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Published: February 19th 2007
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I'd like to preface this blog with a little note about the
bomb blast in India - my thoughts and prayers go out to all of the families who were involved in this terrible attack. I had heard from our tour guide the other day that this train route between Delhi and Lahore, in Pakistan, started recently and I know a number of people have been taking advantage of it. It's a terrible event, and I'm thinking about everyone that was involved today - please say a prayer. Now on to my final India blog.
Saturday was finally departure day from India - I get to go home! Since I had a whole day to kill, I figured I would book myself into the hotel spa for their
ayurvedic duo body treatment (ooh la la!). I arrived, and my "technician" showed me into the women's dressing room, where I changed into a bathrobe and plastic sandals. I followed her into the treatment room, which was very peaceful. The lights were dimmed, and there were two massage tables in the room, with a jacuzzi in the corner (it's designed for couple's massages). First, I was to sit in the jacuzzi for about
twenty five minutes (don't worry, they gave me these little paper underpants to wear, so it was all sanitary...I think). The scene really was beautiful - churning water, red and yellow rose petals...except for the smell of the water, which was highly unpleasant. But I tried to relax, something which I've learned that I have difficulty doing.
My technician came back with a sweet lime drink, which I didn't like too much, but drank it to make her happy (she was very keen on me drinking something other than water). And it's always recommended that you drink a lot of water if you're going to have a massage. After my jacuzzi, I climbed onto a soft massage table and laid face down for the start of what is, hands down (no pun intended), the best massage I've ever gotten. Called "
abhyanga," it's a gentle, but firm, whole body massage using slightly warmed ayurvedic oils. It was incredibly relaxing, and she even massaged my face, which surprisingly, can be very tense!
I wish the afternoon had ended there, but I was also scheduled for
sirodhara, where you lay on a hard wooden table with what looks like a sink
at one end, and they cover your eyes and ears and pour slightly warmed medicated oils on to the forehead, the third eye, in a continuous stream, all while giving you a head massage. I know it sounds lovely, and it would have been aside from the wooden table I was laying on - it was so uncomfortable, that I started to get a bad pain in my neck, which caused me to have a headache (ironic, since this particular treatment is supposed to help headaches). They were very nice, and put another towel under my head, but it progressively got worse again. So I readjusted once more, and just stuck it out until it was over. Unfortunately, I've still got the headache now.
After this treatment, they sent me into the steam room. I'd never been in a steam room before, and now I know why - it's like breathing through a hot wet towel! I do feel like it opened my pores and set the oil into my skin, but wow was it hot and humid in there. Finally, I was able to take a shower, and I got all the oil out of my hair with
the shampoo, but lack of conditioner really gave me an awesome hairdo full of knots. I look good!
So from below my neck, I feel super relaxed, which is a good way to start out a sixteen hour journey. However, from the head up, I could be better.
Finally, after a few hours of waiting, I met up with my airport escort in the hotel lobby - this man was so nice, that I almost wanted to hug him when we eventually parted ways. He was a
sikh, which is a person who adheres to sikhism. Sikhs believe in one God, ten gurus (from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh), the Guru Granth Sahib, the utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus, and living an honest life, abolishing oppression, and treating good people with respect. He pointed out various sites to me in Delhi as we drove to the airport, including the
President's house,
India Gate, and the
houses of Parliament. Our driver was probably the nuttiest one I have had in India yet, and I came close to having to close my eyes a couple of times as we weaved in and out through surprisingly heavy traffic. I was nervous after
talking to a couple of our lawyers that evening who had just returned from Agra, and had seen two motorcyclists who had been killed. But I survived the ride, and started to feel that panicky feeling that had become way too familiar as we arrived at the airport (
Indira Gandhi International Airport). My escort mentioned that most flights in Delhi take off in the evening, so the airport is always more crowded at night. The airport was no different than the rest of Delhi - packed with people. We waited in a line to enter the airport, as throngs of people gathered outside (for what purpose, I wasn't sure. It didn't seem as if they were waiting for arrivals, but I couldn't tell). There was security right at the entrance, so we provided my ticket and passport to the man at the door, who let us through. I then had to quickly follow my escort as he navigated his way through the crowds of people, first to the security x-ray for my checked luggage, and then to the ticket counter. I was so grateful that he was able to come inside with me, because it was so hectic and confusing in there that
I doubt I would have been able to do it had I been solo. I finally checked in, and filled out my immigration depature form, and said my goodbyes to this lovely man.
Immigration was relatively painless, and I then found my way to security for the gate. The lines were long and slow, but not disorganized, and I had no difficulty in getting through them and to my gate on time. There was yet another mass of humanity in the large waiting room that served about six gates, so I stood along the wall next to my gate, #8, and waited. As we started to board, I realized that there would be about fifteen babies and young children on the flight with us - never a good sign. A young couple was sitting next to me on the flight, and I think it was the woman's first trip on a plane, as well as to the states, so she was very excited. The flight was extremely full, and way too long, punctuated by the excitement of a gentleman who was incredibly sick who had pushed himself to get on the plane anyway and then spent a majority of
the flight throwing up in various areas of the plane. The flight attendant asked me to volunteer my sick bag for his use, and I was happy to oblige, although less than enthused about listening to the whole ordeal. Lovely.
But I have now returned home, and am fighting some brutal jet lag. However, I have vacation over the next four days and am heading to
Cranwell Spa in Lenox, Massachusetts for some rest and relaxation. And even though it's a vacation, I'll be bringing my trusty laptop along, so I promise to fill you in on the massages, facials and the like!
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