back in Kathmandu. I got back 2 days ago. It is nice to be home...in Nepal.
I was spending a lot of time with Amy, her mother and grandmother. It was very nice. They left today. I am so glad I had the chance to meet them.
Yesterday morning, at 6:30am, we boarded a little jet plane that can go the highest elevations, and did the mountain flight. We flew so close to the entire range of spectacular mountains...I felt like I could just reach out and touch Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and the rest of the highest peaks in the world. It was very unbelievable, and so incredible to be so near to the mountains that I only saw in movies or my imagination, or read about in books. To be so close to where so many lives have been taken attempting to climb the marvelous peak(s). To be so close to the most grandiose of mother natures creations.
I feel so lucky to be living this life. To have such amazing and supportive parents. To have taught theatre in Nepal. To learn so much about myself and where I stand in this crazy world.
TJ comes to Kathmandu the day after tomorrow...Thursday - or Wednesday night for those of you on the other side of the world. I can't wait to see him. I know we both have learned so much the last 3&1/2 months and it is going to be great to share that with each other.
I was spending a lot of time with Amy, her mother and grandmother. It was very nice. They left today. I am so glad I had the chance to meet them.
Yesterday morning, at 6:30am, we boarded a little jet plane that can go the highest elevations, and did the mountain flight. We flew so close to the entire range of spectacular mountains...I felt like I could just reach out and touch Mt. Everest, Lhotse, and the rest of the highest peaks in the world. It was very unbelievable, and so incredible to be so near to the mountains that I only saw in movies or my imagination, or read about in books. To be so close to where so many lives have been taken attempting to climb the marvelous peak(s). To be so close to the most grandiose of mother natures creations.
I feel so lucky to be living this life. To have such amazing and supportive parents. To have taught theatre in Nepal. To learn so much about myself and where I stand in this crazy world.
TJ comes to Kathmandu the day after tomorrow...Thursday - or Wednesday night for those of you on the other side of the world. I can't wait to see him. I know we both have learned so much the last 3&1/2 months and it is going to be great to share that with each other.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Finding something
All is still well with me in one of the holiest cities in India. I am having such an incredible time. 2 days ago I went to the University here, Banaras U. It is HUGE. I mean, really really large and in charge. It is the biggest college in all of Asia, so it damn well better be big. It was like going far away. The campus was gorgeous, with thousands of trees and so green. All of the buildings were ancient looking, and there are 3 of the largest temples there. It was so nice to be able to go 10 minutes and be in quiet (no honking allowed, and I could sit in peaceful green and read. I miss reading in parks so much).
In the evening I walked straight into a procession that was happening for the Durga Festival. It is the largest Hindu festival in India. All over the city, and probably the country, there were tents with statues, made from clay and painted in radiant colors, of the Gods they worship for this festival. Durga is the Goddess who brings forth good fortune for the less fortunate, and prosperity for the year to come. They took all of the statues from the dozens of tents (I am sure there is some sort of better name for them, but I will call them 'tents', as I do not know the more proper/religious/Hindi name for these 'tents') and put them in the bed of trucks. There were men leading the procession playing drums and cymbals, dancing and singing, and playing with fire (again, maybe there is a better word for the 'playing with fire' part). About a hundred people were following the truck, and the dancers, clapping and singing along. I decided to join. It was so fun. There was such an incredible energy radiating through out the city. Full of hope and freedom. And this was just one of the hundreds of processions that was occurring. We - I can be included in this now - went down to Assi Ghat, singing and dancing, clapping and chanting. The men carried the statues down to the water, where they were put on boats. The boats all went to bring the statues to a couple of specific ghats where the following day(s) people go to worship them. Then they are sent down the Ganges River, where the statues (since made of clay) become one again with the earth and those who are also in the heart of the Ganges and the Gods. The cycle is therefore never ending, and can only continue for years to come.
Beautiful.
Yesterday, Friday, I went to Sarnath. Sarnath is a part of Varanasi - but a world of it's own. It is the place where Buddha gave his first sermon and he was then on recognized at a huge religious leader. Marie (my french friend who now lives here) has a friend who has a shop right across from the main gate, Maha Dev. He is an elder Indian with such an incredible spirit and smile, and makes the best Lassi I have ever had in my life. I went to his shop first thing, where I tasted God itself (the banana lassi) and had chai with him. Then I went into the park, where the Mahabodi Temple is. There are disagreements as to the site of the first sermon, though they are all in the same 1km vicinity. This temple though, radiated energy that was vibrating to your soul. I know that sounds cheesy and cliche, but really it was something different than any other place on earth. The temple was made of marble stone, and inside was painted with Buddha and his followers, the temptations of desire and anger, and the enlightened one. Straight when you walk in is a gigantic gold statue of Buddha. For those of you who know me, I am not religious. Spiritual yes, but I have never followed a religion.
For the first time in my life, I prayed. I was compelled to get on my knees and pray. That has never happened to me. Even when some of the most important people in my life died. But yesterday, in the midst of all the people swarming in to see the sight of Buddha's first sermon, and people taking pictures for a donation, I got down and I brought my hands together and I prayed. And I was brought to tears. Not because I was sad or unhappy. They just streamed out of my eyes with no control. I can't explain how I felt. But it was incredible and sublime, and something I have never experienced before.
Next to the temple is a park, and to the side of that is where monasteries were, until they were destroyed with the Muslim control to bring forth Hinduism. In addition to the remains of the monasteries of Buddha were the remains of the Dharmarajika Stupa where it concealed a green marble casket full of human bones, decayed pearls, and a gold leaf. Next to that, the only standing 'monument' is the Dharmekh Stupa, otherwise known as Dharma Chakra Stupa. It is made of 33.5 meters of stone and forms a cylindrical tower...another place that is argued as to where Buddha gave his first sermon. All in all it is incredible. There is so much history there, and such peace. I sat by the sights of the monasteries and meditated for I don't know how long. I have no words to describe how serene this experience was.
After I meditated, I looked over and someone was walking toward me. Maha Dev's son. He asked me if I wanted to see the rest of the temples in Sarnath. Of course! So we hoped on his motorbike and he took me to see the temples and monasteries.
The first place we went to was a Tibetan Monastery. They were praying, performing chants and playing long metal horns and huge drums. It is what you would hear on any film about Tibetan Buddhism...sounding just like that. We were able to sit there, with another gigantic gold Buddha statue in front of us. It is a new monastery, that took 15 years to build. (Apparently the Dali Lama is coming in December to this monastery.)
After sitting in a park by there for a while, we went to the Burmese Vihara, of course, another amazing place.
Following that we went to a place called the Great Light House. I am not too sure what 'faith' this is, as it represented all faiths, along with robots. It does make me curious though (they have a site in Redmond, WA if you are interested).
Then we went to the Thai temple; the Japanese Temple (with some of the most detailed wood work I have ever seen - of Buddha); another, very old, Tibetan monastery; A Shiva Temple (the only one of the Hindu faith); and a Chinese Temple (with my beloved Laughing Buddha).
It was such a powerful day. It is so interesting, and challenging, to be in such a historically religious place. I feel a true connection to Buddhism. Not because I visited all of these places, but because of such an idea of peace within ones' self. I have always been intrigued by this religion; and I have never been so moved my a religion before.
Maybe it is being on this side of the world that is honing this within me. Maybe it is practicing yoga and meditation, and finding such peace. Maybe it is learning more about the religion that makes it even more interesting as to how I can apply the practices into my life practically.
I don't know.
I do know that being in India has been such a different learning experience...and especially because I was able to have this experience on my own. I have learned a lot about myself. Not just in the last 5 days, but in the last 3.5 months. I have learned what I am passionate about, and what I want to change - or morph - about myself.
I want to travel (and not doing volunteer work my whole life, though that would be extremely satisfying I have to eat and live) bringing theatre to those who are not privileged so they can express their lives and hardships. I want to do theatre, so I can express myself and humanity I am surrounded by...humanity that people choose to ignore.
Only time can tell...
I guess we'll see.
In the evening I walked straight into a procession that was happening for the Durga Festival. It is the largest Hindu festival in India. All over the city, and probably the country, there were tents with statues, made from clay and painted in radiant colors, of the Gods they worship for this festival. Durga is the Goddess who brings forth good fortune for the less fortunate, and prosperity for the year to come. They took all of the statues from the dozens of tents (I am sure there is some sort of better name for them, but I will call them 'tents', as I do not know the more proper/religious/Hindi name for these 'tents') and put them in the bed of trucks. There were men leading the procession playing drums and cymbals, dancing and singing, and playing with fire (again, maybe there is a better word for the 'playing with fire' part). About a hundred people were following the truck, and the dancers, clapping and singing along. I decided to join. It was so fun. There was such an incredible energy radiating through out the city. Full of hope and freedom. And this was just one of the hundreds of processions that was occurring. We - I can be included in this now - went down to Assi Ghat, singing and dancing, clapping and chanting. The men carried the statues down to the water, where they were put on boats. The boats all went to bring the statues to a couple of specific ghats where the following day(s) people go to worship them. Then they are sent down the Ganges River, where the statues (since made of clay) become one again with the earth and those who are also in the heart of the Ganges and the Gods. The cycle is therefore never ending, and can only continue for years to come.
Beautiful.
Yesterday, Friday, I went to Sarnath. Sarnath is a part of Varanasi - but a world of it's own. It is the place where Buddha gave his first sermon and he was then on recognized at a huge religious leader. Marie (my french friend who now lives here) has a friend who has a shop right across from the main gate, Maha Dev. He is an elder Indian with such an incredible spirit and smile, and makes the best Lassi I have ever had in my life. I went to his shop first thing, where I tasted God itself (the banana lassi) and had chai with him. Then I went into the park, where the Mahabodi Temple is. There are disagreements as to the site of the first sermon, though they are all in the same 1km vicinity. This temple though, radiated energy that was vibrating to your soul. I know that sounds cheesy and cliche, but really it was something different than any other place on earth. The temple was made of marble stone, and inside was painted with Buddha and his followers, the temptations of desire and anger, and the enlightened one. Straight when you walk in is a gigantic gold statue of Buddha. For those of you who know me, I am not religious. Spiritual yes, but I have never followed a religion.
For the first time in my life, I prayed. I was compelled to get on my knees and pray. That has never happened to me. Even when some of the most important people in my life died. But yesterday, in the midst of all the people swarming in to see the sight of Buddha's first sermon, and people taking pictures for a donation, I got down and I brought my hands together and I prayed. And I was brought to tears. Not because I was sad or unhappy. They just streamed out of my eyes with no control. I can't explain how I felt. But it was incredible and sublime, and something I have never experienced before.
Next to the temple is a park, and to the side of that is where monasteries were, until they were destroyed with the Muslim control to bring forth Hinduism. In addition to the remains of the monasteries of Buddha were the remains of the Dharmarajika Stupa where it concealed a green marble casket full of human bones, decayed pearls, and a gold leaf. Next to that, the only standing 'monument' is the Dharmekh Stupa, otherwise known as Dharma Chakra Stupa. It is made of 33.5 meters of stone and forms a cylindrical tower...another place that is argued as to where Buddha gave his first sermon. All in all it is incredible. There is so much history there, and such peace. I sat by the sights of the monasteries and meditated for I don't know how long. I have no words to describe how serene this experience was.
After I meditated, I looked over and someone was walking toward me. Maha Dev's son. He asked me if I wanted to see the rest of the temples in Sarnath. Of course! So we hoped on his motorbike and he took me to see the temples and monasteries.
The first place we went to was a Tibetan Monastery. They were praying, performing chants and playing long metal horns and huge drums. It is what you would hear on any film about Tibetan Buddhism...sounding just like that. We were able to sit there, with another gigantic gold Buddha statue in front of us. It is a new monastery, that took 15 years to build. (Apparently the Dali Lama is coming in December to this monastery.)
After sitting in a park by there for a while, we went to the Burmese Vihara, of course, another amazing place.
Following that we went to a place called the Great Light House. I am not too sure what 'faith' this is, as it represented all faiths, along with robots. It does make me curious though (they have a site in Redmond, WA if you are interested).
Then we went to the Thai temple; the Japanese Temple (with some of the most detailed wood work I have ever seen - of Buddha); another, very old, Tibetan monastery; A Shiva Temple (the only one of the Hindu faith); and a Chinese Temple (with my beloved Laughing Buddha).
It was such a powerful day. It is so interesting, and challenging, to be in such a historically religious place. I feel a true connection to Buddhism. Not because I visited all of these places, but because of such an idea of peace within ones' self. I have always been intrigued by this religion; and I have never been so moved my a religion before.
Maybe it is being on this side of the world that is honing this within me. Maybe it is practicing yoga and meditation, and finding such peace. Maybe it is learning more about the religion that makes it even more interesting as to how I can apply the practices into my life practically.
I don't know.
I do know that being in India has been such a different learning experience...and especially because I was able to have this experience on my own. I have learned a lot about myself. Not just in the last 5 days, but in the last 3.5 months. I have learned what I am passionate about, and what I want to change - or morph - about myself.
I want to travel (and not doing volunteer work my whole life, though that would be extremely satisfying I have to eat and live) bringing theatre to those who are not privileged so they can express their lives and hardships. I want to do theatre, so I can express myself and humanity I am surrounded by...humanity that people choose to ignore.
Only time can tell...
I guess we'll see.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The Magic of Varanasi
Being here is really quite an amazing experience. It is absolutely amazing and surprising. Varanasi is known in India to be one of the holiest cities in India. It is the city of Shiva. Being here offers moksha - liberation from the cycle of birth and death. As I mentioned before, Varanasi is on the Ganges River; a river of salvation and a symbol of everlasting hope to past, present, and future generations. There are what seems like 100's, though probably only several dozen ghats on the river (ghats are where bodies are cremated, and then sent down the river). Today I woke up, had breakfast, and walked from the farthest ghat South, the Assi ghat, almost to the end. The river has been very high because of the monsoon, so it was very muddy. That was interesting time, sloshing through the mud with Indians - it was quite a bonding experience. One woman helped me through, as she saw me almost fall on my ass. Then I dipped my legs into the holy river, and washed away my sins at my feet.
The river is quite ironic, as there is the entire city's, and probably more than Varanasi's, sewage drained into it. There are hundreds, and at times thousands, of people bathing in the river, washing their teeth, and cleaning their bodies with soap - as they are washing with shit and piss. Yummy...so fresh and so clean, clean.
From what I had heard, as a female coming to India alone, I was pretty nervous and slightly uneasy. But the people are so friendly. I met and sat with some people from age 12 - 22 for about 40 minutes and it was great. We were on one of the ghats, shooting a B-B gun, and laughing it up. I think also maybe because I am a little used to the men in this area of the world, I have learned to put up 'blinders' and 'ear muffs' and just go about my business.
All in all it is great.
The only downside it how fucking hot it is here. Shit! It was 36 degrees C today, and sooooooooo humid. It reminds me of being in Mexico, with the heat. The never ending sweat pouring down my face, and always feeling sticky. Maybe that's why people don't care about bathing in the river.
I kid. I kid. It is a truly spiritual place, and holds a certain magic that I have never felt in any city before.
It is so interesting to be here alone. I thought it would kind of suck, and that I would get bored. But I think that having such an independent experience is really allowing me to connect with the people, in a way I probably wouldn't if I was traveling with someone.
The river is quite ironic, as there is the entire city's, and probably more than Varanasi's, sewage drained into it. There are hundreds, and at times thousands, of people bathing in the river, washing their teeth, and cleaning their bodies with soap - as they are washing with shit and piss. Yummy...so fresh and so clean, clean.
From what I had heard, as a female coming to India alone, I was pretty nervous and slightly uneasy. But the people are so friendly. I met and sat with some people from age 12 - 22 for about 40 minutes and it was great. We were on one of the ghats, shooting a B-B gun, and laughing it up. I think also maybe because I am a little used to the men in this area of the world, I have learned to put up 'blinders' and 'ear muffs' and just go about my business.
All in all it is great.
The only downside it how fucking hot it is here. Shit! It was 36 degrees C today, and sooooooooo humid. It reminds me of being in Mexico, with the heat. The never ending sweat pouring down my face, and always feeling sticky. Maybe that's why people don't care about bathing in the river.
I kid. I kid. It is a truly spiritual place, and holds a certain magic that I have never felt in any city before.
It is so interesting to be here alone. I thought it would kind of suck, and that I would get bored. But I think that having such an independent experience is really allowing me to connect with the people, in a way I probably wouldn't if I was traveling with someone.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
I am here!
Few! I am here!
In India, that is.
I just got to my little guest house, and an internet place, cheap restaurant, and money exchange are all right across from where I am staying. So convenient.
I was feeling really quite crazy before leaving today. I got to the airport and as I was waiting in line to check in I met a really nice young lady, like myself, who has lived here for 3 years now. Marie. Meeting Marie eased a lot of my anxiety and made me feel much better about coming to Varanasi.
The flight was only 45 minutes...just as long as the cab ride to get to this part of the city. I feel so tired now. She showed me to this cute, clean, affordable guest house - and I had to look no further. It is simple. Nothing extravagant.
It is nice to be somewhere and have to orient myself. I am really starting to like this feeling. I really have the traveling bug.
I also love not knowing where I will go tomorrow, what I will see and explore, but I know that I will see something great. I don't know what. I just trust it. I know it may sound a lil nuts...but I will.
Well, it is getting dark, and I have to get some grub.
I will be sure to update tomorrow and tell all about my adventure in my first full day in India.
In India, that is.
I just got to my little guest house, and an internet place, cheap restaurant, and money exchange are all right across from where I am staying. So convenient.
I was feeling really quite crazy before leaving today. I got to the airport and as I was waiting in line to check in I met a really nice young lady, like myself, who has lived here for 3 years now. Marie. Meeting Marie eased a lot of my anxiety and made me feel much better about coming to Varanasi.
The flight was only 45 minutes...just as long as the cab ride to get to this part of the city. I feel so tired now. She showed me to this cute, clean, affordable guest house - and I had to look no further. It is simple. Nothing extravagant.
It is nice to be somewhere and have to orient myself. I am really starting to like this feeling. I really have the traveling bug.
I also love not knowing where I will go tomorrow, what I will see and explore, but I know that I will see something great. I don't know what. I just trust it. I know it may sound a lil nuts...but I will.
Well, it is getting dark, and I have to get some grub.
I will be sure to update tomorrow and tell all about my adventure in my first full day in India.
Monday, October 6, 2008
India, and Nepal's Festivals
I got my plane ticket today. I am leaving tomorrow at 2:10pm, so for the airport at about 11:30; and I come back to Nepal on Sunday at 1:20pm. The great thing is it's only a 40 minute flight - vs. a 2 day bus ride! Sweet!
I am going by my self. Some one was possibly going to join me, but it didn't work out. Right now is the festival Dashain, so all Nepalis are very busy with the rituals of the festival.
Dashain is one of the biggest festivals in Nepal, celebrated mostly by Hindus. It reminds me a lot of Christmas. They go to temple and do the religious aspect of it - it is a festival to have the opportunity to repent your sins. The reason it reminds me of Christmas is that during this festival every one goes out and shops and buys new things. People seem much more happy and uplifted - which usually is the case in Christmas (and the getting new things is definitely Christmas!). There are a lot of people out and about, but there are also a lot of shops that are closed. Which is interesting to me, because I see this as an opportunity to make some dough, for those shop keepers. But a lot of people get out of Kathmandu and go to their villages to visit with family. They take Tika - ritual of Hinduism - and eat and pray and laugh and love with their family...which also reminds me of the holidays I celebrate with my family (not so much the Tika and the praying, but everything else :) ). Another ritual aspect of Dashain is the slaughtering of goats. Families will slaughter goats, at the temples or in their own homes, and have the meat and the innards for the entire festival month. They find ways to utilize all of the parts of the animal, which I support. The reason they slaughter goats is it is said that when you slaughter a goat you do it in the presence of the Gods, and therefore you are able to wash away your sins. The more goats a family has, the higher status they have (maybe more sins??? - kidding!). I hate killing animals, but there is something about the ritual aspect that appeals to me. I won't eat goat, and I get sad to see SO many around this week (because I know what is going to happen to them), but some how it seems to be for good of the people. Every one is just so happy and seems so fulfilled these days. It is really a lovely festival. It goes on for 10 days total, 5 more to go. Then there is a 10 day gap until the next largest festival in Nepal, Tigge (butchering the spelling). The later festival is also known as the lighting festival...which I know will really remind me of the Holidays in the States. Everyone puts up 'Christmas' lights and goes around singing and dancing and collecting money, and feasting with family. I am excited about that one, and talking to all of my Nepali friends, this is the festival they are most thrilled by.
I think there will also be a lot going on in Varanasi (I think I spelled it wrong last time) because it is a very religious place. On the Ganges River which always has people swimming, washing away their sins. It sounds like an interesting place. I am really excited actually. I will get back, spend some more time with Amy and her lovely mother and grandmother, and then before I know it TJ will be here (ahhhhh!! yay! )! Right now I feel pretty frantic, just getting my shit together, but I am totally up for the adventure of going to India by myself for 6 days. There is a yoga and meditation center that I plan to go to everyday, and a spa that I might treat myself to a massage at. Also, there might be theatre happening too!! It is during September through October that they perform the Hindi version of Ramayana, one of the most famous and classic Sanskrit plays written. They perform a different part every day, for 30 days. I hope I will be able to see some of it. That would be amazing. I am pretty sure there will be internet there...so I will update when I am there.
Sending you all my love.
I am going by my self. Some one was possibly going to join me, but it didn't work out. Right now is the festival Dashain, so all Nepalis are very busy with the rituals of the festival.
Dashain is one of the biggest festivals in Nepal, celebrated mostly by Hindus. It reminds me a lot of Christmas. They go to temple and do the religious aspect of it - it is a festival to have the opportunity to repent your sins. The reason it reminds me of Christmas is that during this festival every one goes out and shops and buys new things. People seem much more happy and uplifted - which usually is the case in Christmas (and the getting new things is definitely Christmas!). There are a lot of people out and about, but there are also a lot of shops that are closed. Which is interesting to me, because I see this as an opportunity to make some dough, for those shop keepers. But a lot of people get out of Kathmandu and go to their villages to visit with family. They take Tika - ritual of Hinduism - and eat and pray and laugh and love with their family...which also reminds me of the holidays I celebrate with my family (not so much the Tika and the praying, but everything else :) ). Another ritual aspect of Dashain is the slaughtering of goats. Families will slaughter goats, at the temples or in their own homes, and have the meat and the innards for the entire festival month. They find ways to utilize all of the parts of the animal, which I support. The reason they slaughter goats is it is said that when you slaughter a goat you do it in the presence of the Gods, and therefore you are able to wash away your sins. The more goats a family has, the higher status they have (maybe more sins??? - kidding!). I hate killing animals, but there is something about the ritual aspect that appeals to me. I won't eat goat, and I get sad to see SO many around this week (because I know what is going to happen to them), but some how it seems to be for good of the people. Every one is just so happy and seems so fulfilled these days. It is really a lovely festival. It goes on for 10 days total, 5 more to go. Then there is a 10 day gap until the next largest festival in Nepal, Tigge (butchering the spelling). The later festival is also known as the lighting festival...which I know will really remind me of the Holidays in the States. Everyone puts up 'Christmas' lights and goes around singing and dancing and collecting money, and feasting with family. I am excited about that one, and talking to all of my Nepali friends, this is the festival they are most thrilled by.
I think there will also be a lot going on in Varanasi (I think I spelled it wrong last time) because it is a very religious place. On the Ganges River which always has people swimming, washing away their sins. It sounds like an interesting place. I am really excited actually. I will get back, spend some more time with Amy and her lovely mother and grandmother, and then before I know it TJ will be here (ahhhhh!! yay! )! Right now I feel pretty frantic, just getting my shit together, but I am totally up for the adventure of going to India by myself for 6 days. There is a yoga and meditation center that I plan to go to everyday, and a spa that I might treat myself to a massage at. Also, there might be theatre happening too!! It is during September through October that they perform the Hindi version of Ramayana, one of the most famous and classic Sanskrit plays written. They perform a different part every day, for 30 days. I hope I will be able to see some of it. That would be amazing. I am pretty sure there will be internet there...so I will update when I am there.
Sending you all my love.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
This week Amy's mother, Lisa and grandmother, Mary, came to Nepal. Isn't that awesome! It makes me jealous and wish that my family could come here. But it is great to meet them and hang out with them. They are amazing people.
So I am going to India 100% sure now. I will be going to Vanarsai on Tuesday till Sunday. I was set on taking a bus there, which would make a 4 day bus trip both ways.
But there are some who are just too incredibly kind.
I just met Lisa. As in 3 days ago.
She insisted on buying me a flight to India.
WHAT!!!???!!!
I know.
It's really too much. It's so sweet. I nearly refused because I of course feel obligated to pay her back. But she insisted that I don't have to repay her the money, but maybe she'll come to Seattle and I can show her around...she trusts we will 'get even'. Which we will. I will do anything and everything to return this phenomenal favor.
It is just a reminder that there really is so much good in this world. And, yeah, if someone does a nice gesture, then that person to receive will do a nice gesture - and hopefully the cycle will continue. Of course in a perfect world.
I must go now...to pick up my air plane ticket...but I will write soon.
Love
So I am going to India 100% sure now. I will be going to Vanarsai on Tuesday till Sunday. I was set on taking a bus there, which would make a 4 day bus trip both ways.
But there are some who are just too incredibly kind.
I just met Lisa. As in 3 days ago.
She insisted on buying me a flight to India.
WHAT!!!???!!!
I know.
It's really too much. It's so sweet. I nearly refused because I of course feel obligated to pay her back. But she insisted that I don't have to repay her the money, but maybe she'll come to Seattle and I can show her around...she trusts we will 'get even'. Which we will. I will do anything and everything to return this phenomenal favor.
It is just a reminder that there really is so much good in this world. And, yeah, if someone does a nice gesture, then that person to receive will do a nice gesture - and hopefully the cycle will continue. Of course in a perfect world.
I must go now...to pick up my air plane ticket...but I will write soon.
Love
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Going to India.
SO.........................
Turns out I am 95% going to India.
I just got back from the immigration office - the guy, Robel, I met there didn't really have a connection that was any different that who I already spoke to. My option there was to get a different kind of visa, but that would take about 3 weeks. Since TJ is here in 15 days (yay!!!!) I don't have time to wait around to MAYBE have a different kind of visa - plus it would take about 20,000 rupees. That's a lot.
So, I got the multiple entry visa for $140 US dollars...and unless some magic occurs, I am going to India.
What an adventure.
This will make my free(er) time much more interesting. I really don't mind, I think it's going to be an interesting independent adventure. I want to go some where North and safe, and not in a city. I think it would be great to hang out in some villages for a couple of days.
The only downfall is money - of course - but this is my cheapest option at this point (about rs2,500 each way + money for food - FYI right now the currency is fluctuating between 74 - 72 rs to the dollar).
Also I won't be able to go to the gym for 6-7 days...the other pit of the situation.
It takes about 2 days to get there by bus, and I have to be out of the country for 2 days, but 3 days would guarantee that I won't get any shit from anyone about my Nepali visa.
The good news is that I already have my Indian visa.
Maybe deep down, subconsciously, I knew that I would have to go to India.
That is the status on my crazy visa situation. I really like STA, and liked my travel agent...but if you go through them be sure to do the math yourself because they are not very good at that.
By 2 days! That's what gets me! And I found out that the last day you are here you don't need a visa for...so technically 1 day - 1 day - less and I would be totally kosher.
What can you do?
Life is one big adventure, especially in a third world country.
Turns out I am 95% going to India.
I just got back from the immigration office - the guy, Robel, I met there didn't really have a connection that was any different that who I already spoke to. My option there was to get a different kind of visa, but that would take about 3 weeks. Since TJ is here in 15 days (yay!!!!) I don't have time to wait around to MAYBE have a different kind of visa - plus it would take about 20,000 rupees. That's a lot.
So, I got the multiple entry visa for $140 US dollars...and unless some magic occurs, I am going to India.
What an adventure.
This will make my free(er) time much more interesting. I really don't mind, I think it's going to be an interesting independent adventure. I want to go some where North and safe, and not in a city. I think it would be great to hang out in some villages for a couple of days.
The only downfall is money - of course - but this is my cheapest option at this point (about rs2,500 each way + money for food - FYI right now the currency is fluctuating between 74 - 72 rs to the dollar).
Also I won't be able to go to the gym for 6-7 days...the other pit of the situation.
It takes about 2 days to get there by bus, and I have to be out of the country for 2 days, but 3 days would guarantee that I won't get any shit from anyone about my Nepali visa.
The good news is that I already have my Indian visa.
Maybe deep down, subconsciously, I knew that I would have to go to India.
That is the status on my crazy visa situation. I really like STA, and liked my travel agent...but if you go through them be sure to do the math yourself because they are not very good at that.
By 2 days! That's what gets me! And I found out that the last day you are here you don't need a visa for...so technically 1 day - 1 day - less and I would be totally kosher.
What can you do?
Life is one big adventure, especially in a third world country.
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