I leave today for India. We’ll be in the southern region for a week before heading up to Ladakh. After a trek through the Himalayas, we will visit the Ajanta Buddhist temple caves in Maharashtra.
I have been trekking with this group of friends for over 15 years, but this is the first time I have been able to convince my partner David to come along. He’s only joining us for the first half of the trip, but it’s a huge step and I’m so happy he agreed. His attachment to the concept of daily showers has been a major impediment to his participation in these “off road” adventures in the past, so we plan to introduce him to the glories of being dirty and smelly with careful moderation.
Someone asked me, “Is this a pilgrimage?” I suppose the correct answer to that question is, perhaps.
I will be gone for most of August and will be spending my time outside the reaches of the cybernet. While I am gone, I have queued up a slew of my favorite poems to appear every other day. I will return to writing in real time on August 25.
This parting wisdom is compliments of Whiskey River, my favorite wisdom drinking hole…
Just live that life. It doesn’t matter whether it is life or hell, life of the hungry ghost, life of the animal, it’s okay; just live that life, see. And as a matter of fact there is no other way. Where you stand, where you are, that’s what your life is right there, regardless of how painful it is or how enjoyable it is. That’s what it is.
–Taizan Maezumi
Deborah – have a great trip and stay healthy. I have seen some photos of the Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra and they are a series of wonders to behold. Enjoy! G
Safe journey, Deborah (and Dave!) Will miss you and be thinking of you…
Just live that life, thank-you Whiskey River!
D & D have a great trip!
What an amazing thing to do and how wonderful to have a group of friends to take such a journey with every year. I’m so far behind in reading your wonderful posts. This will give me a chance to catch up while you have fun.
I’m very excited for you. Have a wonderful adventure. We’ll all look forward to what you have to say on the other side.
Deborah,
I met you in the swimming pool and hot tub of the Hilton Garden Inn near Buffalo in summer 2007, as you were readying yourself for Chatauqua. Every once in a while I check your blog, generally loving what I find. My last and only trip so far to India in 1993 was for two months and included Ajanta and Ellora. We went where we wanted to be. In my heart and in my reptile brain it was just a moment ago. Eyes wide open and heart full, have a great trip! Perhaps our paths will cross again.
Mary Beth
It sounds fabulous. I agree that the annual trek with friends is something special. These photos are beautiful. Funny, too, how some people are naturally adventurous and don’t think twice about leaving behind creature comforts. Others, though, not so fast. I can understand. I used to care less about showers; as I’ve gotten older and probably spoiled, I sure do love them more than I used to.
I am so happy for you, and wishing I were following in your footsteps. Can’t wait to hear about your adventures. The quote at the end of your post is spot on, a philosophy to live by.
So many times over the last couple of weeks, I have thought, “I’ll see what’s going on at Slow Muse…,” only to realize yet again it’s all temporarily in India. Does moblogging inhibit one’s sense of awayness? I’ll just bet it does. Looking forward to the end of the hiatus.
I miss the Slow Muse on the internet….but it still thrives in my mind!