Out of India

So it begins Life out of India I adapt easy enough but re adaption is something else.

Omaha has left with her father and all I hear now is the washing machine and the fan. I can't say I don't like it but.....

The day we left was a day of loss. I wandered around aimlessly for half the day until Jessyca returned and then we wandered aimlessly the rest of day until Emma returned, then packed and drove to Bombay with the brothers. We drove through the Slumdog Millionaire neighborhood in Bombay. God I love Bombay. God I love India.

Our flight leaving Bombay was crazy. I am not sure that the poilet even showed us the prevention film, people may still have been in the isles when he began taxiing down the runway, then he really speed up and we were off. I am sure we were at altitude in about 60 seconds and we arrived in London 40 minutes in advance. The 3 of us, smelly, dirty, lost and laughing. Jess was in another part of the airport so we could not meet up as we had hoped to spend our 8 hour layover together.

We went to Starbucks to get coffee and were assaulted by the difference in communication and efforts there of. Welcome Back????

In Heathrow airport they have a kids area, implemented just that day for long layovers. We brought Omaha who was in sore need of a loan form the kid zone. She played and we pulled the cards out.
By our secondhand we took a look around and looked at eachother nothing was said as we both felt the change over us and then the comment came in synchronicity- "we are not in India anymore"- We looked at ourselves, on the floor with the cards, barefoot, plumcake next to us, oily, smelly, dirty and laughing... we were still Indian thank the good lord but how did we appear to others? How do Indians appear to others? and what a shame it is in the details I sited that we accept them to be.

The flight back form London was crazy, they fed us wine and we drank it mourning our loss and weening ourselves back to our gains. Trashed and hungover we landed in Montreal still foul but now with huge bags under our eyes as well. No Matter we were back to the place we call home.

We hailed our taxi and got in. On the drive home we had a horn blowing holler at the driver next to us and again no words were spoken as we knew, this would never happen in Inida. Accidents happen here because we are hazardous to one another and willing to sacrifice you for what we want. Accidents happen in India rarely and because it is an accident, not because they have been careless about you or themselves.

But on today the first day back and the good Canadians I know and love. We entered our house last night and Omaha went up to tell Francois and Trinh we were home and get the basement key. Trinh came down 5 minutes later with fresh food and welcome home love. We ate, showered, scrubbed, rinsed often, then went to bed.

I awoke at 6 am comme le habitutde and went out to tend the garden which was insane. I began sorting the baggage and Francois came down the stairs and we spoke, then from over the fence I heard Chantal- is that Kara are you back??? Let me climb the stairs to see you- now this is beautiful so Indian and so Canadian we can all love our neighbors. We then went to the cafe around the corner where we call our local sweet chariot and got our coffee. As Canadian tradition requires we got a big smile and Have a Great Day.

Welcome Back !!!!!!!

I will stop this blog until 2013 when I return but will continue with my other.

So for the last I give you Salutations and my first attempt of life out of India

the last day

Allo, salut, namaskaar, and HI from India for the last until 2013-

Whew that hits home and perhaps I will conclude this when I do get there. But for now that last day.

We had a our last great cauffe from The Sweet Chariot which I ordered in Marahti along with asking for Hindi music also in Marathi thanks to the diligent Datta. They loved it and compted our last meal.

These last days have been trying with Omaha as we both have had our own stresses. In all honesty she has done well considering she has not had enough sleep and has been with adults the entire time. Yet I am fatigued by the constant of a child and no adult time. She goes with her father for 2 weeks and I will be blowing off steam in a big way for those bits of liberty.

There are things in Omaha that go beyond my comprehension for instance when we went to her friends house, which I consider a sacred invitation. They live over and beyond a slum in a 2 room apartment, one room is the kitchen, the other has 1 bed,1 tv and 1 locker locked with all their cloths inside. Indians don't need much nor do they demand much. Omaha could have noticed the vast difference is living styles but did not, she was just thrilled to be in Mohini's home for this I find her spirit touching beyond measure. Also for her to sit still or watch the classes is not something every child would do and for this I am owing her her props. But she is forceful and ungrateful of what people can supply for her and is constant in her demanding of them. Obnoxiously kicking and hitting, licking and kissing. All done for attention but she disturbs people as they can only take so much of this and does not listen when I tell her to stop, so last night she had 3 swift reactions that did indeed provoke a response which she had to adhere by.

Life holds many choices to make and I brought Omaha because I could not feasibly deny her this gift but also because there was no other safe alternative. This has changed and I will now have the time any adult needs to unwind and begin a sane life once more.

Omaha asked me to begin reading Shantaram to her last night and adoring this request I did, 4 pages in she said- I love this book. A half hour later when I stopped she said- oh really- so again I comment on her aptitude to realise the world at such a young age and enjoy it.

The 3rd copy of Shantaram has been gifted- Greta began her read yesterday on a long lay over home. We had a great group here in India and I will hold dear all whom I have met and look forward to seeing again.

I will at some point rework add on or endeavour more for these entries in script but for now -

I give you Salutations from India

2 days left

Geeta said something in pranayama last night that make me think of Granny, the elephant. She said that if it is tough there is no sensitivity. I considered Granny's trunk and how thick her skin was, how tough and impenetrable it was and I remembered how she closed her eye's as I caressed her and how touched I was by her sensitivity so in this case of tough verses sensitivity she was one to preserve the other. This might very well be the case for all of us, we hurt to hide and hide to help and the cycle continues forever unless revealed to us and we are able to break the shackles.

I have found that my practice here has not been the thing that was augmented by this visit. My practice has not changed so much, my teaching will, and I have and will. This trip has provoked within me that capacity to abandon. And to love India, coming from somewhere so different we must abandon as the same rules do not apply, can not apply because India is not somewhere else and it can not be forced because it's nature is not forceful. We must realise what we know and preserve as our reality is only that a perception nothing more and we may change it or keep it but we can not place it as fact for others when indeed it is not. So where as yoga was the catalyst for this trip and the central post around all that we did my yoga on the mat has not been altered as much as my yoga off the mat has been touched. And in fact this is more of what I needed anyway.

I have been in constant contact with Datta, my shou shou (prefered), for the past 4 weeks to find a Marahati dictionary. Yesterday he told me that "tomorrow I will take you for a special ride on my scooter" to find you a dictionary as he was pleased with none he had found as of yet. I bragged to everyone last night that I was going with Datta. So today arrived and Omaha joined us on the excursion as I had no none to keep her. Datta drove, Omaha was in the center and I was the caboose. Datta was signing away the whole drive and Omaha was chirping questions- Why is Datta signing,- Well what do you think he signing for?- He sounds happy- Then this is why he is signing, he is peaceful. In the end after visiting the Ganesh temple and 4 other book stores we found a book that will begin my studies. Datta dropped us at Roopali's for lunch where he recommended the coffee, dosa, and tallie all were good and Datta remains my shou shou.

So with Marathi on it's way I give you Salutations from India

Day something

I know these blogs are rushed and I apologize I may or may not get back to them later. I also know they have been diluted by days passing but the time here is closing and you never know how many people you have met and grown to love until it is time to say goodbye. Such is the case here.

But I have had an experience today that has left me with out the alternative to come to you and so here I am and I will get to it in a moment but first allow me the liberty to catch you up on the past days.

The news from India is as such.

Omaha rode Granny- the elephant who walks Fergesson College Road every day. We say her from down the road and I began to ran as my lawyer's son loves elephants and I have have not been able to catch her yet. God is good and the gift was given. Got it. We ran up the road by 3 hubris collection of Shantaram books and bottles of water to see her walk.

Finally we crossed the street and were invited to touch her. To kill an elephant would be no easy task. Her skin was thick and tough, you would have to find the Achilles heel so to say. But she on the other hand could destroy me with little or no effort just a simple sneeze. But she is gentle, perhaps broken. I touched her truck and caressed her. I spoke softly about how touched I was by her allowing this invasion. Her rider asked if Omaha wanted to ride, she said yes and was yanked up 10 feet to the top of an elephant. We walked together down the street, Ouevien, her two friends in from Atlanta, myself and Granny the elephant porting Omaha on her back. How much should an experience like this value? I paid 100 rs, roughly 1.25$  Is that fair, probably not, would Granny be happier not have traffic blasting around her and being a freak show, probably but none the less this experience for me was moving enough to bring tears to my eyes and again force me to my knees in gratitude of India and all her might.

As Onward is the only way forward we continue. As I mentioned I had collected 3 copies of Shantaram earlier that day bargaining like a fisher woman for the books. I am not sure as of yet where the third copy will be placed but I have a good idea.

As I have said many times, in Omaha's 7 years I do not think she has ever been so safe as she has been here in India and especially Poona. Everyday there is more affection towards her and cheek pinching which she has tolerates but says hurts as they really grab and jiggle but this is love and India is brimming over with it.

Now there have been a few things that have been acquired with my adaption one I noted last night in practice and was surprised and fascinated to see. I have earned cellulite here. I have always thought I did not have it because of my Yoga practice, so it must be the diet. I have truly become Indian. Now I won't exaggerate and say it is truly India as I have laughed with Erick about no I am not that far down the road but I am now perhaps on the Jr varsity team. Yes probably still on the bench but none less there. I imagine after 4 weeks back home this prize will be lost and I am okay with it as as fascinating as it is I do prefer it on others.

Jessyca has had her 4th pair of sandals break and we went shoe shopping. So shamed by our purchases we were that we almost got a rickshaw home but decided to master our shame and expose it to the world.

Our card games have expanded to include more people and after a few drinks and much aggressive questioning to the rules Emma finally confessed she made the game up and then denied it 2 seconds later.

We spent a rough 3 hours last night trying to get a card game going but the numbers were wrong. the rules were inconclusive, the emperor left the room and nobody really cared about betting pasta that did not belong to them so we laughed and misunderstood what was happening more that we played anything legitimately.

There takes a certain amount of abandonment to endear India and if you do not give yourself to India then she has nothing to offer you, but if you look at the flecks of shine that reveal themselves with the sun at just the right moment then you will forever be changed and this now brings me to today.

BKS is always in practice with us and I tend to leave the space to him. I don't watch or interrupt or present myself in any form for that matter. But today it happened that the only place happened to be in front of him so Omaha and I took it. Now typically he just practices but today he worked with Raya first in Sirsasana II to go into an arm balance I know not the name of. I watched but I continued my practice. Abbhy came in then and I have wanted to see her train since I have been here and thought that she did in the house as I have never seen here there. BKS was teaching Abbhy- it was a backbend practice and already my throat is tight and the tears have returned to my eyes just in remembering what I was able to chance upon today. Abbhy is BKS's granddaughter and a teacher who teaches under the guidance or oppression of her grandfathers eye at every class I have attended. I could never teach under her circumstances, she is a marvel and on every level this practice/teaching session today was moving. A master teaching the next kin, a marvel being taught and making her efforts with such verity my heart ached with the levity, as everything has and end and this one is inevitable. I thank the good Lord for small mercies and for every obstacle I traversed, succumbed to, assumed, been beaten by and walked next to in order to be here now to relay this small effort to you that holds within it everything as pure as monsoon rain.

With everything I hold dear I give you Salutations from India

Day 4 closing out

I have been introduced to street food, I know put my face in the shower, I eat fruit, I have been on a 2 wheeler with no helmet, I have had my nose pierced by "a professional", Omaha has decided she wants to spit on the street and last night when Omaha went to the temple with our neighbors she not only did not put on her seat belt, she was actually councilled against it. I think it is fair to say we have adapted. I am not bragging.

India has a rhythm, you see it in every angle. They are not interested in going faster or in slowing down, they just want to keep moving, it is the only way to get where you are going at the right time. India has a soul, you feel it, the heart is beating all the while. You smell India, just before it rains and then again after.

The other day when Omaha were coming home from the oil perfume shop we were in the rickshaw at a light 2 kids came one on each side begging for food, one on crutches, one trying to sell some plastic what ever. The driver told them to get away rudely and abruptly, they did not, he did not bother again and when the light changed, I saw him look behind to make sure before he started that they children were out of harms way and with out a word took off. India has a soul and they are uninterested in loosing it for other matters.

Prashant never leaves me wanting less and today I cornered him and told him so. The limitations we oppress ourselves with are so with out scruples that we see not what we have done. We understand not how our wants have far surpassed our sources they need to correspond with. The parameters have so far exceeded the intended zone we know nothing of where we are or how to get back. Birds can migrate from country to country with out any modern technology and find their way back to the nest and we are lost because we can not rely on ourselves to get us somewhere we need to be, only were we want to be and again our wants have superseded our account.

Day 2 of closing out

The first day of pranayama with Prashant. My class with Prashant is at 7 am and everyday Indians have their cars washed and I get this spectacle on my way to class. Prashant spoke of those with large egos and as easily as they can hurt they can be hurt for they live in glass houses. He spoke of the one that is the most repulsive to ourselves is ourselves and this is why we can not be alone, we are always looking for company. I thank God I can live with myself. I thank God I can be alone. We must be able to be alone, otherwise we have no right to ask another to tolerate what we can not.

Prashant is a writer and has a gift for language and it's usage be it spoken or written and he asked if anyone knew how long it took to write something that would take 2 hours to read. I thought of the blog and how depending on the day it is 3-10 minutes to read and 20- 60 minutes to write so I ventured a rough 17 hours. He said 18.

We then went to meet our new friends Sneha and Shaun. We had a most enlightening conversation that brought me home. In India the national language is Hindi we are in a Marahti state and so the language spoken in the state is Marathi I hope that I am spelling this correctly. Sneha spoke of an experience that she had where she was charged 100rs more for not speaking the state language, when the the speaker did not speak the national language. There are many similar stories in Montreal with this topic. Nice to know that home is everywhere. And that it was complete chance that we should meet these two at our coffee house as they never come to this part of the city due to it's issues. I guess we are not all so different as we would have hoped.

We then went to the oil perfume place that I have wanted to go to since we came and I am happy to say that everyone will be smelling a much nicer Kara from here on in. Holy Cow everyone should go there and buy everything. They are so nice and knowledgeable.

I found 5rs more this past evening in the phone booth when I called Bhatesh, if I stay I just may find back what I spent.

On the way back from the oil shop we passed the elephant and of course I did not have my camera. DAMN

We are looking into the movies tonight. Smurfs

With love Salutaions from India

Day 1 of the last week

I am certain that I missed a few days so I will do my best.

The end is coming and with it the tension of remission. Omaha is homesick and I am fatigued from her impatience to be in her familiar place. I understand and have sympathy but she is unnerving from the stress this produces within her. It is only when we are alone that she is calm. If we are all together she is so hyper and disturbing that we all become disturbed and angry. The end is coming. And with it the relief of temperment.

Prashant spoke of the deciding on the gravity of our actions he speaks in terms of asana but surly this translates into our lives, we all must decide on the gravity of conditions, if it is a backbend or if it is more relative to our daily routine. We must expose the conditions we must work in, on, within and discover who we are in different associations. Why we adapt or don't why we neutralize the mind or refuse. How we can consent to certain terms and omit others. How we can keep polarities at bay within our practice and our daily life. This is always the challenge and so we engage, and so we continue.

Last night we had a fire in the house. This fire happened after early evening of wine and card playing which is becoming quite the entertainment chez nous at the present. Interesting how a wasp had everyone in heat and the fire we watched for close to a half hour unperturbed until it grew to a blaze where we had to do something. I do have great shots of it.

Mohini came last night and today. She has mehindied Omaha and it is beautiful. I am happy that Omaha will have a friend here in India to write back and forth with through the years and come to understand friendship on other terms.We all must because as Prashant has said what was mirco yesterday is macro today and what is macro today will indeed be micro tomorrow.

So in deciding my gravities I give you Salutaions from India.

Day somewhere in the mid to late 20's

I will begin with today and get back to yesterday. The power was out in Poona so I could not write.

We have one week left and a list to accomplish one of which was redoing my nose and Emma doing hers. We asked around and Emma found a place. After trying 3 Internet cafes with long waits we decided to go for it tout de suit and grabbed a rickshaw. It was a beautiful Jeweller's we went to and though of great so far so good.

We scoured for the perfect gold piece and finally choose, paid and were escorted to the ground floor where the piercer was set up. As we exited the elevator there was a line before this man in a wash basin torching the gold of people, I am not sure if it is ceremonial or if what. I looked back at Emma and said ,"I am just glad that this is not the guy piercing us". OUF spoke to soon. Sitting on the edge of a wash basin, with a pair of pliers, nails longer than mine and a smile to match I had my nose pierced by "a professional" I can say with out a doubt that he was better than the twit who did my last one. I felt nothing but a slight pinch, he pushed the earring through with his finger up my nose, then took the plyer pulled it the rest of the way, cut and retook the pliers folded it and voila, done and perfect. Emma was after. Traumatized and humbled at the beauty and safety of everything Indian we went home to discover that the earrings were switched and I had Emma's and she got mine. DAMN.

Onward- I speak often of the beauty and safety of India and I must break my habit of walking in the streets here when I go back to Montreal as they will hit me and leave me for dead. Confound.

Yesterday I had an experience I was not looking to have but knew it was only a matter time to occur. There are many, many, many street dogs here and they are docile during the day and at night you hear the yelping and fighting that comes with the struggle to survive. The days they lay everywhere with no concern and no one bothering them. I was walking with Omaha down the street and had that feeling of being observed. I turned my head to see a dog watching me, he was trying to find a way across the street as he had been watching me for some time. I grunted, as he made his way over, he was injured by a fight, or some other means and was sniffing my hand and me and this dog was a dog I know I could have gotten down on the ground with and had wonderful re pore, this dog had gentile engraved on his heart and soul and I could only walk away and leave him. Omaha asked if I had had anything would I have given it? I don't know so I am glad I did not have to make the choice.

In my 3 days with out my core group I have branched out and enjoyed company of another nature. We went for dinner last night and all spoke of our experiences here and our lives there. I am glad to have had this time to meet others and apply different skills.

I assume that finding money on the street is rare in India and as you know I have already found 10rs in a rickshaw and 2 nights ago I found 1rs on the ground. Auspicious don't you agree.

Salutations

Day 23

It's funny how something so simple can become complicated. Last night I was looking through the photo's of BKS for Carla and I. Raya walked by so I told him the good news bad news scenario involving the photo's. They are there but somehow in dat form that only Melanie knows how to transfer back to the state I can reach. Thankfully as I have 2 I want framed.

After a brief moment Raya returned and we chatted about the photos and he said I have to show you something. So over to the bench we went and out he pulled this camera of magnanimous proportions that I could never handle but would love to shoot with. I had the camera in my hands not even long enough to close my mouth and Parvez came over to inspect, comment, handle, and admire. Omaha had wrapped herself around Raya's leg and was blathering affections of all nature and Narvin was asking what is she doing get her up.

So you see where all we wanted to do was share some common interest in a pleasant manner we ended the conversation rapidly and me reminding Omaha that people need space and she need not crawl on the floor at 7 years old to get attention.

Onward to today It was class with Abbhi, now she is something and as great as she is now I think time will make her better. We did back bends and she is a marvel. We did okay. During Sirsasana she wanted us to make the back and the front legs kiss, "bring the back legs to kiss the front legs and make your record, how long do couples kiss" I am clear beyond a shadow of a doubt I have kissed as a couple much longer than I held those thighs. OUF. But practice makes perfect in both cases so I will just have to find myself a willing partner to practice with,.... not the thighs.

Dazed and confused I left for Koregaon park with Kquevien, Greta and Omaha to investigate silver. We got our rickshaw and went. Hungry and lost we went to lunch at a hotel that although grossly expensive I feel as though we broke even. I finally got my beer alright, 2- but Omaha said that when we were doing back bends I was "going up really high" soooo ...., The waiter showed be the bottle as if it were wine from 1972  and I said beautiful pour out my friend. He also showed me the water bottle and I had the same reply. I joked about bringing the waiter home with me as he was asking how his service was and I said I couldn't say yet .

The girls went to use the toilette before we parted and I sat at the table alone finishing my second Kingfisher, my journal came out immediately as I realized I decided on what Prashant asked of us yesterday- You have to know your ends then you can decide on the means- You have to be clear about that about your ends they must be decided on-.

I have decided what I want and it is so personal that language proves limited in the exposure there of. Now I will begin the means to achieve these ends.

With humble devotions salutations from India

Day blah blah blah

Truely we are in Monsoon season and I love it.

Last night we left you went home, colored a bit, read a bit, went to bed for a bit and then decided we were hungry so we got up went to the kitchen and made something to eat. Ate it and as I was cleaning the table something flew into the kitchen. At first I thought oh God did I leave the window open and is there a bat in the house, then it hit the wall and rickashaed (sp) and I thought oh it is a moth but pretty dense, it then recollected its self, took a small flight and landed on my custard apples, which yes Bhatesh are wrapped in a towel safely, crawled up on top of the apples revealing its self; we had eye contact for a split second before it looked as though it was going to attack and I moved away. My heels could not come back down to the floor and I made Omaha turn the light out as I ran for the bedroom. The mother fuckers fly, now I ask you is it necessary? Having a 4 inch by 1 inch roach crawling around is one thing but now it flies. Come on.

I then remembered New Orleans and Mel I am sure you do also and how they call these flying roaches June bugs and in Florida, Palmetto bugs but just as a rose by any other name would smell as sweet a roach by any other name is still a fucking roach and this one is now flying. I remembered how in New Orleans traffic moves for the roaches as they are so big and these flying ones are clumsy because their girth, they land with no grace where ever they fatigue. I remember in New Orleans learning the fine art of killing these roaches although never implemented, it is installed with a rapid, acute stamp you get one shot so one needs to be accurate. YUCK and Bhatesh what ever flat we find here in Poona for me, these insipid insects are not invited. I prefer the wasps. I will invest in lizzards for my home.

Now onwards- Prashants class this morning as usual was brilliant and feel I could sit at this mans feet all day with out knowing a second has passed.

I had grave news from Raya that my photo's were not on the key, but I did just confirm this and they are there, I will have to get them to him another way. Then we left the center to have breakfast and prepare for Harry Potter.

On our way to the cinema we ran into the brothers one whose name is Erik the other I do not know but will find out tomorrow. We asked if they would like to join us for the film but they decided to go for breakfast. Dark news as I know they are American and would know where to get a beer. I will grab them tomorrow. They too love Prashant and  so I am certain we would hit it off.

Harry Potter- Loved it although they could have given Fred a bit more dignity, they really did not touch him at all. But seeing the film here in India was fun as the crowd was whooping and clapping and crying and so participatory. I also cried often as it was very touching.

We are going to bring my pants to the taylor they need a draw string and they are the only dry pants I have left.

Bhatesh has interrupted my blogging panic stricken that I have not called, Sandeep did you not tell him of my plan, but I will state for the record anyhow we are safe, keeping the fruit and vegetables in the fridge, we are not eating off the table, okay perhaps a bit but I clean it and we have strong constitutions so faire pas peur we will still be here when you come back, happy and healthy as you left us :)

Salutations

Day 20 or something along there

It has been raining for 2 days the laundry is dry but humid. I am the cleanest I have been in weeks, I would gather I don't even smell anymore but who could say.

Yesterday at 5:30 am Emma left chasing a cockroach and Jessyca left us a love note, they went to the caves.
Bhatesh boarded a bus and went to see Sandeep and Omaha and I have been left to our own devices which I will relay to you now.

First and foremost Prashant, Prashant, Prashant oh how you speak my language and I love you. Class ended and I spoke to Raya about the photo's. We then went over to Kquevien to see about meeting up for coffee, she was game and so we met up at the MC poste and headed out to our spot. Before this we went to buy our Harry Potter tickets which we see tomorrow at 11am :) Crossing a highway with no light takes some endurance.

Of course Omaha and I were early and of course we made friends along the way, one man gave Omaha a banana and one man gave me 4 custard apples. I was also given a date which was fresh and yikes I did not like that. But no matter we are on a new adventure and ready for anything.

We get to our cafe and received our familiar smiles galore from the gang there. Omaha quickly left our table for the neighboring table as they had a kitten and were so much more fun than us. Kquvien and I ordered rumballs hoping for the best and although I think the word (shabda) rum is there only for perfunctory reasons they were pretty good. We decided to go to Lakshmi road as there was loads of time to kill and rain which makes for to long a day. So we left the cafe brought our fruit home re met at the poste and donned a rickshaw to the market.

It was wet and fun and we bought Omaha 3 new dresses,earrings and pants. I did not do to much haggling as they were not asking anything I could not afford I will however go back for the kurta for Sue with Vasant or Bhatesh.

I have noted in my practice that I am continually feeling off center and I can decide if it is the space as the institute is designed like a half octagon or if it is me. I have dually noted that all the squatting done here in India has dramatically changed my ribcage and my ribs are all but even. Remarkable but again this is why I can not figure is it me or the room. But both people I have spoken with about this have said the same thing so I gather it is in fact the room.

I am happy to report although we are missing our girls and now our boys we are doing just fine and in fact loving the independence we have redeemed by being left. Omaha always says you see mama now she calls me IEE good things do come from bad and I see that my tiny love (bethy) could not be more right.

With love and no worries to all we are far from Salutations from India

same day different engagements

Yesterday we spoke of going to the jungle for 3 days, this is where Sandeep lives. I was reluctant as I would miss 2 classes and said no. I drank the bad wine in the fridge while the girls had vodka and orange juice and decided that I will be back in class in 2 days but I will have to wait 3 years before going to the jungle so after dinner I went to the hospital and told Bhatesh my decision. Mean while Sandeep was on the bus travelling home thinking I am glad they decided not to come because I don't think it is safe here for Omaha and if something should happen it could be frightful. I love how we are all considering all of us so in depth.

Bhatesh and I spoke about a hotel and the properties there of what are the goals what are the ideas what are the places we begin from. I initiated that everything changes and we must go slow due to elements beyond our control.

This afternoon Omaha and I were doing her daily math lesson and there was a knock at the door, our good doctor had come for lunch. We again spoke, and something so endearing about Indians is that they are in numbers no one can gauge and so accustomed to these numbers that being alone is a punishment of sorts. Sandeep was meeting someone today to see if they are suitable life partners, I will be waiting for the answer. This again brought on the topic of me being alone and how worried Bhatesh and Sandeep are for me in this manner. "What are you looking for, Kara, what do you want?" he wanted to know if they had to be American or French and I said no this is not a concern he added that "They need only to understand you then" and this is it exactly. I explained as best as I could that what was priority for me for the past year was, getting permanent residence, passing my exam, and therefore gaining my freedom there was not the space, emotionally nor mentally to bring an element of couple in. A topic we touched upon last night, as all these plans include us and could include anyone but what if, now that I have my freedom to engage in a relationship and surely soon I will, they have other plans. I am understanding the Indian sense of love from Shantaram so much more acutely now than I could have before and Bhatesh is my Prabaker and Sandeep my Johnny. So close we have become in a short time that their concern for mine and Omaha's well being has them cursed.

After Bhatesh left telling me to call him everyday to let him know how we are, I began cleaning up a bit. I went through a bag I have not touched since we came here and I found my house keys. I picked them up and looked at them, felt them in my hand and saw the key that Patrice placed on the ring 2 nights before I left telling me that the bike that owned that key was somewhere locked in Montreal and if I could find it then the bike was mine. I smiled and thought about the picture Anais placed on FB this morning of that party with Jaques in his hat and the vuex tu une biere boys along side. A photo that I took with such abandoned pleasure. I thought of Poy and him requesting at out last meeting that I ,"Do not fall in love with and Indian boy get married and not come back to him to continue our quarrel". I missed Melanie and the way she comes to the house everyday I missed Anais I missed Montreal and the Fridays nights with Mel and Daniel and the kids, I missed Saturdays with the gang at Josee and Eric's. I missed Montreal as I have never missed anywhere other than NY and I missed my people in Montreal as I have only missed my people in NY.

I got what I have needed and what I have worked for and what I have wanted this year.Everything I denied myself has paid because I had pratyhara I had one focus and that was getting here at any cost and any sacrifice and I so I did as was required of me.  I am permanent and free. I will divorced shortly and have double freedom. I passed my first exam that places me on yet another road leading to freedom and I made it to India against all odds due to those dearest to me.

And so in the end I wonder- I know that working in the emergency room is stressful and Bhatesh needs to relax, will it cause him more stress for me to not call in daily and give him the time he needs to rest in quiet or will it disturb him more to not have news. What I have decided is that Sandeep is a loyal reader and so I will blog and know that news is being had and leave the phone calls to when he returns.

I think in the end life takes care of its self and it was meant to be that I stay here alone for these 3 days because yoga teaches us nonattachement and I can begin to release myself from the bonds there of  for this trip has only 14 days left before we go back to Bombay and I leave Poona for 2 years. I can consider what I want, where I want it, with whom I would like it and then make it happen. I have open chapters in Montreal that seek closing or further indulgence and with my new freedom I would like to see them unfold so that what ever choices need to be made they are made for all the right reasons and in all the right actions.

This is probably the longest entry we will have since it has become evident the trip is closing. It is also probably truest to my nature in script and for those of you who read my other blog recognise it's character.

Be well do good work and Salutations from India

Days are getting lost

I know a few of you have commented that I have missed a day. Thank you for you loyal reading. Our computer has shorted when the electricy went out and we have nothing now. So I am back at Chetak hotel relying on them for my communications with you.

Much has happened I think I left you with Gurupoornima 2 days back. BKS spoke at the event and as typical to his nature as a teacher- or GURU he went into "slaughtering" the darkness with a privilaged pupil Raya. God Bless them both.

Bhatesh was getting emergency calls from the hospital almost entirely throughtout so his concentration was lost, but Sandeep paid close attention and has taken this knowledge to heart and will place it into action I imagine very soon.

We left the Institute, the Drs to the hospital and we to the house for supper. After supper Omaha and I went to the hospital to meet the Drs. It seems quite unusual that of all places in India to spend my evenings I pass them in the emergency room. But I do, I have also passed Saturday nights watching football with my Grandmother and those night as these will carry cherished memories.

Connections seem to have been forged and I wonder if I should have ever made a return phone call, should I ever have tempted fate to bring relations into my life that I should come to care so deeply for when I have another life across the world. But destiny is like that and I did make the call and now am invested, sometimes with reluctance but always with passion. I giggle often at the reference to the Dr and then when Sandeep comes also the Drs. as it seems so soapopera like. Who would come to India get sun allergy and meet Bhatesh but me. I know noone who would not agree that this is my story and not at all out character.

So onward with the soap opera. We came to meet the Drs after dinner, as Sandeep was leaving the next day and we would not see him until 2013 when we return. We were all in the office of Bhatesh and there was emergency after emergency Friday night is clearly good for urgence. One case involved a baby and this is when I cleared Omaha out and Sandeep followed after being assured that Bhatesh had the situation under control. We wandered we talked and Omaha questioned about an unconcious baby. All went well and baby is in recovery.

At 10:30 with no pause finally Bhatesh sent us home with Sandeep via two wheeler. This was a laugh, as first we knew not which two wheeler was ours, then trying to start it and Sandeep had to call into the hospital to get directions then finally on the road I had to give directions to Sandeep how to get to our home. Now I insist here again whose life could this be but mine and how can I have regret to have followed my instincts and made a return phone call. My life here in India has no less rythm than it has in Montreal. It has no less habits and no less love. I have the Iyengar family, I have Omaha, I have Emma and Jessyca and I have my Drs one distant but present and one close and tangible. How it came to this I do not know, how quickly and quietly life can change seems absurd but aren't we always looking to find sense in the absurd and really is it all that absurd, although a hospital in Poona is a strange place to be spending my time outside of my studies it seems that I am exactly where I am ment to be. I am a creature of habit and the dr has become a habit which brings me home in a place far from it.

Another day in India.

Gurupoonima

Day 16- again- I think-

There are several differences I have come across in India. The mesquitoes are silent which is bitter, and Emma and Jessyca told me of a woman they met in GOA who was either 24 or 26, she did not know neither did her parents. Imagine coming from a place that you are to busy to remember the day your child was born, but then again perhaps you are trying to forget.

I spoke to Bhatesh this morning to check in and he told me of a case that came into the hospital last night. It was a young woman who married a year ago, it was a suicide. He spent from 10 pm until 6:30 am in the police station filling out paper work for this case. Alone and with dark thoughts roaming in his head. He said she was very young and in this year that has passed pending her marriage  ``God only knows what happened``. I wonder if she knew her age, if she left children, family who cared or if she was so alone this was her only out. I imagine that she did not have children. I know when I had such thoughts my actions were stilled by the fact that Omaha would have to live with this for her whole life and perhaps she would understand when she was older but since I have recovered I would say that no there would not have been any justification in this course. But I had people around me, I had reason to come back, I have Yoga that kept me still where she may have had no other option and clearly this was where her pain lead her.

She hung herself so I imagine she was pretty firm in the final moments as this does take some preperation and can be decided against if she waivers. But she did not, she hung herself and who knows for how long before she was found, perhaps she was found still alive, I don`t know, probably never will and I imagine this story is not so different from others around the world. When such a drastic action is taken I have to believe this was the better option and her pain though temporary has found it`s end, and now meets it`s tormenter for another round in another place and another time.

Who can say who lost or won in a situation such as this, I would venture that everyone both lost and won.

Today is a holiday where we give respect and praise for our teachers I know she will be in my respects today as I have learned much from her loss.

Day 16

Ah today, today was a good day. I left the house for my practice at 8 am. I listened to Prashant`s class, he is a brilliant man. Today was the making the body a sporting ground for the mind and the breath. It was back bends again.

I was in pranayama tonight so I did my inversion practice this morning, then came home as I began teaching today, imagine that, demand for classes here in India. Our good dr has requested classes so I aquessested this request and the girls were happy to know that they were going to get classes again. The Dr (note I have left good out) was late by a half hour, which accorrding to India this is on time, yet he knew he was late and I made him practice anyway in jeans and his regular shirt as penalty. But only for a short while then the girls got their work. We then all ate together and spoke of many things.

I asked Pandu todayif I could bring my dr`s to the Gurupuruma event and he as said yes. Sandeep will be coming form 6 hours away in order to attend.

The girls went to class and then I did, I go there early so that I could watch the medical class for a bit. I figure I have about 3 years before I can participate in this with just cause.

We had dinner then went to our cafe to have dessert and cafe au lait.

At home we found a huge bee in the house, we had had a nest in the bathroom and there is one on the window in Emma and Jessyca`s room. It is funny how panic can ensue and did. It is all on film and probably fairly engaging to watch. Interesting how human nature works. If one has doubt or fear it becomes cyclical until an outside source comes to break the casing. This is of course is what happened in the form of Sameer`s father who began quoting Prashant and bringing harmony where there was chaos.

The bee is now walking on the wall across from me recovering in her own way from the trauma of being tormented.

Day 15 I think

Again I blogged yesterday before the day was through and missed a good portion of our time spent.

We had made a date with Omaha`s friends family to go to Lakshmi Road (the large market). Now the evening before in our tea with our good Dr I told him this and he said it is quite expensive there. I replyed we would be going with locals and he said `` Ah yes, then this should help``. Well it did, financially as well as socially I learned something about the culture and the people. How negotiation is not an insult it is a way of life. I watched as Vasant and his wife (whose name I have yet to write in my journal and therefore can not recount as of yet, but I will as it deems recounting) went back and forth each transfering the role depending on whom was in the better position to choose the quality and cost there of, if they had exact or if they required change. It is an art and I loved it especially considering I got for Omaha a beautiful dress that was a demanded price of 500rs for 300rs and for myself a kurta and pants for 500rs. We did bangle shopping and bought henna and nail varnish for the girls so that the next time they are together they can Mehendi each other and do manicures.

After 2 hours we were tired, the girls were out of their minds demanding ice cream and jumping like crazy so we donned a rickshaw and went to Asha`s dinning hall, now this was a surprize. Both for us and to us. For us being we did not know we were going and to us meaning it was `the best we have had here. I think I should add at this point that when the family came to fetch us via rickshaw they obviously dressed for the occassion and it was a privilage that not only Omaha and I felt having the locals take an interest in us but also the privilage was theirs to show their city and the fineness of it.

OMG I ate like I have not eaten in a long while. Well at least since the last supper chez moi that Eleni cooked and we ate Etheopian, it was that good I was willing to make myself sick to keep eating, then I had dessert. Omaha and I were the only only white people there and everytime I looked up form my plate, which was seldom or to say yes to more, there were dozens of eyes on me. Those eyes were smiling as were the lips, that I was appreciating the food as much as I did.

As I have said I must repeat I could find a home here so easily.

We are served a plate with chippatis and 3 different sauces, one sweet, one sour, one spicey and a carrot salad, they then continue to pass and place fresh chippati`s and rice and seconds and thrird`s of what ever you want. By the 4th or 5th chippati I was slowing. I managed to finish all of mine and Omaha`s then have a mango custard for dessert. I will not leave Pune with out eating there again, this is sure.

Omaha is now outside playing cricket with Yashehe and tomorrow is Gurupoodma a sacred day for the Guru`s we have sweets to give and there is much preperation for the event on Friday.

Salutaions from India

Day 14 again

As it would happen the finest part of our day was after I blogged so I will continue with day 14 and come to 15 and 16 tomorrow.

We had some spare time in the afternoon so I decided I would get the blog done since the phone booth I call the doctor from was closed. As I was writing Omaha sat with two gentlemen and began chatting away. I heard Lady GaGa any number of times.

I finished up and joined the conversation. We spent the rest of the afternoon discussing the similarities and differences of our countries. We will be spending Wednesday together. I am so pleased how easy it is to make friends with the locals of Pune and how willing they are to take you under their wing and show you their city and country. One must voyage to a nation in order to understand it's inhabitants we can only get so much of their nature and quality when out of their home.

We went back home and the phone booth was still closed. Dilemma- I knew our dear friend was waiting for us but we do not have a phone and I was unsure of what to do. Finally Omaha decided to ask our land lord if we could borrow his phone to call our good doctor.

True to India we got a hold of him, carried on a long and loud conversation all while he was driving his motor to work for the night shift at the hospital. We decided to meet for tea there in a half hour. We had several difficulties hailing a rickshaw and  managed one on the 3rd try, who ran into the one that had rejected us. He was going home to his wife so all was forgiven. But as we ran through the street dodging traffic and people and looking for an open richshaw I felt so natural. I could become Indian with so little difficulty. I felt completely in my element holding Omaha's hand as she spoke and I lead that I looked at her and said "Omaha we have been here 2 weeks and it is our home".

We entered the hospital and went for the canteen where we were to meet our doctor. We walked around the back to the canteen, it is situated outside, we are in India- and our view was of about 60 motors. Next tea I bring my camera. The tea was very good gingery.

Our doctor and came. And we began our tea and chat. He is contemplating big change in his life and weighing options. He will be marrying in January at the latest and this of course gives him cause for concern over implementing big risks. I was able to speak very briefly with his fiance, she has a beautiful voice and I am certain looks and personality to match. In India one is supposed to be established in their career by 30 at the latest. I have an idea he is roughly at that point and wants to be settled by 40.

I could only council on my experience and since he is still in duality I told him he must wait, the choice needs to be firm so there is no regret and failure not an option. He won't fail in what ever he does and I would put money on the fact that my next visit to Pune finds he and his wife rooted in their own business with prosperity.

I had to be to class this morning with Prashant by 7am so we closed our conversation for the evening and got a rickshaw home. The local rate for a trip to Ratna Memorial is 20 rupee's, the driver gave me change from a 100 of 70 I said you charged me 30 and he laughed and said this is right, I said I know that the local rate is 20 and that was unkind, he did a regretful head juggle and I got out of the rickshaw but as I dismounted I found 10 rupee's on the floor. How is that for karma?

Day 14

Prashant today was the first class with him.Wow. I did not have coffee this morning thinking I would be brave and go to 7 am class natural. Tomorrow I will simply be couragous and go to class but have my coffee first.
Prashants theme was the ruler. Let the spine be ruler and govern the body, then the next time let the the spine be aggressed and the people rule so that the spine can understand it's nation. We held the poses and repeated many times.
In considering this theme don't we all have to go through training. If we want to be an ambassador for our selves, others and in life should we not fisrt try to rule by the body, for the body and of the body and then let it delver the complaints so that we can learn to rule with juste cause?
Otherwise are not we not just waiting for calamity?

Day 13

I wake at 5:57 ritually. The birds are the only ones up before me but within a half hour I begin to smell sage as people rinse the houses and hear the monkey brooms sweeping the streets. Pune slowly arises and I watch it.

We had a quiet day of Ayurveda treatments, way to much sweets and now we are at the hotel where I write and check my email with Omaha and her friend Mohini. Yashesh was up to the apartment as well, he is the 7 year old boy down stairs. The kids were having a great time but it was getting awfully noisy and confined so after 2 hours we came here.

I have been thinking about something the Dr said during our tea. He had asked if I had anyone in my life and then explained himself about the context with which and why he asked. He explained that we all need companionship, we can not tell our friends everything our families can be distant and we need someone intimate to us with whom we can share our essence. I liked that idea. But no I have no one, not that I don't want, on the contrary I do but first it is meeting this person and I alas have not, and I have less need of being with the wrong person than I do in waiting for the right. So I am not actively looking but I am actively waiting and until then I shall enjoy my time where ever it is placed.

I have become enamoured of  the fashion in which Indians use language, it is evidently colonized by the British but their personality and bhakti courses through their communication. Every word is pertinent and appropriated with care. They say what they mean and choose their words well in order to have it be understood. And it is peacful, Indians do not look to harm, there are people that do, but they are another entity. Indians as a whole are careful and observant this sure as they never wear helmets, they walk through the streets where ever, dogs do and I have yet to hear an aggressive word hollered or even muttered. They are watching so they move around the dog, person, rickshaw or motor it is of no concern and none to be come agitated over. They are unaggressive in this sense. They are strong I would even say mighty but unaggressive and engaging on all levels.

Day 11 and 12

The Mark Twain passage still has my head in compromise- Does everything have a mission and a purpose?

Yesterday we began our day getting mail sent to our friends in North America. We wrote our cards and went to the post to mail them. They needed to be sealed so I asked how it was to be done. I got the familiar head jiggle and and a nod to the far corner. I went to the table to install myself and found in an old cut water bottle glue and a stick to apply. I did my application and then attended to the drying.

We then carried out the call to the doctor and made our appointment for 8 pm after class. Class ended up being 2 and half hours and taped so we were late but he seemed not to notice.

Geeta taught about knee pain and the 2 hours was all different knee action. It was filmed as she is not sure as of yet if she will retire and just in case she wanted to be sure that we are doing the right thing. The theme was dukha and sukha. Omaha was a marvel and sat through the entire class. Todays with Abbhi as well.

After class we grabbed a rickshaw argued with one driver who wanted to much and went to another who was just right. He took us to the good Doctor where we had a lovely tea and spoke of many things. Politics, human relations, India verses, North America and in all reality we are not so different. We all do the same things and remark on them with other equations that suit our traditions. Abuse is all over and honesty is still abundant it just depends on if you are drinking the drink or if it is drinking you as the good doctor says.

We made plans to see one another the next day and went home for the night.

So now today (12). Omaha and I went to class this morning then called our good Doctor to meet later this day. We made arrangements to meet at the post at 3:30 and speak with his friends the Ayruvedic doctors whom practice one of Patanjali's creations. The docotor's came at the appointed hour and off we went on scooters with out helmets, true Indian style, to our cafe up and around the corner. I have been dying to get on a scooter since we entered India. And Omaha did very well.

At our ritual cafe I was indoctrinated, modestly albeit to Ayurveda, so now my dear pupils of The Little Yoga Room I will be able to consult not one but 3 doctors of India, one of modern medicine and 2 of Ayurveda to help us further our journey to thy self.

So does everything have a mission and a purpose? Did that sunburn come not only to heal the tension of control I felt for this trip and the people on it but also to meet the good Doctor Sawant to become not only a healer and hopeful tour guide through out our time in Pune but also to become a colleague and most revered friend.

Again I must say God Bless India as nothing has had so many rich experiences so far from home and yet so closely laid.

Day 11

Everyday going to the Institute I walk over a "construction site" of sorts. It seems that they are building a bridge. There is always something being done as before anything Indians are looking for work. They work to live and live where they work. Literally setting up house, in someones garage they serve, placing tin siding and roofing in a place mere feet from the construction site and the entire family lives there as it is in this case. So I have come to recognize this family as they have me. The small head jiggle exchanged with a soft smile reflecting the caste system.

I wonder between the two who is more obvious, the white girl with her daughter or the poor family living in a tin hut smiling every time she passes.

The children are there during the work and never wear underwear or diapers as the case may be, who could afford them and further more where would they end up? On the street used and more dirty than the simple receptacle the street can be and is used as. I can see where polio is still in tact here.

But in the face of all this I do not consider India nor Indians to be dirty, unclean or non hygienic. They are products of their environment. and in the face of it considerably hygienic. They are given very little and with what they are given they do exceedingly well.

A ditch needs to be dug there is someone to dig it, with a suggestion of a shovel and a stiff upper lip and use of their hands. They set their home up in order to do this task and then there is food that needs to be made and so they must ask first for the food then find the utensils to cook it. This again they do. Engineers every one of them with out the education to establish the due course of respect for their efforts.

It is a different standard here in India, the house is dusty because the pollution is awful, the pollution is awful because the funds are placed elsewhere, I dare not say anything I know nothing about but it seems to me there is enough people and living space in India to house all with comfort, there is just some reason that it does not. It is an economic impoverishment that lands heavy on the people to pay for it.

But as I say I do not see them as less nor question their ideology, I think if given North America and the "civility" we live in, it would be questioned with reason, as our complications are the reason they are still digging ditches with their bare hands and living in tents outside these ditches.

It is time to reconsider what we justify as needed in place of what we really need and why we think it is okay for others to pay the price of our needs and judge them after for the consequences we turn a blind eye to.

There are no garbage cans on the streets in India so of course the street becomes the can, does this mean the people are at fault? How should they approach living then?

Day 9

I had David Goffard stay with me during the exam and we had a whole cinema going on about teaching the pose where BKS is on his head, not in Sirsasana but his head in a reverse Tadasana. Well don`t you know we could not find the photo any where and decided that we must have made it up.

Well my friend things come full circle. I was in the store today to buy some books and the book master whom is a complete delight said you must take this one for this one reason and showed me the photo we had been searching for. AMEN thank the good Lord for Good Indians and their moments of inspiration. He told me that if I could do this pose he would give me 100001 rs. Well I just might try.

Today was a great class Abbhey taught, while BKS interjected. I was in the period corner so I did not profit as much as I would like but will be back in the game tomorrow. Her theme was a friend in need is a friend indeed.

Emma and Jessyca have gotten their tickets for Goa. Omaha has a friend that we will dine with on Sunday I can`t wait and then he is taking us to Lakshmi Road for the market, this time at night, again thank the good Lord for small mercies.

Tonight we go out to celebrate my birthday when the girls come back from class.

Everything is falling into place as it should and I am regretting having not made it a 2 month stay but there is always 2012 and Omaha has requested 5 months so I will begin looking into schools.

Much love from Pune to all of you 

Day 8

First I want to apologize because I know for the few of my readers that you will note these blogs have been rushed. I am bulking them up and I too am dissatisfied with this tactic so I will now do a day by day or best as possible, in order that you also gain from this experience, all it is bringing. Also the spelling errors if I don`t catch them they are there for good as I am writing from a French computer.

Today my face is just about regular size and closer now than it was this morning. If you have never seen photo sensitivity I can assure you it is painful, it is painful to see, it painful to have. And both girls said to me today I am so happy to see your eyes again.

Emma and I took Omaha to a film today so that Jessyca could stay home and write. Before we left we passed by the neighborhood phone so I could call my good doctor and tell him I was fine and he had given me my face back for my birthday. He was thrilled that I called and answered the phone "hi Kara how are you today", he added that he did not hear back from me yesterday and so he called his friend and knew I had been there to see him and was hoping to hear from me again.

He is calling me the day after tomorrow at 9:30 am to tell me what time he passing by to bring me a gift for my birthday. How is that for follow up. And believe me I looked bad, he will probably bring me a burkha, which would be practical.

As I said we went to the cinema today and before the film they do the National Anthem and everyone stands. It was quite touching. And by the way I can recommend Transformers, we stayed for about 10 minutes watching before we were informed we were in the wrong the theatre. They new this as in India you are assigned seats and we were sitting in someone elses. What a laugh, what a country, again the engineering of living with a billion Incredible India is right.

Day 7

True my nature and longing of experience the allergy came to a head and I was forced to go to the hospital. I woke Emma 7 am and said we better go. With out a second word she was out of bed getting dressed and at the door.

We tried to avoid this experience since we all have ideas of an Indian hospital. I can tell you they are wrong, we were both super happy to have had the experience even if for poor reasons.

When we got to the hospital the oh so fine doctor looked at Omaha (who would not stay home with Jessyca as she wanted to be with me, little love)  and said, ``What has happened`` I said were are for me. He told me to go lye down and he would come, there was no wait, the place was clean. He came over I told him what it was he assessed the situation and said I am giving an injection of cortisone and an anti allergen. Great just what I get in Montreal, good news. He took Emma to the counter, the nurse came with 2 viles and a needle with a tube. I said ``òh you are taking blood`` she did not answer and I explained to Omaha it is common practice to diagnose an allergy.

The nurse did her job and told me to fold my arm to keep the cotton in. No sooner did I fold my arm and through out my entire body came a burning sensation first at my pubis, then down my legs to my toes and up my trunk around my brain. She had done and injection straight into my blood stream. I know understand heroin addiction. HOLY SHIT. Immediately the redness was gone, the swelling was down. But Omaha turned white as a sheet because when I folded my arm and began feeling the injection true fear came over me and I said ``What the fuck did you just put in me`` I really had to fight to stay conscious and this frightened her even though it was quickly abated and I was fine. The doctor gave his cel phone and told me to go home and rest, call him later to let him know how I was. The whole thing took less than an hour. Jessyca thought we got lost and came home it was so quick. God Bless India.

The girls took Omaha to their consultations with the Ayurveda doctor so that I could rest. After 5 hours the swelling increased so I called him and he sent me to his other friend who is a skin specialist telling me to call him back and let him know, and off I went.

This doctor gave me prescriptions and I came home. It was a day of huge physical discomfort but emotional release. It is funny how fate has a way of teaching us all we need and the girls were there for me and Omaha in a way I would have never asked them to be had it not been necessitated and insisted upon them. They did it with grace, they did it with honesty and good will. I could not ask for better companions here for us.

The muck is getting out early enough so we can all be a team on this trip and everyone is included and that is another blessing only this trip could provide.

Day 6

I have photo sensitivity. It began 3 years ago.

I am a Pitta and I have a tendency to take to much on that really has nothing to with anything.

We are four here. Omaha, Emma, Jessyca and myself. It takes some getting used to, being 4 when you are used to 2. I have been worrying that I am asking to much with Omaha, that we wake up to early blah, blah blah. We decided to go to the market and against my better judgment I did not bring my hat.

Yes I got sun poisoning.

Emma kindly gave me her appointment with the Ayurvedic Doctor she had and I went for the consultation. Fascinating concept this medicine and developed by none other than Pantanjali the creator of Yoga and Sanskrit the language.

I have discovered many things about myself being absorbed in another culture such as I have been and I like the finding as I realize that nothing is fixed, everything can change and should. Just as the world rotates it also revolves these are constants but they create change, seasonal, time and emotion. And so I must go further and discover why I hold and allergy and an eczema that my body has become accustomed to in  it`s discomfort.

I will continue to see this Dr. every Sunday after Omaha`s class and I will continue to learn all the meaning of all the malaise swimming inside of me so that they can find a new home and I can be better today than yesterday and become more for tomorrow.

Day 5

I had Abbhey this morning for class, it was the Saturday woman`s class. BKS was in his practice place and calling out cues the entire class. Abbhey is a marvel in so many ways and I could never understand the  the pressure of having someone disturbing your rhythm every 2 minutes or less, even if that someone is BKS. She has the patience and devotion to continue, using all her skill and his direction with humility and precision.

There were many examples of the skin and usage of leaves to display- there was also the analogy of the picture and the frame. The picture needs to move to the frame not frame to the picture. The body must expand to the skin not the other way around. She was is a marvel. With command, laughter and humility.

We then went to the market and went crazy buying gifts and having the market experience. I am so comfortable in India with all it`s differences it seems more appropriate.

The way they drive, walk, live, interact. They have no control issues because there is nothing they can do to take control, what is not theirs to control, already this gives a huge amount of relief. I see where all the chronic problems of North America come from because we try to control everything and it will make you sick and has made us so.

Driving in a rickshaw is amazing. They are masters of space because it is limited and needs to be used. They are each and everyone of them an engineer in their own right, it is never a question, argument, or challenge they make room for everyone and take no insult at having to.

I imagine if we had that many people in one space coming from nations such as America and Europe the transactions would be done with a different attitude and everyone feeling insulted over having to make the concession there would most likely be blood drawn, we could learn much from those with less.

In fact I think our consideration of their less in this case is really more.

Day 4

My first class at the Institute. Ema and Jessyca had had their class that morning. Mine was at 6pm. I left at 5:30 and made my way. I spoke to Pandu finished my transaction with him and got in line for class I was hoping the rumour I had heard was correct and it would be Geeta. When we were able to enter, we were told what to get and be placed. Warned about what was not to happen and settled in for Geeta's first class back form South Africa and a long respite from India.

Geeta walked in after a short time. She has lost much weight and seems in lighter spirits. We began in sukhasana with invocations. Geeta stayed at her place on the platform and taught from there seated. Geeta never leaves her place and yet she is engaged in every part of the room she is not lost simply because she is in active, her actions are clear and she still see`s everyone keeping 5 on the platform with her to show what she needs shown.

The class was brilliant and the experience a privillage.

Day 3

We made our way to the insitute to inscribe in our classes. As we were looking around for the place to do this a woman said that we could go to the stairs and watch Prashants class, this we did until we were all summoned to exit the building.

Following the crowd with jiggeling heads and rapid chatter we went outside where there was a woman speaking to the crowd. Geeta's sister.

Then Geeta came out.

After about 10 minutes of repremands about  Chippas it was translated that somones shoes had been stolen and Geeta was very angry that this should happen when we have come to take yoga classes. We were told to get our shoes off the rack put them on. I of course had Omaha with me so I got two pair of shoes and was busted `` How am I supposed to know who`s shoes are taken if you two pairs miss`` I could not understand so I just looked at her and the man who gards the shoes told her there was a child behind the car putting them on ``This okay then`` with her hand wave so consistant of Indian gestures and Geeta particularly.

The first class emptied and came to reclaim their shoes, we were then told to place our shoes on the top rack. We did as told and went to sit on the bench to watch for Panadu to inscribe. ``Where is BKS`` askes Omaha, a door opened and through it walked BKS to enter the insistute where he greets people.

How very auspicious. He laughed as I told him that Omaha has waited her whole 7 years for this meeting and Ema was striken to silence by his presence. It was totally different seeing he and Geeta in their environment verses ours. Especially since now I have had a few days to familiarize myself with their customs or habits as the case may be.

After a huge fiasco with hotels and our apartment opening and Jessyca playing an unfortunate game of email chase we all found our way to the same place Jessyca last with a guide at 10 pm. All together now the experience can begin.

Day 2

On to Pune-

By 7:30 am we were out looking for coffee, which we found at Leopold`s, a place to change money and quick interntet access. They guys there told us all we needed to know to get to Pune like real Indians and we went their way.

The drive was through mountains and valleys, over the Indian Ocean and baboons climbing around. The bus pulled into a Fast food stop for a pause and we ate the best simosa`s ever there.

We reboarded the bus and continued on to Pune. The traffic slowed for a moment and I looked out the window to see what happened. In the middle of the highway were 2 men, breaking the road to fix a whole. There were no lights of warning, there were no slow down signs and there was no cursing from the drivers and the men seemed unaware of the traffic, they were not going to get hit. The trust in ones neighbor is amazing.

In the states we have signs for miles to warn of men at work and here they just move around them no probelm, no stress, no judgement. Why do we need all those signs, why do we need to control every action of our children, why do we always need to yell at our neighbor. From what I see here these people live a thousand times better than we do. Perhaps they have no shoes and beg and are dirty but they have someting we have long forsaken and that is community and allowing everyone to be a part of it with out inconvinence.

We arrived in Pune and it is taking more time for me to adapt here. The people altough in a better position are less friendly and always say I don`t know when you ask them for the hotel that ofcourse you are still looking for. We found it due to some helpful young male students God Bless them. And tomorrow I will tell the tale of the A,B,C plan for poor Jessyca meeting us in Pune from Kerala and Omaha beckoning BKS after Geeta blasted us all for stolen shoes.

But for now good night, good day and Salutations from India.

Day 1

Welcome to Bombay- Bring it home and in your face.

They say there is a head count of 18 million in Bombay. I would guess this speculative count is estimated low and there would never be any way of truly knowing.

We landed and got a cab to take us to our hotel which is named Hotel Broadway. We got a friendly head jiggle and yes I know where it is, or so we thought.

To get to Bombay from the airport takes an hour, to get to your hotel from Bombay takes 2 more and practically the entire other 17 million living with your cab driver in the city. At one point our driver on his 6th or 7th attempt took Ema`s diary with the address and began showing it around to the crowd who had gathered to help find this illusive hotel. Seeing them all chatting away hands flying with Ema`s diary did have us laughing only we were to jet lagged at this point to really enjoy it as well as we should have. Finally we found the Hotel and I am certain we spent those 2 hours passing it 100 times.

Indian`s are fascinating people, they have always had a large population and they seem completely unphased by what would cause war in a country like the US or any of of western cultures. Indian`s drive with no stress, people are crossing the street in a manner that seems hap hazard but is not at all, drivers pass all over the road and there is a constant sharp honk happening, yet the honk is never aggressive, it is friendly it says, I am here, go ahead, look behind you, you go, or I am going. They communicate they do not offend, they are peaceful although the city could easily be misinterpreted for aggressive the nature is gentle. There are few (I saw none) accidents because every single Indian in Bombay is considering his 17 other million neighbors that he has never been without.

We went to Leopolds for dinner, the restaurant in Shantaram that began it all and had our first meal.

Bombay rests roughly at midnight until 7am when slowly it begins it`s new day. We of course woke at 5am  and had the last of the Johnny Walker and sunflower seeds from the plane and tried to go back to sleep.

Bombay has a spirit, the people may be poor, the children may run in the streets, the traffic swerving around them with out a single regard or curse because Bombay has become the population that it has, the city nor the people could exist separately and it is a city I could adapt to in the beat of the heart that holds it.