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INVITATION

You are invited to join Roke (Krishnakali) on a journey to her/their beloved homeland, India. For the 5th time, Cardamom Affair will host a small group of women as they experience India through the eyes of one of her own.

 

Roke was born and raised in Kolkata, India.  Though she came to the USA 30 years ago, and calls the Bay Area her other home, she spends 3 months every year in India. Roke is a Psychosomatic Counselor, Teacher of Vedic-Shamanic Practices, and a Transformative Travel Coach for India. Her intention for creating these trips is to allow India to work her transformative magic on you, by changing your perspectives and expanding your view of life.

 

Our Next Trip is scheduled for​

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WHY US

  • You come to India as a guest of Roke and her Mom, Bhadra, not a mere tourist. 

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  • Being with Roke, you receive an insider's sense of India, but from the place of ease, comfort, and safety that we are used to in the western world.

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  • Her company at all times as your hostess and facilitator of your inner journeys, in addition to having local guides in most places, deepens your experience of India.

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  • The activities and pacing of the group are influenced by your needs and interests.

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  • Providing choices and flexibility is of utmost importance to us. Most days you can choose to do what the group is doing or go on your personal quest.

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  • Roke facilitates 6 Discovery Sessions, before going to India (through zoom and/or in person meetings). You get to connect with fellow travelers, as you prepare for and learn about India. Traveling with people you already know enhances the journey.

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SAMPLE
SIGNATURE
EXPERIENCES

These are samples of experiences; hand-crafted by Roke for the North/East India trip; based on her vision of bringing the diverse uniqueness of India and taking into account the wide range of interests her guests may have. She created these kinds of options for guests to enjoy in addition to visiting important historic, architectural, or spiritual sites at each place.

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  • Kolkata: Tram Ride through interesting neighborhoods (books, theater, Anglo-Indian), Meeting with a group of women, Heritage Walking & Photography Tour, Make and serve tea at a roadside tea shop, Spend time with the Queer Bengali community.

 

  • Amadpur: Bike Ride, Swimming and fishing in the pond, tribal art, basket weaving, drumming-singing-dancing with indigenous women, making paper from recycled clothes, teaching and performing with the village kids, a cultural-spiritual-philosophical discourse with the village priest and grandmothers, and photography tour of the  village.

 

  • Varanasi: Visit Silk-Handloom neighborhood, Cultural Tour of the ghats, Death Ritual with a Hindu Priest, Discourse with a Classical Music Teacher, Explore buddhism with a Monk in Sarnath, Vedic Prana Yoga session. 

 

  • Agra: Cooking Demo followed by Dinner with an Indian family. 

 

  • Jaipur: Play with the elephants, get unique jewelry made at a silver factory, visit Sanganer - a block printing town, meet an astrologer, visit the flower market and bangle alley, volunteer at an NGO, meet with a local astronomer and visit one of the oldest astronomical sites in the world.

 

  • Jodhpur: Desert Safari (camel or jeep), Historic Walking & Photography tour of the blue city, Get clothes made, Have dinner on the fort walls on a hill watching the night lights of the city and enjoying a music performance. 

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  • Udaipur: Class on Miniature Painting or Cooking, Bike Tour, Sunset boat ride on the lake, Folk dances performance, Visit to a puppet factory, Watch sound & light show at the palace, Go hiking up to a hilltop temple.

 

  • Delhi: Heritage walk, Visit Old Delhi Spice & Fabric Market, Food Ritual in a Gurdwar, Meeting with a Queer group, visit Bahai Lotus Temple, Enjoy an Indian Show. 

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