Back on the Ganga

Rishikesh, India:  We found our way back to the refreshing waters of the Ganga river--and there is no better way to be purified (inside and out)  than to go white water rafting on the holy river itself, especially if you have a guide who makes you try to stand up and balance as you head over the rapids! 

Hali and I are now working at a non-profit school called Mother Miracle, teaching 5-10 year olds English and hopefully a bit of yoga.  The children are fantastic--smart, funny and oh so loving. They call us Ma'am, and when we ask how they are doing, they always answer "Fine thank you, how are you?"  It is slightly unnerving hearing 5 years olds speak with such politeness, but I'm beginning to get accustomed to it.

The guesthouse we are living in is charming. We have been adopted right into the family. Our morning began with a lesson on how to make stuffed prantha--my all time favorite Indian breakfast. I wish we had all the same spices in the US! My stuffed prantha was clumsy and bready in comparison with Mama Laxmi's, but still edible! I will just have to keep practicing...

~Cerri

What to do?

What do you do on a hot winter's day in Dehradun, India?  Teach a monk how to bowl, and have him beat you... hands down, no questions asked.  Then that same monk might take you to an arcade where you can get him back in a quick match of air hockey (oh yes, Hali and I won 7 to 1). If you are still feeling bored, you and your new monk friend might take an excursion up to a smaller town on the top of a mountain, like Mousoorie, to see the view of the enitre city, do a little shopping (or a lot), and hang out in a cafe for the afternoon. Purchasing a frisbee is the next priority.  Frisbee in the streets of India is an experience not to be missed!

You might be tired after all that physical exertion, so simply grab a big bucket of spicy KFC chicken on the way home and set up a picnic on your bed with a monk and his mother. You know it's finger lickin' good!  Play cards with them late into the night.

~Cerri