Karad 1: The Alankar Hotel (The Two-Day Wait For The African Baba)

 If you have read my previous posts, you will recall that I met an interesting character back in early January who calls himself "The African Baba", although his formal name is Swami Dasbodh Giri. He is an authentic, "wandering sadhu" whom I encountered and became friends with back in Pondicherry, South India (along with his disciple, the Russian swami, Maria). 

The idea of coming to the little-known, non-touristic city of Karad (in the state of Maharashtra) was to meet up with him, Maria (aka Manakshi Giri) and a group of Russians they were bringing to Karad from Goa. Maria had yoga connections with this group back in Russia, and convinced the African Baba that he should take them on a "spiritual tour" to holy places around India. Luckily for me, I was invited to join them. 

The Baba (AKA "Swamiji") had arranged for me to be picked up from the train station by a friend of his who was also a co-owner of a guest house in Karad, where I would presumably stay and where I would meet up with them. Best laid plans, as they say.... 

EEGADS! I was thoroughly appalled by what I saw when we got there: The guest house was on an EXTREMELY busy and noisy street; it was under construction and and thus was a dusty, noisy mess inside; the room this guy wanted to charge me 1000 rupees for per night was akin to a jail cell... and I am NOT exaggerating! And WORSE:  Its one window--wait for it--- opened onto the MEN'S TOILET AND URINALS!!!! Can you just imagine my horror?!?!? This, after a horrendous, sleep-deprived, 16 hour train ride!?!? Yes, not to be believed. This awful cell of a room should not have cost more than a third of that amount...and of course it had virtually no internet connection. 

I politely declined, hiding my horror as best as I could, and fled to find more suitable accommodations. 

Happily, as you can see from the photos below, I DID find a VERY acceptable, VERY nice alternative:  the Alankar Hotel. It was only a tad more money-- 1210 rupees per night-- for a spacious and comfortable room; a great staff employed to serve the clientele in the friendliest manner;  and a pretty decent restaurant. I counted my blessings and paid for 2 nights. 

The next obstacle to overcome: I arrived on the 31st of January, because I had been told that the Russian spiritual tour would begin the next day-- February 1st-- at the Swami's "cave ashram" an hour away (and up a steep mountain!) from Karad. But... when I connected with Swami from my hotel, he was sorry to inform me that, owing to unforeseen circumstances (a sick Russian, amongst other issues), the group wouldn't be arriving from Goa for another four days!!!

Needless to say, I was appalled yet again...and, well, MAD! I had really hustled to get a timely train to Karad-- had the angst and nail-biting stress of that waiting list-- and for what? Only to find out that I was there, in a strange city I would never have come to, all by myself, with nowhere to go, nothing to do, except some online English lessons?!? (Oh, and wouldn't you know it, AFTER checking in they told me that their internet was down...isn't THAT just peachy?!?!) 

I protested vehemently, explaining what I had to go through to get there...how I would have preferred to have spent that extra time back in Bangalore...and so forth. The Swami, contrite, suggested a compromise: He would come in advance of the group and meet me there in Karad, where we would do our own cave tour (in an area just outside of the city) and go up to his ashram ourselves, while waiting for the others to show up. 

This seemed reasonable, and calmed me down... it meant I only had to wait a couple of days for him to show up instead of four. I accepted this compromise... and waited. 

I settled in, enjoyed the Alankar, taught my lessons, and got to know the staff. In this short time, they became a family to me... and the hotel, a true "home away from home." This is why I deemed it fitting to devote a post to this blessed stay! 

The fabulous front desk clerk who helped me time and time again, with everything I needed! He epitomized all that is wonderful about Indian hospitality... 

This small, funny guy didn't speak any English at all; nonetheless, he was always present around the hotel with the most radiant smile, gesturing to me about things I might want, such as fresh chai, a clean towel, water... etc. He was SUCH a humble, cheerful and helpful fellow! Wish I could remember his name... 

More of the great staff members, who became like family to me during my two-day stay....

One of the cheerful housekeeping staff ladies...

The very expansive restaurant, with a very strange decor! Still, the food was reasonably priced and pretty tasty... amply portioned. They were kind enough to allow me to store some left-overs in one of their fridges. 

The owner--a Hindu--had some lovely, religious touches on the main floor, including the deities who were dressed and cared for with much devotion. This--one of my favorites--is Ganesh, the elephant god (said to be the son of Shiva). 

Not sure who this pair are...but they surely are cute! A priest dressed them and performed a puja to them daily. 

My simple but comfy digs... 

The very tasteful lobby... this was a fairly upscale hotel for India... amazing, how reasonably priced it was! No Taj, for sure, but just right for me...

The rather strange central hallway and stair area where I sat amongst echoing footsteps and voices, conducting my online lessons, since it was where the router was located. When the internet DID start working again, I could ONLY get a strong enough wifi signal outside the room. (Yep...still India, after all!!!)