The final area was closer to the two main Ashrams that I wanted to stay at. Yoga Niketan and Parmarth Niketan, two of the most famous Ashrams. Thanks to the close proximity I was able to practise at these two Ashrams on a drop-in basis.
Over these two days managed to continue the morning dip on the opposite side of the Ganges and caught Ganga Aarti, the spectacular offerings to the Ganges one at Triveni Ghat and one at Parmarth Niketan.
What a perfect start to the trip. After 5 days of clear thoughts, it was time to move back into the bustle of Rishikesh. Staying on the main tourist strip was interesting, every type of yoga enthusiast roams the street. Dreadlocks, bare footed, tanned, care free, it's a melting pot of every hippy around the world in one spot. I also heard anecdotally, that "Rishikesh is the whitest place in India". It's definitely more chaotic, it's hotter, the smells are more direct, there's cows on the roads, lots of honking and people are constantly trying to get your attention. Highlights include trying different yoga studios, having a swim in the Ganges and just exploring the different Ashrams and restaurants.
Despite the cliche, practising yoga and meditation in India is something that has been on my list for some time, the trouble is that it's always ranked quite low on the list. When it comes to yoga in India, the destination that comes to mind is Rishikesh, the home of yoga. I would have liked to spend more time here, however 10 days should be sufficient time for a taste of the experience. I hoped to make this trip as fluid as possible, booking only a flight to Rishikesh and a couple of initial nights of accommodation a day before. Unfortunately the popular ashrams were not available given the late minute nature of the trip (in hindsight this worked out well). I found a remotely located Ashram online and would eventually staying 4 nights and 5 nights.
The location was a 20 minute hike up the hill, fairly remote and with nothing else to do in the area. Exactly what I needed. The daily routine is as follows:
6:00 neti pot
6:15 morning meditation
7:00 morning asanas
9:00 breakfast
12:15 Yoga discussion
13:00 lunch
5:00 afternoon asanas
6:30 evening meditation
7:30 dinner
I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty excited about starting my very first gardening period. There is something about being paid not to work just feels nice. Although it's not the entire 3 months, I still count the 10 weeks as as close to awesome as it gets. The downside is that I would have liked more time in the first destination, but grateful to have this opportunity.
Leaving the office I head home and pack my bag only to head to the airport for my 8:30 pm flight. It's Wednesday evening and the flight is pretty empty, I'm probably the only non-Indian on this flight. I sleep most of the trip, and 5 hours later I've arrived in Delhi just before Midnight. My (now ex) colleagues recommended I get a cheap hotel room at the airport and sleep, I decide against it, more in the interests of cost and also I just don't trust myself to wake up in 4 hours.
I have 6 hours to waste before a domestic flight onwards to the final destination. I exit the international airport, hot air and crowds greet me as I move to the domestic departure terminal. Here we go.
The handling of my notice period has been fairly smooth (touch wood). I asked for a midweek, last day, giving myself 2 days back in the office with my boss after his Europe trip and the Hong Kong public holiday; he obliged. All things considered, this has worked out fairly well, worked two weeks in the office, and spent two weeks in Sydney, leaving me with 2 months. It would have been nice to have a continuous block, but I can't complain. Majority of the handover has been complete, I've checked out and have not actively been picking up work, but am still engaged with any incoming questions directed at me.
The last couple of days have been nice, plenty of warm wishes and thank yous. I unexpectedly received touching email from the boss and a farewell card and whisky from the office. At 4:30 pm, I complete the rounds of farewells and leave to applause. I leave 28 Hennessy for the last time.
