That's A Wrap: India

today is a big day for me. i left Ramana's Garden this morning after 2 months. and while it could be a roller coaster ride, it was a wonderful experience for me. it was difficult to walk through the gates for the last time, tears streaming down my face, as my friends kindly saw me through them. i am leaving filled with laughter and warmth, kindness and thoughtfulness, and the best hugs in the world from people who have left such a positive lasting impression on me, and especially my experience in india.

this journey also marks the end of my time in india after 5 months. and i feel like it is a good time to go. i have fond memories (with the people of Ramana's making the top of the list), although i have to admit, it was challenging and chaotic at times which probably proved to be the things that brought me here in the first place. in hindsight, i would not change a thing. from the chaos of the cities; dodging traffic; constant honking horns; the sheer number of people...everywhere; processing the volume of poverty, stray animals, trash; witnessing bodily excretions any ol' place; strong smells that either repulse or enchant; constant bartering; monkeys stealing food; rats, roaches, bed bugs, and lice; endless fields of fresh spices, coffee, and rice paddies in the south; fresh fruit and coconut juice; crazy bus and train adventures; delicious food with flavors that explode in your mouth and the varying cuisine from north to south; trekking and homestays; curious indians and random photographs; fresh sweet lime sodas with salt; inevitable bouts of diarrhea; vibrant colored clothing; chai wallas and becoming a chai connaseur; camel rides into the desert; ayurvedic massages; yoga experiences; rickshaw drivers; bus accidents; spiritual tourists wearing all white; swimming in the Ganga. this is just a quick abbreviated brainstormed list that could continue and continue.

the point is, all of these experiences are beautiful and challenging, frustrating and amazing, and they collectively are my indian experience. india is fantastic because it is what it is. the chaos is unforgiving. love it or hate it or both at the same time, it is open and honest and leaves you wondering, "what the hell?" and often justifying experiences with "because it is india," or "only in india." in a sense, india is one big oxymoron. it is extreme...to both ends. it is extremely complex in its caste system, traditions, and religions, but daily living is fairly basic. slow food (cooking and eating well with so many flavors), close family connections, living with essentials - oftentimes cold water, bucket showers, hand washing clothes and linens, simple homes that are essentially shelters, and wood fire cooking.

i cannot fully pinpoint what brought me here in the first place, but i know the challenge and chaos is part of it as well as the desire to live more simply and basically. seeing so blatantly how much water i use to shower or do laundry makes me reconsider how much i really need and how frequently i really need to do it. more than that, observing people wearing tattered clothes who barely have food is a stronger poke to simplify. perhaps the art of traveling itself encourages differentiating your needs and desires. the act of packing followed by the weight i feel when i toss on the pack really makes me reconsider..."what the hell is in here that is making it so heavy? do i seriously need all of the extra amenities?" process of elimination.

anyway, i am now ready to experience a different, more relaxed culture. so meg, tim, and i (the 2 friends i traveled with in the south), rendezvoused in rishikesh 2 months after splitting for our own adventures. we are now making our way into nepal for some trekking. first stop: Pokhara, our jumping off point for a 3 week trek around the annapurnas. then, tentatively, we will head into kathmandu to check out the scene, and depending on how we are feeling at that time, we will try to beat the weather and aim for everest base camp. whew!