Paradise in Rishikesh...

We got off the train and found our way to the bus station where we were crammed onto a full bus and stood for a hour while we were jostled back and forth with the bus. Hot, tired, and hungry we arrived to find that we still needed to get to the other side of the river. We managed to get there but after 30 minutes of walking in a crowd with our bags we were both grumpy. We finally found a Guesthouse and dropped our bags immediately before heading to find some food. We found a lovely roof top restaurant where we ordered some delicious non India food from some kids from Nepal. We rested for a bit, I went on an adve true walk and the to a yoga class. It's unfortunate when a yoga teacher doesn't challenge you but assumes you can't do it because your not flexible. I enjoyed the class but was a bit disappointed. Alex and I took a meditation class from the same teacher and I felt the same after that. He taught us some methods and then we sat there for 30 minutes, well I fidgeted.

The next day we went to the Beatles Ashram.....which actually has another name. It was amazing. I could have spent the day there exploring each building. It started with little pebble huts built into the forest. These 2 storey buildings had toilets and back doors. The were so cute and Zen like. We kept discovering buildings and each one was as cool as the others but so different. I wish I could have seen it in its prime, it would have been amazing. I felt so relaxed walking through the area, and despite discovering a man in a comprimising position in the temple, I loved it. I felt a peace in this place and was fascinated by the ruins. I discovered later that it had been open until 1997 but I had imagined it had been closed for decades. After several hours exploring we we for lunch at our new favourite restaurant. Later we went to a yoga class at Yoga Vini. It was the best class I've ever been to. He corrected everyone in every posture and challenged me with every move. He helped me if I couldn't do it and showed me how do do the posture to my ability. And then at the end of this amazing class, him and his student go around giving Reflexology massages on your feet and head. Omg, pure bliss. We went back twice the next day! Four hours of yoga and I felt rejuvinated but not sore or too tired. The de tre of Rishikesh was busy, dirty and loud, but this little corner we'd found with a bed, our yoga and food was exactly what I needed. A break from India.....I wish I could have stayed for a few weeks doing yoga but onward we go. This time to Ramnegar and the Corbett National Park.