I swam and sunned, and then when I asked about the sauna I was also handed a spa menu...
I spent a full hour going from the complimentary sauna to eucalyptus steam room, to hot tub to cold plunge. I moisturized and scrubbed, and scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed. I got a magnificent 90 minute deep tissue massage and a 60minute pedicure-- I am now a full inch shorter as she took off that much dirt and dead skin from the bottom of my feet.
After cleaning myself up, I threw on a skirt and headed down to listen to the live music and relax. Well, don't quote me and don't judge me, but I think I'm off meat and booze. When I settled into my chair at the lounge, I sipped a dirty martini and I didn't enjoy it AT ALL, i actually didnt even finish it. Then I was asked to dinner by two elder British gentleman, international exporters, to Thai supper. We had the chefs menu, which was a bit of everything- all of it perfectly executed and totally delicious. The prawns were the size of lobsters- and I ate everyone's share. These men eat like this regularly and had no problem leaving food on the plates- but this was a treat for me, so I ate my fair share, and then theirs as well! We had two bottles of wine amongst the three of us- and I sipped mine at half the pace they were consuming theirs. After one glass I was quite content and actually ready for bed, but I didn't want to be rude to my hosts who were being super generous, so I slowly sipped a second glass. Many of the dishes had some form of meat- and though I tried them, I didn't enjoy them so much- and instead opted for the veggie dishes. I didn't make it to bed until nearly 1am, asleep by 2:30am, and up at 4:30am for checkout and coffee and then I hopped into my 'personal car' to the airport. I felt like shit this morning, which I'm sure could be partly because of 6 hours sleep in two nights and a long travel day- but physically I feel it's from the meat and alcohol. I have been a "clean vessel", and I do not like how either of these things made me feel. I also have had a few coffees lately and I don't like the way that they make me feel either. So when I get home, vegan (ive discovered that cheese does NOT make me feel good....sad discovery, i was in denial for a bit...) and fresh seafood, *limited* coffee consumption and wine on the regular- but only a glass. And that's what I gotta say about that.
Cailin Callahan
www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com
Showing posts with label Delhi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Delhi. Show all posts
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
Whoa! Whitewater Rafting!
Lap of Luxury.
Travel Treats, Calorie Free!
One day I decided that "travel days" are "calorie free" days. I'm not sure when or where I came to this conclusion, but this is probably one of the reasons that I don't totally loathe being in transit. The chaos and uncertainty of the journey is certainly abated with sweets and treats. One of my favorites on the railway and airport "calorie-free" circuit is the FRUIT CAKE and premade chai (so ordering it with "just a little bit of sugar" is out of the question). The fruit cake is basically an Indian version of pound cake, with "fruit" (pulp and artificial coloring). It's freaking delicious, not at all nutritious, and goes straight to my thighs...but it's only eaten on travel days, so it's guilt free! I'm already day-dreaming about the crispy, fried, spicy samosas that I'm going to enjoy once I arrive at the Old Delhi Railway Station....
Farewell Rishikesh, Farewell Mama India.
My last day in Rishikesh was, needless to say, beautiful. I was up bright and early; I packed my bags, read a book, and had Aloo Paratha with badgee along with a masala chai at Ganesha. Then I gave my first Tri-Fusion-Healing session to Xochitl...two hours of Thai massage, marma and reiki, and I incorporated crystals as well. She loved it, and now I'm feeling excited about working all of my new techniques into the bodywork I already do. Exciting stuff. Afterwards we chatted, ate some fruit salad, and then I booked myself into a proper 5-star hotel in New Delhi for my final night in India. Two hundred USD is what I've been averaging for 2 weeks in India- living a simple but good life, so to spend that on just ONE night and not 14 *full* days was a bit of a debate at first, but I've never experienced 5 star before so I figured that this is my chance in this lifetime...
I had a slight hiccup in the afternoon, with a stressful schedule and a grumpy astrologer- so to save the day I blew off my astrology chart and instead opted for a final swim in the Ganges. I cooled down, came back to life and then started to make my rounds saying goodbye. First stop was my juice shop, and not only did I get a sweet heartfelt goodbye, but they also gave me my juice for free. Next was to buy some flowers and prezzies for friends- and the little old lady on the Ganga gave me the flower ensemble for free! Now I was running late for palmistry, and as I power-walked the long road from Ram Jhula to Laxman Jhula, one of my taxi buddies pulled over and insisted that I get a ride, and he refused to take any money. He said that I was always smiling and so nice, and that was enough. Palmistry was amazing, as always, and then the kindness continued. I stopped at the book shop for two more essentials, and I was a few rupees short- the man said "Koi Bhat Nahi, Hari Om" (no worries, god bless).
The night ended with a big gathering and feast at Ganesha, with lots of music, lots of friends, lots of prezzies for me!, and lots of food. I am so blessed, I am so blessed, I am so blessed. I love India. I love India. I love India.
I was up and out at 4:45 this morning and am now en route to Nepal via Delhi. I'm sad to say goodbye to India, but every end brings a new beginning. And I'm sure that I'll be back, Mama India's love is something you can't stay away from for too long....
रत्नाकरधौतपदां हिमालयकिरीटिनीम् ।
ब्रह्मराजर्षिररत्नाढ्यां वन्दे à¤ारतमातरम् ॥
To her whose feet are washed by the ocean, who wears the Himalayas as her crown, and is adorned with the gems of rishis and kings, to Mother India, do I bow down in respect.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
White Rice Diet...
Go figure, the first time I get "Delhi Belly" in India isn't from the dodgy 7rs badgee I ate in the Delhi railway, nor is it from the street food that I grub on as I wander, and it's certainly not from Indian food that I eat 3x a day at my beloved hole-in-the-wall, Ganesha Cafe. No, I have been toilet-bound for the first time in 4 months because I ate at a healthy restaurant serving Western food. GAH, someone please, put me out of my misery. I will never eat salad or hummus EVER AGAIN. I feel like death, and after spending too much time in my bathroom, I finally sucked it up- took some Imodium and ventured out for some fresh air. I just ate some plain white rice and plain chapati @ Ganesha and that has my tummy rumbling so I'm headed back home, cursing myself for straying from my down-and-dirty local-food-only policy. Hopefully my final two days in India won't be spent eating white rice in the comfort of my bathroom....
Monday, March 18, 2013
Love = Need
Love = Need
Yesterday I had my first session with Xochitl, who is an amazing life coach. I've never seen a therapist or have sought advice and insight from anyone aside from close friends. And though I love my friends, and their advice is great, I feel that in order to make a big shift and make some positive change that I need to talk to a professional. Luckily, Xochitl is a professional and also my friend, so I feel very comfortable expressing myself around her (ie crying, being vulnerable, etc). The way that I now understand it is that a life coach is better than a therapist, more down to earth than a spiritual guru, and an unbiased best friend- who isn't telling you necessarily what you *want to hear but what you *need to hear in order to grow. She assigns homework such as rituals, journaling, and affirmations to help you in whatever direction you're headed. As she says, there's no wrong or right- there's only workability...does it work for you? Or does it not work for you? What has not been working for me in the past are my relationships (she's also very adamant about not saying "I have shitty choice in men", or "I am insecure", because words are very powerful vibrations that shape out world). So, in the past I have had a tendency to be insecure and to pick the men that aren't the best for me and my path. The issue that we were able to identify is my Self Worth, and that I associate LOVE with BEING NEEDED. Many of you reading this will laugh at the idea that I have "self love", but that is 100% my truth. The way that Xochitl described it is because I am loved by so many, and have been since the day that I was born, I never had to cultivate my own self love. So by picking people who 'need' me, I am left with the feeling of love and self worth- alas, it's not coming from myself, but from being needed by another. Are you following? It is so simple, but seems much more confusing than it actually is. So...what to do? The medicine is Self Love, the poison is using these relationships as an escape. Relationships are truly a Spiritual Path (ie Tantra)...it brings you closer to the Divine (which remember resides within YOU), and this path begins with Self Love. How can you ever fully love another if you don't love yourself.
Why is this all coming up now, you ask? Well, my Dads passing had a lot to do with it. Basically he loved me so so so much since my arrival that I used his love as a sort of crutch. And now that he's gone I'm realizing that a lot of my sadness is coming from my lack of self love. So, as per Xochitls guidance I had a little ceremony that involved a letter, a candle on the Ganges, and lots of crying. I made a declaration to transmute all of the love that my dad has ever given me (which still exists now) into Self Love. "I'm committed from this moment on to live on the path of the most divine self love".
This is just a glimpse...there's a lot more work to be done, and I am committed to putting in the effort to reach my highest Self. Under the guidance and love of Xochitl I know that each day will be an improvement.
If anyone is interested in her services, she is based in LA but also has many many clients with whom she meets via Skype. Her sessions are $150/90minutes, and discounts are given for multiple sessions. I promise you that every moment spent in her presence will be positive and insightful. We're not good or bad human beings, we're all doing the best we can with the tools we have...sometimes you just need someone to help guide you a bit along the way...
Cailin Callahan
www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com
Yesterday I had my first session with Xochitl, who is an amazing life coach. I've never seen a therapist or have sought advice and insight from anyone aside from close friends. And though I love my friends, and their advice is great, I feel that in order to make a big shift and make some positive change that I need to talk to a professional. Luckily, Xochitl is a professional and also my friend, so I feel very comfortable expressing myself around her (ie crying, being vulnerable, etc). The way that I now understand it is that a life coach is better than a therapist, more down to earth than a spiritual guru, and an unbiased best friend- who isn't telling you necessarily what you *want to hear but what you *need to hear in order to grow. She assigns homework such as rituals, journaling, and affirmations to help you in whatever direction you're headed. As she says, there's no wrong or right- there's only workability...does it work for you? Or does it not work for you? What has not been working for me in the past are my relationships (she's also very adamant about not saying "I have shitty choice in men", or "I am insecure", because words are very powerful vibrations that shape out world). So, in the past I have had a tendency to be insecure and to pick the men that aren't the best for me and my path. The issue that we were able to identify is my Self Worth, and that I associate LOVE with BEING NEEDED. Many of you reading this will laugh at the idea that I have "self love", but that is 100% my truth. The way that Xochitl described it is because I am loved by so many, and have been since the day that I was born, I never had to cultivate my own self love. So by picking people who 'need' me, I am left with the feeling of love and self worth- alas, it's not coming from myself, but from being needed by another. Are you following? It is so simple, but seems much more confusing than it actually is. So...what to do? The medicine is Self Love, the poison is using these relationships as an escape. Relationships are truly a Spiritual Path (ie Tantra)...it brings you closer to the Divine (which remember resides within YOU), and this path begins with Self Love. How can you ever fully love another if you don't love yourself.
Why is this all coming up now, you ask? Well, my Dads passing had a lot to do with it. Basically he loved me so so so much since my arrival that I used his love as a sort of crutch. And now that he's gone I'm realizing that a lot of my sadness is coming from my lack of self love. So, as per Xochitls guidance I had a little ceremony that involved a letter, a candle on the Ganges, and lots of crying. I made a declaration to transmute all of the love that my dad has ever given me (which still exists now) into Self Love. "I'm committed from this moment on to live on the path of the most divine self love".
This is just a glimpse...there's a lot more work to be done, and I am committed to putting in the effort to reach my highest Self. Under the guidance and love of Xochitl I know that each day will be an improvement.
If anyone is interested in her services, she is based in LA but also has many many clients with whom she meets via Skype. Her sessions are $150/90minutes, and discounts are given for multiple sessions. I promise you that every moment spent in her presence will be positive and insightful. We're not good or bad human beings, we're all doing the best we can with the tools we have...sometimes you just need someone to help guide you a bit along the way...
Cailin Callahan
www.cailincallahan.blogspot.com
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Ninja Goddess.
I have moved for the fourth and final time! I began by the Ganges, then was up by the jungle, then down in Swagashram on the first floor, only to be moved up to the second floor the next day. And now this is where I'll spend my final week. The room is 180rs (3$usd) a night, which is the cheapest gig in town. I have a king size bed in a big room with a bureau for my things and enough space for my meditation altar and my yoga mat. You open a door which leads you out onto an enclosed sun porch where I've set up my book shelf and the two comfy lounge chairs. Another door opens from this room and there is my bathroom. The spicket on the sink doesn't work, nor does the hot water- and there's no shower head (bucket showering!)- but the toilet flushes and luckily I have friends that live below me who have a hot shower I can use. It feels cozy and like home and I'm happy to be settled. I've been sick now for 3 days...after going years without a wicked cold, I'm fed up with my SECOND cold in the past 3 months. Alas, "grief" is associated with the lungs, so I'm about 99% sure that this is why I've been suffering from this damn cough/cold. As much as I think that I'm "working through" the grief, I've been having a hard time purchasing that feeling and exhausting it- because to do that you need to be vulnerable, and I just haven't felt comfortable enough to fully let go....
....and then came Xochitl (sho-teel). Xochitl is my friend Viveks girlfriend. I did the Tribe training in Goa with Vivek, who is from LA. We were great friends in Goa, and now that I've met his lady love we have become quick friends as well. She is a Life Coach and jewelry designer, with a huge heart and warm embrace. We have been doing the palmistry course together- and she's a pro already. I love the palmistry, and I'm okay at it- but Xochitl could probably teach this course once it's completed-- she comes from a long line of Shamans, healers and seers (she's from Peru), and this kind of thing is definitely in her blood. When I "moved into the neighborhood" aka Swagashram, I was greeted with a care package of bottled water and incense, along with a beautiful card from Vivek and his Queen. They constantly shower me with small random acts of kindness and warm hugs that really end up making my day. Yesterday Xochitl could tell that I needed a bit of "healing", so after our palmistry class she set to work. There was some burning of wood and incense, essential oils, chanting, affirmations, massage, energy work and some shaman-type healing process that ended with me curled up into Xochitls arms, bawling my eyes out. Snot, tears, saliva...all over poor Xochitls neck- but she didn't mind, and only spoke to coax out of me whatever I was holding onto, and only moving her hand to smooth my hair every now and then. I realized that its been a long time since I've been held by someone, anyone- especially someone who really cares for me. Xochitl held space for a sadness that was deeper and heavier than I had been aware of. After cleansing my energy and cleaning me up I drug myself upstairs to my bed for the longest and deepest sleep that I've had in the past 4 months.
Every now and then I'll feel the weight of the load get lighter and lighter, and the loneliness getting more and more comfortable. Big thanks to my shamanic ninja Goddess, Xochitl.
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