Articles

My Trip to India

India is a land of many colors, a land of many contrasts.

You look out over a sea of colors flashing everywhere, and it takes you a moment to realize these colors are on the bodies of many women. Bright yellow, shocking pink, royal blue, green with pink flowers, ice blue with gold leaves, it is an eye treat where ever you look. You try to determine if they are poor or well fed since the colors don't discriminate rank in society. Their smiles are deceiving as well since even the hungry smile as they beg for food.

The city streets are mobbed with the two lanes of traffic turning into six. Every other car is honking at the other that is making a new lane, that is not his, or because they want to pass regardless of on coming traffic. It is a common phenomenon to play the game "chicken" with on coming traffic or camels.

The free roaming cows or Brahman bulls make their way in between cars snacking on a few blades of grass along the meridian or on the side of the road. The raw garbage on the side of the road makes a special lunch or dinner for the cows, dogs and goats.

Somehow all of the noise and commotion bypasses those living in makeshift tents of plastic bags or dirty rags. There can be six people living in a space of 3 feet by 5 feet. They sleep eat, wash, and converse there. The out doors, by the side of the buildings, becomes the bathroom with modesty obsolete--squatting is a natural and comfortable position in front of others or alone in the fields. It could be to crack wheat or to relieve oneself.

We left for the countryside to the part of India known for it's spirituality, it's holiness, Gurus and temples. We passed snake charmers, monkeys, and elephants. Holy men were walking with staffs and turbans with ancient wisdom written on their faces.

The trees brought a calmer energy in, a peaceful feeling of total acceptance. The first stop was the beloved river—The Ganges. As we approached we saw people dunking themselves in the water, splashing themselves and their children or babies. Others made tributes to the loving water of flowers, floating candles, even scarves. As we cautiously stepped into the water I could feel a beautiful, peaceful, loving energy that the water gave back in gratitude for the love she received.

I could picture the thousands of bodies drinking in the only gift India bestowed upon them. Happy that Shiva was smiling down on them. In the distance I could hear children singing and chanting in the temples. As I looked for the sounds, a cow came walking up to me as if asking for money as the children do. I asked her what I could give her as her eyes pleaded with me. She waited for a while and turned as if to say, "You too betray me, where is my breakfast?" We offered her a candy, but she was totally offended and walked away.

We went on to the suspended bridge that connected two spiritual worlds together with wire and a band of monkeys. I thought the monkeys cute until one batted at my head. I took off running since we were warned they could be aggressive. When I reached the other side a holy man painted in red and blue, all over his body, with feathers on him and many rings in his ears and nose, approached me, blessing me with a ruby colored bindy on my third eye. He then posed for a picture with me. Afterwards, he put his hand out and asked for 50 rupees. Even holy men need to eat.

We hired a guide to take us to other temples, one that was many miles up the mountain. We kept climbing up a road that barely fit one car yet was a two lane road and drivers play the chicken game! The drive up was spectacular. When we reached the top, tucked into a small rustic town, stood a temple that was 1500 years old. It was so beautiful. We made a tribute to the Gods, a gift made of flowers, candy, ribbons, pictures, etc., that was sold outside of the town specifically for this purpose. Again, we were blessed with an anointment of paint to our third eye.

We made our way down the mountain slowly incase there were on coming cars. I had to close my eyes so I wouldn't panic. Our guide had other worries he shared with us later. He said he was worried that the elephants would appear from the woods. I guess the road wouldn't accommodate all of us. He may have been afraid of them charging.

We found the Green Hotel Restaurant that was highlighted in one of the tour books. It was an Italian Restaurant with authentic cooking. We were so happy to find food without spices or that was heating the mouth. What a find!

Last stop that day was an Ashram. It was back in town right on the Ganges. It was very beautiful and we arrived just in time to see the prayers and dedication to the Ganges with candlelit floats that sparkled in the night air. Rows and rows of pumpkin colored robes chanted lovely prayers. Some were tiny children of three or four years old studying to be a monk. They lit candles, waved them around in the air and then passed them on to others. The lovely smiles and caring hearts made offerings to me so that I too could chant and pass the candle. They made me feel such a part of them and of the total human race.

I dipped the holy beads I bought earlier into the Ganges, to watch the dyed red color stream off of them into the river, as if an offering of blood. I let them dry knowing they would make someone's home fill with the same peace the river brings to all. I looked down at my bare feet (one is required to be barefoot when going into any temple or holy place) they were starting to feel cold and dirty. I longed for a shower after a long day, in a civilized hotel one with modern amenities. What a deep and wonderful sleep.

The next day, we headed for new territory. This time it was back to a city but in another state of India. This city is known for it's temples, palaces, a pink city, gems, and good shopping. We treated ourselves to a stay in a palace for the last two days of our visit. We opted for the suite since the price was still reasonable. Six rooms of beautiful antiques and paintings made me feel like princess Jasmine. The windows were all shaped like old Indian windows. It was just beautiful. The day after we arrived it was "Holy day", a day where they give up the old ways to cleanse to be reborn into the new self. They throw and shoot colors at each other so that they are covered in colors. Another colorful eye treat. They play music and drums as they do every where. They love entertainment and will entertain us with the different cultural dance and music whenever they are asked. We saw some amazing entertainment.

I loved Indian food before I left for India. I enjoyed the food the first four days until I realized I was eating it breakfast, lunch and dinner. Everything was spiced and hot. I developed a stomach bug on the third day. I tried to ignore it but it wouldn't let me. I couldn't wait at that time to get home.

It is always nice to go away, but "THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME."

I have been dreaming about India since I arriving home. I am still processing everything in dreams. India is a people and a land that I will never forget.

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Cindy Blum cindyblum@earthlink.net