[Katie Kerns] Kashmir

[Katie]

Our 1st day in Kashmir there was intense security at the airport- they made me fill out a form with my passport info even though I had taken a domestic flight. To avoid creating a problem I gave them my info and we headed out. On the way to Pahalgam, 3 hours from where we landed, we stopped the car for 5 minutes. The driver said that people were praying and when I looked out the window straight ahead I saw a crowd of Muslims praying in the street. I thought to myself, “Why do they feel the need to pray in the street”. After we past them the driver explained that it was a form of rioting against the Indian military. The rest of our drive through the was fairly smooth. We saw saffron fields and mountains on our drive. When we reached out destination we jumped on some horses and went through Himalayas to see Pahalgam. (My horses name was Bhulbhul).
The air was so crisp and fresh and the water was so pure you could drink it from the stream. We saw cows, sheep, goats and wild horses all over the place. Mountains surrounded us that reached higher than the clouds. I wasn’t sure where earth ended and heaven began- God put so much time into creating this beautiful place.
I had a minor allergic reaction- I forgot to mention that I’m slightly allergic to horses :P but it soon subsided and we all went to sleep.

Our 2nd day in Kashmir we went riding again- this time in less desirable conditions. Rain+Riding horses+Cold wind whipping through the Hilmalayas=pain. We hicked pretty far up, and when we could feel our legs anymore we stoped in this little hut to warm up. The hike was totally worth it. We were greeted by a very kind family. They gave us some tchai and a kangri to keep us warm. Dr. K talked to some of the people that resided there over tea, Kirti and I mainly played with Shakupt- a little 4 year old boy who lived there. When our shivering seized we decided to head back.
When we got back Kirti and I spooned for about 30 minutes while we ate breakfast. I had broken out in some weird rash- but that didn’t stop us from snuggling to keep warm. After we warmed up, very slightly, we packed our bags and headed to Srinagar. The heat in the car helped us to eventually feel all of our limbs.
After 4 hours of waiting in a trafficjam in several cities we finally arrived at our hotel. We dropped off our things and headed out to take advantage of the sunshine. We saw all 4 Mughal gardens in Srinagar.
Pari
Cheshmashahi
Nishar
Shalimar

When we got back to the hotel we rested in our room for a bit- which led out to a garden area. Very close to our room some guys were seated at a table discussing something. I didn’t think much of this at the time because we quickly headed out to eat dinner.
When we got back we finished watching Lagaan and went to sleep. Around midnight I heard people moving around next door. Considering my location and the peculiar meeting outside my room earlier I decided to take extra precaution. I grabbed pepper spray and tried to fall asleep but felt incredibly vulnerable being so close to an all glass window. So, I crawled to the bathroom and slept on the floor.

Our 3rd day we woke up early and went to Lake Dhahal for a shikara ride.
We saw some houseboats and the Kewalramani’s bought some pashmila shawls (what Kashmir is famous for). We then made our way to the floating gardens, where our captain made us water lilly necklaces. He had been giving rides for 45 years- seemed like a really cool guy.
After our leisurely ride we headed to the airport. When we got back to Dehli we saw an astrologer. Got some very interesting insights on my life.

I am a born leader.
In my life I will be very popular, prosperous, and I will be widely known because I entice people easily.
I may not be aware of my own potential. Everyone has hidden talents- it is important that I find what mine is.
I am very qualitative, or full of virtues, but I need to make corrections.
These corrections need to be to work on my impulsivity and my ego (my condition to bind myself to the dos and donts of my own making).
I can work on these corrections by being open and keeping an open mind.
I have a strong spiritual seed that is unfolding to it’ best right now. I will enjoy this seed the most once I temper down my ego.
The good stuff
In a past birth I was an Indian.
I will be a doctor (possibly Orthopedics) with a good record.
I will do charity work but it will be a little late.
I will travel throughout the world.
I have a long time to decide who I’m going to marry (which will be around age 30).
I will not date many people before I marry.
I may hook up with an Indian guy for awhile.
There is potential for me to settle in Dehli (greater than Kirti’s potential!)
I will marry a professional from the same field. He will be a qualitative man (full of virtues). It is important that I don’t make comparisons between us- each person will have their own strengths.
I will bear 2 children- 1 boy and 1 girl.
Timeline
I will not have to work too hard beginning 2011- I will enter a promising face. All of my uncertainties are almost over.
At 25 I will be experiencing many doubts and questions and I will need a guide to resolve my internal conflicts. There is a good chance of me finding Mr. right at 25.
I will have a tough time at 25 and 40 years of age- but it won’t be anything I can’t handle.
Good things will happen when I am 32, 51, and 55.
Will live more than 80 year.

If you're ever in Dehli and you want someon who's legit here is his website www.holisticenergy.co.in

After that we went to a market to shop. After shopping we went to get pani poori- Kirtis favorite snack- at this sweet restaurant.

Tomorrow we see Dehli then it's back to the US.

I'll write a re-cap of my trip when I get home.

Pranam,

Katie

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Posted By Katie to Katie Kerns at 8/25/2010 12:35:00 PM