No honking horns or elephants...

Back home now. It's quieter here, no honking horns or elephants walking past. Everything is so clean, no one is living on the streets...and, of course, there's Starbucks. Coming back during Thanksgiving has been a bit of a culture shock, America at it's buying best...Black Friday, sales, sales, more sales, people fighting each other for the best deal. Not the prettiest part of this country, in my opinion. But my family is here, and that's really all that matters. Even though I miss the elephants, the colors and all things India, it's good to be back. Sometimes the quiet is exactly what you need. Sometimes you just need to be near family, to soak up the familiar stuff that only they can give you. The weird, crazy, fun stuff that always happens when you're with your family. I'm happy to be soaking it all up. Happy to be home.

Love from CA.

Dear India, I will miss you

As this is my last day in India, I wanted to post something in my blog before I leave for the airport. I feel like it should be profound and deep but, to be honest...it just feels a bit surreal. I mean, six months goes really fast and I feel a little bit shocked that I am actually packing my last few things into my suitcase. I have known this is coming, so I shouldn't really be surprised, but it's still there a little bit...

I am so excited to head back to my family in CA, and then back to Brisbane after a few weeks. I need the comfort of home and to hold my nephew again and to have coffee with my mom...I have no idea what it will be like to be back in America after this time in India. I think there is a part of me that will miss this place more than I can understand right now. This place has made a home inside my heart and is there to stay.

We may find ourselves here again someday. But until then, dear India, I will miss you. You are beautiful, sad, strange, silly, crazy, amazing...you are unlike anything I have ever experienced. And for that I am grateful.

Love from India. 

addicted to Break ton Neck

I am addicted to this video right now. 

I think if I don't stop watching it soon, Craig is going to get jealous! No, but seriously, there is something very beautiful but raw in this video and 

I wish the dancer would come take a Bikram Yoga class. 

And then show me how to dance like he does here.

Love from India.

Magical Goa

 

We spent this past week in Goa. It was our first break since we've been in India. It was magical, it was fun, it was everything we needed right now. Every day we hopped onto our little scooter and went somewhere new, no plans, no idea where we were headed, just a brand new day with nothing but adventure. It was so much fun and if we could have stayed longer, we would have! The villa we stayed in was amazing, so peaceful, very private...the perfect place to come home to each night after the beach, or the market, or visiting one of the many cafes or bars along the side of the road (there were so many). Each day we ate fresh fish, soaked up the sun and pretty much fell in love with Goa. You know when you have a holiday and even after you leave, you can't stop looking at the pictures? Yeah, it's like that.  We miss it already and can't wait to go back someday.

Love from India.

minds without fear

I am already a big fan of Imogen Heap and her ability to mix her songs into 

unbelievable, strange and angelic ways...so when I saw that she had come to India to

make music, I didn't want to miss it. 

The song originated from a new program here called The Dewarists, 

bringing artists together to collaborate on a piece of music. Each show is based in 

a different part of India, so it's beautiful for the eyes as well as the ears. 

The music in this country is unlike anything else and this song captures it,

captures India, with a little Imogen spice sprinkled on top. Love it.

You can listen and watch the video here. 

Love from India.

you take up so much space

There are people who have come into my life
and made their own space,
a room of sorts,
and they decorate it with their own pictures,
a table, some books, a few items that say
I am here
for a while.
Some people take a seat on the couch
and linger
for a cup of coffee...
but they don't bring any chairs or pictures.
They might carry a mug for the visit
but they take it with them when they leave.
There have been some who just needed to take something
from my life, so I gave them a few of
my blankets, my favorite plates, my bookshelf.
Maybe I gave them more than they deserved
but I didn't know that at the time.
These people sometimes leave
marks on the walls, scratches on the floor,
a mess in your heart.

But you...
You are building a home in my life.
Not a room, not a spot on the couch,
but your own home.

You take up so much space,
sometimes it scares me, so vast,
but the most beautiful space...
so different than the others.
There are windows and light and
it's always changing, growing and
you bring
more of yourself here each day.
It doesn't feel crowded or stuffy
even in the darkest of times.

It's warm, cozy...
safe and strange all at once...
and I never want you to take your pictures,
your coffee mug,
or any of the pieces of you.
Bring everything.
Stay.
Stay for longer than a while.

some india love

Some things I love right now about our India adventure...

Less than one month left here in India. I am trying to take more pictures, to soak it all up, trying not to miss...well, anything. Last weekend our friends took us on a lovely adventure, we saw a temple and also went up to a beautiful fort. (pics above from both places) We also got to eat dinner with the beautiful Rajashree Choudhury, Bikram's wife, that was so much fun! One of the highlights of the trip for me, she was so delightful and easy to talk to and I wish we'd had more time with her. Tonight we have been invited to celebrate Diwali at our student's home, he and his wife both practice the yoga. It's amazing to me how welcoming and kind so many of the people are here, they have treated us like royalty and made us feel right at home. I will miss our students very much.

Happy Diwali everyone, enjoy your day!

Love from India.