October 15th Today we managed to make it to a 6am yoga lesson, even with an hour walk to get there and on the way a young Indian man kissed my hand (for real!). We then came back to the hotel where Nate was still passed out at 8 so I took a shower (with a real shower head!) and then we were off for our grand adventure to Laxman Jhula. Before that though, we had banana "pancakes" - kind of a cross between an actual pancake and a crepe - ery delicious.

We walked all the way and my feet were sore before noon, but we just kept walking... I checked out some more hotels in that trendier/touristy part of town and definitely found some good options for when we leave the downtown area in 2 days. After an afternoon reading session, we went back to the ashram for guided meditation. Nate was skeptical at first, but then raved about it afterwards; even though he only said it was the best power nap of his life.

October 16th I found a new hotel in Laxman Jula so we left the bustling and loud city of Rishikesh for a room with a view of the Ganges. We parted ways with Hana just as the first night of Diwali was moving into high gear with fireworks and noisemakers galore.

Getting a richshaw during a holiday was easier than I had expected, but the driver couldn't (or didn't want to) take us across the river to where our new hotel was so Nate was crazy enough to carry /both/ of our gigantic duffles all the way, aside from the suspension bridge where I carried my share of the heavy load balanced on my head.

October 17th Today is a day of celebration for India, but the only thing I will remember is the body that was floating down the Ganges, spread eagle and staring at the sky with unseeing eyes.