Rishikesh was beautiful. The mountains, trees, birds, Hanuman statues, and the beautiful Ganga right outside our window. I went to see the Beatles ashram with some friends. It was abandoned with beautiful vines growing everywhere. We started singing “Hey Jude” as we wandered around the grounds. It was a magic ghost town. 

I walked up and down the streets full of vendors and sugar cane entrepreneurs, shopped and took everything in while relaxing into this mountain town. 

When I went to the sunset aarti we found out that the Ganga and the Yamuna rivers were granted the same legal rights as human beings that day.  Here is a link for more information:

That was amazing news! https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/21/ganges-and-yamuna-rivers-granted-same-legal-rights-as-human-beings

The devotion and love all the people in India have for the Ganga is beautiful to observe. This river gives them life and so much more. 

The sunset that night was spectacular. I was so happy to be with my pod of friends enjoying the magic hour and sending offerings of flowers and light to the Ganga. This aarti was relaxed and intimate and the ritual of rising with the sun with devotion and saying goodnight to it as well slowed down time. 

Also, there were lots of monkeys up in the mountains. One followed us into our room at the ashram. I freaked out, but in a very quiet way.  “Katie, there’s a monkey in our room…Katie….Katie…what do we do?!”

 Then we just screamed and waved our arms and legs really loud and he made off with my conditioner that was by the sink.  He was gone as quickly as he came and we weren’t trapped in our room with a monkey at the only exit. 

I respect and fear monkeys now. Especially as we traveled on to Vrindavan next. There the monkeys were crazy and ripped off sunglasses and stole bags of souvenirs in exchange for juice boxes. They are incredibly smart.

Watch out for monkeys.

In Clement Town I met my kid Sonam, who our family sponsors to live at the hostel, as well as go to the Tibetan School there. He is quiet, funny, and loves basketball and is full of life. It was the best showing Kai and Story the videos of me meeting him. He is beautiful. We did yoga with the kids, and I taught part of the yoga class! My first one and I was so scared, but I did it! I’m glad it was with those kids and the wonderful people in my group, they were so forgiving and kind.  They also feed us amazing food and chai and we hung white boards in all of the classrooms at the school.  It was a beautiful time to be with the Tibetan people. I was smiling so very big there. It was also a welcomed calm and quiet place filled with peace. 

After Agra I got pretty sick on our way back to Delhi and then traveling on to Hardiwar on a plane, bus, and rickshaw.  But in Hardiwar after a very long sleep….this day was great. We had a beautiful puja outside and put offerings into the Ganga for love and peace.

First stop Agra on this amazing journey