Rishikesh

Hi to each one of you,

We have settled into a nice little easy life on the banks of the Ganges (hard g's when you pronounce it). The water is aqua-green and quite fast flowing. Apparentlty at other seasons it is not so clean looking and of course downstream one can only imagine as it gets more and more polluted. People drink, bathe, wash clothes, shit and everything else that you can possibly think of by or in the river. Still it has a Hindu context and a pilgrimmage to the source one in a lifetime is the aim of most Hindus.

Two weeks of yoga twice a day, every day has nearly saturated me. From chakras, focussing, stretching, etc. I am loving it but it is nearly time to move on. We visit familiar restaurants and go on walks every day. We know where to get pasta, apple pie and coffee. The book stores are totally filled with books on spiritualism so that hasn't caught Clive's fancy. He is on his last novel so he would probably like a place with a better selection of reading material. In our busy days of relax, we have checked out nearly every book shop!

This pm. there is a concert here withIndian music. We will go along and see how long it catches our fancy. We can also enjoy the sun and the people watching.

There is a ceremony every night at the river's edge (on the polished steps) and at different points it is bigger or smaller. Near where we are staying there is quite a large ashram (place for people to stay and worship or mediatate). At sunset each day, live music is broadcast and people gather. There is singing of prayers, a fire where mustard seeds are thrown in the fire to forgive you of your sins and flowers are put in the river. Don't quite understand it all, but it is wonderful to see all the people gather at sunset and enjoy it all in such community and peace.

Well, its off to coffee via the cows, monkeys, people, motor scooters and general busi-ness that makes everything so colorful each day.

Love to all