Friday, January 11, 2008

Rajastan

(Sorry everyone I have been deep in process in my pligrimige, and have been in areas that are not condusive to email. I have had just little time to write any extra, and was also needing to have the experience. So my writing will be infrequest, and will get easier in Thailand in May. Until then we miss you all, and will update you as soon as possible!) This area of India has strength and pride, as well as a desperation for money. We arrive in Jodpur to the pushiness of touts paying off the bus driver to get to our luggage. In me arises this protection, and anger for me and all of the travelers that are tring to get off the bus. Of course I piss off all of the rickshaw drivers, and have them befuddled. I grab the bags that the rickshaw drivers are trying to take and yell no at them. Any yelling in India scares them. One guy says you do not understand how it works. (but yes I do! i just do not want to do it there way)This is an area that has a magnificent fort where many wars have taken place, and Spencer felt the pull of the need to fight to take care of what you have. This was also a place we manifested the beautiful room to stay in to heal as we both had bad colds, and bronchial congestion. While we are healing we learn of Millet chapatis which are gluten free. They are called Sogra! They are yummy to eat with anything, and are specific to Rajastan. Here is were the Camel treks are done. I at the time could not imagine doing any thing where there was dust.

When tring to leave it felt like there was this strange hold over us to never leave. Almost as if they needed to get as much money out of us before it was to late. We struggled to get a train ticket. I learned the India way of not Queueing as they think they are in line, but really it is about who you befriend in line to get to the front. Women always go first, but not when older men who look official walk up and buy a ticket! We finally leave to go to Mt Abu, which is a hill station, that is like being in a mystical mountain paradise compared to the rest of India. We experienced the Brahmacharin which is a new mix of Hindu, christian, and many other religions. We go to a museum that is supposed to give us a idea of what it is they do. We see the evil charaters of demons that are greed, gluten, and many others that are attacking the salvation of all. The new world few would be all those who have connected with the oneness they call the egg to reach enlightenment. After the world is burned of the evil, those who are enlightened would be led by Krishna and Rahda to the new paradise. We decide the museum is a little scary, and proceed to a temple. We end up going to the actual place where they meditate, and talk with a nice Indian man who describes what kind of meditation they do. Then we later read of how they know that you can reach enlightenment through abstinence, and that many people have had what I would call immaculate conception with there husbands. In this I see the social issues of India taking hold of a mystical practice, that needs to look at social issues. Saying that Spencer and I decide it is not for us. Though a girl that I met found this to be just her thing. She is one of a few people on a spiritual quest in India like Spencer and I. I have to say that is what I thought that India would be about. Meeting like minded people, but there are many who come to vacation...party....or just get away. It seems like most places we go are catering to those Indians also that are becoming middle class, that have lots of money.

We have decided to move straight on to Hampi! We are done with Rajastan, and need to get to the start of some healing. This was a strong initiation that we are now looking for gentleness!