holamundo's Guestbook

Traveling with Swami!
How wonderful that your swami gives darshan in such lovely places--a perfect excuse to travel! And Valencia is wonderful--the old architecture, museums in the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, and the way Spaniards are always saying, 'hombre.' Great that you'll now visit more of that fabulous country!

Sweets and a Swami!
How great to have such wonderful places to visit so close to you! Lovely that you got to be with your swami, enjoy such yummy treats and see the snowy Alps over the city--withoug standing in line with a crowd. I'm amazed at how the weather changed from spring to winter in such a short drive--good thing you're used to driving in snow! Namaste!

Chaotic Bus Terminals
Time and time again....you've talked about chaos, and the chaotic ambiance in India and yet it is a country you travel to time and time again. The bus system in India is hit and miss. As we travel around the world it seems many have learned English and it bridges the great divide. Some pockets of the world have little command of English and we love that. The struggle to use the universal language. We rejoice in that. Good people all around the world. You seem to be on a spiritual path and India affords you those things.

Glad to hear you arrived home safely
I have read your last three blog entries, and I'm sorry to hear you had such a bad experience with illness and the hospital. Glad you are home safely. Your words on being ready for India before you begin are so true - I've been to India twice now, and each time ended with quite severe illness, along with the frustrations of India. However, there is still something amazing about the country, which still draws me back - some deep sense of spirituality combined with teeming experiences of humanity. If you're anything like me, you'll be wanting to go back for more within a few months... Glad that you're both safe and well back home though. Thanks for writing and posting :)

All's well that ends well!
How fantastic that you had a wonderful ending to your time in India! I've heard that you've not really traveled unless you've traveled in India. The fact that you survived hospitalization and the annoyances of India proves that you are real travelers. And how wise to realize what you need for your next journey there. Glad you're home in your peaceful haven now. You survived!

The sweet side of India
I've been in Bolivia and out of wifi range, so I missed your trials, but I'm so happy that today, I could read of your wonderful experiences with kind people and many blessings at temples and with the saddhus. It's so amazing that people can be so rude and pushing when they are in holy places. This also happens down here at festivals, so I often avoid them. May you both continue to feel well, meet kind people to usher you into temples and find serene spots to meditate. Namaste!

Health issues and beautiful places
Never good feeling bad or being hospitalized in another country. You have beat the odds and you always find interesting and beautiful places that most people don't get to.

Hospitals and travel
Poor Nina! Glad you only had to stay one night in hospital... and that you could stay and recover without having to travel when you were feeling ill.

The simple life
Love this photo. You've not had the best of luck finding rooms recently. The room sounded frightful. There is sometimes a price to pay to see lovely and amazing World Heritage Sites. It sounds like you finally hit the wall and had sensory overload with India on this trip. Hopefully, it will fade but if not there is a big world out there.

It can only get better, I hope!
When it's high season, I generally head for the least popular places. How lucky that your agent was able to get you a ticket and three days in Hampi--I had no idea that India had such a high season, but I guess there are a lot of Indians who could fill up a place. So trippy the elephant stables--I never considered their existence. Glad you got to spend just the right amount of time there, and hopefully, in your next, little-heard-of place, it will be more tranquil.

Budget frustrations
We often avoid traveling in high season for all the reasons your blog just described. The crowds of people, the lack of accommodation,the inability to be spontaneous and the increased cost can put a dent in the budget. I'm certainly glad you didn't have to sleep in a restaurant. Very cool that you got to see a wedding ceremony.