After a long couple days walking in the mountains Haley and I decided we needed a break from all of the pain and soreness. Dr. Maher had mentioned that there were good massages offered in India so we decided to check it out. Haley made us an appointment for six at night. We walked over fifteen minutes before not really knowing what to expect. Once we of there we left our shoes outside and walked in. The atmosphere was very calming and relaxing. We met with two Indian women and were ushered into a room. There we were ordered to undress completely. I looked at her shocked and she told me all of my clothing an then to lay on the may on the floor. Once I payed down I relaxed a little. She rubbed oil over my entire body, leaving nothin to the imagination. After a while I relaxed and really enjoyed the experience and wasn't weirded out that I was completely naked in front of a stranger. After the experience I felt like a new person. All of my muscles felt relaxed and amazing. I would recommend it to anyone traveling in India and it was only 500 rupees!! Probably going to get anothe one before I leave! Lovin these places :)
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Up in the Mountains
We have finally arrived in McLeod Ganj. In order to get here we have to drive 12 hours on Indian highways, which was a harrowing experience. The city we are in is much higher than rishkish. Up in the clouds the temperature is much cooler. The 90 degree weather actually feels cold. The hotel is on the side of a mountain. While looking around the clouds cleared to show a massive rock faced, snow capped mountain. It looks like the Paramount movie mountain, a super impressive sight.
The town has a completely different atmosphere than any other town. It is a Buddhist town, the home of the Dalai Lama. Today we learned about the occupation of Tibet of China. I had of course heard of the free Tinet movement but didn't know what it really meant. I had no idea that 7 million people were forced to abandon their traditions. Pherhaps the most emotional part of the day for me was the method of protesting that young Tibetians are using. As the ultimate protest they are setting themselves on fire. I could not imagine the dedication that these people feel. They feel as of there is no other way to state their feelings. Outside of the Dalai Lamas house is a wall dedicated to these 117 people and counting. At the same time I understand there are various political reasons that a country could not intervene in this situation.
It is hard to describe how this experience will have changed me. I think time will allow me to sort trough the various emotions and lessions that I have experienced. The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of cities, traveling, and great comrade. I look forward to the last week here in India.
The town has a completely different atmosphere than any other town. It is a Buddhist town, the home of the Dalai Lama. Today we learned about the occupation of Tibet of China. I had of course heard of the free Tinet movement but didn't know what it really meant. I had no idea that 7 million people were forced to abandon their traditions. Pherhaps the most emotional part of the day for me was the method of protesting that young Tibetians are using. As the ultimate protest they are setting themselves on fire. I could not imagine the dedication that these people feel. They feel as of there is no other way to state their feelings. Outside of the Dalai Lamas house is a wall dedicated to these 117 people and counting. At the same time I understand there are various political reasons that a country could not intervene in this situation.
It is hard to describe how this experience will have changed me. I think time will allow me to sort trough the various emotions and lessions that I have experienced. The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of cities, traveling, and great comrade. I look forward to the last week here in India.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Finally in Mcleod Ganj!
Hey everyone!
So much has happened since I last blogged. I was able to scratch yet another thing off my bucket list; white water river rafting! It was so much fun and my guide was hilarious. It was an experience I would not trade for anything else in the world. The water felt amazing and the sight of the rapids got my adrenaline pumping. Rishikesh was a beautiful town along the Ganges. The hotel that we stayed at had an amazing staff of Nepalese men who were friendly and constantly helpful. Made me feel right at home. It was a great time.
We left this morning for Dharamsala in a bunch of Jeeps. The ride took about 12 hours total. We drove through the beautiful Punjab region of India and though the Himalayas. I never knew I could learn so much about India in just one car ride. I initially realized that we were in the Punjabi region when I began to see Sikh temple after Sikh temple. These temples are easy to spot because they are normally white buildings with short turrets and domes that are lined with gold. They really are magnificent buildings. I also began to notice all the Sikh men. You can easily pick out a Sikh because he will be wearing a turban which wraps his uncut hair and will have a full beard. I also noticed a difference in stature among these men from many previous Indians I have encountered. I know this is an odd thing to notice, but I had a lot of time on my hands! Initially, I was unsure if my mind was playing tricks on me. Maybe there was no difference. Dr. Maher eventually explained that he would agree that there is a size difference. He believes this is because the Punjab region is very lush and has rich, fertile ground. They produce a lot of food in this area of the country, which can explain the larger stature.
We finally arrived in Mcleod Ganj late in the afternoon, but I still had time to explore a little bit. I cannot justly describe the beauty of this town. It is situated on a very narrow ridge and part of the mountain side. It only has five main roads. Ninety-five percent of the citizens of this area are Tibetans. This is most likely due to the presence of the Dalai Lama. He currently resides in this town. This area has the cleanest roads of any place I have been in India. For once, I can walk the streets without having to watch where I step in order to avoid the minefield of cow dung and smeared garbage. I have not been hassled by a store owner once, and from what I can tell, I have been offered decent prices for the items I am interested in. I love it here already!
Till next time,
Karina
So much has happened since I last blogged. I was able to scratch yet another thing off my bucket list; white water river rafting! It was so much fun and my guide was hilarious. It was an experience I would not trade for anything else in the world. The water felt amazing and the sight of the rapids got my adrenaline pumping. Rishikesh was a beautiful town along the Ganges. The hotel that we stayed at had an amazing staff of Nepalese men who were friendly and constantly helpful. Made me feel right at home. It was a great time.
We left this morning for Dharamsala in a bunch of Jeeps. The ride took about 12 hours total. We drove through the beautiful Punjab region of India and though the Himalayas. I never knew I could learn so much about India in just one car ride. I initially realized that we were in the Punjabi region when I began to see Sikh temple after Sikh temple. These temples are easy to spot because they are normally white buildings with short turrets and domes that are lined with gold. They really are magnificent buildings. I also began to notice all the Sikh men. You can easily pick out a Sikh because he will be wearing a turban which wraps his uncut hair and will have a full beard. I also noticed a difference in stature among these men from many previous Indians I have encountered. I know this is an odd thing to notice, but I had a lot of time on my hands! Initially, I was unsure if my mind was playing tricks on me. Maybe there was no difference. Dr. Maher eventually explained that he would agree that there is a size difference. He believes this is because the Punjab region is very lush and has rich, fertile ground. They produce a lot of food in this area of the country, which can explain the larger stature.
We finally arrived in Mcleod Ganj late in the afternoon, but I still had time to explore a little bit. I cannot justly describe the beauty of this town. It is situated on a very narrow ridge and part of the mountain side. It only has five main roads. Ninety-five percent of the citizens of this area are Tibetans. This is most likely due to the presence of the Dalai Lama. He currently resides in this town. This area has the cleanest roads of any place I have been in India. For once, I can walk the streets without having to watch where I step in order to avoid the minefield of cow dung and smeared garbage. I have not been hassled by a store owner once, and from what I can tell, I have been offered decent prices for the items I am interested in. I love it here already!
Till next time,
Karina
So Far, So Great in the Mountains of India!
With forests, rivers, and beautiful views, I had no idea how beautiful the Himalaya's of India were! After spending so much time in well built cities isolated from nature (aside from the street animals), it was refreshing to be surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains in Rishikesh and Mcleod Ganj.
The cold, rushing Ganga River in Rishikesh was the perfect setting to go on some exciting adventures. After hiking down to a secluded spot on the Ganga, trekking to the Beatle's Ashram, rafting down a long stretch of the Ganga, and dining a stones-throw away from the river, I learned how much being surrounded by natural beauty can bring out the best in people. I was really worried about going hiking and rafting down the Ganges (I was warned how incredibly dangerous these activities were), but after doing these activities and learning what I'm capable of, I realized that half the battle of doing anything is mental. If I convince myself that I'm not strong enough, coordinated enough, brave enough, etc to do anything, then it's a lot more difficult to climb down the mountain than if I take a deep breath, tell myself everything will be alright, and trust that the people around me will help me if I stumble. It's important to use caution, common sense, and to recognize one's own limits, but you also have to recognize if caution is being used as a scapegoat for illogical fear.
We arrived in Mcleod Ganj after a 12 hour car ride through the windy one-lane highways of the Indian mountains. Just like in Varanasi and Rishikesh, I was struck by the religious overtones to everything in this town. While the Ganges River provided the religious currents in Varanasi and Rishikesh, the presence of the Dalai Lama in Mcleod Ganj makes a special religious atmosphere here. I can't wait to explore this town and learn about Tibetan culture and religion!
All the best!
Leela
The cold, rushing Ganga River in Rishikesh was the perfect setting to go on some exciting adventures. After hiking down to a secluded spot on the Ganga, trekking to the Beatle's Ashram, rafting down a long stretch of the Ganga, and dining a stones-throw away from the river, I learned how much being surrounded by natural beauty can bring out the best in people. I was really worried about going hiking and rafting down the Ganges (I was warned how incredibly dangerous these activities were), but after doing these activities and learning what I'm capable of, I realized that half the battle of doing anything is mental. If I convince myself that I'm not strong enough, coordinated enough, brave enough, etc to do anything, then it's a lot more difficult to climb down the mountain than if I take a deep breath, tell myself everything will be alright, and trust that the people around me will help me if I stumble. It's important to use caution, common sense, and to recognize one's own limits, but you also have to recognize if caution is being used as a scapegoat for illogical fear.
We arrived in Mcleod Ganj after a 12 hour car ride through the windy one-lane highways of the Indian mountains. Just like in Varanasi and Rishikesh, I was struck by the religious overtones to everything in this town. While the Ganges River provided the religious currents in Varanasi and Rishikesh, the presence of the Dalai Lama in Mcleod Ganj makes a special religious atmosphere here. I can't wait to explore this town and learn about Tibetan culture and religion!
All the best!
Leela
Rishikesh
Even though I was so upset to leave Varanasi, I am so happy we were able to go to Rishikesh! It was so beautiful! The mountains were such a nice change from the hectic, chaotic streets we have gotten used to staying in. Our hotel was probably one of the best just because of the staff. They were such kind people and so helpful! And they were the BEST cooks! On one of our days in Rishikesh we were able to visit the Beatles Ashram! This is the place The Beatles visited in India for meditation training. This is where they wrote many songs which were recorded for "White Album" and some for "Abbey Road." The ashram is actually closed to the public but we were still able to go inside and see it all! (This is one of the many advantages of having Dr. Maher with us!) I can't wait to tell some of my family about this place because I know how much they love The Beatles.
The next day we were able to go white water rafting! This was probably one of the funnest things I have ever done! It was so exciting! I was pretty scared at first, but once I got on the raft I didn't want to get off! The water was freezing but felt so good because of how hot it was. We also stopped to see a small waterfall and we even jumped off a giant rock into the river! This has definitely been one of the most exciting days in India! So far I have loved everything we have done! I feel like after each city I have been so sad to leave. Everything we do I say "This is my favorite part of the trip!"...Until my next favorite thing comes along. I can't wait to see what happens in our few final stops! I can't believe we only have less than a week left in India. I don't want to leave!!! :(
The Traffic in India!
Okay, if anyone has already blogged about this my apologizes, just every time we get into a car the driving patterns around here amazes me. First of all there vehichles are very different. There are ricsaws which some cities in the states have but these can be motor or bicycle driven. And there is absoultley no limit to how many people and you can bargan the price. On ride we got seven people all on the tiny "golf cart". There are also very big dump trucks rather than eighteen wheelers. They are all decorated very colorfuliy and individualistically. In some states the big trucks are only allowed to drive at night. There are also old buses and bigger AC tourist buses every where. Also here they have cars vans, and SUVs that look similar to ours in an alienistic way. The less usually seen in the USA would be all the people on bicycles, horse drawn carrages and camels. Most populare mode of transportation though is defintaly motorcycles and mopeds. People try to fit everything and themseveles on one. I often seen family of four riding togethere on ones. The police jeeps and ambulances here are avaible but few. The ones I have seen with there lights on never go any faster than the rest of the traffic and the traffic usually is so crazy already that the can't get through. I hope I never need one.
Now on to the actually traffic seen. Frist the vehicle drives pretty much where ever these please. There are lines on some roads, but no one really tries to stay in them except the huge trucks. Second dangerous to me habit you can pass when ever and where ever you feel like it. You just honk once to warn the person and pass on by. They do a lot of honking here. Never really for road rage reasons just to warn other drivers. The honks here to sometimes seem to sing not a pretty song but they will beat it several times or the trucks horns with have ashore tune. Unlike the US where we seem to lay on if we use the horn. As you walk up and down the small streets and alleyways cars and motorcycles come honking by. I had one car's side mirrow wacked me from behind. There have been many scary street crossing sessions too. hahha but we are all alright!
Until Later My Firends, Goodnight&Goodmoring :)
Kaitlyn R
Now on to the actually traffic seen. Frist the vehicle drives pretty much where ever these please. There are lines on some roads, but no one really tries to stay in them except the huge trucks. Second dangerous to me habit you can pass when ever and where ever you feel like it. You just honk once to warn the person and pass on by. They do a lot of honking here. Never really for road rage reasons just to warn other drivers. The honks here to sometimes seem to sing not a pretty song but they will beat it several times or the trucks horns with have ashore tune. Unlike the US where we seem to lay on if we use the horn. As you walk up and down the small streets and alleyways cars and motorcycles come honking by. I had one car's side mirrow wacked me from behind. There have been many scary street crossing sessions too. hahha but we are all alright!
Until Later My Firends, Goodnight&Goodmoring :)
Kaitlyn R
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Do and Die
Do and die. This was the message of our Ganges River guide from Nepal and it has been stuck in my head since we left the rapids. Had his English been better do or die would have been stuck in my head all day instead of do and die, but I know what he meant. What does do or die really mean? Is it a situation where the consequences of inaction are so unbearable that they are comparable to death? Or is it just an old saying that dare devils use as motivation to do their stunts? For me, do or die means taking risk. Not taking risk just for the sake of taking risk, but taking chances in life in order to get ahead. When our guide told us do or die today, yes it inspired me to let go of what was holding me back from jumping into the river, but now its allowing me to see that I have to let go of whats holding me back in life and take more risk. Everything good in my life has come from this do or die mantra. When I was hesistant about visiting ECU I took a chance. When I almost deleted the India study abroad email, I took a chance and responded. And when I almost punked out and didn't go on the river rapid trip today, I told myself do or die and it turned out to be the funnest day yet here in India. Rishikesh is great for so many different reasons (especially the food!), but for me personally its great because it has allowed me to realize that its impossible to get ahead in life without taking risk. Yes it might sound crazy that it took a little man from Nepal speaking broken English for me to realize this, but I'm finding that thats just how life works sometimes. To quote William Shedd, "a ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for." So for me as a young man going out into the world, its do or die time always.
Weh'yee "West" Barkon
Weh'yee "West" Barkon
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