India.

3am. waking naturally. easy when bedtime was 7pm. On my own accord...as the body is still making sense of it all.

india. no words can truly do justice to explain this incredible land. i will, however, share a few.

after sleeping for 17 hours...needed following a journey across the world. Slow is the pace and I have settled into ashram life. The bed is hard and supportive and 3am finds me doing restorative yoga postures tucked underneath the bed's mosquito netting. Headphones in, sweet sounds sooth this sore body. I dress, leave the dorm to pray. Darkness before the sun I am in the temple. The priest arises offering blessings for the day. It is quiet. Prayers. Back to the shelter of mosquito net-ville I lay down and rest again. Awake to the deep listening of Trevor Hall's Chapter of the Forest. An album of his love of India: "Jagadeesha. I speak of a country, ever so lovely. In silence I walk. oh friend come closer. i will unfold her. bliss all around." Mmmm.

This morning we walked as a group through the town to sit by the lakeside and sing. It is still dark as we follow the waking sun toward the water.

Local houses offer music through loud speakers and I hear elephants calling from the wildlife sanctuary.

Kirtan along the rocks. Temperature rises as does the sun. After silence I slip into conversation with some solo lady travellers who share tales. Chatting makes the climbing hills easy to manage.

Tea time. Practise. Breakfast. Sweeping. Now.

Singing. Listening. Sweating. Drinking Water. Writing.

This land. A spiritual empire. Inspiring words from this journey. Dearest India, I will try to eloquently express your beauty and how you have captured my heart. 

But mother india, more than words, you are a feeling. I am grateful for you. 

Om.

Far from simple.

One may explain india as the very opposite of Zen minimalism ;) Colour. Dirt. Palm trees. Bananas trucks cruising along. Potholes. Road side fires blazing. Tuk Tuks. Barefoot. Bikes. Babies on motorcycles. Symphonies of sound. The perfected art of honking horns. Garbage. Laundry. Hand painted signs. Colour. Taxis. Taxis. Taxis. No helmets. Overtaking trucks on blind turns. Formula one maneuvers. Colourful and lovely. Crazy and wonderful. Overwhelming and exciting. Humbling and grounding. India you are far from simple. You are magnificent. 

Ah, sun....rise.

At 30000 ft these eyes watched the warm sun rise above a holy land. The sky was quiet, from darkness emerged a deep orange ruby blanket extending wide across the horizon. Pinks, oranges and reds turned to a brilliant yellow ball of light popping up awakening, welcoming and blessing this new day to come.

Listening to sounds of my man Trevor Hall, my face glows with happiness. Nothing short of a royal welcome to the wonderous east. You're already capturing my heart sweet land.

And then a flight attendant proceeded to close all the windows along the east side of the plane - for reasons I'll never know. So at 30000 ft I sit in darkness and write. Indian dude beside me is covered up like a mummy sleeping with his blanket over his head. Bring it on India. I've been patiently waiting to meet you.

Dubai.

It's morning says my body, and evening time in Dubai where I'm about to land.

13 hours up in the air. Heavy cabin fever brewing in this Airbus...but I did see a waterfall at the top of the grand staircase - so that makes it awesome.

In addition, there is legit cutlery, warm meals, a documentary film about the vintage wine found onboard this aircraft, grilled salmon/sauv blanc pairing followed by a scotch on the rocks to cap off the night. Not much rest, but lots of music.

I cried as the plane took off. It's been real. The heart knows what it needs and is leading the way. 

Sleep & yoga are necessary for the 7 hours in Dubai.

Eyes are tired, body feels the dips and slow decent of craft...20 minutes to parts unknown. 

I bet there will be a waterfall at the airport. 

Dubai airport - yup, big fat waterfall. I was joking around when I wrote the paragraph above, but seriously gorgeous water display with LED lights as soon as I walked in! Ha!

Toured the spa here and enjoyed some delicious lemon mint water. Glanced into the Emirates first class lounge with all its golden glamour. A failed attempt to sweet talk my way into the business class lounge lead me to cruise around for a great long walk. In both terminals A & B. 

Rocked a mini workout, stair climb & asana practice.

Showered at the airport facilities (a first). The YMCA showers in Edmonton when I train traveled across Canada was as close as I've come to an inter-travel shower situation.

Salad with salmon and a peppermint tea with a meal voucher. Solid layover. I also definitely ate all the chocolate in my backpack. It really feels like Vegas in the Dubai airport. See you soon India.

The way to India is a plane.

Tucked into a very cozy bed in Cabbagetown - Toronto, I've been hibernating for weeks. The polar vortex situation coincided with valentines day and a 14 hour shift with the work family, marking the end of the beginning.

Bistro days pause, the torrents of familiar city life fade and a colourful land awaits.

Answering a call from my heart I journey to India. Taking off. Setting Sail. Cruising out. Not overly anxious but rather I sit in ease knowing this is exactly what I need.
Ninja travel instincts on point. My head is up; eyes open.

There will be silence, palm trees, chanting, slow walking, heat, noise, chaos, people, coupled with minimal bed bugs (not happening again), stomach upset, mosquitos, mountains & mystery.

After at least 3-4 weeks in the south as the weather starts to warm in the Himalayas I will begin my accent to the north.

Consulting the guide book in my heart I plan to make no plans.

Travel...I have been incredibly grateful to experience it's many wonders for a significant part of my first 32 years...but still questions, my own and other's arise.

Is travel an escape? Am I running?

Do alluring lands divert to new realities and make it easy to forget about "life" for a while? Is freedom easier found in foreign lands with absence of the familiar?

No. I do not run. I know better. I go to broaden the mind; to dive in deep. Dive into the most important reality I seek to understand. The one within. And so it is to India I go. With no idea how I will come out on the other end. But a pretty good feeling I'll shift into an even brighter version of myself.
In this continuous adventure of growth, realizations, fuck ups, heartache, beauty, pain and wonder; good intentions abound.
This human experience, so very real, incredibly wonderful...a true blessing.

Honouring the battle scars that have brought me here I leave for India with a vow to myself:

to live in practice. to be strong. to simplify the mind. to gain everything. and give it away with love.

This post began with a title: The way to India is a plane...

I fly in style tonight on Emirates Airline. Beginning this journey with cozy seats, lots of leg room and a hell of a spread of delicious snacks.

Dear courageous Self & beautiful Intuition, be free my loves. Let us go.

Bon voyage and bon appetite.

-A