The Glasshouse On The Ganges Rishikesh

... creation of the Beatles White Album.

Most of the backpackers who visit here fall into one of two camps; those there for mediation or yoga, and those there to relax in the surrounds of an amazing surreal atmosphere. We were more of the latter.

Our first day was spent wandering the streets. The city is divided by the Ganges down pretty much the middle. On one side is traffic, and across a steel suspension bridge, are the holy sites. Temples and ashrams ...

... I had missed the night before when it was dark. There were many green mountains around, and the guest house was very close to the Ganges with a nice view overlooking it. There was also a Hindi temple right next door where many people were already praying. I was still not feeling great, but was a little better than the day before. I thought the sickness was on its way out. I was wrong.

We left this guest house and walked across the bridge to Lakshman ...

... nananiiiice!), and have decided to sum up my stay by the Ganges in two parts: people and events. This is the people part. If I'm frank, it is more for myself (I like to remember the people I've met) and probably won't be all that interesting for you, my dear darling readers. I won't be offended if you don't devour this fascinating report of random people who you'll never, ever meet. Mari and Helene: I spent the majority of my time with these two, and found them to be ...

... market going into several shops. One in particular was quite large and beautiful. They had the saris all stacked against the wall (as they all do actually) and the workers sit on this stage type thing while you sit on a bench in front of them. This place was packed and when I walked in by myself (the girls were waiting outside) everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at me. I'm just like "uhhh he he...hi? namaste?" Of course I was approached ...

... down the road and made our way up a path toward little waterfalls that fed the Ganges River, which was just beginning and pretty clean at this point. The water was freezing and the pool was shallow, but I just had to swim. The young women who lived in a village higher up on the foothill got a kick watching me splashing around. On my way back to Delhi, I sat in the front seat of a ...

... the side of a hill.  I cant say that we were in the actually Himalayas, but we were certainly in the foothills, and could see them from the top of the mountain we got to.  Once we had stopped the car, the driver got out and walked me down the road we had come up for about 100 meters.  Then, pointing to his left, he said in very broken English, " 300 steps."  I followed his outstretched arm to ...

Yoga, meditation, cours de reiki pour Paul et de massage pour moi!! Le gange est magnifique, entoure de vallees! Pour l'instant (20/11/2008), je suis allee dans le Gange 1 fois, pas profond car la ou c profond, la courant est fort. Les gens s'enchainent pour se 'baigner' dans leur fleuve sacre (Mother Ganga Ji). Info for travellers: If you get dropped by a bus of locals, ask for the first bridge (Ram Jula) or the second one (Laxman Jula), this is where it happens!!

... away all the previous sins of your life to start again. The majority of the pilgrims here are very approachable and friendly, although a few resort to begging on the roadside, but from all comers as opposed to the usual tactic of seeking out tourists for the moolah! I' ve had plenty of interesting conversations here, there are plenty of friendly people who just want to sit chill and discuss anything and ...