The Holy City Of Omkareswar

I haven't been this far off of the beaten track since I arrived in India. It took 3 hours on a local bus to get to Omkareswar and I haven't found a map that has it. My friend Justin told me about it. Justin I met in the monastery and he is one of the dearest friends of my life. He reminds me of one of the Vista street kids...That was the street I grew up on...And not any one in particular. He just is someone I always want to know and I think he might be the truest Buddhist I've ever met, a zealot in the best sense of the word. Anyway I never would have found this place had he not directed me and it was just me luck I ended up their on the birthday of this holy river. The place was just brimming with enthusiasm and went from being a tiny town to a proper Indian town...I mean it's not India if there is breathing room, right? So everyone comes to bath in the river on this most holy day and I did think about it, but undressing or even going in my clothes and having wet clothes clinging to my body in India didn't sound like a good idea, or at least a pleasant one. I have made my peace with the constant stare...For one thing I am different, I am in their country, and the guys get it as well. We are foreign, that's interesting. And the yelling and cat calls...Well I grew up in Oakland....Which is mostly ghetto and cat calls are something I have spent my whole life ignoring, so I don't really even hear them anymore....Where was I going with this, oh yeah, but as far as bathing in front of Indian men....Not gonna happen....No matter how holy this river might be.

The evening was magical. The entire river and city was light with candles. Like all together we were a birthday cake. And on the hill there was the symbol of ON ablaze. Fireworks going off and drumming and dancing was going until my head hit the pillow...And even when I woke. People is India celebrate their beliefs like no other. A spectacular party for this ancient river. Well that was that and this is this. I am in Indore waiting for a night bus to Udaipur. I hope to spend a bit of time there...no more rushing around. There are cooking classes and flute lessons and a great yoga ashram. And I'm not sure how long I will stay. The travel bug bits and I follow...And the bug has not turned me wrong yet. So anyway, I love you all and will write less as I will be doing more. My time in India feels as though it is getting short and that is sad...So I am off to see the world so to speak.