Sarnath I was curious about your blog on Sarnath, as I had always thought it was Dharamsala that was important to the Buddhists who visit India. It was lovely to read about this place, and the many temples from the different Buddhist countries. There's a temple in Sri Lanka that also has a bodhi tree grown from a cutting from that original tree - it's a magnificent tree and has an army of dedicated volunteers taking care of it, but visiting it certainly wasn't as calm as you described here. Sorry to hear you were sick in India - it's crap being sick on any journey, but everything is somehow amplified in India :) Cheers, Ren
Sarnath Wonderful story of your tiptoeing zigzag to get from hotel to waiting taxi, Tommy. Then to the calm of Sarnath where many nations had left their mark in the name of Buddhism. These are stories that need to be told, so thank you for that. Pleased that your health has recovered so you could enjoy the ride.
Buddha's First Lesson Thanks. The swiftness of travel's ups and downs are a sight to behold. It was also great to learn the stories of those I had no idea even existed.
Feeling your pain As you say the romance of the road always turns. My husband and I both had major health issues in Nepal and we know it has tainted our views of Kathmandu ... as we refer to it as crapmandu. Those memories are slow to fade. It does sounds as if you hit rock bottom. Sending you good health and happiness to return. Eager to read more.
A damn cliche Hundreds of us go without problems but so many get the Delhi belly. There is nothing worse than being sick on the road. Sending you a hug across the miles and wishing you healthier days.
Sick in India This went beyond Delhi Belly. This was full on Delhi Belly combined with a high fever and a nasty head cold. However, I survived to tell the tale. Thank you for your kind words. :)
Nothing was working out. All seemed lost. A low point had been reached. Unfortunately when one is travelling in foreign lands the wretchedness of illness can be all consuming. Always makes a great story though. It is often said to effect, "The measure of a man is how he copes with adversity". Now the fun begins Tommy...and it can be inspirational, lead to the best times even glorious how one can fight back. After all when rock bottom there are only two directions from there...further down or up up up. I shall await with interest to hear which direction you took or were taken.
Rock Bottom Thanks Dave. I'm still alive, so that means I didn't hit the absolute final rock bottom. I too am looking forward to writing my next blogs, as there was still a week and a half left to go in India and a whole lot more to tell.
This, too, shall pass... While I've never been to India, I, too, have had my "just get me out of this shithole" moments. And then this cute little girl tried to steal my bracelet - right off my wrist.
But the good news is that with a little time and distance these moments become stories, and my sense of excitement and exploration returns.
But it's hard to find anything charming when you are sick.
Absolutely You're right no matter how many missteps we travelers have, eventually the romance of the road returns. And with space we appreciate our travel scars. And lets face it travel horror stories can be much more fun to read than travel successes. Since I have been travel blogging, when something bad happens to me on a trip I always think to myself "AHA! At least now I have something to write about." :)
I feel your pain Being sick while travelling, especially with digestive system problems, is no fun at all. I remember being in a restaurant in Yangon (coincidentally eating fruit and yogurt) when the urge to vomit came suddenly and insistently. Fortunately I made it outside before disaster struck, but I wonder what the owner thought about this middle-aged women running out of his restaurant.
Sick in India Haha. Yes, luckily I've never gotten sick at the restaurant. Always hits me hours later. Then I have to think back, just what did I eat????
Sick in India My biggest nightmare...maybe why I have avoided the temptations to go there. Reading your blog I saw the word "yoghurt" and reacted like your stomach. Our daughter had a lassi in Tibet which is a yoghurt drink and was sick for days. In Mali we risked a salad at the No Problemo Hotel...you experienced bright yellow...we bright green! My father, a doctor who had been to India a number of times, used to say everyone who visits India gets dysentery.Yet you are in Varanasi where people come to die or be cremated. At least you had the view from your balcony...and you seem like a very tough guy!!! Ah...maybe it's karma!!!
Selfies for Art's Sake I imagine your invited selfie at cremation ghats and the total distraction of such an act. Yet I also imagine that life is buzzing around you with all sorts of distractions of this and that. Breathe it all in...or is that the wrong analogy?
Soaking up an ancient city Your story about getting off the plane was funny. Indeed the airlines in the U.S. have so much to learn about customer service. A great cultural experience. Thanks for sharing.
Bonkers Introduction to an ancient City Sounds as if you survived arrival Tommy with your bags intact...sounds like entre in Varanasi could be a revelation...we'll see!
I love blogs about past journeys... If you remember the rest of your journey and have pictures, which help remind you, then go ahead an write the blog(s).!
I am 41 years old. I am currently living in New York and enjoying my life as a semi-retired teacher. Although I spend a most of my time in domestic tranquility it is my aim to take one major solo trip each year. My three most recent journeys are a pilgrimage through the Holy Land, a crazy month in Cambodia, and a return to India. Life is one gloriously unpredictable mess. My travels have taken me to many different places and I hope to experience and venture out to many more.
I have filled in many of the gaps between my 2000 graduation up until today. Well apart from the five years living in... full info
RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew
Sarnath
I was curious about your blog on Sarnath, as I had always thought it was Dharamsala that was important to the Buddhists who visit India. It was lovely to read about this place, and the many temples from the different Buddhist countries. There's a temple in Sri Lanka that also has a bodhi tree grown from a cutting from that original tree - it's a magnificent tree and has an army of dedicated volunteers taking care of it, but visiting it certainly wasn't as calm as you described here. Sorry to hear you were sick in India - it's crap being sick on any journey, but everything is somehow amplified in India :) Cheers, Ren