Sometimes, you just need to get away from your get-a-way.

It’s a concept that I’ve fully believed in for a while now and many times, hear myself going on long monolgues in support of; sometimes a girl needs a get-a-way from her already in progress, indian travel adventure Get-A-Way.  Ain’t it the Truth. 

In this fashion, Bethany and I have been nestled into the warm, nurturing, health concious, educational, Bob Marley playing, cool climated, Dalai Lama/Tibetans in exile peace lovin bosom of the Himalayas, and more specifically, the impressive community of Dharamasala/McCloudganj.

This past week and a 1/2 in the mountains have allowed us to nurse our traveling wounds, actually unpack our dense packs, hang up pictures, explore neighboring villages via foot, become re-trained in Reiki 1 and newly trained in Reiki 2 (Natural Healing, that is), revisit our philosophy towards the fellow “hippie backpacker, better educate ourselves about the Tibetan community in exile and the momentum around the boycott of the upcoming Olympics in Beijing and in general, Take Off Our Coats and Stay Awhile.

In this way, I have certainly found myself reminded of the importance of sitting still a bit, even when there seems still so much to see. Settling into a great wicker chair, perched on a humble little veranda, gazing out at the sun framing the  mountain peaks, whilst nursing a honey, ginger, mint tea (all fresh). For. a. couple. hours. Wandering through bookshops filled with Buddhist philosophy, enjoying an ashtanga yoga class with students from all over the world, chatting with our dreadlocked, dog loving, Belgium neighbor, sipping Japanese Miso soup via candlelight, listening to a rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” sung at an Open Mic. Enjoying the nighttime chanting drifting from the monestaries.

Dharamasala is certainly a sought after haven. A respite for folks looking for their definition of Respite. Spiritual direction. Enlightenment. People searching, indeed. You name it, the streets are lined with posters advertising courses in it: Yoga Training. Crystal and Chakra Cleansing. Zen Meditation. Thangka Painting. Conversation Partners. Universal Tibetan Massage. Open Jam Nights. Documentaries featuring Tibetan Political Prisoners. New Zealand Hair Artistry (Bethany and I finally got rid of our shabbyshaggs, thank goddess.) Interesting to join in the search, find some answers and still, look on down the road in anticipation and also look on down the calendar, towards those we love at home, plans a’brewin. And here, we find meaning as well.

And thus, after a brief day or two of considerations to spend the entire rest of our trip in this diverse, calm, nuturting bosom, we realized…India was calling again. And we’ve rested up for this call. It might be the Chakra Cleansing of our Reiki courses or the new studly hip belt I bargained for at one of the street shops. Perhaps the yummy Tibetan bread, momos and plethora of herbal teas enjoyed on rooftops. Maybe the visit to the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and our rounds through the prayer wheels of the area Devi temples. Maybe our undying love for India, in all it’s swings. 

In any case, we’ve found our respite and through it’s tempting to want to remain…we’re on the India upswing and our bus down the mountain and back to the uneven, smelly, but fruitful India pavement leaves this evening.

Our last Indian week sees us in 5 cities (Delhi, Agra (hey, hey Taj Mahal), Udaipur, Ahmnebad, and Mumbai), on 1 bus, 6 different train trips and no doubt countless rickshaws and taxis before jetsetting to Paris. No wonder this upcoming week feels more like another month…

And so, thank you Dharamasala/McCloudganj. Thank you HH Dalai Lama (and keep up the good work). Thank you Khana Nirvana brown rice, peanut sauce and fresh herbal teas. Thanks Yugesh for the attunement and Chakra knowledge. Thank you kind Tibetan women who sold me the comforting shawls, sassy earrings and exemplified such strength in community. And Thank you mountains for your Respite, for reminding me of the on-going respite search and for affirming that respite comes from the adventure of what is new and exciting, as well as that which is old, comforting and feels a bit like home.