Posted by Kath on August 6, 2009, at 19:59:53
I can't remember which thread you asked me where I'd been in India & you posted some links to lovely pictures of India.
This was way back in 1973. I was staying in an Ashram in Delhi. It was in December. It actually got very cold there at nights. The meditation 'guru' of the ashram was going on tour to various centres where his followers could come to see him & other interested people could come & hear 'satsangs' or talks which he would give.
The 'westerners' who were at the ashram got to go on tour also! It was the MOST cool experience ever. We travelled in a large old bus - with schoolbus type seats. NOT comfortable.
My memory isn't great, so I just got out my atlas & holy smokes! I had no idea that I had the amazing opportunity to see so much of India!!! And not in a touristy way...got to see people just living their lives.
We went from Dehli, down to Jaipur. The other towns/cities that I remember are: southeast to Ahmadabad, Baroda & ending at Bombay (& December or not it was HOT there). Then across to Calcutta & back inland & back up to Delhi. I wish my memory wasn't so bad.
It was an amazing experience. I particularly remember the first night on the bus. We were going to be staying overnight at the house of one of the people who did the meditation that this guru taught.
The bus had broken down & we were behind schedule, so it was late & dark. Every once in awhile the bus would stop so that we could get out & stretch our legs & pee. This was just out in the middle of the countryside; possibly near a small village. The protocol was that women went on one side of the road; men went on the other!! We'd try to find a schrubby bush or something to give some shelter. Sometimes we'd end up holding blankets up for each other to hide behind!! This is simply what people did in rural India (& even in some small villages - in a couple, you had to watch where you walked !!!Anyway, this night, the bus stopped & we got out & at the side of the road there was a little tea-making setup. It was only men & there was sort of a stone counter with a hole in it & the fire for making Chai (Indian spiced tea - yum) in a pot over the fire. I think most people probably bought some. It was poured into glasses (not exactly sparkling clean!). There were old men lounging on rope beds beside the tea-stand, chatting. But the thing that was magic was the sky. It was like velvet with holes cut out & the stars shining & sparkling through. It made me think of the Arabian Nights!
SO - that was my wonderful trip to India & boy I wish my memory was better.
:-)) Kath
Oh - one more sort of fun memory was in some rural village, a local Prince came to the talk that the guru was giving. The Prince was all dolled up - with servants & he sat up on the dias (raised stage-type thing) & let us all gaze upon his royal self!! LOL
poster:Kath
thread:910662
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20090802/msgs/910662.html