Rishikesh
Rishikesh, considered the world’s yoga capital, boasts many ashrams
and offers numerous yoga and meditation classes. The town is
exquisitely situated on the banks of the Ganges surrounded by
forested hills. Coupled with the constant ringing of temple bells and
Hindi music, the location sets the scene for soul-searching activities.
No sooner had we arrived, and I fell ill with a high fever, which
worsened with each passing day. I eventually sought help from a
Yoga and Natural Therapist’s, driven by sheer exhaustion and the
inability to walk any further. The verdict was mal-digestion, low blood
pressure, sluggish circulation and slow metabolism. I felt ill enough to
believe all of the above. Nevertheless, I left armed with a list of what
and what not to eat and a bag full of (unpalatable) herbs.
In reality, I contracted dengue fever and genuinely believed death
was a possibility, though I felt too unwell to care. Every part of my
body ached, from hair follicles to toenails. The pain behind my eyes
came as a surprise. I later found this a common dengue symptom, as
was the extreme fatigue, nausea and vomiting.
Mercifully, nothing lasts forever, and after a week I mustered the
strength to walk to the nearby shop. However, each day, I forced my
unwilling legs to go further, determined to escape Rishikesh.
Rishikesh – Muzaffarnagar - 113 km
Recovering took ten days and I couldn’t wait to step out the door.
Finally, to Ernest’s relief, we packed up and cycled out of Rishikesh.