Friday Flashback – Stress & Meditation in Bodhgaya

Entrance to Mahabodhi Temple

34 hours.1 taxi.1 share jeep.1 overnight train.1 bus ride.3 autorickshaws.1 bicycle rickshaw.

In 20 months abroad, my longest continuous period of travel was the trip from Gangtok, Sikkim to Bodhgaya.

We passed a young woman in a bright, flowing silk sari talking to a man and my mind couldn't reconcile how such a beautiful woman could coexist with the filthy streets.

It was not easy, however the payoff was the opportunity to sit and meditate in the same place as Buddha when he attained enlightenment.  Powerful stuff.

Looking back at these posts, I believe they capture some of the most fascinating moments of my backpacking trip around the world.  Chai tea on the train.  Uncomfortable bus rides.  Public urination.  Sleeping on the property of a Tibetan Monastery.  And even a Bollywood movie being filmed.

Pilgrimage to Bodhgaya (includes my first train ride in India)

Monasteries and Mahabodhi Temple

Meditating Under the Bodhi Tree

Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio, a food blog. He's been to 65 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Originally from New York, Dave now calls Austin, TX home. Read the complete story of how he became a pro travel blogger.