Episode 25

The rest of our week in Rishikesh was quite a treat, and a nice change from working in hospitals and clinics. We stayed at Parmath Nature Cure, a naturopathic health center designed to provide alternative healing for common disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, heart disease, and asthma. We started our day with an hour of yoga and a morning naturopathy class where we learned all about massage techniques, dietary therapy, hydrotherapy, and various other naturopathic techniques. We had most of the afternoon to play tourist, which we did happily. Then in the afternoon, we had half an hour of meditation followed by another two-hour yoga class. Needless to say, I couldn’t walk after about day 2 and was quickly reminded of how tight and inflexible traveling can make you… I loved our week in Rishikesh and relished in learning as much as I could about yoga, meditation, breathing techniques, and even took part in a “cleansing” day. Although I passed on the enema, I did try the “chug warm salt water like a beer bong and then promptly make yourself throw up” technique, as well as the “pour salt water in one nostril and make it come out the other” nasal cleanser. It was well, interesting….

Rishikesh is also a huge hippie-tourist destination and seems to collect more dreadlocks and patchouli oil than Berkeley. It was fun meeting other travelers as we engaged in a few of the touristy activities. Touristy activity #1- Visiting the Maharishi’s Ashram where the Beatles wrote the White Album. (This ones for you Clive!) The Ashram has been long since abandoned and is currently taken over by the landscape. However, it still resonates as quite the place for musical inspiration, as the essence of the Ganga seeps into the old stone structure and feeds the soul with its spiritual incantations. Touristy activity #2- White water rafting down the Ganga into Rishikesh. At first, I thought to myself “no way in hell am I stepping foot near that water” after spending 2 months dealing with water-borne diseases. However after a few days of watching thousands of people bathe by its banks, I decided what the hell, when in Rome!?! It turned out to be one of the most memorable and fun experiences of my trip. Of course, we were put in a boat with 5 of the goofiest Indian guys that they could find. They paddled maybe 50 times total, and spent most of the journey singing, carrying on, and trying to push each other off the raft. Although not much a crew, they were highly entertaining and I don’t think I stopped laughing once the entire 4-hour trip.