Agra and Dharamsala

Just a quick update from the last couple of weeks. The train to Agra from Chennai was really a surprise -- clean, comfortable, bordering on luxurious. It was not only comfortable, but I had 2 very interesting cabin mates, both Indian men who gave me lots of good information about tigers, children's camps, and world philosophy. The train even arrived early! My guest house in Agra was lovely, good breakfasts and fine people. I toured the Taj Mahal both from across the river at sunset, where I rode a camel!!!, and the official inside visit at dawn the next day. In addition I visited Itimad-Ud-Daulah, known as the "Baby Taj" and Akbar's Mausoleum in Sikandra. All very impressive and worthwhile. Agra is a busy crazy Indian city that I enjoyed visiting, and two days was enough.

So I jumped on a train heading north to Pathankot where I got on a bicycle rickshaw to the bus station for a 4-hour wild ride up to Dharamsala and beyond to McLeod Ganj, the home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetian community-in-exile. I love it here. Cool crisp air to breathe!!! What a relief!!! Spectacular snow-capped Himalayan peaks almost close enough to touch! No bugs!!! Excellent food! Tibetian culture, and lots of Kashmiris. And best of all, I've met some great people. On my first morning, having breakfast on the rooftop of my hotel, Pink House, I met Lakshme, a Canadian woman, with whom I've been paling around ever since. In our yoga class we also met several others, and we formed a lovely pack of fun-loving traveler-seekers. We've hiked to lakes, shopped like crazy, listened to the Dalai Lama speak in his home temple, and mostly ate and talked about everything. Great people, a great experience. I've loved soaking up all the ambiance of Tibet, meeting the people from both Tibet and Kashmir (who are here because there is so little work in Kashmir), and being in this atmosphere of spirituality and meditation and fun! I feel very happy!

And now, after a week in McLeod Ganj, I'm leaving... Tomorrow I'm taking an overnight bus to Dehra Dun where I'll be starting a 10-day Vipassana Meditation course. See www.dhamma.org to find out what it's all about. I'll be resurfacing on March 24th and will let you know how it was.

Until then, I'll leave you with the mantra/affirmation that has been keeping me in a joyous state ever since, and even before I left Auroville:

I am traveling through (India and) all of life's journey with
ease and grace and joy,
courage and faith,
compassion and love.
I am always safe.

And so it is!

Pictures will come later. In the meantime just visualize me at the Taj Mahal on a camel and amid Himalayan peaks in exotic, exciting India!