Ranches Ladies Newsletter
Good Morning Ranches Ladies.
Stay cool and have a great week ahead!
Haripur: A Surreal Experience
by Kumkum Ramchandani
My friends would say that I am a sceptic about most things. However, I personally feel that I am open to all experiences and respect the fact that some people find complete solace in their beliefs. Something happened in Haripur, a small village in Himachal Pradesh, India, where we spent one month in May 2023. I still don’t know how to classify it. Normally, as a wordsmith, I am seldom at a loss for words, but I will try to describe what happened.
We had made the all day arduous journey by plane and taxi to reach our rented first floor 2 bedroom cottage in the remote Himachal mountains. We were exhausted but trying our best to quickly settle down in our new environment. It had been drizzling all day and we were cold and uncomfortable in the damp. Our landlord who was staying on the ground floor told us that it was a sacred day and the goddess of Haripur would be visiting the village including his house. He had a garden which surrounded his accommodation.
Sitting inside, trying to get warm as dusk fell, I heard a loud noise of drum beats and plaintively wailing horns and the chatter of small children. I went into the verandah which gave me a clear picture of the commotion downstairs. In my half conscious state, I registered a whole crowd of mostly men, dressed in local garb, surrounding a huge replica of a local deity which I later learned was the demon goddess Hidimba.
The deity, carried on a palanquin, was dressed in red glittery clothes and elaborate jewellery but I couldn’t discern a face on her. The drum beats were getting more and more frenetic and the crowd was swaying to the rhythm. I vaguely discerned two distinct figures who stood out because unlike the others, they were naked from the waist up wearing pristine white dhotis. Their long hair was let down past their shoulders and they had necklaces around their necks. It didnt register at first that these were shamans. The whole aspect was very bewildering especially on our first day in the mountains. I quickly went in to get my phone camera.
As I started filming the scene as best as I could, the whole procession stopped just under the verandah balcony. I got a clear view of the shaman but my hands were shaking by this time and I couldn’t get my video to get going again.
The shaman was an exceptionally good looking person, well built and very fair with black hair past his shoulders. He was facing the deity and had some sort of pan in his hand which was smouldering with burning herbs. Then I saw his face clearly and almost passed out in shock. As the drum beats grew louder in intensity, it looked like he was looking straight up at me. A shudder passed through his whole body as he locked eyes with me (he may have been looking at the deity which was high in front
of him). His eyes were red and bloodshot, his face contorted and his body quivering violently as if something unbearable was passing through him. I have never seen that look before. It was a look of pure agony or maybe ecstasy, I couldnt really tell. His whole body was contorting, it seemed like he was experiencing some outside entity passing through him. All the while I thought he was looking at me but in my dazed state I might have been imagining it. The drum beats and the hypnotic pipe music
were now almost unbearably loud.
Frightened, I ran inside and told my husband what I had seen. He was watching TV and didn’t pay much attention. I didnt go out again. The procession eventually wound its way up the hill but I could hear it all night in the distance. I went to sleep finally, tossing and turning restlessly. Suddenly in the middle of the night, I felt a person standing by my bed. It was the shaman. Terrified, I pulled the covers over my head
and eventually the presence evaporated. It was such an eerie experience that I couldnt talk about it for many days. After a while it got relegated to the back of my memories but it would pop up once in a while.
Today, ensconced in my comfortable bed back in Dubai, in the quiet of the night, with sleep still elusive, I wonder if I really did go through an other worldly experience…….was the goddess giving me a message?
Newsletter Summer Contributions
A big thank you to Kumkum for sharing her surreal experience in Haripur.
What are you doing over the summer? Why not write about your travels or anything else you are doing. We need short (200-300 word) articles for this newsletter, with photos if possible. Please send to ranches.ladies@gmail.com
For July and August the newsletter will be taking a break, but general messages and any urgent announcements may be sent out.
Any articles sent during July/August can be shared from September onwards.
Items or updates for the newsletter, please send by Friday 12 midday for inclusion in the next Monday’s newsletter.
RL Reunion in London – 27th July 2023
Sue Fulham is organising a Ranches Ladies reunion lunch, for current or previous members, in London on Thursday 27th July.
Please join if you will be in or around London at that time.
WhatsApp Sue +44(0)7519 074731 for more information.
:
Tuesdays at Larte
Ranches Ladies are meeting on Tuesdays morning at Larte, Studio One Hotel in Studio City, 10.30am to 12 midday. Join us for tea or coffee and a chat.
You can also join or renew your RL membership and find out about activities on offer. Coffee mornings may continue during the summer if enough people are around.
RL Circles News
See the Circles Calendar for June on the website for more activities.
The following circles are now on a break until September/October: French, Italian, Quilters, Gardening, Hiking, Outdoor walking, Line Dancing, Book Circle, Literary Lunch, Poetry, Storytelling and International Festival Lunch Circles.
Email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com with any questions about circles activities.
Lunch Circle
Last Thursday, 22 ladies, including quite a few new members, had a great lunch at Cafe Beige in the Ritz Carlton, DIFC. It was an enjoyable afternoon with a great atmosphere and great food. The Lunch Circle, led by Karen Weaving, will be taking a break in July. They may arrange a lunch in August if enough people are around, or if not then in September.
Walking Fitness Circle
Need to get some exercise during the summer months? The Walking Circle have moved indoors.
Meet 9am sharp on Mondays at Dubai Hills Mall outside Marks and Spencer’s. We will walk for one hour and have coffee afterwards at Marks & Spencer’s coffee shop.
New ladies are always welcome to join.
Please whatsapp Josephine McBurney if interested in coming along to walk or email ranches.ladies@gmail.com
Yoga Circle
The Yoga circle, led by Mariana, will continue meeting 8.15am on Fridays, until the end of June and then will start again in the end of September.
Uni Mums
Is your grown-up child about to leave for studies abroad? Uni mums, led by Marina, are a group for those with offspring at college or university. They meet around once a term and have a WhatsApp group.
If you would like to join, email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com for more information.
Crochet Circle
The Crochet circle, led by Debra, will continue to meet for July, Tuesday 1-2:30pm, but will take a break in August. New members welcome.
Email circle.ranches.ladies@gmail.com if you would like to join them.
Mosaics Circle
The Mosaics Circle are having fun creating some beautiful pieces.
They meet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9.30am in Green Community East, DIP. To join or for more details, email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
Spanish Circle
The Spanish Circle, led by Maria, meet on Thursday mornings for beginners and Friday mornings for beginners and intermediates. The Spanish circle will continue meeting until the end of June, possibly part of July. Then will start again in Sept.
If you would like to join please email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
Art Circle
The ladies in the Art Circle have done some amazing work this year. The Art Circle usually meet on Thursdays from 10am to 12 noon. They will be taking a break in the summer but may will continue until around 20th July if people are around.
If you would like to join email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com
Pilates Circle
Gillian from Optimal Fitness is teaching the Pilates circle at Optimal Fitness in Studio City (opposite Studio One Hotel).
There are now 2 sessions on Mondays 10.30-11.30am and Thursday afternoons 2-3pm. New ladies are welcome to join.
Email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com for more information.
Jewellery Clinic Circle
The Jewellery Circle Clinic Open House is planned for Wednesday 21st June from 11am.
Bring along any old jewellery that has sentimental value or some that you don’t wear anymore. Hayet can help you redesign it or fix it and enjoy wearing it again.
WhatsApp Hayet or email circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com for more information.
Aquafit
New – AQUAFIT CLASS in Savannah, Arabian Ranches 1. 💦 ALL AGES & ALL LEVELS OF FITNESS WELCOMED ! 😎 Fridays 8.30am
Please contact Dayle on +971585761801
Proposed New Circles
Canasta Circle
Do you play Canasta or would you like to learn? New member, Farah, is willing to start a circle in her home on Thursday mornings from 11 – 2pm.
Contact circles.ranches.ladies@gmail.com if you are interested.
Box Fit
BOX FIT CLASS in Savannah, Arabian Ranches 1. 🥊 ALL LEVELS OF FITNESS WELCOMED ! 🥊
Please contact Dayle on +971585761801
Discounts
Your RL membership is your passport to great discounts from our dozens of discount partners.
Please make sure you present your valid membership card to avail a discount.
Check the discounts section on the website for details of all discounts.
Discounts for Home and Lifestyle are highlighted below:
Debra Dixon – Vocal Coach
Theatre by QE2
10% off all theatre shows to Ranches ladies using code ARL10
https://www.instagram.com/theatrebyqe2/?hl=en
Enjo – Environmentally Friendly Cleaning products
New offer for 2023: free cloth/fibre for any purchase of AED 500 and above.
(10% discount has been discontinued.)
– show membership card or use code RLENJO
The Gorgeous Flower Company – Flowers for all occasions
10% discount for Ranches Ladies (show card)
Arabian Ranches Community Centre
Tel 050 299 3989
http://www.thegorgeousflowerco.com
Kave the story of things
Free filter coffee!
Warehouse 20, Alserkal Avenue
Dubai, UAE
Email: hello@thestoryofthings.com
Phone: +971 (0) 55 102 4469
Piano Lessons by Maria Sierra
Experienced piano teacher, Maria Sierra, is offering 20% discount on lessons for RL members – adults or children.
(Normal price is 200 AED per hour for lessons at Maria’s home.)
Tel: Maria 055 200 6996
Riot Photobooks – Quality Photo Book Printer
10% off
Online discount code RANCHESLADIES
G3 Shop, Concorde Tower – parking level
Cluster H, JLT
Tel: 04 445 8488
http://www.riotphotobooks.com
SNASH – Car Cleaning
50% off first service and 35% off subsequent cleans
(excludes packages)
http://www.snash.ae – or book using their free app
TRIBE – Home design & styling
10% discount off store & rugs
The Courtyard, Al Quoz Tel: 050 142 8248
http://www.tribedubai.com
For any enquiries or suggestions please contact our Discounts Co-ordinator: discounts.rl@gmail.com
For any discount related enquiries or suggestions please contact discounts.rl@gmail.com
Our website is http://www.arabianranchesladies.com and you can find us on FB and Instagram as Ranches Ladies
If you are not receiving this newsletter by email, please sign up by entering your email address in the box.
If you wish to unsubscribe at any time please drop an email to arladiesdubai@gmail.com
Ranches Ladies 