World School Wrap-Up

It’s been ages since I last wrote…I apologize for leaving you hanging with the Tibetan protests. It was just non-stop with the students and I had so little time to sit at a computer. After dropping them off, I woke up super early to catch the first flight up to Kashmir where I had no phone or internet…

Leading students was about as challenging a task as I’ve done in a long time. They arrived totally unprepared (didn’t know what language was spoken, that India had states, the names of the places they were going, etc). Ryan and I felt like we were leading a group of blind people. Because this country is so vastly different from our American lifestyle, it is crucial that people do at least a little homework before they come here…there are so many amazing books, movies and resources to shed light on this country. I really learned from this experience that the more you know up front, the more enriching your trip will be. Showing up with no understanding India just makes for a long journey to say the least….

We returned to Rishikesh to stay at our ashram which pretty much feels like home at this point. Ryan and I were lucky enough to stay in one of the newly remodeled rooms which was great. I really enjoyed listening to an impromptu talk by Swami Mooktananda. A French Canadian by birth, he left his life as a contractor and moved to Rishikesh to be a monk. Now he is very famous and travels the world to speak about spirituality. A giant of a swami (literally made Ryan look small), he was so calm and spoke about the monastic lifestyle and what it means to live a world where “I am” is paramount. He broke down our notion of labeling (I am American, I am white, I am Christian) to clarify that deep down, we are all the same. My favorite part was when I asked how kids these days are supposed to find peace and quiet when they live in a world filled with so much noise, gadgets, and all around nonsense (myspace, video games, etc). It took him at least a minute to answer. The room fell silent. Was that his answer? Then he finally said that children need to return to nature. It’s the only thing that’s more spectacular than myspace. It is boundless, beautiful and ever changing. I loved that answer and couldn’t agree more.

One of the highlights of the entire trip occurred next in Dharamsala with the Tibetan protests. I wrote of them earlier but it was incredible to be part of history and to see the passion in which they spoke out. We met with a Tibetan teacher who left home when he was 16 (more than 20 years earlier). He told his story about never seeing his family again and how he only spoke to his brother one time. He told about the way the Tibetans in China are treated, how guides only take tourists to certain areas that the Chinese establish, how guides are forced to only say certain facts that the Chinese tell them to say and how there are Chinese spies who make sure people act the way they want them to. It was so sad. I found myself crying on multiple occasions throughout our stay. I can’t even imagine not having a home to ever come back to, to have my culture exploited and to be forced to live under a Communist government. I read in one paper that the Chinese claimed that the Dalai Lama was a “jackal and the mastermind behind the Tibetans sabotaging the Olympics.” Uh, yeah….ok. Do they not listen to what he is saying? He has clearly stated that they simply want Tibetan autonomy! And by the way, the Chinese have claimed 20 deaths but the last I read, 140 monks living in monasteries had died…nice.

Varanasi was nuts as usual. Such a strange city…so filthy, so crowded, so spiritual. We conveniently arrived on Holi which is a holiday devoted to Lord Krishna. It’s completely insane. People throw chemicals on anything and everything. Dogs, cows, people are literally covered head-to-toe in colored painted look like a walking tie dye. We went from peaceful Dharamsala to the craziest street scene ever. Even the leaders were shocked byt the complete chaos enveloping the group. The kids were so freaked out. Needless to say, we stayed in the hotel that night and the next day until 1pm. The hotel staff said not to leave due to drunk Indian men. If you’ve never seen a drunk Indian dude, you’re lucky. They suck. They get so completely wasted and will touch women at any chance. Super sketch. Agh, India! So much for our itinerary. We rearranged our schedule and in the end, it all worked out. The highlight was visiting the burning ghat were over 200 people a day are cremated. This guide started talking to us about the rituals taking place (there were at least 10 people being burned at that time) and next thing we knew, we were literally walking right through the middle of all the bodies! It was hot and we saw legs breaking and a head fall off. WHOA. It was for sure the closest I’ve ever been to this scene and was something none of us will forget. We even came home with ash in our hair. When the kids asked me why I like Varanasi my answer was because you see the strangest things you’ll ever see there. Period. There’s no other place on earth like it.

Lastly, we went to Agra to visit the Taj. One night left and we were on easy street. We ate a huge meal in Delhi the night before we caught an early train. Within hours, not one, not two, not three but EIGHT people out of 12 were violently ill…food poisoning central! Are you kidding me? I went between 4 rooms to clean puke, make sure they stayed hydrated, gave pep talks, etc etc. Our sunrise at the Taj consisted of 5 people able to make it. The rest barely got there by 10am and I’m not sure they even remember it. One girl was lucky enough to puke on the Taj lawn. The kids thought that was so cool.

I dropped them off completely SPENT. I am officially done dealing with kids for a long time. Not sure I’m a very good babysitter but we did our best. Luckily, kids don’t expect much. But man, they sure are a handful. I feel sorry for the challenges ahead of kids these days…crappy diets, eating pills at the drop of a hat, no family dinners or much family time, no discipline, no memory retention, blah blah…the answer seems simple although easier said than done, I’m sure…return to nature….start yoga early…study…play sports….make healthy dinners for your kids….

Ryan and I made new contacts, found new hotels and restaurants. That part was worth it and I’m glad we had a chance to revisit our destinations again. We officially have Delhi, Agra, Rishikesh and Dharamsala dialed.

More to come on Kashmir but I’m too tired to write. Let’s just say…after coming to India 3 times and traveling all over, I finally hit the JACKPOT. It is one of the most incredible places on earth and I can’t wait to share my experiences to the group.

Until then….may you find the peace within…namaste