Rishikesh - the yoga capital (and scene) of the world

Am now in Rishikesh in Northern western India. This place was made famous by the Beatles who hung out in a Ashram in the 60s for a while. Don't think a lot has changed since except maybe a million more tourist shops. It is very touristy here and you could be forgiven for thinking you are in Tel-aviv as this is a big destination on the Israeli tourist map.



The 24hr train ride from Varanasi was soooo sloooooowwwww. It felt like we spent more time stopped than moving. Luckily there were a few of us 'westies' so were able to organise some serious card cames as well as being entertained by the snake charmer busker. This guy was running around with a type of flute and a cobra in a basket! One of the more 'interesting' moments of Indian train travel. Glad i wasn't sharing a berth with him and his friend!
Anyway we eventually arrived at our destination and managed to bypass the pesky rickshaw drivers and take the local bus for a fraction of the rickshaw price.




Rishikesh is great and I really like it here and have meet some great travellers. I'm sharing a room with a Chillean/Australian guy whose a bit of the quiet contemplative side but a great roomie.

I'm actually staying in a chilledout little area of Rishikesh right next to the Ghanges called Laksham Jhula. There is also a great beach just up the road nicknamed 'Goa Beach' due to all the westerners who hang out there. I've been doing daily laps across to the other side. On a grim note I found out today 17 have drowned there in the last 4 months due to the strong currents. Hmm I found it ok and am a pretty strong swimmer so think will still swim there as a dip in the arvo is really refreshing. I have tried only one yoga class which i didn't really get into. Yoga over here is very different from home and apart from the language difference (he kept telling us 'u sleep now' instead of 'lie down') and the flow of the asanas didn't feel that great. He had us doing a 7 min headstand in the first 20mins which felt really wrong...

I was planning to go to the 'Valley of Flowers' tomorrow in the far north but have found out it is closed due to snow. Phew 10 hour bus trip from hell saved for another day!

Thursday....have moved guesthouses and now staying in this great place called the Bombay guest house. Like the same suggests is a bit like a old palace and rooms have heaps of character. It is also surronded by trees full of monkeys and everymorning we get entertained by this acrabatic and daring guys...

I plan to go and spend a few days in Ashram right on the river a couple of ks up the road from this town..Should be very 'shanti' and relaxing doing yoga nd meditation.. till next time.