Bohom Travels: Jaipur, India (Vipassana & Birthday Shenanigans)
This video highlights the adventures of Jaipur!
With a very tired me reviewing my experience of my first Vipassana, which leads into the birthday tour of the city. Shoutout to Dylan for a good amount of this footage and for being such an awesome adventure buddy! I know I said in the video that one of the first things I wanted to do was write, but as I sat down and looked at the blank page in front of me, it became so intimidating. I did not end up putting pen to paper for nearly a month. Sometimes we just need time to process, yet sometimes we avoid the things that help us the most. That being said, I am so glad to be able to share these experiences with you and to be writing again!
For me, 25 started pretty ideal; with a cup of coffee on a balcony, having a philosophical conversation in a foreign country.
My birthday falls towards the end of the year, making it easy to look back and reflect upon what the full rotation around the sun has wrought. Level 24 was one of those years where you look back and think, “wow. What the fork was that.” And in the same breath, “about forking time.”
It brought with it some of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make, and yet some of the most fortunate experiences I have ever had. I found passions, friends, part of my soul tribe… yet most importantly, I have started walking more firmly down my own path…
Vipassana
Vipassana is a deep form of meditation, where you maintain a respectful silence and focus on the body. You become more aware of the breath, the body, and the self.
I found out about the practice over a year ago, but was never able to make it happen in the states. I could not find the time, or even get accepted into a course (the female spots fill up amazingly fast). So when I saw there was a course happening at one of the oldest campuses in the homeland of the practice, days after my yoga training was scheduled to finish and completing the day before my birthday, I had to give it a try. Lo and behold, I got accepted rather quickly and the rest fell into place.
It was a hard experience, but nonetheless a worthy one. I learned so much about myself in that short period of time, it truly gives you a new perspective on the world.
As you see the world from your eyes, and therefore create the world in front of you, if your perspective changes on yourself and how you see/process things, then, of course, the world changes too.
To find out more about my experience and the form of meditation, visit here.
Birthday Shenanigans
I used to be the person who could not function without a list. I had a list for everything. Post-it notes of all different types and colors. I even recall once in college after finals freshmen year, I had so many post-it notes that we covered the dorm hall walls, making fish and waves all the way around! It was a colorful time.
Over these past few years though, I have gotten better at going by the seat of my pants, so when my friend Dylan asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday in India, most everything was fair game. While we were having breakfast on the balcony debating what to get into, the owner of the hotel yelled up to us that our driver would be ready in a few minutes. We were a bit taken aback because we really did not have any plans, let alone a driver. So I picked up my massive Lonely Planet guide on India and we wandered down to his office to get a better understanding of what was going on. Sure enough, he had arranged a driver for us to take us around that day to explore the city of Jaipur! He saw my book and told me not to worry about it (and basically that I should ditch it), which proved to be true. I hardly ever cracked that thing open and later ended up giving it to a good friend in Thailand.
Our driver, Sahid, was fantastic. First, he took us to the City Palace of Jaipur, where we experienced fantastic art pieces, museums on weapons (India has a special dagger for stabbing) and sports (Polo is big there! There is even a special fireball version. Badass.).
Next was Nahari Ka Naka, which was marble-ous. There was even two identical marble temples side by side, one made from Italian marble, the other from Indian. It is fascinating to see such grand structures built for comparison. And transferring so much marble like that back then! Phew. That is some effort.
Onwards to Amer Fort… where we experienced elephants, ancient fortresses, rooms cooled by hundreds of mirrors and too much history to fathom.
Sahid surprised us with the next stop at a stepwell. I have never seen anything like it before, all the stairs in such a fantastic way of architecture that plays with the mind and pleases the eye. Apparently, there are much larger ones, like the Chand Baori, around Rajasthan. The one we saw was enough to boggle my eyes and mind for the time being.
The Jal Mahal, or Water Fort, was another sight to behold. There is no way to get to it other than boat. It is completely surrounded by water and with four of its stories under the surface. It is in the middle of Man Sagar Lake, both the palace and the lake were renovated and enlarged in the 18th century.
Earlier that day I had mentioned wanting to have a reading done, so Sahid made some calls and arranged for us to see a palm reader after touring the city. We walked through a jewelry store into a side room where one of the men joined us and jumped into the whole gig. I had never had my palm read before, and was very intrigued by the whole process. I am a bit skeptical of such things, but maintain an open heart and mind for the experience. This one did not disappoint, as he revealed details about both Dylan and myself that intrigued our interest…
And then, of course, it was time for pizza. After nearly two months of straight Indian food (which is amazing), my body could not process it anymore. I needed a break. And the only thing I was specifically craving was pizza. Sure enough, Sahid delivered by taking us to a Domino’s pizza super close to our hotel. I cannot say if it was actually the best Domino’s I have ever had, or due to the extent of hunger and lack of pizza in my diet for some time, but it was a phenomenal end to the day. Sitting in a comfy bed watching Elf and eating Domino’s- a birthday tradition for happiness.
The next day we left for Agra. With a heartfelt goodbye from the host family, including a beautiful birthday present from the wife, we were off on our next adventure…
Love & Light
Recommendations:
Where to stay: Shahar Palace – The Peacock Garden
+91 98 297 03 377
The family was fantastic. Phenomenal hosts that make you feel loved and at home. They took care of everything we needed & did not even know we needed (like amazing drivers!). I cannot recommend them enough.
Auto Rikshaw Driver: Sahid
+91 76 108 02 763
Sahid was the best. He took us all around the city and answered all of our questions. He even helped out with the little things, like finding a reader for me and taking us to get dominos. A superb guy all the way around.