I have flown forever…Delhi to Singapore to Beijing to Vancouver and somehow have arrived at what was Delhi’s yesterday. I find it best not to grapple with those thoughts of date lines and flying ahead of the sun. It spins my brain into a knot. And considering my eyes feel perilously close to crossing and my head stuffed with a soggy sponge in lieu of a brain, it’s probably best not to think too hard.
However, I’m determined to remain upright as long as possible so that I’ll hopefully sleep through the night. I’m optimistic that the melatonin will help…
We had a slow start on the last day of our Indian travels…enough time for Karen Ann to organize the last details of her Delhi doggie rescue and for the rest of us to lounge about at The Visaya…another amazingly serene hotel that was organized for us by Madhu @ 10 Year Itch (I still can’t believe how serendipitous it was to find that blog and suddenly become their first clients for their new India travel company).
I haven’t talked too much about the hotels because a) I’m constantly gobsmacked by some other seemingly impossible revelation that India is throwing at us or, b) there has been relatively few opportunities to post a blog at all.
But pulling up to each of these properties has been some of the highlights of our stay. Every time we think, “This is it. This is the best place we’ve stayed.”
But then our wonderful chauffeur (a chauffeur for crying out loud!) Mr. Datar Singh, pulls up to the next palace hotel or Zen-modern classic like The Visaya, and once again we’re enthralled.
At each property, we step out of the cacophony of all that is India and into an insulated bubble of beauty.
There is no getting around the disparity between our existence and so many of the poor that surrounded us.
Just the very fact of having the wherewithal to fly halfway around the world means we are wealthier than most people on the planet.
The fact that most of the mansion-like hotels are cheaper than a run-down motel in Vancouver is not the point. But then I don’t really know what the point is…except…I don’t know how to reconcile these parallel planets that can contain my existence with all its attendant luxuries with a world that includes a woman whose day includes carrying a huge bundle of grasses on her head?
This is much worse than trying to figure out time zones, because when I try to wrap my mind around these things, I am suddenly met with nothing but the sound of silence. The kind of mind-breaking silence that Zen-koans are known to inspire.
Throughout our stay at the ashram, the Swami said that all answers are contained by going deeply into that silence.
Perhaps it’s time to just sit and hold that quiet.
creatively put up…interesting read…
Thanks Rahul…enjoyed your site as well 🙂
Another great story … welcome back to Vancouver in the sunshine! I’ve enjoyed the journey. Love the shot of the jumble wires in contrast to the beautiful tile work and luxury of the Castle Mandawa bar. How did the dogs handle the looong flight?
Thanks Martha…the weather in Vancouver is so gorgeous! The wiring in that country is crazy. It’s a wonder they don’t have w-a-a-a-y more blackouts than they already do. The dogs all arrived in great shape. I walked with Karen and her lovely Shanti this morning in Sechelt…Shanti’s a great dog and learning English quickly 🙂
What a trip! It’s obvious your mind has travelled much further than your body, so I expect it will take some time before the mental trip is over. It was quite wonderful reading your reflections and descriptions: they were vivid, thought provoking and often hilarious. Thank you!
Carol. Thanks so much for your always-so-kind comments. It’s so much fun to be able to share a trip with people that ‘get’ it. I appreciate your company on the journey…Namaste!
Welcome home, Colleen. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed traveling with you through your posts and might even consider a trip myself if it were as well organized as yours. The thought of traveling to India on my own, however, is simply terrifying…although I don’t know why. I think I’d just find it all overwhelming. Anyway, I’m glad you made it back safe and I hope you’re able to retain serenity for a good long time.
Sharry, I can’t encourage you enough to check it out. Madhu @ 10 Year Itch didn’t miss a detail. If going alone seems daunting, just grab a good travelin’ friend and get Madhu on the case.
It’s really not overwhelming but it is certainly intense. That’s what was so nice about having such great hotels to sit and regroup a little.
And yes, I am feeling pretty serene still…in spite of the mess…so I’m taking that as a good sign.
Welcome home!
Thanks Barb…It’s great to be back to such amazing clear skies and clean streets 🙂
Blessings Gwen. You are such a faithful reader. I’m happy to report that I slept like the dead last night…bless that melatonin, eye mask and ear plugs for a total deep sleep! Looking forward to catching up…Namaste!
Awesome post (as always). You have such a way of making me feel as though I’ve journeyed alongside you. Happy that you’re back and wishing you pleasant dreams tonight as you catch up to today. Will be here when you arrive. 🙂