One more quick post...

I had a very lovely, impromptu Skype date with my Stinky and Tara today! So nice to see them. It's so much easier to have a great time here, knowing that my gals have got it all taken care of for me at home..... my place, my cats.... Thanks so much you two!!

Speaking of animals....there are dogs, cats, pigs, chickens, cows and goats everywhere. They aren't the cleanest so it's not a good idea to pet them. At one place we stayed, we awoke to the sounds of a cat and a turkey having a scrap! Think about those sounds together... A few gobbles, and a rrrrooownn... over and over. It was the funniest thing I've ever heard!! Then, a few days ago, we woke to a brawl between a dog and a pig!!! Sheesh... Only in India....

Stinky... this post is for you..... I know you'll like.... miss you! xo

Benaulim Beach, South Goa

This is what many of the local stores look like....



A few shots of the streets...




And the beach... nice, hey?



This family came around with their traveling tightrope set up and the little girl did a few tricks, then came by to collect her 'earnings'..... she was so amazing we couldn't say no.... we threw her a few rupees.




We are addicted to fruit I think. We've been eating it everyday! So GOOD!



This was our view yesterday.... No complaints from me! :)



Out for a wee bike ride along the water....




And we came across something drying on the road...



Look closely.... fish!



Tonight we have to leave this beautiful place. It might be our last bit of beach we see. Michelle is there right now, getting in her last bit of ocean. We'll grab a bite to eat at our favourite place, Roger's and then we'll head into town to catch an overnight bus to Hampi. We've heard many great things about Hampi... lots of shopping.... uh oh!... and lots of cool ruins to see..... we shall soon see for ourselves!!

Only a few days left before we stop talking for 10 days!

We stayed one night in Fort Cochin. Very cute, quiet and not really like any other town or city we've been to. It had a flavour all it's own.

Michelle and I fell in LOVE with this little restaurant called T-Pot. The little details put into this place were very thoughtful and interesting. There were teapots hanging from the ceiling, mismatched chairs and tables and homemade place settings. It just had a great, cozy, homey feel to it. We ate there twice in one day.... :)




Here are a few pics to show what it was like in Fort Cochin.....






I love this pic.... Michelle and I each bought one of these handy dandy peelers. Michelle got to try one out. I love the contrast in the shades of their skin. Kind of a cool moment.




We've had two incidences now where we've been approached by a huge group of school girls. The first time was on a bus trip back to the ashram on our day off. I was studying for our exam and the girls were so excited to practice their English that I let them read my very boring notes! They made studying so much more enjoyable. It was such a great moment. They were all so sweet and lovely, looking so pretty in their uniforms and matching hair! It was a very special moment for me. The second time was here, in Fort Cochin. So adorable. We were sitting by the water when this group of girls came by to talk to us. Again, very excited to speak in English. Some of them were shy at first, but you can see, when I took out my camera they warmed up very quickly!

India.... I love you!

It's been a few days since my last post, and of course I have more photos and more stories for you!

Since leaving the ashram, we've been to the very south end of India and up along the west coast. It's been warm, beachy and so relaxing! Do we HAVE to go home??

Michelle and I, plus three new ashram friends traveled first to Kerala. We stayed in a town called Varkala and we were very excited to see a beach. The waves were crazy and we got rocked around a lot, but really, we didn't mind at all! This is a view of the beach from the cliffs above, and the next is a photo of the huts we stayed in.




I went to a traditional Indian theatre show called Kathikali. Everything was communicated through actions and facial expressions. There were two male actors and they told a story about an ugly demoness who dressed as a beautiful woman to try to convince a certain God to marry her. Of course the God figured out he was being tricked and he cut off the demoness's nose! Moral of the story: Never lie!





They stomp around with their bare feet and they wear bells like these on their legs. There was also a drummer and a man playing the cymbals.




This is the hand action for 'fish'....



After Varkala, we headed towards a place called Alleppey where we boarded a house boat for an overnight trip through the watery canals of South India. It was beautiful, and so quiet.




Michelle and I washed a few 'delicates' and hung them to dry... :)





If you look closely, you can see here that they are herding mallard ducks! Kind of a funny sight.



My friend Rob and I took a canoe ride through a village and we were taken aback by how simple these people's lives are. They just go about their days, with no real idea what it's like any where else in the world. It was so peaceful... (except for the pesky mosquitoes!)










Just to finish off this post... here's a nice one for you! I tried to get a photo to show all the bug bites I have. I couldn't capture nearly how disgusting it looks. I get attacked anytime I go out side, and they often find me at night, while I'm sleeping. But, it's to be expected, so I don't really mind all that much... I'm in INDIA, man!

Official 'Yogi'

Hey everyone!

Michelle and I have now left the ashram. Along with us are a few other yoga friends from the course. We took an overnight train south to a beach town called Varkala. It's pretty hot here... and MUGGY because it rained for 2 days straight. We swam in the ocean yesterday.... I got an Ayurvedic massage.... it was amaaaaazing! The food is incredible... maybe because we'd gotten used to eating pretty much the same thing everyday for the past month. There are lovely juices, yummy fruit salads... and I was finally able to have the toast and butter I've been craving for weeks!!

Anyhow.... everyone's waiting for me down at the beach... I mustn't keep them waiting! I'll write again soon when things have settled down.

Sorry to hear that some of you have snow.... I'll absorb some sunshine for you!

Lotsa love and hugs.... xoxo

Only 2 days left at the ashram...

Today is Nov 19th. Exactly one month ago we left Canada, and exactly one month tomorrow we'll be back.... we're at the peak of our travels!

We did some advanced pranayama (breathing) exercises yesterday in our morning yoga class. It's meant to shift and stimulate the energy in the body and loosen any blockages you may have. Today I feel wonderful and light and happy... not that I didn't feel that way before, but now, even more so!

Michelle and I came into town to do some last minute banking and check our email. We brought our study notes with us so we could prepare for the exam tomorrow. We've learned at lot this past month. I hope I can cram in most of the info before 8am! I can't believe a whole month has gone by. It's been kind of sad having our last lecture, our last yoga class, etc. This has been a pretty special thing we've all shared as a group!

We received our spiritual names a few days ago. Mine is 'Jaya'. It means hail/victory. I like it. Don't worry... I won't insist that everyone call me by my spiritual name from now on! But, if you'd like to....

On Sunday we'll leave the ashram and travel south to the province of Kerala. We've got an overnight train with beds and airconditioning. It'll be about 8 hours long and it cost 470 Rupees each... that's about $11.00! What a deal, hey?? We'll stay a few days in Varkala and then head up the west coast towards Goa. Of course there will be pictures so keep checking back!

Love to all.... 'Jaya' xo

Fieldtrip!

Last week we traveled to one of the most sacred temples in the state of Tamil Nadu. It's called Thiruparankundram Temple and it's constructed right into the side of the 'Hill of Sikander'. We climbed the 500 steps to the top....




On the way we saw the 'laundromat'.....



A fabulous view.....





And MONKEYS!






This is my most favourite shot I've ever taken...... it is so precious.



A brahman was there to give blessings...



Here are a few other pics I took while walking through the village, on our way back to the bus....

People LOVE having their photos taken. And then I show them the photo and they are all embarrassed and shy. I have such a great time walking the streets with my camera. The people are so lovely. Life is so different from what we are familiar with. This is 'home' for them and they will likely never see anything else. I am constantly in awe.






This is a wish tree. You tie a piece of fabric to the tree and make a wish. When your wish comes true, you go back and remove the fabric.









Isn't this woman exquisite?



So...... I think that should do for now. I'm still taking pics, so I'll send them when I can.

I hope everyone is well and happy and smiling...... lotsa LOVE!!