Angels sent from Heaven

Entering the Spa area, for a steam and an Ayurveda and Himalayan salt scrub massage, the attendants tended to me with regularity. As I mentioned in previous posts, the hotel staff always greeted me with formality as either Mrs. Callan, or madam. Although I completely respect the professional intention, but those of you who know me, for the most part know, I am pretty casual.

A shift change in the Spa area brought to me an angelic young attendant who is one of the most stunningly beautiful ladies I have ever seen. She reached out for my hand and asked in a super thick Hindi accent “What is your name?” I said “Kathleen. What is your name?” “ Priti” she replied with a smile that could light up the universe. “Your name suits you as you are very pretty.” Priti laughed and looking at me straight in the eye said “Ka…th…leen, it is wonderful to meet you, Namaste.” “Namaste.” It was clear that Priti was working diligently on her English and pronouncing the “th” in my name was difficult for her, as it was for the natives that I met, yet she was trying so hard. She was delightful and charming.

Sitting in the steam room, I reflected on Priti, how I felt a special connection with her, because she lit up when I told her my given name, rather than my family name, and the fact that I took the time to ask her name. It seemed evident to me that our exchange was atypical of other guests.

“Spaaahhh …”

After my massage, as I was dressing, I heard voices coming down the hall, and one of them was so familiar. Michele Hébert! My heart leapt! I was so happy. I occurred to me, while my time in India so far was amazingly amusing and somewhat enchanted; I longed to be with my teachers, and my Yoga Pilgrimage peeps.

Michele, along with a hotel “higher-up” entered the changing room. As soon as she saw me, she lovingly embraced me and welcomed me to the experience. She asked if my room was large enough, and I assured her, it was fine. Through the course of the conversation, she and the hotel “higher-up” decided I would be moved to larger suite.

Shortly after arriving back to my room, an efficient young man arrived and quickly began to pack my bags, books, and yoga gear. A few minutes later, I arrived at my new suite, my belongings delivered with the intensity of a “short order cook,” as suddenly as the man had come, he vanished.

The door closed.

“Larger Suite at Claridges”

Sleep had finally found me. Maybe because I was in the right room now? Who knows? Who cares?

I decided to fast and until breakfast the next morning and sleep through dinner.

My roommate was due in at around mid-night; I set my alarm, and sweetly drifted off to dreamland.

When I awoke, I tidied our room and my belongings so that it looked more like a hotel suite rather than an airplane crash site, made myself presentable, and put on a pot of tea.

A few minutes later, Angel Amy arrived. Roommates for the next 3 weeks, soulmates for eternity, we sat and chatted into the early morning. Although we had just met in this lifetime, we have that type of connection that transcends time and space.

Before retiring, we sent blessings to our families, friends, and to Michele for pairing us together.