Varanasi

Its been a while since i last updated this, so il give you a breif run down of my last 2 weeks i guess. I think i gave you a little insight into what rishikesh was all about, and since then i took a train from there and ended up in Varanasi. For people that don't know, Varanasi is to the Hindu's what the Vatacan is to the Catholics, or Mecca to the Muslims....Its a place where pilgrams make a treck to, to bathe in the Ganges river (which happens to be one of the most polluted bodies of fresh water in the world, completely toxic) and "wash" (again don't know how washing in polluted water works) away there sins. Most pilgrams goals, is to die in Varanasi, thus having there souls cleansed by the ganges river and allowing the circle of Karma and reancarnation to be stopped and being able to go to heaven peacfully...All in all its a very intense place in the world to be. The whole city really focus's around the ghats (google it if you don't know) where the bathing and the burning of the bodys take places. The "burning Ghats" are the places where the bodys of the Hindu's who are "lucky" enough to die in Varanasi (and be able to pay the crazy amount of money for wood and other fee's) are creamated. Its probably one of the few places in the world that will forever be impritinted in my memory for the rest of my life...Suffice to say that few places actually make all five of your senses work in overdrive at once. Its really a place thats to hard, and would take way to fucking long to explain properly to anyone.. i didnt really take any photos becuase its a very holy place and i could have had the shit kicked out of me if i did. You just have to respect a place like that, and what it means to the people who beleive in what it represents. I could describe it for hours to anyone that would (and will) listen to me go on about it and if you really want to find out a little more than what i told you, Wikipedia it.
Ok since then, i was in serious need of a holiday from indian travel....its been a long trip to do by yourself and i really needed some beach time. So i took a train to Dehli (which was 8 hours late, dont ask me how a train can be that late, because from what i can comprehend train tracks dont really have anything that can be fucked up on them) and from Dehli i caught a very cheap, and totally empty flight to Goa (the tourist industry is getting killed here thanks to those attacks in mumbai and the bad economy) and am know on a beach. I caught a ride from the airport with a group of young people who work for the British embassy in Afghanastan and were on a week long holiday and on a seriuos mission to get as drunk as possible in the van on the way to beach. I don't think night clubs and alchohol are really a huge part of life in Kabul...anywase they got me fucking wasted (im not sure if i mentioned this but i had'nt had a drink since the 5th of november) and wow the took me out and i was destroyed. Ya a wicked story but thats all thats suitable for blog material. Now im in Agonda beach which is about 12 k north of the place i was last hanging out in goa and the place is deserted.. theres only about a 5th of the people here that there is supposed to be at this time. Ive got a beach hut for like 7 bucks a night and ya life is really good at the moment. Theres a really cool mix of people hanging out on the beach (as well as serious lack of Euro or Israeli trance heads, which is nice becuase you can drink a beer without feeling like your going to have a seizure from the horrible music) and some great bars as well.
This will probably be the last time i update this thing, becuase il be home in 5 days so i hope whoever read this enjoyed it and il see you at christmas time. If cam reads this or glen hansen (or hansen actually) tell them that we should go to the mountains the day after i get back..i fly in on the 18th at 5 15 pm so i hope that someone is there to pick me up...mcfalls.
love steven

Question

Hey i saw that Allen posted something on my blog, and id like to get in touch with him i just deleted his email address by accident and i suck with computers so i can't figure out how to even find his blog.
Allen or Allens mom (becuase i saw you posted a comment) could you please send me your (or your sons) email.... Im back in mumbai some time in the near future so hopefully we can meet up...
ya thats all, i go to Varanasi tommorow which should be really cool

A Conversation you'll no doubt have if you travel india

There are a few very (i mean very) repititive conversations you'll have with indian people while your travelling in this country. Most of them happen on trains, buses, or in taxi cabs. At first there totally interesting and they hold your attention span, but after about the 30th of each conversation (beleive me these happen twice a day if your on the move) they start to get a little old and a little boring. This is a "tecnique" i use to sort of minimize the length of conversation becuase after a while you'll begin to know which conversations are the one's which will last a whole squished and hot journey if you don't end them quick. Actually its sort of a defence mechanism againts boring conversation you could say.
This is the first example and easily the most common conversation i have (ive had probably 40 variations of this since ive been here)
This usually happens on a bus or a short train ride and usually it happens with a person who speaks scattered or broken english. You can usually understand them easy enough but it takes a little time and they have to talk slow...also theres about 3 or 4 other men or women watching you and listenening while this conversation is happening (depending on how crowded the bus or train is). The man (becuase odds are women wont strike up a conversation with you) is usually accompanied by someone and he's usually the better of the two with english.
Indian: which country ?
Me: Im from canada
Indian: O, canada (turns and says something in Hindi to his freind, they smile and laugh) Canada very good country, very cold ?
Me: Yes very cold
Indian: How cold?
Me: At home right now maybe minus 10 to minus 15
Indian: O, soo cold (turns and says something in Hindi - probably about how cold it is and makes shivering motion to his freinds - they all laugh and look with disbeleif then he says ) here it gets maybe 10 to 12 degree's (he's no doubt wrapped in a blanket (of course this depends on the time of day/type of journey) then proceeds to ask me) Canada a rich country?
Me: I guess, canada is very different from india... (im trying to kill the topic of wealth quickly and he most likely gets the point, this teqnique has taken a while to master, ive seriously spent hours explaining how my house has 3 floors to a group of men - big mistake)
Indian: Whats your name?
Me: Steven
Indian: Im "so and so" and if he's with a close freind he will usually introduce them aswell
Me (very politely, but in a somewhat dismissive way (knowing this could go on for a while and odds are im not in the mood. You see once they know your name your in for a whole stack of predictable questions): Nice to meet you (shaking there hands)
Indian: Are you married?
Me: No....im young still in canada to be married, again very different country (trying to kill topic, again perfecting the technique)
Indian: You have girlfreind?
Me: No, no girlfreind either
Indian: Why no girlfreind (laughing and talking to his freinds after asking me question)
Me: I don't know....... im still young?(again trying to kill subject)
Indian: How old?
Me: Im 23... (bull shit but this is an age that usually will work to settle the dispute of how old i am between them (becuase they think i look really old for some reason) and will put to rest why im so far away from home at such a young age. Again perfecting the technique)
Indian: You work in India?
Me: No, im a traveller, backpacking around seeing the country (i show him my backpack then say) very beautiful country.
Indian: You work at home?
Me: No, im a student (well going to be a student...agan eisier to kill the topic)
Indian: What do you study? (after turning around and telling his freinds that im a student)
Me: I am taking the courses i need to get into buisness school (its true, i think)
Indian: O' buisness very good, (tells freinds then asks) Buisness and what major? (most indians im having this conversation with are around the ages of 30 to 50..i think... and are very well informed about the world and the way education works no matter what there caste or apperance)
Me: Buisness and marketing major (this will put to rest the topic of my major and most likely satisfy there questions as to what i do at home and the whole topic of school)
Indian: Ooo, You christian?
Me: No im a catholic.. (this completely puts to rest the religion issue, never tell an indian you dont beleive in god or that your agnostic. Dont use the Buddhist thing either becuase odds are there more well informed on the subject then you are becuase of the close relation to Hinduism)
Indian: So christmas?
Me: Yes, like Diwali..but in Canada in winter.
Indian: Yes, here too (excitedly)
Me: (by this point im really hoping to end this conversation quickly, you might think of me as rude right now, but beleive me it gets very tiring after a while awnsering the same questions over and over again. And the other thing is your travelling in what is in all odds a small and un comfortable seat on a train or bus so your patients is low) Yes..... ( i begin to put my headphones in without taking my i pod out of my bag, dont ever take an i pod touch out of your bag, they'll go nuts and insist on seeing it. Its totally innocent and truly there just curiuos but still you never know....and it could be a while till you get it back. Then i proceed to take my book out and say) Nice meeting you "so and so" im going to read know (politely but dismissively then shake his hand)
Indian: Ok (pulling out mobile phone) you have mobile?
Me: No, not with me (usually my only mistake and a fatal one at that)
Indian: O in canada? Whats number?
Me: (FUCK) Umm its 1780 913 9530....its lont distance and you need to dial from land line...(again huge mistake, this could lead to a whole explanation of area codes and phone numbers in canada with 10 digits)
Indian: O ok.... (telling his freinds in Hindi) You have paper or pen?
Me: Yes (knowing this will end conversation sooner than later)
Indian: Ok my mobile is "number" and dial # for outside "state"
Me: Ok thank you "so and so"....(trying to go back to my now open book)
Indian: When good time to call?
Me: Ummm im home 18 of december (knowing/or thinking the odds of me getting a call are low and the odds are that this guy just wants my name in his contact list to show to his freinds)
Indian: ok i call you maybe January "certain day" ok?
Me: Ok sounds good, nice talking to you (now more dismissive)
Indian: Ok Nice meeting you too, freind steven (and showing me my digits in his phone)

This conversation like i said before is very common and happens with a wide range of people here. Odds are the Indians are just curuios about you becuase your the only white person on the bus/train and there just trying to kill time to. Although the conversation is completely harmless, it can get on your nerves quickly for the reasons i explained above and i now probably have about 10 new phone numbers saved in my "contacts" in my ipod and another 10 written on the inside covers of books.
I dont know why im posting this, its just sort of a funny part of travelling when your by yourself and im sure people have experienced the same thing many times before me. I really think the whole conversation takes place just so they can get my phone number in there contact list, although about half the conversations end without the cell phone being brought out. Again you may think of me rude for trying to be dismissive, but Indians are very nosy, gossipy people and will proceed to ask you question after question without taking hints if you dont play the conversation right...beleive me after a while you realize which conversations are worth having and which are going to be endless.
love you all
steve

Rishikesh

Right now im hanging out in the state of Uttaranchal, in the small city of Rishikesh, which is right on the Ganges river. This place is absolutely amazing as far as scenery goes, its alot like the interior of british columbia i guess and i dont know its just a really nice place. Its dubbed the yoga capital of the world as well so its got a crazy yoga, ayerveda health scene as well. The town is super cool and is seperated by these two suspension bridges that god from district to district over the ganges. Really cool and i defintly throw some photos up. On one side of the river, theres no rickshaws or taxis allowed either so its just an amazing little walking market place with all these cool temples and ghats. Overall Tons of spiritual seekers and lots of beautiful temples and scenery to go along with it. Im staying at this really nice little guest house, up in the hills above the town area of Laxmhan Jula, pretty well you can walk anywhere here and i dont know its just a really cool place. Theres a yoga studio right behind my guest house which has drop in classes 2 times a day which ive been going to quite frequently and ive made my way north of the city to hang out on the sandy beaches of ganges, which are amazing. The water is freaking cold tho, and there was alot of nude old hippies around that im pretty sure were tripping out on acid (atleast i hope they were) so it was a little weird of being there by myself. I was thinking of checking into a yoga ashram, which is where you study and meditate for like 10 hours a day but i decided it might be a little to intense and i like what im doing know. I met some cool people at the guest house im at (Jess and knowl, there irish) and i think were going to go white water rafting some time in the near future. Other than that life is good and again (i know ive said this like 10 times before) this place is really to amazing and beautiful to describe, totally a place you have to experience to appreciate. The people are totally freindly and so - not in your face- aswell. Which is a total change from agra and rajasthan. Ok well life is good and il update this again with some pictures soon or if i have anything i need to say that havent said already. The terrorist shit thats happening in Mumbai is crazy, its scary to think that i was actually at all those places that they hit like a month ago and im going back there in about 3 weeks to catch my flight home. The media here is having a feild day over it to, its absolutly everywhere...i just hope they get this under control by the time i get there...which im sure they will its just a bit freaky.
steve

Random photos of last few weeks/ months maybe

Ok heres some photos ive taken over the last few weeks, my camera's been glitching so ive only got some photos of the taj i can post....

the taj is seriuosly soo fucking amazing, i know why the call it one of the "wonders of the world" its honestly (not to sound corney) breathtaking...o and theres the photo of the worlds largest turban, not as cool as the taj but still cool. i guess. The photos of the wall of flowers is the life cycle of the lotus flower that plates the whole inside walls of the taj, actually insane, becuase the whole thing is marble. Then theres me in some place i cant remmember but its a good photo

Update

Ok so since the last time i updated this thing alot has happenend for me. First thing is that i left Jeslaimir (feeling still not 100%) and ended up in Pushkar for the remaining 2 days of the "world" famous camel festival. The festival was crazy, so much visual stimulation and people its ridiculous. Snake charmers, kids dressed up like hindi gods, camels dressed up like people, people selling camel fair nessecities everywhere (sabers, lassi, snakes, fruit, camels) and just tons of people. It wasnt the greatest experience for someone not feeling that well but i made due and just tried to take as much in as possible. I was in pushkar for almost a week and the day after the camel festival i registered into a introduction yoga course and this guys yoga studio about a Kilometer out of town (far away from the madness of the festival, which lucky for me ended very abruptly and everyone left town quick). From the point i started yoga on, everything just seemed to click. I went into the class with an open mind and really having no idea of what i was doing. The guy who taught it was named yogesh yogi (haha) and he was a Babba (which is like the highest form of yogi (pretty well babbas sit in the himalyas and meditate all day and are at the highest form of yagic practise)) turned family man in pushkar and had this amazing yoga studio. The guy would teach us (me and this english women named robin) yoga twice a day for an hour and a half (once at 8 in the morning and then at 4 in the afternoon) and then after each session give us a lecture on meditation and the different types of yoga. Il try not to get to into detail about what he taught but heres the stuff that i really took out of it. Yoga is more less a way that a person balances there body physically. Meditation is the way a person balances their mind. Together they form a balance of both, and let you the person practising these things lead a mentally and physically healthier life. Its all under the "Ayurveda" way to life, and all in all this guy just taught me alot and i think i took alot from the course. Yoga is definitly something im going to keep up with, becuase it just makes you feel so good afterwards its to hard to stop once you started. Dont, worry anyone that thinks im going to come back a crazy yoga hippie, its just a lot of these practises i find could really help me as a person and they definitly help you examine who you are and where your going in life. Again i dont no what the point of me explaining this is, it just was a great experience and i would recommend a trip to india to study a bit of yoga to anyone at any age who finds themself lost. Ok well now im in Jaipor, which is the capital of rajasthan and im stuck here for 3 more nights. Its not that great of a city to be stuck in, its big, dirty, and expensive and really doesnt have alot to do in it that i havent already done or seen other places. im going to try and see james bond tommorow with robin who comes into Pushkar by train tonight. so ya thats been my last little while in India. I hope home is good to whoever is reading this and carolyn told me it hasnt snowed yet, which is good for some and bad for snowboarding which i am thinking about non stop at the moment. I have to say i havent taken a photo in about a week so il get on that over the next little bit. Im headed to Agra after this, to see the Taj Mahal for a day then im going north to a national wildlife conservation to try and see a tiger in the wild. Should make for some cool photo ops.
love steven

photos of jeslaimir