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........