Rishikesh

When the e-book Eat Pray Love arrived at my door, I had no concept how a lot it might have an effect on me. The story of a married lady who left every part behind to journey and discover herself resonated with me and was the catalyst to me strolling away from my marriage. It had been a tough resolution to make however as I left my marital residence and flew to India on the exact same day, it was about to be a journey that may change my life perpetually.

I used to be not new to travelling, having travelled extensively in my twenties I believed I had seen all of it. India had by no means been a vacation spot that had beckoned me however now a decade later, I knew it was someplace I needed to be. I wanted head area and time alone as far-off from my consolation zone as I might presumably get and as I started my journey, the emotions of anticipation, concern and pleasure flowed by means of my physique. This was it – there was no going again…

The home windows rattled because the practice made its means alongside the dusty tracks to the foothills of the Himalayas. The sounds of ‘chai chai,’ flowed by means of the carriages as I sat wide-eyed taking within the scenes round me.

The practice got here to a screeching holt and I had arrived at what was to be my residence for the following week. The stench of urine was virtually overpowering and I held my breath, attempting to not step on figures who lay in stained rags asleep on the soiled flooring. I felt one thing brush my trousers and regarded down anticipating to see a stray canine sat earlier than me. As a substitute I stood in shock on the sight of a torso on a make-shift skateboard staring again up at me. An indication asking for cash hung round his neck and he checked out me with a disappointment in his eyes.

‘I can’t do that,’ my thoughts screamed as I coated my face in my scarf. This was all so new, so overwhelming however I had made it this far.

View from the ashram

My room was naked and uninviting and figures ethereally floated across the ashram with crazed smiles. I didn’t belong right here and my want to flee again to my previous life was so robust. I wished to go residence however I had no residence to return to. I needed to keep.

As my physique relaxed into the primary asana, I felt a way of peace for the primary time in my life. Nobody spoke within the evenings and I surrendered to the silence, listening to the sounds of the character that surrounded me.

Practising yoga at daybreak with the mist of the Himalayas and eagles hovering above is among the most empowering emotions I’ve ever skilled. And as my thoughts cleared, I started to settle into my new lifestyle.

Yoga and meditation have been twice a day and in my spare time I might enterprise into the hippy city and drink tea in one of many tea homes that neglected the sacred river. I grew used to the sight of cows crossing the bridge, inflicting chaos inside the highway and regarded ahead to the acquainted sight of locals going about their on a regular basis life as I browsed stalls promoting vibrant clothes and incense.

I not wished to depart this unusual place that had change into extra like a house. I made associates with native girls and visited them for tea while listening to their tales of life in India, every time gaining a greater understanding of their way of life.

And as my week drew to a detailed, I left empowered and assured and able to face the world. My time in India had come to an finish however I knew that this was simply the very starting. Namaste India…

N.b. I stayed on the Anand Prakash Yoga Ashram in Rishikesh. I actually loved my retreat and suggest it for solo feminine travellers.