I'm not in Kansas anymore...

View of the snowy peaks of the Himalayas After the austerities of vipassana, I decided to stay in the beautiful mountainous town of upper Bhagsu in Dharamsala, to allow myself to gradually normalise again and to integrate and process the lessons of the silent meditation. Liz had a couple of days left before she had to depart for the UK, so we stayed in a serene and peaceful guest house, coincidentally complete with shrines to Shiva (my God) and Amma (her guru) overlooking the valley. We mostly talked, walked, shopped, kept up a daily practice of yoga and meditation, read and wrote. Breathing in the mountain air and looking out at the snowy capped peaks of the Himalayas, I felt pleased to be alive.  Me and Liz enjoying epic muesli in chill out cafe, Bhagsu Once I had simmered down and got over the hysteria of my initial release, I realised that I had, in fact, really, really changed. I didn't want to indulge in excesses any more. My mind – once a wild, untamed beast wh...

As all travellers to this wonderful country come to know and love, India is home to so many idiosyncrasies. One of my favourite things is the Indian tendency to be very creative in its use of the English language, particularly when it comes to signage.  Although I was unable to capture all of them (one of my favourite road signs being: "Dear, I like you, but not your speed"), I select for you below a few of the best which  just speak for themselves: The best was an Englishman's response to this in Jaisalmer - he simply said "I don't have the money...!" Apparently there is 'no parkig' in Kanyakumari I wish that this were actually true... I love this sign, from a tiny hole in the wall in Udaipur which basically only sold chocolate and cigarettes The crossed out 's' is just the icing on the cake... I mean, who was thinking of parking on a box of eggs anyway?  The motto of the Keralan police! That's bound to ...

Nearly always the second question I get asked in India (after the requisite "are you married"?) is - "do you have children"? Children are absolutely revered and adored here - in particular, I have noticed, by fathers who take a proactive role in the raising of children and are often seen playing fondly with their kids and holding them in their arms.  I was enchanted by many gorgeous little ones on my trip. Here is a selection of the best: 'Little Red Riding Hood' - gorgeous little one in Vattakanal An inquisitive boy peers over his father's shoulder as he queues for the temple in Madurai "Pretty in Pink": little girl on temple bus outside Madurai Tibetan children playing in the residency of the Dalai Lama, Dharamsala "Three Sisters": in Rishikesh Schoolgirls in Kerala This little Princess purses her lips in a small village outside of Hampi Proud shopkeeper - I like how the pink in his T-shir...

The vipassana centre in Dharamkot, Dharamsala All the way back in February whilst scaling a mountain in Kodaikanal I made a quiet little decision to myself that I would complete a ten day silent meditation or vipassana in Dharamsala, north India - home of the Tibetan government in exile and the Dalai Lama. I had met a series of people early on who had gone through with it and had varying but powerful experiences. Having found myself turning into a kind of 'spiritual junkie' I was keen to add this to the portfolio. And so, after one particularly heavy night in Mumbai when I was feeling the need to "get back on the path", I sent in my application. It was a rather lengthy process with probing questions about the state of my present and past mental health and inquiring into any other spiritual or healing practices I undertake. It wasn't until late March when I was living in Auroville that I finally received an approval of my application. The email weighed heavil...