Nirvana in the Himalayas

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I flew into Dehli on a tuesday night and within 2 days found myself at the foothills of the Himalayas in Kashmir, in northern India. Escaping the sweltering heat of Dehli moving up north seemed to be the only resonable option. So I arrived in Kashmir and the next day I was off to start a 5 day trek. Ilan, an Israeli guy was also coming along for the trek- we had a little Kashmirian man, Abdul for our guide (an Indian version of my belgium father, Lode- for those who know him) and three gypsy pony men. Our little enterouge- of 5 little horses (that they call ponies) our gypsy men and our energetic, little guide. We stopped on our way out to the beginning of the trek to pick up two live chickens that we just threw in the jeep with us alive...that night they would become our dinner! A little taste of the natural ways of the mountains...drinking milk that came from the cow a few minutes earlier would be in store as well!

We hiked for 5 or 6 hours the first day up some massive mountains, and as we got higher and higher i had the senstation of being more and more blown away from the scenery. Seriously may have been the most beautiful place I've seen in my life.

We set up camp and ended up keeping our camp at this amazing spot- sitting on top of the Himalayas on a grassy knoll, horses grazing, cows mooing, sheeps baaaa-ing, birds twirping, hills really felt alive. The Himalayan mountain range like a picture painted before us- as impressive as you imagine them to be. A dome-like mountain at the end of the green valley behind us with a beautiful glacier emerging; the sun setting behind it every evening, and adding a pink hue to the hilltops across the valley. Little gypsy brick and mud huts scattered on the hillside next to us- blending in so naturally with the natural landscape. The gypsies, as they call them, are the people that live out in the mountains, and are nomadic basically. They spend the summer months- or about 6 months up in the Himalayas with their livestock and cattle, and then come down to little villages at the foothills in the winter. We were able to spend some time with the gypsies in their homes- Abdul our guide knew a few in the area well- and it was just amazing to see how they live. So simply! 'All a man needs is food and a little bit of shelter' says Abdul, our guide, and this is exactly how the gyspies live. We would go and sit with them in their little huts- just one room for 1 or 2 families to stay in, sleeping on the floor next to the mud fire stove- with a little room for their cows next door. We sat and drank their traditional salt tea (took a little getting used to) and their corn chapati, playing with the kids. Ilan at one point put a toddler on his shoulders and after a little confusion Ilan figured out the wetness around his neck was the kids pee- hahaha- we all couldnt stop laughing for awhile- i dont think Ilan found it as amusing.

Sitting in the gypsy huts, it was the most authentic cultural experience I've ever had- it's like going back in time- it makes you wonder who has the better life sometimes- their whole family is so close, working as a unit for survival essentially, living off the land in the beautiful Himalayas with complete simplicity in their lives. Would probably drive the westernized mind mad eventually.

For the following 3 days we took day trips up around the area- to the nearby lakes and glacier and scaled some freaking massive hills just for the additional views. Got to ride one of the horses for a little bit of the trek- amazing to sit back and just observe the nature around while not having to put out any effort! And I've been wanting to go horse back riding basically since my tip has started- so it was a nice bonus- riding a horse through the Himalayas! Staying in tents, having bonfires at night- with only laughter, smiles and a few words to communicate with the gypsy men who were our working companions for the trip. At night the most UNBELIEVABLE stars I've seen in my life! Seriously, i was so blown away!!! the sky was FILLED with stars, saw shooting stars every few minutes- a lot of wishes had to be made! Ilan, the Israeli guy was a great companion for the trip, a sweet guy that recently has gotten really into Judaism- so we had plenty of interesting spiritual and philosophical conversations- and i learned a lot about the Jewish relgion and what's going on in Israel.

This trek really had the feeling of being out in the middle of nowhere- camping and being on your own basically in these mountains- had such a natural, grounding effect. Being out in nature for a length in time, especially in a place as magnificent as the Himalayas- it was one of the most unbelievable experiences I've ever had- just overwhelming, breath taking beauty all around. It is so easy to be in the moment in these environments- to be completely in the present and just soak everything up- so grounding and spiritual and just....nirvana. The most peaceful I've been in my life- really an unbelievable experience! I think you all need to do a trek like this in the Himalayas before this life is over!!!!!

So after the trek I was planning to head out to Leh, which is supposed to be like mini-Tibet. A bridge broke along the way so I have been in Kashmir for the last week. Kashmir, which in the past has had a lot of trouble and hasnt been the safest place to travel- due to the conflict of the Pakistan-Indian border conflict- and still some travel warnings are in place (my parents have been really stoked of me coming up here for my first visit in india and staying so long...ha..not)- but besides the massive amounts of military men standing on the streets, with their huge guns...i feel safe and ok here. Dal Lake which is in Kashmir has about 1000 house boats- which are all for the tourists- so for the last week I have been relaxing on a house boat, swimming in the area of the lake thats actually clean to go in, and just taking it easy. Being a Muslim area it's been really interesting seeing women completely covered, with only the eyes being revealed. I've realized this is the first time in my life i have really seen women completly covered in this fashion- and of course opens up your mind to analyze and think about the condition of women living in these areas of the world. Makes me double check all of my clothing before i leave the house that nothing is see-thru at all- or anything inapporpriate.

Sitting anywhere on the lake you hear prayers in the background- Sunni's have prayers 3 times a day and the Shitte 5 times a day- so 8 times a day prayers are chanted over a load speaker in the distance- so sitting on the deck of your hosue boat you here faint vibrations of what sounds like ancient chanting coming from all directions- so soothing and calming- really meditative. This boat community is just amazing- with little canoe like boats that people get around by, the little splashes of the oars as women in beautiful saris, Indian families, children, and working men paddle around all day. Going on excursions in the boats myself, its such a slow, shanti (peaceful) way to get around- there is no rush- there cant even be a rush if there needed to be. Beafutiful lotus flowers all around, amazing huge eagles, and these awesome little king fisher brids that take sharp dives into the water at any moment. A really special place- beautiful. Dal Lake, a lazy place really- just relazing, ready, writing, and talking to friends...made some friends- two local Kashmirian guys and this German girl who are all friends- so its been cool to hang out with them- espcially since the guys are locals so they know whats going on and just..convenient. I'm going to attempt to learn some Hindi- it helped so much during my time in Nepal knowing Nepali and i think they are similar languages- so we'll see...i may need some lessons i think.

Did a slight exchange with my guitar, gave it to Kiran and got a jimbya (sp?) a little drum...probably not the wisest choice in the sense that it's just more crap to lug around- but nice for the occasions that its used....my drum got a good initiation with the gyspy guys up in the Himalayas- so now its sticking close to me.

I feel at such an amazing part of my travels right now. I have recently realized that I've been gone for just about 7 months! I can't believe the time has gone by that fast- but i suppose this is how life goes? I feel more grounded than i ever have in my life, and feel so strongly of coming into my own. Reflecting on the last 7 months i have learned SO MUCH about myself, about other people and how things work, about other cultures- and just about life in general. And the great thing about being out here on my own, I can decide and take from each situation what I want to- the feeling of having no molds to fit into, or any societal critique that we often find in our home lives- are suddenly gone from my life right now- that I can be whoever i want to be- and not feel like i have to be a certain way at any point. So be ready guys- im coming into my own more than i ever have before- and have a huge smile on my face and my heart!

I hope you all are appreciating and enjoying your life in this moment as well- I think about you all often- and draw from your love and support on a daily basis to continue my adventure!

sorry there are no pictures with this blog- i have some AMAZING shots! but this computer is not cooperating with the upload...but they will be pictures added soon!

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Photos

Lotus Flower
The lotus flower is an ancient divine symbol in India; its unfolding petals suggest the expansion of the soul; the growth of its pure beauty from the mud of its origin holds a benign spiritual promise.

On the way to the floating market at sunrise
My two Israeli friends, Ilan and Einat

Our Camp Site
Not bad, eh?...

Gypsy Camp
'All a man needs is food and a little bit of shelter' -ABDUL

Comments

[Britt]

Nice to read your travelstories!
Hey sis, Just took the time to read all your amazing experience and adventures! Keep on going and let us know when you are coming to Belgium! Enjoy every second of your travel. Big hug and kisses Egon and Britt xxx

[einat]

Incredible Kee
Kee (vaumit in hebrew) kisses and hugs, returned to Israel and craving for dal and rice It is wonderful to travel some more with you just keep on and include Israel in your current travel see you before my next travel