India // Solo Adventure On a Monday

It's true, I love being alone. I also cherish my friends and the people who surround me, but I really like to be alone at times. I would classify myself as an extrovert, with out a doubt. But I do have my moments. Such as going on spontaneous(ish) solo trips to Montana, skiing by myself, going to bookshops for hours and reading a novel, exploring cities with just my camera by my side. When Annie and I planned this trip, I knew it would be a challenge to be next to someone, every minute, for the next 2 and a half weeks. I can not go out for a long run, or venture off into the depths of a market without feeling a bit unsafe, and that has been slowing killing my positive attitude.

So, I made a decision to go on my own solo adventure. Trusting that I would be safe and that I could handle what this trip may throw at me.

Yoga is not really my thing… Too slow paced and too much standing still. However, before I left for India, I promised my friends mother I would do Yoga while i'm here, in the land of origin. After searching for a vinyasa class (fast paced yoga, thanks for the suggestion Hails)I found an evening class and set off. I directed the rickshaw driver to the studio and we sped off.

Little did I now, he took me about 2km east of where I actually wanted to go.. I did not know this for I ended up in "Hauz Khaus", where the website said it was stationed. Hmm… I paced around and plead "Please help me, i'm lost. Can you point me to this place?" Their fingers pointed in every which way. I circled this large market for nearly an hour… So worn out.

"I saw a gelato stand. YAY. My favorite, sugar. I stopped and grabbed a scoop and thought to myself "Well, this makes my situation a bit better". I have been reading One Thousand Gifts, and Ann talks about how life should be a dessert. It should be savored and enjoyed. Indeed it should. As I slowly lick away the gelato on the waffle cone, I hold tight to this truth "life should be savored" I slow my roll and in the midst of my panic and anxiety and the thought that I have absolutely no idea where I am, I savor life. I stand still. It is hard- Really hard. I want to run around the village and shed tears at the panic I feel.

But,

I calmly walk up to a little girl who I caught smiling at me from across the way. I ask her to help me and she nods her petite head and gestures for me to follow her lead. She brings me to a rickshaw and smiles again. I think she saw my tired face and knew I was lost, and wanted to go home. Not exactly where I want to go at the time, but it works for now. This sweet moment occurred all because I stood still and savored my situation for a moment. God even commands us to "Be still, and know that I am God" (psalm 46:10) But how often do we believe that we are in complete control of our crazy lives?" -(From previous post)

The rickshaw driver said the address failed me, and that he knew where the studio was… Thank god. He drove me to the correct place as I called the studio to give me accurate directions. Stress filled my mind, but I knew I would find it eventually. After arriving to the studio an hour into class, I stood outside and gasped for a breath of fresh air and walked away with a weird sense of accomplishment. I found it! I did not go to class… but at least I found it. After patting myself on the back, I wandered the little market and took a gander around a messy bookshop with worn books laying among some nice garments. The man occupying the shop kept attempting to sell me things, but I gently shook my head and kept looking. I realized the indian sky was turning into a deep purple and caught a ride back home. As I burst into the doors and fell into my bed, I was just so thrilled to be back in the comfort of my "home".

Yoga will have to wait until another day. Isn't it funny how something so frustrating can turn into such a remarkable lesson?

Continuously learning so much about faith and trust from the indian people, whether they know it or not.

Until next time!