Goodbye for now India - You have taught me so much....

Returning to Delhi, after my restful time in Rishikesh, I realized after one month in India I felt relatively comfortable here. Delhi served as sort of a home base for making trips around Northern India. The chaotic city is best described to the senses as some of the most wonderful and worst smells of your life, alive to the eyes with accidents waiting to happen as motorists play chicken with each other in the over crowded streets shared with walking crowds of pedestrians. Upon first arrival, once again, I was overtaken by the yellow haze of smog and pollution, inescapable in this city, at the same time amazed at the beauty of these foreign exotic women sitting side saddle effortlessly on the back of motorbikes; their bright sari’s flying in the breeze and their golden bangles and jewels from head to toe glittering.

I was told when I came to India not to try to understand everything about the culture here. As many of you know me, this was hard because my thirst for knowledge is great in this respect. I took this advice and just tried to experience everything as it came. There is just so much unwestern-like behavior here; so foreign and what some may even call strange. For example many children have black eyeliner around their eyes. I could not understand this when I came here; it definitely looked strange to me. But now after having a bit more of an understanding of the Hindu culture and religion this is perfectly understandable and even normal. In case you are wondering, the Hindu’s paint the eyes of their children because they believe in doing so evil spirits will be scared away from the child; to keep the child safe. Hindus are very auspicious in nature; they do believe that this earthly life is cyclical and invoked through reincarnation. The Hindu social structure is based on Castes and it is believed that by living a life of good karma and fore filling positive moral obligations that one will be reborn into a higher Caste in the next life. Interesting right? Thought provoking….

There are some things that I will never understand and those of you whom have been to India will have a chuckle at these. Why are there so many electric switches in one room that do absolutely nothing? It is almost as if one was not working so they left it there, rather than fix it and installed new ones. Speaking of electricity I have seen some really unsafe electric wires; no wonder why the power is out so often here!! Another one is the mysterious Indian head bobble; does it mean yes or no…. I guess we’ll never know!! Maybe it means both!! Another one - Why is it that Holy cows in the street like to feast on cardboard? I have seen them eating cardboard over vegetables sitting next to them as an option…. strange. One more: why do Indians that go sight seeing always ask me to be in their pictures? Then they all take turns having their pictures taken with this blonde curly haired westerner…funny.

Well, this blog must come to end, as I am now back in Holland and I must admit am feeling quite cozy with all my missed western amenities like cappuccinos, clean toilets and hot water minus a bucket. Everything is so easily available here and I realize that we are so quick to take it for all for granted. This trip has made me appreciate it more that ever - I am so gratefully thankful for everything that I have and will do everything in my power to remain in this mind frame!!

Through this trip I have released so much about the world around me, the people living and traveling in it and about myself. I discovered newfound passions in my life that I never knew I had within me; valuable pieces that my life lacked before that are now alive. One is teaching others, especially children, it’s rewarding and fun!! Another is practicing yoga, meditation and living a life of spirituality. One last found treasure is my new love for writing and being able to share these experiences with others whom have not made the trip physically…. and better yet inspire them to travel because regardless of career, university education and material positions these experiences are the most valuable and life changing in one’s life journey.

Being able to experience these adventures ignites my life and the writing feeds the fire to keep these dreams alive forever. I hope you have enjoyed living my dream with me!!

I will leave you with an instruction from Buddha to inspire you: ‘Do not believe anything because it has always been believed or because the majority believe it. What you have fully comprehended and experienced yourself; only that believe. You do not have to become a monk to accomplish self-realization. Let the world be your monastery.’

So, let the world be your monastery and may your travels bless you with the wisdom of experiencing miracles of life first hand with an open heart and mind.