Oy Vey Namaste

This will probably be our last entry as we set out for the USA tomorrow -- that is if our airline (American via Jet Airways) is not still on strike --we are not kidding!!!! We just heard that 21 international flights haven been canceled. This is Tracy's stroke of good fortune and Linda's nightmare of a liftetime. Linda is numb and has developed Stockholm syndrome (after you are kidnapped and start to sympathize with your kidnappers). We will keep you posted (no pun intended) of any changes in our travel plans. We hear there is a lovely Radisson at the Delhi airport. Our Indian travel agent keeps saying "no problem." On Saturday Tracy had her Vedic astrology chart done by a dude who only Indians use -- she needed a translator. She had an amazing experience (will take weeks to process) which culminated in her buying and donating 65 kilos (her body weight) of food as an offering or something. It was a moving day for her. Linda had an appointment with Uma Thurman's swami -- this guy is right out of central casting. For $50 you get a reading and then ask questions (when will this trip be over?????). Linda went in very cynical, however, he was accurate and knowledgeable about things he couldn't possibly know! He was also very interested in her Blackberry. Tracy visited the tailor. In the afternoon, while Tracy was buying food to donate, Linda hiked with the group around the now defunct and abandoned ashram that was made famous by the Beatles in the 60s. A very interesting place with over 100 little meditations caves with bathrooms (nicer than our hotel). The views of Rishikesh were spectacular. We had a late afternoon Kirtan (music chanting) with Linda's new best friend, the Swami, that went on a little too long. Then we had a lovely goodbye group dinner outside on the rooftop of the hotel. Today (Sunday) Tracy went with the group to Haridwar (about 45 min away) to visit some temples and an aruveydic/yoga hospital. Linda started her day with an amazing dawn meditation on the Ganges and opted to stay in town (grouped out!) for another shirodara treatment (suggested by the Swami to still her swirling mind). Tracy will be visiting the tailor one last time (so sad as they have become quite close!)
Tonight we dine at a restaurant considered "the status spot" by the locals. We used the bathroom there the other day and were not impressed but remain openminded. Thanks to all of you for your support and comments! Hope you were able get a taste (and smell) of what our journeys were like and that you were mildly entertained. We will be having a sandal burning ritual tonight that is sure to become a hindu classic! xxooo

EAT PRAY SHOP

Will try and be as pithy as possible but we just got back from the jungle (a 5 hr car ride). Our blood sugar is low and we are a tad irritable. To update you (our loyal blog followers!): When we last left our heroines they were shopping for saris. We did well don't worry. That night Linda went with the group to dinner at an Indian family's home (so hospitable!) where there was a Swami who taught us chants and had overall amazing vibes and a beautiful tunic. Tracy fell into a black hole at the tailor and didn't return to the hotel until 10pm (she is going to be so chic). At 5am the next day we left for the jungle. We stayed at a fab hotel (very Out of Africa and good sheets) and went on a 2 hr elephant trek! Her name is Kalina, she's 35 and very well behaved. The laughs were riotous -- as panic stricken as we were -- we both relaxed and enjoyed it. Getting off an elephant after 2 hrs is kinda like getting off a boat: we walked with a lumbering gait for a while (had sore tushies too) but it was worth it. We never realized what truly graceful animals they are! It was so peaceful. Today we went on Safari -- a bust -- only saw a deer, peacock, and more monkeys. We're soooo over the monkeys. Meant to mention that we have become so used to the motor scooter traffic that we actually accepted a lift on the back of one from our scarf salesman. Yes, 3 of us on one scooter without helmets -- it was that or be late for our spa treatments. Think of your worse traffic nightmare: skinny, winding roads with cows, dogs, and lepers. Did I mention that it was all downhill? We needed treatments after that! Peace, Love and om namah shivaya (trust in the divine source). xxxxoooo

OMFG (figure it out). What a couple of days! You are about to hear two very different perspectives of our trip: Linda has been horribly sick with the Indian equivalent of Montezuma's revenge. Call it Ganges fever. Call it whatever you want but she prayed for a quick death. While Tracy was finding bliss in a prehistoric cave with a revered Swami, Linda was praying to the porcelain god (both ends!). While Tracy was jumping off cliffs and whitewater rafting down the Ganges, Linda was bathing in sweat in dirty sheets. While Tracy was attending pujas (offerings), Linda was was trying to keep the drugs down and in. While Tracy was repeating her mantras for healing, prosperity and spiritual growth,
Linda was repeating hers: American Airlines First Class. Linda is feeling smuch better today and we are now on our way to a temple in the mountains. Most of the group is hiking there (3 hours and its pouring) -- some of us (no names) are taking a taxi. Did we mention that despite how busy/sick we are we have managed to shop like pros!! Beautiful beaded jewelery, silk and cashmere scarves, crystal and iron deities of Lakshmi(prosperity), krishna(love), ganesh(remover of obstacles), aruveydic beauty products that you cannot get out of India. We also had healing aruveydic treatments: abhiyanga (massage with oil) and shirodara (oil dripped on the 3rd eye). Ssafari soon -- if we are not back in 3 days send out a search party. Luv u all!

Had great flights to the north and even managed to buy "friendship"shoes in the Delhi airport (couldn't resist, so cute and cheap)! We are now in Rishikesh at the foothills of the himalayans (breathtaking!)-- the holiest place in India and the birthplace of yoga. There is yoga and aruveydic treatments everywhere! There was a snag (what else is new!) with staying at the Ashram so we are staying in a little hotel just outside the Ashram gates. We were disappointed at first until we heard what the rooms in the Ashram were like (teeny tiny and no hot water!) Went to a sunset service (aarti) last night at the ashram right on the Ganges river that was so beautiful. The chanting, incense and little boy sadhus (holy men) in training are adorable and so earnest. (Feel free to friend Tracy Mohr on facebook for lots of pics) We both didn't sleep well last night. Linda cried a little. Its really hard here! This morning we practiced in the hotel yoga room then had a delicious breakfast of banana and nutella pancake. There is no alcohol in the area and it is completely vegetarian. No eggs either. The food is delicious! The cow is holy and roams freely through the streets -- and is not curbed!! Gotta watch your step. The retreat formally begins today and our leader has given us a great itinerary of activities which includes a 2 day safari! Tracy will be buying very expensive statues and malas and is very excited. Linda is almot shopped out but looking forward to sari shopping. TBC........

10:15 am Thursday: If India dosen't give you balls we don't know what will!! We have been to the great Nataraja temple (sorry can't spell or pronounce name of town) and to the great stone temples by the sea at Mamallapuram (props to Tracy for spelling). They were amazing. They were built beginning in the 6th cent and depict all of hindu mythology. In other words, beyond cool!! Taking shoes off at temples is an experience in the art of surrender. When we get back into our car we use our antibacterial wipes (big time!). We had the most knowledgeable docents who were so kind and patient in explaining the rich history. Had a lovely and delicious lobster lunch -- we are getting braver each day but still being careful. We have both had "India stomach," but only mild. We have moved rooms 3 times due to various issues but the staff has come to love us and us them. We even convinced them to find us two bathrobes(!) which has been a godsend. Things really do work out here if u r patient. We r shipping home 35lbs of crap each-- some we brought with us but most we bought here. God knows if we'll ever see it again! So if you don't get ur gifts its not our fault!!! Leaving for Rishikesh 2nite at 2:30 am. Travelling domestically in India should be interesting. Thank u for ur comments. We really do luv hearing from u!! Namaste people!

The journey begins (sorta)

OMS!!!! (oh my shiva) we're in India!!! Namaste peeps. It is very hot and humid (with capital H's). We are being troopers and acclimating to the climate (barely). We arrived 3 days ago (feels like 7!). We have been blessed by a holy man, seen cows in the middle of the street, and have seen the utopian society of Auroville. Have we mentioned that we have managed to shop enough to send a box of clothes home? If we never see another indian shirt again we will be ok. Have met some interesting characters: Ben, who works in the hotel has taken us on -- he is our indian mentor (poor guy!!). He is 25 and the sweetest and most polite young man. Tracy wants to become a bollywood star -- Linda wants to be in capri. Truly, this place is wild. Motorscooter madness and mayhem. You risk your life crossing the street and remember they drive on the other side when they are supposed to. Tomorrow we are off to the temple town of Mahapalipuram home of the ancient stone temples dedicated to Shiva. Food has been an experience for Linda. Tracy has been teaching her the ins/outs of chutney and she is starting to appreciate when not hotflashing from the spice. The room in our hotel has a sea view (the Bay of Bengal) and is beautiful. The shower pressure is better than we thought it would be. Did we mention that we have red bindi dots on our 3rd eyes? We look fab!! Laughing tons--please comment because we miss u all and love(!) hearing from you. Namskaram xxoooo L and T

2hindjewsinindia

Hi all -- Tracy and I are preparing for our trip -- we leave in a week -- many shots and lots of drugs (prescription) to get us around the world safely! We are looking forward to an adventure of a lifetime. Thanks to all our family, friends, students and colleagues for your support and encouragement of this journey!