I am amazed at this experience of life I'm living right now....and right now is all that matters(although when I think of the future, it only excites me and takes me away from my center). After the filth I witnessed in Varanasi and after spending 4 longest hours of my life on the train station in Varanasi waiting for the ever elusive train to take me to Delhi, I was ready to right India off forever. At the train station between the hours of midnight and 4 am, I saw the worst India has to offer....the homeless children, the hungry wolf like men waiting to pounce on the homeless girls, diseased and rotting animals, huge and very well fed rats running around in the kitchen of a restaurant!!!! I couldn't understand why anyone bothers to come visit India and I really couldn't see anything spiritual and holy in all this shit.

A long train ride brought us to the city of Rishikesh. It's a quaint little city of ashrams and temples along the banks of the holy river Ganga and nestled between the holy majestic Himalayas. I can't say it was love at first sight but now I can safely say that I've hit jackpot with this city. Not a day goes by when I don't meet some random person that truly enhances my life. Rishikesh literally means city of Rishis (wise sage). All through the history of India, sages have meditated along the Ganga in this city. THe city vibrates at a different frequency. There is so much peace here in the chaos of India. I've met a beautiful woman here, who's been living with an Indian guru for over 20 years. She's a truly enlightened soul and she's really helped me open my heart. I've met a 25 year old beautiful guy here who has completely blown me away with his wisdom. Another truly enlightened soul! He's a great astrologer, the best I've ever met.

My beloved Eran, who is now called Joe, was with me on this journey. He's left for Israel a couple of days ago and I'm supposed to meet with him there in a 5 days. But this astrologer guy, Anand, has invited me to join this vedic teaching group he's holding next week. So now, looks like plans will have to be changed. This is how beautifully life is flowing for me right now. Existence keeps bringing gems into my life and I'm open to receiving it. The more I receive, the more I get. I am just awed by the beauty of life and the selflessness of this divine existence that keeps showering these gifts on me. I neither deserve them nor do I work for them, but they keep coming my way. My heart is overflowing with gratitude. THank you, thank you , thank you

WOW! My last post was almost 5 months ago. A lot has happened in the last 5 months, both in the spiritual world and my physical world. I am not much into sharing my inner journey any more. It's becoming more and more personal and intense and I feel that sharing such experiences tend to leak my energy. Just want you guys to know that i am happier and stronger than I've ever been before. I still have no idea where life is going but I truly believe it's flowing in the right direction. In the meantime, I've found myself a lovely partner to flow along with me. Eran has wrapped up his life in Israel and now we are on this journey together. I have to admit that I had really come to enjoy being alone without feeling the need to be constantly with someone, friends or family or boyfriends. WHen I truly started to enjoy my aloneness, this beautiful man came into my life. I truly love him a lot and we have a really intense and wonderful time together. So, now i have left the ashram and am on the travelling circuit in India again. This also means I'll be writing my blog more often and adding more pics. I do have a link to my blog on my facebook in case you want to read about my whereabouts.

So, currently i am in Varanasi aka the city of death. It's a holy city for Hindus and they believe that if they are cremated in Varanasi, then they will get out of the cycle of life and death. The city is built along the banks of the river Ganga, which is the holiest river in India. ONe can safely say that it is also one of the dirtiest rivers in the country. The belief is that if you come and take a dip in the Ganga three times, then all your karma is washed away (at the same time you get covered with a gazillion tons of lethal bacteria most of it from fecal matter as all the city's sewage is dumped directly into the river).

The thing to do in Varanasi is to go along the seawall by the river Ganges and enjoy the sights. Except it's unlike any seawall you've walked along. In Vancouver, you would see people roller blading, biking, running, at the most you'll see a bum or two doing something out of the ordinary. Varanasi is a bit different. I saw baba's (indian sages) meditating under peepal (indian variety of a tree) tree, people swimming in the river while a dead body is being cremated on the shore, people playing cricket as another dead body is being carried to its funeral, dogs, goats, cows, buffalos, shitting everywhere. Little kids and puppies all fighting over the same food in the garbage, all shitting in the same places, all being ignored the same way by their mothers. Not much difference between animals and humans here at all. Children swimming in the river as a dead cow floats by. People washing there clothes, and the professional launderers at work. People shitting everywhere, men with barely any clothes on, scratching there balls, peeing where people are walking, men hacking and spitting just inches away from you. You have to be constantly watchful of where you are stepping, not just that you might step in a pile of fresh shit, but also because I almost stepped on a human skull!!!

Finally, we arrived at the place where there is a body being cremated around the clock for centuries. THis particular ghat is the most auspicious place to be burned. I have never seen death taken so lightly before. While one pyre is being lit, there are about 3 other dead bodies being readied for the funeral. There is a certain sweet smell in the air and ofcourse a lot of smoke. I saw a body being burned but it's feet were sticking out from under the wood. One of the guys in charge came with a stick and just shoved the feet inside with a stick. It is so bizzare the way they are so out of touch with reality. Or it makes me think am i the one who is out of touch with reality. To see death this up close and personal, one is almost forced to live. Really live in the now and here. The energy is so intense in this place that this deep silence just descends on you. It's really hard to talk and really there is nothing to talk about. It's hard to eat or drink anything coz I feel like there are dead people everywhere. It's like I would be getting there energy inside me if I eat. I feel like I can see auras everywhere but at the same time it's not unsettling. SOmething very calming and quiet about it.

Well I've had a fill of this city and i think it's time to move on. Now, I'll be moving on to the Himalayas to the city of the source of Ganga. Hopefully Ganga there is a bit cleaner than the one I've seen so far. I'll be travelling for a month or so in India and then me and Eran are thinking of going to Israel. After Israel, it'll be off to Europe where we are just gonna rent an RV and drive around until we find a place to make our home. SO far we are thinking some place in the south of Spain but who knows!?!! BUt I am ready to have a home base now. I am looking forward to sharing my life with a beautiful partner and creating a home together. I'll keep you posted.