So.. there's a bunch to catch y'all up on, but i only have 20 minutes, so i'll do my best..
I got myself backwards somehow for about three days, and at the behest of a friend i am going to post (when i have it on me) from my journal what i wrote to myself on sunday cuz it eloquates my thoughts fairly well (relative to my normal stream of thought writings).. But anyways by backwards i mean that i was unable to sleep for about three nights until 4.30, 5.30, 6.30am.. and consequently i didn't make any of the morning lectures - the sunday introductory one i skipped, but my neighbor went and filled me in on what i missed.. and the monday and tuesday mornings i missed but the afternoons i went to and i was hooked after the first day. it's not like iyengar or ashtanga or any of the 'gymnastic' yogas - it's firmly rooted in the esoteric traditions, and the first four days (up to today) have been jampacked full of esoteric information i had already accumulated over the years from various sources.. but then the first day i did it it worked.. i was amazed.. of course as these things tend to do, when you're on the right path, the first day was amazing, and then following that every day i've had to work at it and have come nothing close.. but i know that's just how it goes.. so believe it or not i've been waking up early (relatively) and walking down from high bank to ram jhula (about 2.5km) and taking the morning class AND the afternoon class.. and getting out usually around 9.30.. today the lectures are finally easing up and i should be done by 7.30 from the 6.30 lecture i have to be at in 20 min.
high bank was nice,, secluded,, met a lot of tourists - esp. a couple S. Africans who are travelling together (sort of.. splitting up now and again).. and a Swiss girl who speaks Italian.. may have mentioned her.. and so yeah.. just a few evenings there hanging out and talking to people.. and today I moved to Ram Jhula. theoretically i have a room to go to later tonight.. but mostly yoga.. and i think i'll do 2 weeks of the intensive 1 month class (i considered doing the whole month but i only have so much time and already i think i'll have to push back my departure a few days to about the 18 or 20 of Dec.. which is the middle of the week anyway and betters my chances at a good seat).
Rishikesh is very nice and very tourist-friendly.. (Amanda i'm putting together a list of places to go in India where you wouldn't find it too hard.. so get ready cuz i'm going back :p) my friend Papan says to write about him - he is travelling as well.. but is from Khajuraho, which i'm going to at some point.. and very nice.. very good people. it's actually his room i'm taking over tonight.. anyways Rishikesh - lot of Israelis.. and i'm assumed to be Israeli automatically (by Indians and Israelis alike) which is funny. Sfortunamente i don't speak Hebrew.. todah.. that's the extent of it. :)
Mom btw i have to apologize profusely for missing your birthday but i gather you're having a good time in Italia.. i find it great that we're both travelling concurrently. we can share stories and wot.. though i don't have your blog you should email it to me (unless you want everyone who reads my comments to read it also).
Everyone else i apologize that it's been 5 days and no word. i promise to gather together my thoughts and reflections and to bring my other journal with me next time i internet (right now it's packed up w/ my stuff in Tamal's room).
I'm trying to ditch half of my stuff here. i'm going to give away my clothes to Papan probably after i buy new ones.. he says he can give to some villagers/farmers. rishikesh has enough tourist' stuff & $$. but there are quite a few hospitals here and i'm going to see if i can unload 3/4 or more of my 'pharmacy' that i brought with me on them.. as i haven't needed any of it, and everywhere in india there's a pharmacy where you can get anything from antidepressants to antidiarrhea to antibiotics.. only things i'll keep are cipro, tylenol, and ibuprofen (and malarone, my malaria pills, though i'm debating whether to keep taking them as i dont like taking pills unnecessarily and there's virtually no malaria up here.. it's mostly in the south and middle.. so when i go that way maybe i'll start taking again (and maybe not).
anywot - with that i'm off for now.. 'til next time. ciao.
