RE-POST:

This blog entry was written on June 2, 2012.   Obviously, as seen from the title, I love India.  And, I love the responses I got from this blog post.  Two of the responses, from Indian nationals who stumbled upon this blog post, are very moving.  Here is one, from someone I never met.  It is so darned sweet, it moves me every time I read it:

I love you man! I have been in States for four years, I feel like crying every time I remember my India.  May you have an amazing life life like no one else ever had!  I love you!!!!

And the following response really made me happy.  India gets a BAD rap from the news media!  We hear much negative news coming from India. To be fair, bad things happen even in our own country!  And many good things happen, too, in our own country and in India.  Below, this person is appreciative because I honestly have good things to say about my experience in India:

I feel happy to read this blog. Finally I hear a foreigner saying good about my country India. Thanks a lot for visiting India and I am happy that you loved your trip to this country. I am an artist from South India. Try to visit southern part of India in your next trip and I hope you will enjoy the culture followed in South India as well 🙂

So I am inspired to re-post this particular blog from 2012!  Together with Spiritual India Journeys (http://www.spiritualindiajourneys.com/), I will offer yet another tour with daily yoga (taught by me) in Spring 2016 (March 19-April 3, 2016) !  This time our tour takes us to South India.  Can’t wait!   If you are interested, please contact me and sign up before the end of this month.   The photos below reflect Delhi and Rajasthan.  Photos reflecting South India will be posted next Spring while I am there!

10 Reasons Why I Love India!

  • I love the great diversity of the people of India-ethnic, cultural, linguistic, historical, and religious diversity.  People in India are very curious and friendly.  The language that unifies all of India is English, making it a bit easier to navigate your way through India and connect with various people you meet along the way.

Man in Delhi

  • Because it’s so deep and so rich, you can’t get to the bottom of India.   You can see customs, rituals, and artifacts over 5000 years old.  India is mother to yoga, which is also over 5000 years old.  When I practice yoga in India, I feel like I am merging with an ancient force that I do not yet fully comprehend.   Yoga has always been a powerful practice for me and that experience seems to be intensified ten-fold in India!  If you love yoga, you must experience yoga in India!

Shavasana in India!

Meaning behind the eyes of Shiva: The Eyes of Shiva destroy all that is dualistic. The powerful gaze of Shiva annihilates evil. The eyes represent “all seeing wisdom”.

  • India pulses, surges, vibrates, and makes you feel alive.  Arriving in India, more than any other country, you feel you’ve entered a strange and wonderful world.  Your senses are overloaded with colors, shapes, sights, sounds, smells, tastes!

Sunrise boat tour along the Ganges River, watching the most ancient of the world’s cities awaken to honor the river goddess, Ganga.

  • The richest and the poorest live side by side.  Our minds, which are normally orderly, are trying to classify, trying to make sense of it all.  In the process, suddenly you can’t help but let go.  In India, we abandon ourselves to a pure non-analytical experience.  You end up opening yourself up to something entirely different. India breaks you out of any need to cling to order and predictability.
  • India is a photographer’s paradise.  I saw so many beautiful faces, smiles, fabrics, colorful clothing, textiles, patterns, ancient and intriguing temples, and temple art.

It’s like…I can’t believe I took this photo!  She is so beautiful and lights up the place!

A photographer’s dream: Bharatapur/Keoladeo Bird Reserve, India

Keoladeo National Bird Park!

  • Shopping in India is fun.  You can bargain for the right price and everyone comes out happy.  The range of items that can be bought from carvings, textiles, fabrics, jewelry, to clothing items is mind boggling.

This guy could sell a camel in Seattle! He was that good. Plus, his merchandise was exquisite.

  • India is changing faster than any other country in the world!  Internet and high tech companies are springing up everywhere. India boasts one of the largest movie industries in the world.  People are excited about these changes and hopeful for a  more thriving economy.

Going downtown? Camel, sir? Or motorbike? Camel cheaper, sir. Motorbike faster.

  • People live and breathe their spirituality.  The idea of the divine exists everywhere in their lives and permeates every moment of the day.  Ritual marks most every aspect of their lives and it is fascinating to watch.

Aarti- the nightly ritual of saying goodnight to Mother Ganga (the Ganges River is seen as the Great Mother) in Varanasi

Smoke/incense represents the element AIR. All elements are offered to the great Mother Ganga, the source of all life.

  • The concept of “Family” is ever so strong in India.  Families are loving and warm.  Children are respectful of their elders. The family unit is strong.  Children are ADORABLE!

So beautiful!

This little girl was with her brother and daddy.

Happy faces peek out from the back of a van.

  • I can’t believe I am saving food for last!  Indian food rocks!  It is so tasty and a total feast for your taste buds.  As long as you drink filtered bottled water  (that means brushing your teeth and rinsing using bottled water and not letting the shower water get in your mouth!!!) and eat at restaurants where your food is carefully prepared (as we do on all of our the tours), your tummy will be happy and your taste buds will celebrate the foods of India!

A melange of heavenly tastes!

Pureed Spinach! My favorite of all Indian dishes!