Be There Now

Sitting in my cramped, uncomfortable aisle seat, for which I paid British Airways an extra $50, I often thought that I no longer want to "be here now."

No, I'd rather "be there now."

Three airline flights, two of them at least eight-hours long, two 4-5 hour airport layovers and the crossing of umpteen time zones will leave anyone wanting to be "there" instead of "here."

All of that was quickly forgotten by:

* meeting the beautiful, calm presence of Gurnam Singh, Craig Bell's local tour guide, waiting for me outside the airport.

* getting some sleep

* a hot shower and, with perfect timing (after I had dressed and gotten myself in some kind of order), a welcome phone call from Craig asking if I'd like to meet him for breakfast, then hearing his gentle tap on the door a few minutes later.

I really have nothing to complain about.  All of my flights were on time, everyone I met, from airport security personnel, to airport shopkeepers, to the friendly Indian woman seated next to me, who kept talking to me even though she knew that I didn't understand her language, were friendly and pleasant.  She talked, laughed, and gestured and I smiled and nodded, not understanding a word but somehow managing to help her fill out the arrivals card, showing her where to put her flight and passport numbers.  Before we left the plane she showed a photo of the new granddaughter she had been visiting in Edinburgh, Scotland.  I can only imagine how she managed the Scottish accents before her family came to collect her.

More about my first impressions next time. I really must try to get back to sleep.  We begin a full day of sightseeing in a few hours.  The other good news is that I found the wall switch for the space heater (under the counter) so I can get out of the sleeping bag.  About two hours ago the penny finally dropped and it dawned on me that a wall switch controls the heater's on/off not the switch on the heater itself.   Silly me.  Last night I slept in my vest and light jacket inside the sleeping bag, which I had under the sheets. Nice to know that the bag has already come in handy.

India Itinerary

India 2013 Itinerary

Thursday, January 24 – depart Waco 11:30am

Delhi

Friday, January 25 – arrive Delhi 1:25 am

Saturday, Jan. 26 – hotel in Delhi, sleep/sightsee

Sunday, Jan. 27 – hotel in Delhi, sightsee

Monday, Jan. 28 – hotel in Delhi, rest of group arrives

Puri

Tuesday, Jan. 29 – morning orientation meeting/AM flight to Bhuvaneshwar (east coast).  Drive two hours thru tropical countryside to the Holy City of Puri on the shores of the Bay of Bengal.  Overnight at hotel on the sands of the Bay of Bengal.

Wed. Jan. 30 – group meditation, breakfast, short drive to Karar Ashram (Sri Yukteswar’s Puri Ashram).  Meditate in sacred samedhi mandir of Sri Yukteswar.  See rooms where Master and Sri Yuk. lived, area of the ‘cauliflower robbery’ (chap. 15 Autobiography of a Yogi)  overnight hotel

Thursday, Jan. 31 – Puri/Ranchi – short drive to Jaganath Temple.  Daya Mata said that the ‘predominant vibration inside the temple is of Lord Jesus Christ.’  It is said that Jesus lived here during a portion of his ‘missing years.’  Return to hotel for lunch.  Late afternoon transfer to Bhuvaneshwar for train or plane to Ranchi.  Overnight on first class train or in the Ranchi Ashram.

Ranchi

Friday, Feb. 1 – Ranchi – next few days enjoy the ashram.  We will join in the group energization exercises, meditations, and satsangas with the YSS monastics and devotees.  Overnight in ashram.

Saturday, Feb 2 – Ranchi – enjoy ashram schedule

Sunday, Feb. 3 – Ranchi/Varanasi – after breakfast, six hour drive to the place of Lord Buddha’s enlightenment.  Visit temples and meditate at the Bodhi Tree.  Overnight hotel.

Varanasi

Monday, Feb. 4 – Bodghaya/Varanasi – morning free to visit other temples and sites.  Afternoon transfer to airport for short flight to the holy city of Banaras’ Varanasi.  Transfer to hotel on banks of Ganges River. Dinner and relax.  Overnight hotel.

Tuesday, Feb. 5 – Varanasi – meet in hotel lobby before dawn for boat trip up the holy river at sunrise.  Stop at Hanuman Ghat to take a dip in the river as the sun rises over the Ganges, one of the highlights of the trip.  After our dip, chant with the harmonium as we float downstream back to hotel for breakfast.  After breakfast, pilgrimage to Lahiri Mahashaya’s home.

Wednesday, Feb. 6 – Varanasi – Visit ancient town of Sarnath, extremely important to Buddhists.  Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after gaining enlightenment.  Return to hotel for lunch.  Afternoon free.  Overnight hotel.

Thurs. Feb. 7 – Varanasi – Morning free to visit other ashrams or shop.  Afternoon visit to the Shiva Temple at the Hindu University, a very special place.  Hotel for late lunch.  Free evening.

Friday, Feb. 8 – Varanasi/Allahabad – Express train (about 2hrs.) to Allahabad, site of the Maha Kumbha Mela.  Arrive at YSS camp or other accommodations.  Free time to enjoy the Mela.

Allahabad and the Kumbhamela

Sat. Feb. 9 – Kumbhamela – Sat. is one of the main bathing days.  Millions of pilgrims rise early and go to the Sangam, the confluence of three sacred rivers, the Ganges, the Yamun, and the underground Saraswathi.  By bathing in the three rivers, Hindus believe that they will find spiritual liberation.  Of course, Yogananda tells us that these three rivers are the Ida, Pingala, and Shushumna currents in the spine.  Bathing our consciousness at the point between the eyebrows (the Sangam) we can have liberation from this world.  Rest of the day free.  Overnight camp.

Sun. Feb. 10 – Kumbhamela – free day at the Mela.

Kolkata (Calcutta)

Mon. Feb. 11 – rise early to take the early morning train back to Varanasi, then transfer to airport for morning flight to Kolkata (Calcutta, on the East Coast).  Upon arrival in Kolkata transfer to the YSS Dakshineshwar Ashram.  After checking into our rooms, short walk through the village to the Kali Temple, where Master has his vision of Mother Kali.

Tues. Feb. 12 – Dakshineshwar/Serampore (near Calcutta) – For next few days enjoy ashram life with the monastics and other retreatants.  However, we will also be busy sightseeing. After breakfast we’ll take a scenic boat trip up the Ganges to Serampore.  Stop at Rai Ghat lane where Babaji appeared to Sri Yukteswar and then stroll up the lane to Sri Yukteswar’s ashram.  We will also visit Ananda Lok where Guruji lived while attending Serampore College.  Return to Ashram for evening meditation and dinner.

Wed. Feb. 13 – Kolkata – After breakfast, we will go downtown to visit many of the special places of Guruji’s Kolkata: 50 Amhearst Way and Mother Teresa’s home and charity.  After lunch, we’ll visit the Levitating Saint’s home, Guruji’s Kendra, the Tulsi Bose home and Guruji’s home at 4 Gurpur Road.  Return to ashram.  Overnight at ashram.

Thurs. Feb. 14 – last day at ashram.  Overnight at ashram apartment.

Friday, Feb. 15 –  Kolkata/Delhi --  Fly to New Delhi.  Check into hotel.  Free day.

Vrindavan (Brindaban)

Sat. Feb. 16 --  Vrindavan (Brindaban)/Mathura/Agra – After breakfast, 3 hour drive to Brindaban, the boyhood home of Lord Krishna.  We’ll then drive to Mathura, the birthplace of Krishna.  Then, we’ll continue to Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located.  Check into hotel, relax, free time.

Agra and the Taj Mahal

Sun. Feb. 17 – Agra – Rise early to visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise.  Visit gardens before returning to the hotel for breakfast then drive back to Delhi.  Upon arrival, transfer to domestic airport for short afternoon flight to Dehradhun (north of Delhi).  Upon arrival transfer to guesthouse in Rishikesh.  Dinner and relaxation

Rishikesh

Mon. Feb. 18 – Rishikesh – Explore the ancient city, walk in the forests, visit ashrams and temples.  We will have daily group meditations and plenty of time to explore Rishikesh on your own.  After lunch we’ll cross the Ram Joola walking bridge to visit the Parmarth Niketan Ashram for the evening arati (ritual waving of a lighted lamp before a holy person or image) under the stars.

Tues. Feb. 19 – Free day to shop, walk in the forest between the two bridges, visit temples and ashrams along the holy Ganges River.

Wed. Feb. 20 – Rishikesh/Haridwar – Free day.

Haridwar

Thurs. Feb. 21 – Camp – Today we drive about 2 hours to camp.  Lunch.  We’ll have morning and evening group meditations and chanting.  Campfire and chai tea at night.

Fri. Feb. 22 --  Camp – Enjoy river rafting, kayaking, trekking, swimming or just lie around enjoying the peace of this luxury camping place.

Sat. Feb. 23 – Camp – Free day.

Sun. Feb. 24 – Camp – Free day.

Mon. Feb. 25 --  Camp – Free day.

Rudraprayag

Tues. Feb. 26^th --  Rudraprayag – Drive through the foothills to Devaprayag (the beginning of the Ganges River).  After our visit we’ll move on to Rudraprayag and check into our hotel for a night along the Allakanda River.

Wed. Feb. 27 – Rudraprayag/Dwarahat – After breakfast, drive about 5 hours to Dwarahat Ashram.  Join the evening group meditation, have a class with Swamiji and then dinner before retiring in this serene place in the mountains.

Dwarahat Ashram

Thurs. Feb. 28^th – Dwarahat Ashram – Enjoy the ashram and take hikes into the hills to prepare for our next day’s hike to Babaji’s Cave.

Fri. Mar.1 – Babaji’s Cave (one of the SRF Gurus) – One of the highlights of the tour.  We’ll take a short drive through the hills then walk the path on Drona Giri mountain to our beloved Mahavatar Babaji’s cave.  If time permits we’ll also climb the steps of the sacred Duna Giri Temple.

Sat. Mar. 2 – Dwarahat Ashram – Free day.

Sun. Mar. 3 – Dwarahat/Corbett Park – Drive through the hills to Corbett National Park and stay in a lovely resort along the Kosi River.  Enjoy the peace of the park and take an elephant or jeep safari into the jungle looking for the elusive Bengal Tiger.

Mon. Mar. 4 – Corbett/Kathgodam – Enjoy the day at the resort before checking out in the late afternoon for a short drive to Kathgodam train station.  Here we will board the first class train to Delhi, arriving about 4am!  Breakfast then transfer to domestic airport for a morning flight to Mumbai (Bombay).  Upon arrival we will be met by a YSS devotee who has arranged a coach for us to the YSS Igatpuri Retreat, located in the hills outside the city (west coast of India).

Mumbai (Bombay) then on to Igatpuri Ashram

Tues. – Sat. Mar. 5-9 – Igatpuri Retreat – Enjoy ashram life and commemorate Guruji’s and Sri Yukteswar’s Mahasamadhis during our stay.  A retreat is conducted by the YSS monastics from the 6^th through the 9^th.

Sun. Mar. 10 – Mumbai/Delhi – Today is our final day in India.  We will take an afternoon flight back to Delhi, dinner then transfer to the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Monday, March 11  arrive Waco airport 10pm

Is It Enough?

No, I'm not talking about the debate over Convention coverage or whether or not the billions and billions (queue Carl Sagan's voice) of dollars spent on flood control in New Orleans was enough.  Don't even get me started about the silliness of our nation's political theatrics or people yammering on about how great it is to live on a sandbar within spitting distance of the Gulf.

What, me leave and build my house in a more sensible area, a la The Three Little Pigs?  Anybody along the coastline ever read that story as a child?

Evidently not.

No, by golly, I have a God-given right to live where I want and to have my Grover Norquist pledge-controlled government bail me out when I make nonsensical decisions.  By the way, will there ever be enough grandchildren on the planet, let alone in America, to pay our bills?  

Just asking.

Since I can't change others I'll content myself with focusing on critical decisions, which are in my purview.  At the moment, my most pressing issue is:  (drum roll, please)

Will I have enough Kleenex packets for 6-weeks of toilet needs while traveling in India?

We're not even uttering the words "Delhi belly" or letting those thoughts drift anywhere near consciousness.  No, sirree, I will have so much DigestZen, Immodium, and Apple Cider Vinegar capsules to prevent any such thing.  Plus, I'll be living on beans and rice and the occasional peelable fruit.  No fresh vegetables, dairy, or water from unsealed bottles.  Yum.  I can hardly wait.

Ah, packing for the unknown.  Do I load up the suitcase with protein bars, which I don't like on a good day but which may sound appetizing after the fifteenth serving of beans and rice, or do I assume that I'll be in such a cocoon of spiritual bliss that bodily desires will fall away?  

Not likely. 

I like comfort and I'm not sure that a complete personality change between now and January is possible.

January, you say?  Yes, ever the Girl Scout I am now and have been for some time preparing for this trip.  I have no doubt bored my friends silly with preparation talk.  I've introduced conversations with such riveting topics as, 'did you know that both Hep A and Hep B shots are recommended for travelers to India?'  That'll get the ball rolling.  Someone asked about Yellow Fever and I had to break it to him that Yellow Fever is passe in India.  No, they're into things like Typhoid and Dengue.  

I hear that there may a shot for Typhoid.  If so, I simply must get it so those antibodies can play around with the no longer needed Yellow Fever antibodies.  

Yellow Fever was for the Amazon portion of the Peru trip last year.  I knew that you were dying to ask but were too polite to interrupt.

And then there are all of those clothing decisions.  One simply cannot board the plane until one has bought and tried out more clothes than can possibly fit in the suitcase, or in my closet, for that matter.  But there are sooo many lovely options at all of those online travel stores.

Anyone else as addicted to Travel Smith, Magellans, and Orvis as I am?  Go ahead, put up your hands.  I know you're out there.  I'm not the only one determined to find the perfect items for every trip.  Heaven forbid I should reuse something.  It might no longer be perfect.

We all know that designers and marketers makes teensy, tiny changes in clothing lines every year in their public spirited effort to bring travel clothing ever closer to perfection and the economy to ever higher growth rates.

Oh, my, I have veered off topic.  Back to the issue at hand, Kleenex packets and Wet Ones.  Do I have enough?  

Cast your vote below.  Comments and travel tips are also welcome.  One simply can't agonize enough prior to a major trip.  It's part of the Travel Experience, don't you know?   Like eating beans and rice for six weeks.

Stay tuned, or not, for more scintillating missives from the packing frontlines.

A Little Bit of India

 . . . in Central Texas

(Photo by Suzanne Baldon)


Last weekend Wacoans had the opportunity to participate in the

Indian Diwali celebration, also known as the Festival of Lights.

This festival celebrates light overcoming darkness as

portrayed in the life of Rama, who after 14 years in exile,

returns to rule.

One of the fun bits was the chance to get a mehndi henna hand

painting.  In minutes, this lovely lady turned our hands into works

of art.  Mehndi is a washable tattoo that lasts about one

to four weeks.

We also had the opportunity to buy Indian clothing

and to see traditional Indian dancing.

(video by Suzanne Baldon)