Rishikesh

Outside guest house

View of bridge in Rishikesh

Namaste Cafe -backpacker vibes

Arriving in Rishikesh took me by surprise. We organised a tuk tuk ride from the bus station to the city where all the main accommodation and markets were. Driving over the mountains, I could see the beautiful green Ganges river in the distance, the most sacred river to Hindus. It was breath taking, I don't think I've ever seen a river like this before. Rishikesh is located in the foothills of the Himalayas mountains and is known as the 'Yoga Capital of the World'.  Because of this, it attracts alot of tourists from all over.
It became really famous when the Beatles visited the now closed Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram here. We crossed the bridge and met up with Martin who we met in Pushkar. As I walked to the rooftop of Namaste cafe on the river bank, I was surprised at how many white people there were. It was my first time seeing so many in India! Not just regular white people, mainly hippies who all dressed in a particular hippie way. People praying over their food, some preaching different philosophies, some singing and playing guitars. I felt almost like I did not quite belong here, as if being normal was abnormal. This place is definitely a higher heights place - everyone is another level of life here. All at peace and balance, something I am struggling to find. I want to be there but I know I can't force it. When the time is right, usually when you least expect it, it will happen. Until then, I will remain an outsider observing.

Renting bikes in Rishikesh

Waterfall bath

We rented bicycles, rode over the mountain and then trekked up the waterfall. It was nice to finally get a feel for real nature in India. I felt so much like being at home in Trinidad as growing up we did the same thing.  Along the path we came across lots of monkeys and locals who helped us climb up the rocks.  We limed on the rocks and took a nice cold bath under the waterfall before heading back. We stopped for some chai tea to get some energy and watched the monkeys play and the donkeys drinking water from the stream. We rode our bikes back to the city with empty bellies and ate the best curry on the riverbank at sunset watching the daily Pooja ceremony go on. 

Dinner at sunset @ Freedom cafe

Pooja ceremony 

View at dinner

I like this place mainly because of the breathtaking views of the mountains and river, but especially love the food here. I can't stop drinking fresh fruit juices, teas, curries and healthy foods. Rishikesh is also quite popular for the lots of courses offered here from massages to meditation, yoga, healing etc. I am considering doing one but haven't decided yet. The only thing I don't quite likehere is the horn honking. The little village where we are staying has a very narrow road in which these massive jeep taxis drive past at speed honking their horns. Not just any regular honk, I'm talking about a proper long and loud hold your horn down for 20 seconds till you turn around and want to cuss someone. And the road can be empty, no one in their way, yet they still see it necessary to honk. I find it takes away from the peacefulness that could exist here. It actually ruins this place in a sense and I find it difficult to understand how such a yoga peaceful place could allow such noise pollution.

On the riverbank of Ganges river

Yesterday we took a nice walk on the mountain and went down to the river bank which was filled with white sand and stones. Karen and Ben had a swim in the ganges river while I stayed on the riverbank and relaxed. We ended up chatting with 2 indian young men who were also visiting Rishakesh. The conversations with them were going so well we ended up spending the entire evening and night with them over dinner chatting about all kinds of topics from culture, religion, music, education, love and marriage. We ate alot of food as well - it was a really nice evening. As Karen said, it's amazing how you can meet people from such a different culture and yet you find so much in common. 

Listening to conversation on the riverbank