I lay late on my second day here despite the fact that India awakens at 5.30am prompt. I only managed a small breakfast of cereal bar, my tea and banana. To be honest, with the heat I didn't feel like having that much. I had help leaving the hotel with the manager waving down a rickshaw to take me to the "bus station". On arrival there, some young fella pointed to a riotously painted bus as the one to Rishikesh and on asking the driver if he was going, he told me no. So I waited in the shade and next thing several people are yelling "Rishikesh, Rishikesh" and pointing at Beatle influenced bus. Myself, two Japanese females and a few Indians managed to get on. And these buses are not the most modern of things. We trundled out of Haridwar and stopped....to be told that it wasn't going to Rishikesh. So off we get and thankfully a young Indian chap stayed with myself and the two Japanese females and we took an auto rickshaw all the way to Rishikesh. Mad !
Rishikesh is bigger than I thought - the maps in the guidebook are deceitful. As the Japanese girls had similiar plans to myself we travelled by rickshaw and by foot to a good hotel, quite near to the Maharishi ashram where the Beatles lived in 1968. It was absolutely exhausting, but I changed, washed and explored the town a little having my first meal in a place called Chottiwala. I have decided on a strict ashram on the other side of the Ganges from Swarg Ashram where I am today and will head there tomorrow. I was too tired this morning.
I am being really careful about food and water and cleaning my hands. Lunch was lovely today at the Madras Cafe, again recommended by Rough Guide.
It is warm and misty and the rain is stunningly fantastic. Namaste x
You are never on your own when travelling by yourself!! Sounds mad! From Penny Lane to Maharishi - who would have thought back in 2004 eh? I know what you mean about the rain.. it was like that in Cairns.. but yours is probably warm! Only tip I can give you from Hazza in Manchester who taught in Goa is .. don't pick up food from the floor that you drop - as if! Love Lynne xx
Posted by: Lynne | 07/25/2008 at 12:29 PM
It all sounds very exciting. Hope the rain doesn't last the whole time or you will be wrinkly. Hope Delhi Belly stays away. Take care. x x
Posted by: M & D | 07/25/2008 at 08:02 PM
Hi Susan,
What a fascinating read! Really hope your travelling arrangements improve. Delighted you're sharing all these adventures with the world. Looking forward to the next update.
Take care.
Joe
Posted by: Joe Dale | 07/26/2008 at 12:21 AM