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Published: January 27th 2011
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Spent a week in Varkala, cliffs, light and black sand beaches, dolphins, fishermen, Europeans, Nepalese, Tibetans, Indians, Aussie's, few Americans. Dreamt seveal nights about swimming with the dolphins. Had amazing fish and tiger prawns. Coffee is mostly instant here, yet managed to find a 1/2 decaf 1/2 reg americano w/soy...was found out as an American😊 Being on the beach felt like an extension of my rejuvenation process from the panchkarma at the clinic I had come from, was so relaxing and awakening as well. Had a few marriage proposals...the Indian men are enammoured with foreign women, WOW! Met some of my greatest friends shopping, these children, pre-teen, work all day with thier families selling their goods, but how much can one carry on their back.
I stayed in 2 places, the second was back a bit from the ocean with a view. I was invited by the owner, after casually mentioning to a swiss gal I was looking for different accommodation. He brought me to see a room and it was a very bright yellow. In appreciation for showing me, I declined, because I had a yellow bedroom once and could not sleep, had to change the color right away! He
asked which color would be nice, looking at the drapes I said..."silver blue". The next day he had the room painted, I tried to refuse to no avail.
I slept very well in that room for 5 nights. The other monumental thing, which may seem trivial to most is I purchased a cell phone I do not have one at home, to stay connected with those I will be visiting in Mumbai, Delhi and Rishikesh.
Practiced yoga with an Indian Sivananda instructor, did several headstands on a roof top Without a wall!!! A first since I was child, also practiced on the grass and had a sweet dog come lay with me, and of course...on the beach...the best place😊
Awoke yesterday morning intending to do yoga on the Black sand Varkala shore, the ocean called to me instead, so my neighbor bud and I headed for a swim at 630 am. It was glorious, peaceful, no dolphins in sight yet could sense mermaids around the fishermen boats.
Rode in a taxi, past Kopal beach to Kollam, took a water ferry/taxi to my first homestay on the tip a peninsula. Was a little disapointed though as the family lives in Boston.
Went on a tour of Kollam for almost 5 hours with a renowned rickshaw driver. Saw matchsticks being made, coconut rope weaved, an elephant being watered, then again at night in a parade/festival, tasted raw tumeric, visited a home for the dying, a lighthouse with a remarkable view, fishermen boats and village, children playing, men sitting in circles playing cards, locals fully clothed on the beach, fish market, the city center. Felt like a hollywood star, with locals running up to me to ask me my name and shake my hand, had an invite to go home with a family of girls, their Mom and Aunt, and an invite to be taken around on a scooter by a guy around my age...kept on with my tour. Retired my first pair of flip flops, bought fresh cashews and dry roasted chickpeas, carrot-pineapple-orange fresh juice. Had dinner at a local vegitarian place, spinach...spicy! Dahl and oily rice with bits of veg, tasted very good, yet my stomach was not ready for that😊
The homestay manager gave me a ride back on a scooter.
Today I am going to Amma's (hugging Guru) Ashram. At the restaurant the night before I sat next to
a man and his wife. He had lived at the ashram for a while, he called in to Amma's will be back Feb 2...I will miss her, for now😞
I can't forget, one of the highlights, if not the highlight of my tour, was going to a Mother Theresa's home for the dying. It is run by Nun's, rooms with several beds/cots, and an open court yard. The sweet Nun took me around to see and meet the staff and sweet, lovely patients. They were very well taken care of, very few seemed immanently dying. the place had such a peaceful feeling, it filled me up and satiated my need to be amongst the dying, and caring for now.
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lowcostkochi
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Beautiful
Beautiful pictures of kerala