Welcome to a New Level

 Day one in 2025. A New Year without limitations. A new year that promises to bring all the change we were dreaming of. A new year full of love and success. The dices are rolling. I feel it. I felt it with the days of transition. 

It's the last day of the Old Year. The heat is unbearable. I'm dripping. The sweat drops on my skin, I'm showered in my own sweat from head to toe. Looking as if I was taking a bath in the sauna. Only taking the necessary steps I have my new fellow Indian friends at my service as I got to know their mentality. Working around me, with me, running my errands for me. Having my newest buddy like the day before picking me right up to take all my bags with me to my new stay, dropping me to the next station. Liquor shop. At least I need to see my drinks safe for the night.

Reminding me of the two nights before when I had just arrived and my new host did not shy to arrange him to come to me to take my on a little trip around the colorful city, grabbing me beers, playing tour guide in the crowded carnival city that's more lit up than the kitschiest Christmas tree. 

This time in his light blue tuktuk. I enjoy the day already fantasizing about the next hours. Time for my first yoga class back in the country. It's literally a long fall from my door step. Despite my constant exhaustion from the heat I get myself together and join the class. Best decision as my spirits start rising instantly from the minute I enter the hall. 

Many people have joined on that last day of the year, smoothly transitioning into the next. Bringing back my spirits to life through my biggest passion in the mirror of the rest of the group, the teacher reflecting my talent back to me, pushing me further into what I hadn't done before. Seeing my skills and my potential, pushing me beyond what all everybody else was doing. Stretching me, folding me, lifting me, having me fall and get up. I feel energized and deeply content leaving the room, shining my bright light ready for the booze and some friendzone time.

Sipping my booze, watching the beautiful sunset I feel totally in the flow, in the moment. Finally everything is ok and as it should be. As it ought to be. While the air becomes a little lighter, the sky colored red my level of blood alcohol is slowly rising and within two hours I feel boozy buzzed. Just in time to get going for our little New Year's arrangement. Arriving having everyone sitting ready to go, I grab more beer from the overflowing fridge. Seems the Universe is kind to me today. Connecting to the souls around me I feel free of expectations, ready to let go of that year for whatever is to come next. 

The vibe going around I find myself dancing with the locals only few hours later after eating and drinking more of the beers. It's the new year. People taking pictures with me, laughing, joining me to dance, my fellow driver friend is the last one staying with me, driving us back to the hostel. No one is there. I grab my vodka and hit the terrace roof top, awaiting the others back, returning after some minutes.

Engaging into strange talks I feel totally at ease, detached from what doesn't serve me, engaged into my values, into being me without shame. Feeling the energy between the people around the table drawn to me and my presence I find myself in the arms of N. At his place. Thinking about his wife and child I wouldn't be sure his intention, yet I also don't know his story despite knowing too many of them in this sphere. Attempting to go to the washroom he accompanies me, sitting by the bed, waiting for me to come out. Pointing me to sit down he asks me if I had my New Year's kiss. I'm not opposed and so I engage for just a few seconds before returning to the others.

It's past three, the night has been passing by as my alcohol level has been constantly rising. I tell him I will go and so he takes me on his bike. I'll tell you about my wife. We're not together anymore. We are just friends, parenting our child together. It makes sense. He seems like a calm confident person. No bullshit talk, no beating around the bushes or attempts of seducing me. I tell him I know the stories. He says he'll show me that he doesn't belong to that group. 

Dropping me in front of the door, we say bye and he leaves without any attempt being physical. I am surprised about the sincerity of the men around here. Not for the first time. Just like the first night when his friend drove me around and did even make the attempt to come in with me, hang out or spend more time than I wished for but simply dropped me where I needed to be dropped. They know better. I wish it would have last more. At this point I would have as well, knowing my desires. Also the Universe always knows best and so it's time to end that night that has become morning.

Waking up to his message he wants to prove that he doesn't belong that group of Indian relationship drama asking to have a juice before I am leaving. This will be the only activity beyond eating that I will be engaging in after having duly welcomed the new year by sleeping through the half of the day, opening my eyes for the first time at noon. I can't help but smile how things have worked out, finding myself in this beautiful home. 

Going down the stairs to make my coffee my beautiful guest sister and her friend are offering me breakfast as we are laughing about last night's events. I obviously slept long through breakfast hours, yet she's saved it just for me. 

Slowly waking myself washing showers of buckets over me, I go to face the heat while discussing a meeting point with N. Seems in this town I never find myself alone wherever I go. Once again I run into my friend that I just sent a message to trying to figure out when we are supposed to leave. Joining him at the table I figure I have just missed N as he had dropped him. While planning on our trip a message comes flying in, changing the whole story. Dices have been rolled again. I can't help but smile as the Universe is planning for me. For my wish to take decisions off my hands I can see how things are unfolding for me as they haven't for the last weeks, having me stuck in circles.

A private pick up including accommodation for my next destination as I have tried so hard to find a place to stay. I look at my French friend. I'm sorry change of plans. I'm not coming with you. He is as happy as me for the arrangement and so I am relaxed and joyful on the way to the art cafe. 

Walking into an open art gallery, the beautiful garden cafe is crowded. Lucky me the waiter finds me a small table at the end of the seating area. Busy buzzy I am craving a fresh drink as these days consist of only drinking juices one after another to defy the overly rising temperatures. Asking for the menu on the table next to me I directly engage into a flowing conversation with a girl that seems to already become a new friend. She is from home. Berlin. Seems she is not the only one today. 

As Indian typical my date is 30 minutes late I feel lucky to have such great company and vibrant conversation inhaling my icy mint lemon granita. When he finally shows up already ready for an ice coffee and chocolate truffle cake. Happy New Year. I treat myself. The flow of connecting to people over last night's transition is making blissful. Community. That part that I was missing and looking for in the wrong places, now coming around to include me. Inclusion into the journey.

When getting out to leave, we encounter numerous other people, friends from he knows everyone around as now I do too, laughing along with the last one when he takes off his sunglasses looking at me. Oh you were at yoga yesterday right? When I almost fell on you. I'm so sorry. I'm laughing. I thought I've seen him before. Being out in civilization for two and a half hours feels like it's the absolute max for the day. Having to turn down the invitation for this evening's event as all I am craving is my bed. Me myself and I, my food, my phone and the joy that was brought to me by this New Year.

2025. Welcome to another level.