Rishikesh, October 5, 2011

Footbridge across the Ganges

 In the early morning hours I see women in saris, men in shorts, and little naked children bathing at the ghats (stairs under bridge) opposite my hotel.  So I walked down to the Ganges to get my feet in the water.  Since the source of the river is high up in the Himalaya, the water is icy cold!  Humans can get used to anything.  That which does not kill us, makes us stronger!

I walked to my favorite breakfast place that sits on the cliff at entrance to the bridge, to have a pastry from their German bakery.  It's a fabulous place with the morning breeze blowing in,and a great view, not to mention the food, which is the best I have found here.

The backpackers trudge along, some carrying 2 packs, looking for a suitable hotel on the other side.  And of course, the monkeys are a constant source of entertainment; the mothers nursing their babies, young ones scamper along the cables, and the large male (right), posturing, asserting his dominance.

Sri Trayanbakshwar Temple

The rafts drift past, headed for white water rapids.  This has become a go-to spot for rafting as well as the hikes in the surrounding mountains.  There are waterfalls, lucious vegetation and wildlife to see.  With the sun topping the mountain at 8:30 am comes the heat, which is not bad today after the night's rain.

Street Vendor

 Durga Puja rocks on with a large prasad (serving of food to the people) at lunch time.  While in a shop earlier a lady came by with a tray of smaller portions and I sampled one.  It was some kind of small bean, spicy, with something about the consistancy of mashed potatoes, but a bit sweet, to mash into the beans to pick them up.  Of course, you eat it with your hands.  I was glad mine were clean at the time.

I belong to a travel forum at couchsurfing.com and will meet with Amit, whom I met on the Rishikesh forum, at 5:30 pm.  He works at a large non-profit here in town and should provide interesting conversation.  I like to get to know the locals.  I am also trying top connect with a mother & daughter who live here, but have been unsuccessful so far.

I bought a new book by J. Krishnamurti (1895-1986) yesterday to mentally prepare myself for the ashram.  I have 2 of his books at home and really enjoy his wisdom.  He is anti-religion and dogma, rather proporting self-discovery as the way to the truth. I quote: "Spiritual leadership is contrary to spirituality. A man who is enlightened, clear, does not need a leader, but he who is confused demands a leader, and so creates him out of his own confusion."  An interesting viewpoint at the very least, but really strikes a note in me.

On a lighter note, I am still trying to figure out how to cut cross-country to Dharamsala.  I may have to bus north to a larger town, Dehradun, to catch the tourist bus.  It leaves in the evening to arrive at 6 o'clock in the morning.  Hopefully I will get a little sleep in transit.