Oh, how I have over estimated my bounds. Here I, presser of bruises (my own, not those of others) and survivor of a vicious bout of kidney stones (it took a week for them to pass!), known kinkster and embracer of breathing over painkillers (painkillers! No thank you, ma’am, my pranayama and meditation will see me through), I have been brought to my knees.
Or rather, I have been brought to the status of whimpering and writhing patient on the surgery table of my own bed.
I sense confusion. Allow me to clarify.
As we know, I’m in India. I’ve got a bedroom on the very bottom floor of a hotel that overlooks, with grand sweeping views, the holy Ganges river. Very bottom floor as in, three flights of stairs and one construction site down from the rest of the rooms in hotel. I don’t mind the distance- it’s quiet and removed, with larger windows and more natural light than the other rooms. And it’s one hundred rupees cheaper. Sure, theres no hot water, but it’s nice to be far from everyone else. I always have been a slightly elitist hermit. Just ask my mom. All in all, the situation is ideal- and made even better by the slight inconveniences that might throw others off.
It is one of those inconveniences that brings me to the position in which I find myself now, one foot elevated and wincing with each weight shift. On the way down my privacy ensuring stairs last evening, I missed the last one and spectacularly ate it to the bottom of the darkened staircase. Now, let us assess: Jessie, shaken and battered, curled over her throbbing ankle/foot which are both swelling by the moment. Help? Three flights up. Ability to walk? Firmly in both the future and the past. Situation? Moderately dire.
Luckily I was retreating back to the dungeon (as my room is referred to) after going up to request a bucket of warm water in which to bathe. A man would be down shortly with said bucket- I would not lie in a trembling heap until exhaustion overcame me and I was found days later, half eaten by monkeys ( a concern which briefly crossed my mind). Bad news- now I am stuck in an Indian hill town, without the ability to walk. Hill town. As in, the town is built on a hill. And I live at the apex. At the apex, and down three flights of stairs.
Suffice to say, I am now getting very familiar with the inside of my room.
But it is not this which has me whimpering and convulsing in spasms of pain, it’s the ayurvedic massage treatment that I’m having done on said ankle, mainly involving the mother of a local friend coming in and, with no reservations whatsoever, getting into the nitty gritty painful bits of my sprain and rubbing away.
Now, it’s not painful in a sharp bad pain kind of way, but in a horribly stiff sore muscle kind of way.
And it’s turning me into a bed sheet gripping, hoarse throated, begger-of-mercy.
But really, I’m ok. More on the situation later. Now, i'm hungry. Where have my crutches got to...
Love&light
jess
Friday, December 11, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Forgive me. Or harbour resentment. Your choice.
Though I constantly beg your understanding of the fact that I'm traveling and lots of things are more interesting than sitting in front of the computer typing out blog posts, I forgot to ask you to forgive me for one big glistening issue.
Mispellings/grammatical errors.
On reading the last post, I found at least 5-6 typing errors or grammar problems. And I'm sorry. Really, truly sorry. You see, it's not that i'm illiterate, uneducated, or employing a small child to type out my handwritten memoirs- it's that when i make a blog post i type it out in one hurried go and then, well, do something exciting. Yes, exciting includes meditating next to the ganges and taking a nap in my room.
So you see, I'm both embarrased, apologetic, and unlikely to change my ways. So I hope you bear with me.
Love&light
Jess
Mispellings/grammatical errors.
On reading the last post, I found at least 5-6 typing errors or grammar problems. And I'm sorry. Really, truly sorry. You see, it's not that i'm illiterate, uneducated, or employing a small child to type out my handwritten memoirs- it's that when i make a blog post i type it out in one hurried go and then, well, do something exciting. Yes, exciting includes meditating next to the ganges and taking a nap in my room.
So you see, I'm both embarrased, apologetic, and unlikely to change my ways. So I hope you bear with me.
Love&light
Jess
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Re-Scheduling. And Monkeys/
You may be seeing more of me in the next few days than the last post lead you to believe. Due to untimely illness my yoga intensive has been rescheduled for a later date.
Then again, I'll be mainly resting, trekking, meditating next to the Ganges, planning travel movements for the new year, and living outside in the open air. So maybe you wont be seeing me after all. Since I am in front of the computer now, though, i decided to sit for a few more minutes and write a little post.
Shortly before I left for India, a friend of mine told me this story:
Once upon a time, there was a lady who had a monkey. A pet monkey. A cuddly simian who shared her living space, completely tame and friendly. One day a friend of this lady came to the house for a visit. The monkey, sweet and tame, went insane and tore off the lady's friend's face.
Now, I heard this story right before coming to india. I attempted to shrug it off. I tried to leave the horrible shudders of fear and revulsion that wracked my subtle body in Beijing. But no, this story lingers with me. And, in Rishikesh, there are monkeys everywhere. Cute cuddly monkeys. Mischeivious and naughty, but ultimely harmless.
Or so they say.
Now, two days ago i went to get some beetroot for dinner. Everyone says of these monkeys, which perch mostly on the bridges running over the ganges from one bank to the other, that they are harmless but will take things they want if they see them- ie, your shiny camera, a child's toy, a bag of peanuts, or your friend's face. (okay, they don't say that last one, but its what i mentally add to the list everytime i hear it). Knowing this, i'm generally pretty careful. Not only cause the monkeys freak me out, but because i want to keep my camera. This time, however, I must have been a bit careless as suddenly there was a large full grown monkey attaching itself to my bag of vegetables and hissing at me.
My only thought: If i kick it, is it more likely to drop the bag and run, or rip off my face?
It's a very unsettling situation to find yourself in- debating about the likelihood of a monkey (a monkey in the process of stealing you vegetables) ripping off one's face.
love&light
jess
Then again, I'll be mainly resting, trekking, meditating next to the Ganges, planning travel movements for the new year, and living outside in the open air. So maybe you wont be seeing me after all. Since I am in front of the computer now, though, i decided to sit for a few more minutes and write a little post.
Shortly before I left for India, a friend of mine told me this story:
Once upon a time, there was a lady who had a monkey. A pet monkey. A cuddly simian who shared her living space, completely tame and friendly. One day a friend of this lady came to the house for a visit. The monkey, sweet and tame, went insane and tore off the lady's friend's face.
Now, I heard this story right before coming to india. I attempted to shrug it off. I tried to leave the horrible shudders of fear and revulsion that wracked my subtle body in Beijing. But no, this story lingers with me. And, in Rishikesh, there are monkeys everywhere. Cute cuddly monkeys. Mischeivious and naughty, but ultimely harmless.
Or so they say.
Now, two days ago i went to get some beetroot for dinner. Everyone says of these monkeys, which perch mostly on the bridges running over the ganges from one bank to the other, that they are harmless but will take things they want if they see them- ie, your shiny camera, a child's toy, a bag of peanuts, or your friend's face. (okay, they don't say that last one, but its what i mentally add to the list everytime i hear it). Knowing this, i'm generally pretty careful. Not only cause the monkeys freak me out, but because i want to keep my camera. This time, however, I must have been a bit careless as suddenly there was a large full grown monkey attaching itself to my bag of vegetables and hissing at me.
My only thought: If i kick it, is it more likely to drop the bag and run, or rip off my face?
It's a very unsettling situation to find yourself in- debating about the likelihood of a monkey (a monkey in the process of stealing you vegetables) ripping off one's face.
love&light
jess
Monday, November 30, 2009
Movement.
Coming to you straight from Rishikesh, India.
It's lovely out here, not the soggy heat of the south nor the blistering cold of beijing. Quite pleasant, indeed.
I want to give you all exciting descriptions and breath taking views, but i'm a bit at a loss for proper incentive to sit in here on the computer when i could be out there, in the cool night air under the almost ripe moon sitting on the banks of the ganges and breathing the air sweeping down from the himalayas.
you know, you can't really fault me for that.
to give you a short hand account would be cruel, because there are so many beautiful people, experiences, places, and events for me to gloss over them in a summation post. Suffice to say, it's quite vibrant. It's as though you took everyone in town who hangs around in fisherman pants and likes to juggle, introduced them to your yogi friends, and made them open a vegetarian restaurant. Only, make that idea into an entire city. And then place it on the holiest river in hinduism. Then add some monkeys. No, add lots of monkeys.
And make every night a jam under the stars, on the rooftop of the family that took you in.
Repeat.
It's lovely out here, not the soggy heat of the south nor the blistering cold of beijing. Quite pleasant, indeed.
I want to give you all exciting descriptions and breath taking views, but i'm a bit at a loss for proper incentive to sit in here on the computer when i could be out there, in the cool night air under the almost ripe moon sitting on the banks of the ganges and breathing the air sweeping down from the himalayas.
you know, you can't really fault me for that.
to give you a short hand account would be cruel, because there are so many beautiful people, experiences, places, and events for me to gloss over them in a summation post. Suffice to say, it's quite vibrant. It's as though you took everyone in town who hangs around in fisherman pants and likes to juggle, introduced them to your yogi friends, and made them open a vegetarian restaurant. Only, make that idea into an entire city. And then place it on the holiest river in hinduism. Then add some monkeys. No, add lots of monkeys.
And make every night a jam under the stars, on the rooftop of the family that took you in.
Repeat.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
My, it's hot.
Come one, come all to the magical mystery tour.
So far I've been in Trichy for about 3 days, and a packed three days theyve been. People, sights, smells, sounds, everything. I'm sitting now in one of the city's few internet cafes, a tepid room filled with about 20 old desktops and a rather surly propreitor. Because the keyboard im using makes me irritable (its not condusive to typing very quickly!) I'm going to be brief with this one, and promise more later.
During the time I've been here I've been camped out at The Modern Hindu Hotel (pictures when i can) a modest but clean establishment frequented by those indians working in abu dabi, malaysia, indonesia, etc, who need to come back to india to get visa renewals. it's the cheapest place i could find, and theres a certain threadbare honesty that i like. It might be a bit tough, but i also feel safe- as long as i don't show any weakness. You know, like prison. Ha.
The room is maybe 8 ft by 8 ft, with an attached bathroom- the kind that has a raised squat toilet (yay! just like beijing: ah, homesick already) and a spigot jutting out of the wall at a height of about 4 feet- just tall enough for me to fully squat under to wet my body before soaping. No hot water, not electricity between 11am and 5pm, and no cleaning service (or towels, or blankets, or toilet paper...) but i'm very comfortable anyway. Everything i really need it has; clealiness, running water, a place to sleep off the ground, and a lock on the door. So really, I'm golden :)
What else to say? Tonight I'm on a night bus to chennai, and tomorrow evening im off to Delhi- from there to our real goal of rishikesh, where on Dec 3rd I'll be starting a yoga intensive with Kamal of Tattvaa Yoga. Let the growth begin!
when I'm settled i'll post next, and lengthier, and in more detail, and hopefully with pictures.
much love from your cuz
Jess
So far I've been in Trichy for about 3 days, and a packed three days theyve been. People, sights, smells, sounds, everything. I'm sitting now in one of the city's few internet cafes, a tepid room filled with about 20 old desktops and a rather surly propreitor. Because the keyboard im using makes me irritable (its not condusive to typing very quickly!) I'm going to be brief with this one, and promise more later.
During the time I've been here I've been camped out at The Modern Hindu Hotel (pictures when i can) a modest but clean establishment frequented by those indians working in abu dabi, malaysia, indonesia, etc, who need to come back to india to get visa renewals. it's the cheapest place i could find, and theres a certain threadbare honesty that i like. It might be a bit tough, but i also feel safe- as long as i don't show any weakness. You know, like prison. Ha.
The room is maybe 8 ft by 8 ft, with an attached bathroom- the kind that has a raised squat toilet (yay! just like beijing: ah, homesick already) and a spigot jutting out of the wall at a height of about 4 feet- just tall enough for me to fully squat under to wet my body before soaping. No hot water, not electricity between 11am and 5pm, and no cleaning service (or towels, or blankets, or toilet paper...) but i'm very comfortable anyway. Everything i really need it has; clealiness, running water, a place to sleep off the ground, and a lock on the door. So really, I'm golden :)
What else to say? Tonight I'm on a night bus to chennai, and tomorrow evening im off to Delhi- from there to our real goal of rishikesh, where on Dec 3rd I'll be starting a yoga intensive with Kamal of Tattvaa Yoga. Let the growth begin!
when I'm settled i'll post next, and lengthier, and in more detail, and hopefully with pictures.
much love from your cuz
Jess
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Good Morning Kuala Lumpur
I have had the craziest day.
[I should maybe preface this by saying that we are now entering CRAZY ADVENTURE SEASON 2.0!!!]
Today has been the first stretch of the newest leg of my adventures, which will be mostly comprised of India, India, and more India. I've gotten a cheap flight on AirAsia (which, if youre doing anything in our around SE asia, is the cheapest way to go) and i'll be in the country of boundless faith until early febuary. I've got a short stop in Kuala Lumpur (ie, where I'm writing to you from right now) and then the journey really begins.
Thats right. Me, a country I don't know, languages I don't speak, no guidebook, no internet, lots of mistakes, confusion, laughter, and revelation. It'll be good.
Let's start with today. Today was insane.
i ended up on a plane next to this guy -- http://www.100goals100weeks.com/ -- who was really, really cool (not to mention drop dead handsome and charming) we chatted for about 4 hours straight. he was awesome, renewed my faith in the ability of others to be totally awesome and helpful, and showed me that super cool people that do cool things with their life really do exist- and they dont have corporate backers or wads of cash. they do it on their own, on their own terms, and make it work. and have sick amounts of fun doing it. i like that.
got to KL, got lost, went to use the internet, ran into a family of 7th day adventist vegan health nuts who chatted with me for about...an hour and a half straight, then offered to drive me to the place i needed to go. They were really cool too. Did you know that 7th day adventists are all about health and helping people, and arent insane crazy religions freaks? i personally didnt know anything about them or their faith, but this family was open, intelligent, and very generous. very good ambassadors.
got to my couchsurfing place, met up with Vern [the guy im staying with] and went for what in malaysia passes as a snack- massive banana leaf--BANANA LEAF-- plate onto which a heaping helping of rice is dropped, and promptly surrounded by two curries and a cucumber cooling dish, all washed down with a 'digestive' drink made of onions, peppers, cardamom leaves, and something that burrrrrns all the way down.
why didnt i come here before?
really, a day of spectacular conversation. Ian told me about running with bulls, partying with elephants, and how to make 500o$ for two weeks work driving mining trucks off the coast of australia. The Johns' taught me about 7th day adventism, the kindness inherent in human nature, and the monkeys that terrorize their dogs/ the pythons/cobras invading their life (weekly). And vern told me that malaysian is just like mandarin, but without the tones- as in, no tenses, no conjugation, and very very easy to pick up.
love you all. talk with you soon.
jess
[I should maybe preface this by saying that we are now entering CRAZY ADVENTURE SEASON 2.0!!!]
Today has been the first stretch of the newest leg of my adventures, which will be mostly comprised of India, India, and more India. I've gotten a cheap flight on AirAsia (which, if youre doing anything in our around SE asia, is the cheapest way to go) and i'll be in the country of boundless faith until early febuary. I've got a short stop in Kuala Lumpur (ie, where I'm writing to you from right now) and then the journey really begins.
Thats right. Me, a country I don't know, languages I don't speak, no guidebook, no internet, lots of mistakes, confusion, laughter, and revelation. It'll be good.
Let's start with today. Today was insane.
i ended up on a plane next to this guy -- http://www.100goals100weeks.com/ -- who was really, really cool (not to mention drop dead handsome and charming) we chatted for about 4 hours straight. he was awesome, renewed my faith in the ability of others to be totally awesome and helpful, and showed me that super cool people that do cool things with their life really do exist- and they dont have corporate backers or wads of cash. they do it on their own, on their own terms, and make it work. and have sick amounts of fun doing it. i like that.
got to KL, got lost, went to use the internet, ran into a family of 7th day adventist vegan health nuts who chatted with me for about...an hour and a half straight, then offered to drive me to the place i needed to go. They were really cool too. Did you know that 7th day adventists are all about health and helping people, and arent insane crazy religions freaks? i personally didnt know anything about them or their faith, but this family was open, intelligent, and very generous. very good ambassadors.
got to my couchsurfing place, met up with Vern [the guy im staying with] and went for what in malaysia passes as a snack- massive banana leaf--BANANA LEAF-- plate onto which a heaping helping of rice is dropped, and promptly surrounded by two curries and a cucumber cooling dish, all washed down with a 'digestive' drink made of onions, peppers, cardamom leaves, and something that burrrrrns all the way down.
why didnt i come here before?
really, a day of spectacular conversation. Ian told me about running with bulls, partying with elephants, and how to make 500o$ for two weeks work driving mining trucks off the coast of australia. The Johns' taught me about 7th day adventism, the kindness inherent in human nature, and the monkeys that terrorize their dogs/ the pythons/cobras invading their life (weekly). And vern told me that malaysian is just like mandarin, but without the tones- as in, no tenses, no conjugation, and very very easy to pick up.
love you all. talk with you soon.
jess
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