Week 4- just the start

I'm starting to think about my next location, thinking of climbing the west coast to Periyar to see tigers and elephants in the wild. There is also an elephant sanctuary with baby elephants you can wash and feed for a fee. It's quite a way away and at the base of the Ghats (mountain range). In between me and the elephants are beaches, 2 ashrams and some backwater places which sounds like a river network with lots and lots of birds and river dolphins!

For those of you looking at maps my course will look something like this: Trivandrum-Varkala-Kollam-Alleppey-Kottayam-Periyar.

After that I'll be heading through some serious yoga places, Mysore and Pune, on my way to Chennai. This is all subject to change.

This week started with a pretty lazy Saturday preparing for my exams, chanting, practical class, theory and history and biology and physiology. Nursing my darkening foot I spent Saturday close to home, doing laundry and then out for a quick lunch. Venturing down an unknown road brought me face to face with a Baskin Robbins! Weird. Still no McDonalds though so that's good.

Sunday was up early and off to Shamala's house for breakfast. After a lovely breakfast of putta we talked about boys, marriage, yoga and bracelets. She is 56 and has two girls, one in the UK and one in Dubai. Her husband Sham was there too watching Home Alone (in English with English subtitles). Shamala is a fellow yoga student at Santhi Yoga and a self admitting, "yoga-nut". I will really miss her.

Reshma met me at Spencer's after breakfast for juice and shopping. I love spending time with her. She told me that the juice guy, should never touch me. That he tries because he thinks all white women are item girls (this is either strippers or hookers) and I must be firm, make a face and leave. I'm not looking forward to using this. I may just avoid my juice place and bring my grape, pineapple, mango addiction elsewhere.

Now I'm at home, procrastinating so I don't have to study. I'm hoarse from chanting, tired from shopping and of course am craving juice! Sore foot elevated with a fridge full of morning leftovers and mangos I'm quietly observing the bald eagle perched high above me.

Our daily opening prayer.

Ashatho ma sat gamaya
Thamasoma jyortir gamaya
Mrityorma amritham gamaya
Om Santhi Santhi Santhi

Oh lord, lead me from untruth to truth, lead me from darkness to light, from death to immortality. Om peace, peace, peace.

Good night.
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