Post-sick Schedule

Slept and fasted my way back to health - fasted on the 14th, fell asleep around 6:30 and got up at 9 the next morning! Was still a little off yesterday, but already much better than V-day. And today, totally back in business. Gotta make up for lost time! Time cannot be wasted in Rishikesh... especially with only a week and a half to go! However, I must remember that being sick is in part my body's way of telling me to slow down. To be shanti, shanti. But it's hard. Yesterday, on my first post-Trika, non-sick day, I finally ventured out a little further than I have in the past month. I've experienced so much, done so much, grown so much, yet remained within a 3km radius. On a 2-hour walk, I discovered so much more of my surroundings, but a year would not even be enough to see all there is to see in Rishikesh. I still only explored a small area of Ramjula, the small district I live in, which is one of four areas in the yoga part of Rishikesh. I haven't even been to the actual main town of Rishikesh, where the hustle and bustle and main market are. I've planned out my last two weeks with all that I still want to do, and there definitely isn't any room for another sick day... or even sick hour for that matter. Speaking of sick, I've been on a black tea, plain rice, and raisins diet since V-day, and let me tell you that the sight or mere thought of ice-cream makes me want to hurl. This may be hard to believe for those who know me well! (My friend Nina mentioned that the ice-cream sickness may be related to the electricity that keeps going on and off... not so good for dairy.)
After yesterday's exploration walk, I went back to my room to relax for a bit, then headed out to see my first Indian wedding! Swati (my friend and Hindi teacher) had told me about it during my class earlier that day, and I was determined not to miss it. What a production! Apparently, it was the wedding of the wealthiest family in Ramjula, and would be hard to explain clearly, but I took some videos that I'll share back home. (Oh, and I promise a photo blog before leaving Rishikesh!) After an hour of that craziness, I headed back to Sudesh for a Sufi music concert in the yoga hall on the fourth floor. Great time! Group of 7, with 2 harmonium players, 1 tabla player, 1 keyboard player, and three singers/clappers. We were served chai and pakoras as we listened and swayed to the mesmerizing music. After the concert, we could still hear the Indian dance music blaring from the wedding reception, which was held in a tent just behind my guesthouse. I thought it would go all night and prevent me from sleep, but it was quiet by midnight. But then, I was woken up around 4am by band music... hmmm, guess they just took a quick nap and got back to festivities! It seems the wedding may go on for 3-4 days! Despite the noise, I'm glad it took place while I was here and that I caught some of it.
Off to hear what Prem Baba has to say today...