29 South Africans changing Ganga in less than 24 hours

Im in the mountains now. To be exact, Im in Atali, Ganga, which met me on my arrival morning with this stunning view from my room for the next six months.

I instantly forgot all the hazzle from a long train ride. Actually, I pretty much forgot everything. 

And that was only the beginning. I usually start my days with an hour of yoga or mountainbiking, followed by a healthy Indian breakfast - my chili intake has increased drastically. Then chatting with guests, perhaps hiking or rafting, perhaps the other way round. My hindi classes take all day taught by the 40+ staff, perhaps some reading and then of course a long swim in the pool before it gets dark and time for litting the fire. 

Some days I visit my friends in the rafting camp, Silversands, 3 km down (and up - we're in the mountains) the road. And every day usually ends with me wondering where it went. Wonderful describes it best. Wonderful!

My favourite view from the lounge in the café

Umsingizane - a magical visit

Tuesday we got struck by lightning. Or rather by 29 South Africans of which most were members of the gospel choir Umsingizane. We didn't know the latter before their arrival. But boy, did we learn.

The group arrived late afternoon after travelling for about 24 hours from Freestate in South Africa. At their arrival, their director asked if there were any other guests. When we told him that another family also stayed here, he looked awfully worried: "Have they told you we sing?"

Not only did they sing. Their singing instantly caused goose bumps and tears in my eyes. It turned out they were a professional choir. Recruited by their director at orphanages in Freestate. None of the members of the choir had ever been in a flight before. Hardly any in a train and for some it was even their first time in a bus. What they had done were singing and dancing. And since the Indian singing tradition is also really strong, our two hours by the fire turned out to be absolutely unforgettable. The smiles were carved in our faces and our only drinks were soft - nothing stronger needed.

For all visitors, it was also a first time in a place like this. And it was very well used. The climbing wall, morning yoga (as they said: "it's difficult but fun"), the pool and not least the rafting. Quite a bit of them were pretty anxious before getting on the water. 30 seconds after getting in the boats they totally forgot. And then they started singing again. All 3 hours from Silversands to Rishikesh. All by-passers on the shore got a song, a big smile and perhaps even a dance. Even when we carried the rafts to the truck, they were singing. My Indian friends from the rafting camp later told me how they'd been called up again and again from every other rafting camp down the river: "Who was the Aquaterra group?" and "how could they sing so well and still be strong paddlers?"

You shouldn't believe it to be possible to make magic in such a short time. But they did. We did. Magic!

Umsingizane are releasing a cd shortly and their director has promised to ship it to me. And for me? Well I have a very new top destination for my most wanted places to visit.

My raft - Im in the back with a pink helmet

There is such a thing as a free ride!

Well, I'd never get to write my last post from Canada. Even if my mother were bugging me quite a bit about it. The post about our three days in Toronto, couchsurfing at Naomi and her son Stefan. They were the most hospitable hosts ever. They had even moved out of one of the bed rooms and slept on the couch, while we got the room. About visiting Niagara Falls, the gaypride and the Thai/Hungarian restaurant. Not even a post about reaching back home. My three months in Denmark, spent on visiting friends and family, enjoying the light Danish summer nights and finally realizing that I am a migratory bird. Im not travelling because I want to settle somewhere else than Denmark. I just prefer sun, warmth and lots of daylight. 

And as autumn reached Denmark it was time for me to depart to my second home country - India!

The first time, I landed in Delhi, was January 2003, the beginning of a till now 10 years love affair. I love India and I love being in India. Not least being in the mountains (Himalaya), where I spend most of my time with friends in and around Aquaterra Adventures.

As I will this time, where their newly opened activotel Atali, Ganga will be my home for the next six months. And where I'll be their first longterm hindi student.

So, again I landed in Delhi. Was picked up by a pre booked taxi (no need to take any risks using the ones in the airport at night) and taken to Vaibhav's place. Vaibhav is the owner of Aquaterra and a very dear friend for - well - almost 10 years.

I spent the first couple of days catching up with favourite spots and friends, drinking lots of coctails and basically just settling.

I believe that India loves me as much as I love her, which is why she already on my very first day there gave me another three reasons to love her.

1. That I, two minutes after stepping in to a random grocery shop, was laughing with the entire staff because sadarji (old sikh) at 78 was tickling the employees: "Sadarji is old, but he likes it when people smiles."

2. The car, which had chosen to stop in the middle of a rather hectic cross light with a sign in the back shield saying "I don't care".

3. My free auto ride from Lodhi Garden to Khan Market because the driver was going in the same direction anyways and nodded backwords - hop in - it's free. There is such a thing as a free ride.

Imran - my shawl wallah
Of course, I must mention my Sunday visit at my shawl wallah at Dilli Haat (craft marked). I've known Imran for almost eight years. He has been my very reliable and fair supplier of shawls, but over the years our relationship has also grown into a fine friendship.

If Im ever to become superstitious, it must be on my friendship with Imran. Since I met him first, we have always ended our talks with "see you" and him replying "Inshallah" - if Allah wants it. Apparently, Allah does, because everytime I enter Dilli Haat, Im meeting Imran within a couple of minutes. Inspite the fact that he never knows Im coming and that he once in a while goes to back to Kashmir for a couple of months. The only exception to this was last year in December, where I didn't meet him right away. I even asked some of the other shawl wallahs, who told me that Imran actually didn't have a stand at Dilli Haat then, but gave me his adress. I would have gone there hadn't it been for the fact that half a minute before leaving, Imran entered Dilli Haat for the first time in a month.

Sunday was no exception. One minute after entering, I met Imran - big hug, smile and 2-3 hours of catching up, having lunch and even getting a beautiful silk shawl.

It's good to be back!