Pushkar, Rajasthan
Last time i was in Pushkar there were bulldozers on the lake. "Creation is under construction" i noted in my journal. In the Hindu texts, Pushkar lake is said to be where the world began. It was quite a chaotic sight: these yellow machines more fitting of a building site, churning up chunks of sacred earth. And it was, naturally, an apt reflection for the turmoil awakening in my life at the time.
That was all two and a half years afore. Now i gladly find Pushkar a peaceful town, busy with happy Rajasthani pilgrims. i settle into my favourite india time-pass - sitting in the street and suppin' chai from clay cups (to be smashed in the gutter after use)...and i watch India flow by. Cows, pilgrims dressed in the most fantastic saris, gypsy skirts, flashy gigantic braclets, nose rings, anklets, colours which feel as though i'm sitting inside a National Geographic. Mens' turbans are so neon and bright they could've inspired the 80s fashion. Childrens' eyes as wide and open as their grins.
As i watch them pass, they watch me with equal amazement and intrigue. We grin at each other. Sometimes they continue, reach a 'safe distance' and stare some more. Sometimes they cajole one another into coming back and asking my name, giggling so much they rival young teens being told they look cute. i love the child-like-ness of the people here.
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i arrived in Pushkar after a magical time in Northern India (Ladakh). There are too many adventures to try to cram into a blog! i started to write an entry when i was there but was distracted into another amazing journey before i could type it up...here it is.
Ladakh, Northern India
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| monastery en route to Hemis, Ladakh |
i admire who or whatever it is that's writing the screenplay of my life. Although if it were a movie, i would mutter aloud "yeh right" frequently at the implausable plot twists, unbelievable characters and the far-out synchronicities. But when i'm experiencing them as reality, i remember the magic of being a child...wide-eyed in wonder and amazement of this life which swirls and blossoms around me.
Before i begin, let me introduce Antoine, a French photographer who i met in Leh 6 years ago. We shared an epic adventure together involving double-humped camels. He's inspiring, dynamic, creative, fun and a beautiful friend.
So, we set off for a Tibetan festival in a monestary 30km away. We hitch in the back of an open-topped pickup. The high altitude (3,500m) landscape wooshing 360 degrees around us. We walk across a prayerflag strewn bridge and onto a dirt track. We're carrying small bags and are free from plans like where we'll sleep or eat.
After the first kilometre a local boy falls into step with us. "Do you like camels?" he asks. Our enthusiastic reply has him lead us to the camel farm in the village (A place Antoine knows well, but would've forgotten about had this Ladaki angel not led us there!).
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double humped - bactrian camels (their feet make me think of star wars) |
A baby camel has its snout pushed through the metal gates as we approach...he's a real cutie. It transpires that his mother has abandoned him because the first camel she gave birth to died. The baby seems quite distraught and has a charming stupid expression which is almost cartoon.
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| the eft'd baby camel |
i've been practicing a phenomenal healing technique called EFT (emotional freedom technique) which i studied in San Francisco last year (my website: www.EFTHarmony.com). As it works well with trauma, i wonder if it will help the camels and decide to give it a shot. i practice first with the baby camel, working on the feeling of abandonment. After a coupole of minutes he starts crying. i'm shocked - it's just like in the movie 'story of the weeping camel'. Then i go find the mother, who is hidden behind a group of camels. i 'tap' on her grief of losing her baby...it's incredible to watch how all the camels move and shift as i start tapping. Before long the mother is also crying, as was i.
i can't tell you the results - if anything evolved in their relationship, but that isn't so important. i believe in doing what i feel is required in each situation without being attached to the results.
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Antoine and i wandered on towards the festival. That night we slept in a field and had to relocate in the middle of the night when it started raining (most unusual in ladakh). But that all leads to another story...involving things that look like this...
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| monk in a mask, Shatakul festival, Ladakh |
So there we have a (relatively long) snapshot from India...i have many beautiful photos to share too. They're mostly saved as files i can't put on the web (tiffs)...but i've included a few of the original jpegs.
i send love to each of you for whatever quest you are on. i pray for you to have the courage to trust and follow your heart's wisdom and guidance. i ask in return for the same. Things are movin' and shakin' with me...there will be more details soon.
Thanks for reading! it's time for a chai and another dose of india!
i love you all!!!
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| Antoine and i at a temple about 5,300m, Ladakh |
