Welcome to my journey to India and Nepal in September through to November of 2001...

The following writings are written articles that I have had published in the "Sacred Dance Diary" here in New Zealand. However I have added to them and filled in more details, so I hope you enjoy and find inspirations in the stories... Please be patient for the pictures to download... More stories of this journey will be added over time...

Dancing in the Ancient Land of the Goddess
India has always fascinated my adventurous sense of travel - a land that has such ancient mystic history, yet so full of turmoil and discrimination, a land, where there are more men than women, a land where, many different Religious Traditions and Teachings have been both birthed and died. A population of 1 billion, 28 million people, on a land mass of 2,973,190 km2 and with extremes of rich and poor...
Cultures have come and gone during the journey of this country's history. And yet, this nation continues to call many people from all walks of life, from all the nations of this world, to explore, discover and experience her offerings. I was blessed to be one of many that succumbed to her attractions and finally have the opportunity to take the plunge. Anahata Iradah and Prema Dhsara were once more offering the opportunity for people to come together for a pilgrimage of Peace and Self Development in India and Nepal.

The Mandela Dance of the 21 Praises of Tara and the Dances of Universal Peace were to be our offering towards World Unity and Peace. My journey begun 3 weeks before the pilgrimage was to begin, giving me some time to acclimatize, to help Prema and Anahata with preparations for the pilgrimage, and to make deeper connections with people of India. September 11th threw a new urgency to the pilgrimage with many wanting it to be cancelled. My convictions told me otherwise and I continued to encourage Anahata and Prema to follow through with the hope of making a difference in this world.

I flew out on the 26th September on a very empty flight, which I was told when I checked on the 9th Sept, had a waiting list... I had a 23hr stopover in Singapore a quick trip down to little Delhi where I picked up my first Punjabi suits and dressed for my flight on to Delhi... I arrived late afternoon and patiently awaited for my pickup that had been arranged. We finally connected after 3 hours of passing each other! We decided that we might as well stay at the airport for a few more hours to pick up the other Pilgrim arriving on this day.

Our Tibetan Guide Tsering Dorji had brought another Tibetan friend who was staying with him. Dawa had been fostered in Switzerland, and did not really totally know much about his own culture, and so comes to India to learn and experience as much as he can. We talked while we waited for Jessicas' plane to arrive. Finally she arrived, and we went out into the air of Delhi. I felt the warm blanket of night smog encase my body as we walked briefly to our awaiting transport. After a few intial starting problems we were finally weaving through the streets of Delhi in the darkness of early morning, to the hotel, where Prema and Anahata were waiting our arrival eagerly.

We stayed in Delhi for two days, getting our first experiences of India. Prema took us to Chandani Chowk, the famous main Bazar of Old Delhi. It has markets of gold and silver craftsmanship in Indian jewellery and anything you can possibly imagine! We were on the hunt for a tailor to make a few Punjabi suits before we left to go to Dharmasala. Weaving in and out amongst the throngs of people, it was hard for me to fathom that there were over 15 million people living in this city, with nearly a quarter of them here in this market space. Beside and beyond the main Bazar road are the little streets that make the rabbit warrens of the Chandani Chowk Bazar. It is very easy to become lost or to lose your orientation, especially if you finally wear down to a haggler working for a trader, "who has only the best silks at very very very cheap prices madam" and follow him into the warren to be taken to this "trader".

We said our farewells to Prema and Anahata as they left to go to Dharmasala in a sumo, whilst Dorji, Dawa, Jessica and I were to travel overnight by train up to Pathankot, the following night. We had the next day to ourselves so, I suggested that we chip in and pay for a local guide for the day and hope that they will keep us out of any trouble. With Dorji and Dawa offering to be our guides, we headed off to the Underground Market. We did have a little trouble in finding it, which made me very glad that we did have guides to help us out. It definately pays to haggle, and haggle hard for what you really want! And we learnt that the traders do not give up easily, nor should you ever make one mad as Jessica was to learn first hand!

We finally made our way to the train station. The train was to leave at 9pm sharp, it was dark and the platform filled with people in all directions! Our berth had 2 lower bunks and 2 upper bunks and we stowed our luggage under the lower berth. The "bed" was no wider than 55cm wide by 120cm long! I watched with interest a family of six sleep in a two-bunk space. Naturally use to such conditions, they also had their meals and prayer time in this area. The mother even offered us some of their meal, which we declined gracefully. Dorji and Dawa had to sleep in another area of the train, as they hadn't booked their tickets at the time we had, but they came to check up on us once in a while. During the middle of the night, I needed to go to the bathroom. It wasn't hard to find! Just sniff the air and you know you had found it! A simple room, with a hole in the floor, you could see the tracks speed away beneath you as the train gently rocked its way to its destination. It was amazing how quickly the bladder doesn't feel like it needs to go after all!...

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