Rishikesh/Musoorie

There's a giant Shiva carved in stone sitting on the water. The chanting is loud and deep, young monks sit in maroon and gold. I'm warmed by the feeling of it all, spirit, mind, body. The sunset glows orange to blue and the stone is cool beneath my bare feet. I wrap tiny sandlewood around my wrist and ask him to close it. Hands are light as they connect the clasp. Stray dogs sit calmly nearby next to empty chai cups and half eaten newspaper. Cows seem to surround the constantly moving crowds. Masala papaad is too spicy but fried is greasy and delicious. Mornings are cold and the phone is loud when it rings. "sleeping time." I hang up but feel restless. The winding roads scare my mother. I find them thrilling. If he loses control of the wheel we could die but instead we just speed around corners and the wind blows back my hair. We stop at the river and I collect a few stones. The water is icy cold and I slip on the moss covered stones. The rapids are shallow but fast and in some places the water is a clear deep blue. The rock in my hand sparkles as it dries in the heat. I have sand between my toes and my mom takes a picture as i sit wiping away the grains before putting my socks and shoes back on. The music is loud as I get back in the car. The wind is cool against my face and my mind goes silent as I listen to the lyrics and watch the mountains blur.