The serious side of India

Pondicherry -We were four travelers and now we are two. Purnima is Dutch born but lives in India and is the guide. Also I was traveling with two French women Marylene, 50 and Anne, 62. When we first arrived Anne was having a difficult time adjusting. She needed to understand the schedule and have time in her room to arrange her things. This gave her a sense of control in an environment that is the most foreign I have ever experienced and I have traveled Third World. But Anne has lived in Africa and because we were in Tiruvannamalai for about a week she soon adjusted to her environment.

The environment, let's see.... The land of squat toilets with no toilet paper. Cows, dogs, pigs in abundance wandering the roads looking in massive trash piles for food because there is no one to take care of them. Beggars everywhere because there is not enough money for food. Noise and humanity and filth everywhere. That is the surface of India. On top of that we are on a tour that focuses on spiritual sights and places. So our routine is much like that of an ashram. We are up at 5am going to a Samadti Temple for meditation or chanting or sightseeing. Then there is breakfast at 9am, then more sightseeing. After lunch the heat of the day forces us inside for a rest until about 4pm, after that we are on the move until we drop into bed at 9pm. The spiritual vibration of India cannot be underscored enough. The energy purifies and as it does old blockages are released. Exactly like the Reiki or Paramita treatments but with more intensity. People have been coming to these places in search of The Divine for thousands and thousands of years so the build up of energy is like nothing I have felt before. I was mentally prepared for this. In my first report I may have mentioned that this is the 3rd time I have tried to come to India and it was not my time until now. I understand that this is a great gift that I knew when it was not yet my time and not to push it.

Marylene became increasing worse. As the days wore on she would become increasingly confused about where we were or what time we were to meet and she would cry on and off. She stopped eating and would forget to carry water. The temperature is around 95 to 100 degrees F and there is no A/C anywhere. It was frustrating at first because it was difficult for her to take care of herself. But it soon became frightening because she cried all day and did not know where she was. We were so blessed to be heading to Pondicherry, a two and half hour ride from Truivannamalia and the ONLY place in Southern India with a French Embassy. We were able to get her to the Embassy and a doctor. She was immediately hospitalized and tranquilized. The Embassy doctor called it 'deep cultural shock'. Her and Anne are staying in the hospital until their flight out on Tuesday when Purnima and I will go and collect them and and put them on the plane for France! On Friday afternoon Marylene and Anne were much better but still resting. I ask that your prayers be with them and their families and that Marylene be fully restored to sanity upon her return home.

India has my full respect!
Maureen