Last day at Surin Beach

Monday January 9, 2016

My new bikini, swim shoes and swim suit for my iPhone. Finally a sunny day!
The 2 days of rain are Over!!

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Our afternoon stroll in Phuket, Thailand took us past a tattoo parlor and I bought a beach towel. Then we stopped for a fresh juice and settled down for dinner in a funky place right out of GilIigan’s Island. Coconut soup and Pad Thai noodle. On our walk back to our pad we stopped at the beach to watch the sunset. Yipee

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Allynn’s 2-cents for the day:
This morning we went out early to the beach (a 5-minute walk).  There’s a break in the rains that’s been going on for the past 2 days.  We were among the first to hit the water.  I wanted to try our new waterproof bags for the iPhones so we wouldn’t have surprises in the next days when we take a 5-day boat excursion for snorkeling.
The waters were more wavy than I felt comfortable with, but we went in near the rocky side of this cove (because that’s where the fish are).  The waves did what I was hoping they wouldn’t and we got banged up a bit against the rocks.
Just some scratches, bruises, and very minor cuts.  Tomorrow morning we’ll see if these little pains are history.  (the good news… the iPhones are fine… the bags work).  In the the late afternoon we have a 2 hr drive to our pier.
I spent a good part of the day booking our hotel (where we can kayak in a creek to watch elephants) the night the boat excursion is done, arranging for a 4-day excursion on an almost desert island for the next 4 nights, then a flight and hotel up north in Chiang Mai.   I feel like a travel agent on the move.
Along the roads I kept seeing beer in bottles with signs “Gas for sale”.  While walking a couple blocks from our hotel today I got a closer look.  These beer bottles are filled with Gasoline…. and there’s a funnel to help pour the gas into your motor cycle or car.  That was a surprise.

Another Rainy Day in Paradise

Sunday, January 8, 2017
After shopping yesterday for our upcoming snorkel trip, I wanted to rehearse my new water shoes and water shirt so we took an early swim in the sea and snorkeled by the rocks. What a great way to start our day here in Paradise! Because it was raining we had the beach pretty much to ourselves. I love my new water shoes and the shirt is protection against the sun . It felt pretty good too. We went via taxi to a huge shopping mall a half hour away yesterday- a cultural surprise – the same shops we have at home and the same prices too.
Sunday- I hear about the snow at home – I feel so grateful to be in this
tropical land. After a very leisurely brunch I did yoga and a drawing. It continued to rain all day but it was so relaxing to just hang out in our hotel room and to hear the rain on the roof. About 5:00 I stepped out next door and relished in receiving a Thai massage  followed by a Thai dinner with Allynn. Not a bad day in Paradise.
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Rainy Day – seen by Annie

January 7, 2017
A rainy day in Phuket We drove in a taxi to a shopping mall to purchase some provisions for our 5-day up-coming snorkeling trip. I wore my boots, rain pants, and rain jacket. I came prepared for rain and I was glad to have a chance to try all this stuff on . Once in the store I felt like an over- stuffed panda bear but when we came out it was still raining and I was glad to have it all on.  Traveling can be so complicated but it has it’s really fun moments. I just wonder how my body will adapt to a diet of Pad Thai Noodles! It’s my fave and they have it everywhere here- also the coconut soup. What a travel perk!  My husband keeps me laughing and it’s a good thing we get along well because we are glued together at the hip.
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My first Thai massage in Thailand

Bangkok Tuesday  Jan 4 2017

Thai massage:

We spent hours at Starbucks trying to book a flight to Phuket for the next day.  So I watched my yoga time disappear as I drank my coffee, did a drawing and tried to stretch across the chairs. I was going shortly to my appointment for a Thai massage and I didn’t want to go there feeling stiff as a board. I was thinking about when you hire a cleaning person but you tidy up first.

We arrived at the prettiest massage place that first caught my attention. I checked the price- $14 for an hour and I knew that some places give you 2 hours for that price but one hour seemed like I wouldn’t be taking up the whole day.  I was ushered into the inner sanctum after I replaced my shoes with slippers, downed my tea and cleaned my hands with the wet towel. The floor was shiny white marble and very slippery. And then up the dark wood stairs, I was doing my best not to fall over!  My massage lady ushered me to an open curtain and I saw my lovely compartment with a white cushioned mat surrounded by elegant drapery and a tiny wooden table holding a dimly lit lamp. On the wall at the back was a locker door with a key ? where I stowed my fanny pack. 

There was a pair of Thai pajamas for me to put on but I came wearing my own leotard and tights- I wasn’t sure what I should wear but I felt very comfortable in my outfit. First things first I asked where the tinkle room was and made my way there, again trying not to fall down another set of slippery wooden stairs! Finally the Thai massage began. The woman wore a face mask and those Thai pajamas in a green color. I wondered if she had a cold or was she afraid that I had cooties?

It is all about stretching and the massage begins with the legs and feet then moves up to the inner thigh and hips. My hips are not my strong point – they are tight and what she was doing was painful and awkward feeling. Even tho I do yoga daily I still have a lot of tightness and I wondered for 2 seconds if this Thai massage might help?

A big part of this trip is my intent to get a lot of Thai massage, thinking it might be the answer to loosen up my hips. Also I have some arthritis in one hip and I’m hoping for a magic cure for the inflammation. I catch a few glimpses as the lady works on me. I studied Thai massage 10 years ago as part of my massage certification and the cool thing is that the therapist uses her whole body in the process, sort of crawling over my body and using her body as a lever.  The whole thing is a push me-pull you kind of thing.  Our plan is to go to Chaing Mai in 2 weeks to study Thai massage.  Now I’m thinking this may not be realistic.  Hummm,  maybe it is a young persons occupation?  Hummm …

The hour comes to an end and the lady brings more tea. I am left by myself to get dressed and find my way out of there.  She appears as my guide, pointing me in the right direction and daylight floods my eyes and I see new clients arriving. It’s like being on a tred mill and I am swept out the door. I am left with no particular feeling after the massage, except “Where’s lunch?”  The one time I hired someone years ago to come to my home for a Thai massage, which cost $100, I felt incredible afterwards, kind of like a Happy drug high!!!  Maybe I need the two hour massage to get that feeling.

Wrapping up India (from Annie)

Rikisesh is a marvelous wonderland to get lost in. Allynn and I are enjoying ashram life here and I could imagine staying here for a long time. Tho soon the summer will bring very hot weather. We are leaving this amazing country a week from today. Last week we absolutely adored taking all the wonderful yoga classes at the Yoga Festival here. We were both captivated by the Reiki classes. So now we know a bit about hands on healing. I adore Gurmuchk’s Kundalini classes, Jivamukti’s, and the basic Hatha yoga classes. This week we are delving into the intense and secret world of Kriya yoga- which is not written down in a book – only transmitted by teacher to student. I am most amazed that Allynn is taking this 12 day course with me! I found a tough Ashtanga class, taught by a young Ashtanga master on steroids. Lots of fun- reviewing my Mysore experience. I am so grateful neither one of has been really sick here and all in all it has been a trip of a life time. I am only sorry I didn’t come to this world sooner. We are returning to Delhi for a few days- Allynn has a show there and home next Tuesday! Love to You All!

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Rajhastan Puppet Colony Feb 15

One night at our hotel, we were pleasantly surprised to see a puppet show was about to begin!  It was twi-light time, and their colorful tent was set up on the lawn of the courtyard.  The drummer started  and a variety of  traditional Rajhastani puppets danced into our hearts. Afterwards we chatted with the 2 performers and we planned a get together at their puppet colony for today, Sunday.  What a time we had. Not at all what we were expecting. It was a slum- no other way to say it. And it was extremely distressing to see the squalor these lovely people are living in. We traversed narrow alleyways and up some steep stairs to the school- one small room with one shelf on the wall . It was music class time and the teacher was playing a harmonium and every body was happily joining in with the music- clapping and singing.
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FullSizeRender 2 FullSizeRender 3 FullSizeRender 4 FullSizeRender 5 FullSizeRender 6Eventually I donned my blue frog head and gloves and then Allynn did a few balloons. Then we went to a puppet storage room and bought 2 puppets. We were given a tour thru the alleyways as my heart was absolutely breaking.  We saw a room full of wood chips and pieces of mango wood where 3 men were carving puppet heads.  It was such an oppressive sight and I had a difficult time wrapping my brain around it. One mother, sitting in her little hovel, was sewing puppet pieces. And her half dressed baby was shocked and frightened when he saw me. I suppose he’d never seen a white person before! And I must have looked like a ghost to him. It was such a poignant moment and I think the photos I took will say more than I can put into words.

On the way to Jaipur  Feb 13

After our safari yesterday, we returned to our room and spent the whole day there, napping. Allynn spent most of the day in the bathroom and I went to the hotel reception and asked about a doctor. I was feeling exhausted after the day before  but I did fit in some retail therapy at the gift shop. They make things to order so I browsed thru the fabrics and had a top and a vest made. By 8:30 they were done, and lovely. By 9:00 I was in bed, and the doctor arrived to our room, with 2 other guys. Checked out Al and he prescribed 3 medications that were delivered to our room an hour later – all for $30.00.
Driving now to Jaipur. A long drive. We are doing well now with the stomach thing tho now I have it too.  We’ve stopped a few times so Al could make balloons and I could take pictures.6 5 42

There are no rest stops in India. We’ve been sitting in this damn car for 4 hours without a break. We are going thru desert now- dry – all farmers here with goats, water buffalo, cows  and a few pigs.

IMG_40698The women are wearing colorful scarves- often covering their faces of very bright colors- bright golden yellow, bright orange and red.  The air conditioning in this car is dismally inefficient.  Later.  We have arrived at the pink city. But it’s not pink and so far, it all reminds me of Canal Street.  The hotel is funky bohemian. Quite a comedown  from the last few nights, where. I felt like a princess.  I am very excited to go to the block printing museum where I can purchase block printed bed spreads- hoping- or maybe I’ll find better prices at a street market. There is also an art museum- – I am sure it features miniature paintings  which I adore.  Tomorrow we’re going to the fort- I’ve seen several- a bit forted out. Later- our driver took us to a beautiful Vishnu temple, high up, over Jaipur. It was so refreshing to see marble carving.

Delhi more shit?  Feb 10

FullSizeRender 2 FullSizeRender 5 FullSizeRender 6 FullSizeRender 7 FullSizeRender 8 FullSizeRender   I will call it poo- so sick of that word shit- but it still dominates the scene here. Allynn was really sick last night- vomiting and the other stuff. And our friend Sharon said that we needed to collect a specimen and get it to the lab. Yikes I thought! She said you gotta know if it is a parasite
or an ameba. You can treat it right away if it is. And, before you leave India, you should check too, cause they can’t check for this in the States.  So we left the hotel about 7:30 am with a sample ( Sharon had given us a bottle)  and we walked a while – skirting traffic, over train tracks where folks live in shacks  and soon found the lab. $2.00 fee and walked back. They sent results via e mail- all clear. Packing day and we had another adventure getting a box sent home via the post office.  The hotel has a shuttle service which we were able to make use of . They drove us to the P.O. and there are guys outside who will- for a fee- wrap up your box. The bizarre thing is that it must be sewn by hand ; enclosed in Fabric!  And a guy did it for us- took him about 20 minutes. He sewed it with string- a loosely woven cloth. And we went inside the P.O. and they took it and that was that.$125.00 -will take a month.  Tomorrow we have an early pick up-7:30- to go see the Taj Mahal – Hurray!  And then onto Rajhastan. Namaste and good night- love Annie

Delhi scenes on Sunday Feb.8

Driving today we are both tired from our adventures at the Red Fort yesterday but we are on our way anyway to a fun filled day! I will look for tangerines and cookies along the way and Definitely have a chai tea break somewhere .sitting in traffic now- a sunny warm day – we just passed the place where Obama spoke recently- in January.
As we came to a red light a child was at the window of our car, tossing a sticky spider man toy on the glass – I bought one (20 cents) so sad to see children like this!
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2 hrs later- we had a blast!  Went to a tall monument that was a great courtyard  for picture taking . A very tender experience- There were so many nicely dressed women and children.  I wanted  their photos and they wanted mine – and Allynn’s.  We spent the whole time posing for photos and we were Happy to do it! I think that they so seldom see people with light skin and light hair – and of course Allynn is wearing that cute hat- it makes us feel like celebrities! As soon as we pose with one person, then others want to pose with us too. And then I feel comfortable asking them to pose for me and it is a truly wonderful feeling of connecting and of appreciating each other.  When I was taking photos of little children, Allynn made simple balloons to give them. This worked very well for about 45 minutes, until a guard appeared and said the balloons were not allowed at a national monument. He was very pleasant about it and by then we’d had enough of it all anyway. So we returned to our hotel. Allynn is ill tonight. I think it’s food poisoning. Poor Dear!  Hope he is better in the morning. Nitey nite Annie

The Red Fort, Feb. 7

A pleasant adventure to the Red Fort in Delhi turned out to be a magical experience. I had no idea what the Red Fort was all about. I just knew it was a massive stone wall that went for miles around. And I thought it was so huge, it would be an exhausting ordeal to even visit! But fortunately I was totally wrong and we were in for a real treat. It is, of course, an ancient war fort, built to protect the capital of India – Delhi.
FullSizeRender 4And the history of Delhi reads like an adventure novel with tons of dreary battles and blood baths. Quite the tourist attraction, we waited in a long line and I marveled at the Indian fashions! I have been feeling in a let down mood after leaving Mysore, and I felt my spirits pick up as I started seeing the exotic display of humanity around me. Quite often Allynn and I are asked to pose with the Indian folk for photos and we are more than delighted to do so! So today I got brave and asked many people if I could take their photos. Usually people are willing to accommodate us and sometimes it begins a pleasant conversation.

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As we entered the Fort I was pleasantly surprised to see a shopping bazaar! Retail Therapy time! And then we strolled thru the spectacular interior garden and palace complex that I had no idea that it existed. Inside the massive stone walls is a virtual city that is designed to be a garden of paradise! Who would have thought? I am really beginning to admire this city of Delhi! And – much of the Fort was destroyed by the British Army. So what you see now is only a small part of what was there before. Amazing -This was a really special day for us and we topped it off with an incredibly delicious Indian dinner. I wish all of You could have been with us today. You too might have loved the shopping as much as I and I know you would have loved the dinner. I know Allynn really appreciated it because for the past 3 nights our dinner here at the hotel has been a tangerine! – one of the staples here. Funny what you do when you don’t have a kitchen. Love to you all and Hugs. Good Night! Love Annie.
P S. Allynn captivated the crowd with his wonderful show at Sharon Lowen’s amazing school.
She is a Wonder and we are so Grateful to her for all that she has so generously done for us! Thank You Sharon! She has her 97 year old mother living with her. She brought her over here to India from her home in Michigan several years ago and she too is sweet as pie. WOW!

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Blooms Rooms, Feb. 5

   Our 2 hr. flight from the East coast at Chennai to Delhi  was easy and a taxi from our tour people picked us up at the airport and dropped us at our hotel- Bloom Rooms- came highly  recommended by a pal from home and I was glad to finally get a peek at this place.

It is a very different kind of hotel and there are 2 of these hotels in Delhi. It is definitely a new breed of hotel. I have a good hunch it is a teckie style place. First, a key design element of Steve Jobs is featured everywhere. The curving corners of the I phone, I pad and computers are around every door and window.

FullSizeRender 3The color yellow is ridiculously everywhere – even on the uniforms of the workers and all over the hotel room.

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It continues to crack me up and amaze me at the creativity through-out. There is a beautiful cafe and a comfortable public lounge. The only down side here is the size of our room.- big as a postage stamp! It feels like we’re on a boat, in a tight little cabin.  The cheeriness of the rest  of the place makes it bearable. I guess it’s part of the high tech business model. It’s tight for yoga, but I open the yellow door to the hall for breathing space when I roll out my mat.
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We went out with our friend Sharon last night  for dinner- this cool hotel is about 4 blocks from her apt!  We were celebrating Allynn’s birthday and we had Indian food and we shared some Indian desserts. We told Sharon our story of the Shit and she said yea- that’s the norm here . Then she told us how once long ago she was invited to perform at a palace on a river and she slept there overnight. The next morning she went for a swim and noticed all this shit floating by and she quickly got out.
Allynn was happy as a pig in Shit reconnecting  with his Vast supply of balloons that has been stored at Sharon’s all this time.  Tomorrow he is doing a show at the school where Sharon is the dance teacher. I am looking forward to going and shooting video.
Funny, I woke up with a Queezie stomach and diarreah  Oh Shit!
We had a relaxing day today at our hotel- a down day is needed now and then on a trip like this. I was So into thinking I wanted a spa day but don’t know the scene here – so I hunkered down with my yoga mat and spaced out.  All is well – in a few days we’ll be off on the tour of a life time to Rajasthan .  Be Well my friends!
Miss You All ! Love and Namaste, Annie

On the road – Auroville to Chennai to Delhi – Feb 3 

Fast driving in a taxi. We have a 3 hr ride north to Chennai, from Auroville.  We are heading back to Delhi tomorrow, which happens to be Allynn’s birthday and he will be doing a show on the 6th. In Delhi. A few days in Delhi and we will be off on a tour to Rajashtan.

The way they drive here makes me Crazy!  So fast and they are passing other vehicles all the time – it is best not to look- My life is in this driver’s hands!
Sunday was our day to explore Pondicherry. After a 15 minute cab ride we were dropped off  on the promenade walk way overlooking the ocean. It was bustling with activity and we saw an impressive Ghandi Monument.

There he was , larger than life, standing on a massive  stone and concrete structure .  From the 4 directions there are sloping ramps which allow you to walk up to greet him, if you so desire. It seemed all so fitting- he was a man of the people. It was a warm, sunny day and I had my eyes open for a French cafe, as described in the guide book.  Came upon a fancy hotel that had coffee, Internet, and air conditioning!  Yippee ! We’ve been out of touch for a few days, so we had a Luxurious hour  catching up on Face Book , sitting in a swanky restaurant, and having a pleasant breather.   Then off we went to find the Sri Aurobindo ashram. The town is a refreshing change from the usually neglected looking India. The wide streets are tree lined and shady and this was the French part of town.

5 minutes later after asking directions, we were standing in front of the ashram. There was an impressive
system in place for visitors. First, out on the street, you remove your shoes and place them on the protected shoe rack. I was not keen on leaving my shoes there but the woman sitting there as the shoe protector assured me my shoes would be there when I
came out. Next, we followed the crowd into the court yard entrance where we found ourselves snaking around the palm trees and potted rose bushes towards a large table decorated  and entirely covered with fresh flower blossoms in a design of a mandala. As we paraded by the table I did like the others- I bowed down, touching  my forehead to the cool marble ledge. Then, I looked for a place among the  nicely dressed crowd that was all seated on walkways and ledges and steps, and we settled down like the others, to
meditate.  The whole place was filled with  flowers , lots of roses and flowering shrubs. No cameras were allowed, and a reverent hush filled the garden. Every spot to sit was taken.
After a little while we got up and followed a line into the library- like gift shop. I was completely dumbstruck by the amount of literature that was written by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Their books lined the shelves, floor to ceiling, and they are available in several languages. I bought a few small items and then hit the street to find my shoes!  Luckily they were where I’d left them. We strolled thru the streets, checking out the scene and wound up at a cafe back on the promenade by the ocean – The Bay of Bengal. We met a French couple who run a B&B in the Bourgandy area of France- in a castle! Then back to our Quiet Hotel for some hammock therapy and a beach walk before dinner.
The next day we had an apt. to go inside the Matrimander ! (named for the Mother). It really did feel like we were entering a flying saucer.

IMG_1710IMG_1778 IMG_1777 FullSizeRenderThe scale of it- the way the entrance was designed- right out of ET. And inside the door, you are parading up a sloping walkway covered in white carpet. We are wearing white socks over our feet and we were told not to touch anything- even the railing.
Once you enter the chamber, which is all white, circular and with 12 white columns situated around the room, you look for an available white cushion to sit on. Then you notice a shaft of light streaming down from the hole in the ceiling , shining right onto a large glass ball . It is quite a scene to take in and it feels like something is going to be happening- a concert or something- but we sat with the others and meditated – or Contemplated- or  concentrated and then a light flashed twice, which was our signal to depart the Mother Ship.
Out into the sunlight, we found our shoes and were escorted around a garden  and after a final talk by a Frenchman guide, we were on a bus back to the visitors area for tea and shopping.  It is a bit like Disney Land on a small scale – where they take you on a ride to a movie set. My favorite part was the technique for creating a dome out of gold. They came up with a clever way of layering gold leaf between two pieces of glass – one inch square which are glued down like tiles on the round concave discs. Mind boggling- took me back to my Egyptian – alien past life.

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It is a lot to figure out!
Today  we were saying good bye to the Quiet Hotel  and to the beach so Allynn and I took an early morning beach walk. We were noticing large piles of reddish colored shit  at the waters edge and we commented that there must be large dogs around there.  Then I noticed in the distance several men in yoga squat poses- I thought- how nice, they are praying for the new day.  Then  we saw a man taking a shit right there, on the beach at the waters edge and we realized we had chosen the wrong time to take a beach walk!!! It was a total shitting fest at the beach and as we turned in disgust to walk back to our hotel, we saw more of this going on and I was feeling kind of sick to my stomach,and I was feeling thankful I hadn’t gone swimming!  I’d been warned by a nurse at the Rockland
County Health clinic about fecal matter in the ocean- and don’t go in-  Yikes!  What a turn off to the lovely Beach scene!  Onward! To Delhi tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Allynn!

LOL Annie

Quiet Healing Center – Auroville, Jan. 31

It took us 2 days to get here. We will be here for 4 days and then it will take us 2 days to return to Delhi.
Meanwhile we are someplace So special.
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IMG_1527IMG_1587Right on the ocean! With a lovely breeze blowing and palm trees overhead. And Hammocks.
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It is a magical resort which offers all kinds of massage and healing water therapy- watsu-
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where someone supports you in their arms and floats you around in a warm pool of water. It is called the Quiet Healing Center. The grounds are lovely, our room looks like something out of a castle
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and the food is the best we have had!
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This afternoon we had a 15 minute ride to Auroville, a magical community. It was designed by “The Mother”, a spirituL partner of Aurobindo- a mystical yogi with evolved concepts of art and the divine. He thought yoga was a waste of time but he was a prolific artist and he has two ashrams, both large, and they are active as schools for children. Tomorrow we will visit his ashram in Pondicherry- a town that is half French and half Indian.
The Mother created Auroville as an experiment. She wanted to create a place where people from all parts of the globe could live in peace with no religion, no money, (cards are used) and people are encouraged to live consciously – doing what suits their nature. After seeing the film which shows the construction and history of the place, we walked about a mile to see the giant golden dome-looks like a huge golf ball- it is called the Matrimander.
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It is surrounded by stone lotus petals, each representing a different flower, all inspired by the Mother. This was created in the 70’s and there is a hole at the top where sun light pours in and lights a giant crystal below. There is an inner chamber for concentration- their word- instead of meditation. And we made an appointment to go inside, on Monday. They don’t like people just showing up and seeing it all in one day. They don’t want it to be a tourist attraction. So after you view the movie and see the dome from the viewing center, you can go to a special office and wait in line to make an appointment on a future day to go inside. So we did all that and went to the tea shop where I made a sketch.
The Internet is mostly absent here. Today is Saturday and like the yoga in Mysore- I took the day off from my practice. I am feeling such a let down after leaving Mysore. I don’t think it will be possible for me to work that hard at yoga without all that group energy and Saraswathi watching over me.
Later. Love Annie

Mysore Diary,  Jan 28  

Saying good bye to Mysore- all day long- savoring  the magic of this special place . Walking to yoga this morning, my back was hurting and it was So annoying!  And after a few sun salutations, it was fine. I have been doing the back roll totally wrong for 10 years and I hoped no one would notice. Saraswathi noticed today. Now I have to work on it ! Instead of rolling over my head, I roll over a shoulder which makes it crooked but painless for me. And easy- we’ll see – always good to have things I cannot do!
I went after yoga to my favorite cafe to have breakfast with my friend Vania.

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And then to chanting at the Shala, and to our final class at Kumar’s!

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and saw Pineapple Boy for the last time.

IMG_1419 Then down to Pretty’s dress shop, to say good bye to her

FullSizeRender 3and then returned to our hotel to pack up and get ready for our next adventure. Tomorrow we are taking a 3 hr taxi ride to Bangalore  and an hour flight to Chennai. We will be there overnight and the next day we’ll see some sights via taxi on our way to Pondicherry.

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Mysore Diary, Jan 27

Yoga- feeling like not going today.
My left sit bone is feeling bruised from the jump thrus.  I saw Ruth leaving today so I stopped my practice and went outside to talk with her.  She teaches yoga at a yoga school in NYC, called Jivamukti.
I have been in her class many years ago- maybe 20- and I knew she was teaching painting at Yale.  And she wrote 2 small books which I bought at Jivamukti’s and I devoured.
They both have short chapters about her yogi life. And she writes a lot about Pattabhi Jois  and her times in Mysore. So when I saw her in class
Today, I decided to connect. I stepped outside and told her I’d been in her class many years ago and I told her how much I loved her books. She was very pleasant  and I mentioned that I knew from her books that she normally comes to Mysore in the Summer.  She said she will be doing a teacher training near Mumbai for Jivamukti Yoga so she has come to Mysore before she goes there. She asked how long I am in India for, and I said- traveling for about 6 months. She said- why don’t you stay here in Mysore and study with Saraswathi during that time. She said- you know- in all the whole world- this small group of people here are the only ones who have this opportunity. I thought- wow- 6 months of this yoga every day- intense- that would be intense- boringly intense. Then, I went back into the room and finished my practice. As I was near the end, in the finishing room- where we go after back bending,  I heard Saraswathi ‘s voice, and I saw she was talking to 2 girls, looking down at them, saying in her broken English- you girls- your practice is no good. Take 3 days off to rest- you don’t have to pay-then come back. I thought woa- she’s intense!
I had my hair color done over today. The last time they did It the color did not cover my roots. So I went back today and then rushed to meet Allynn and some friends who are from New Jersey, and this couple are both doing Ashtanga. We had a luncheon date for 12:30. Our past life healing class was at 2:00- I thought we’d have time for lunch- But, by 1:45, our lunch had not come so we just walked out- we had a big day coming up.    This was the day when we were doing a regression on someone we were bringing to the place. Kumar had someone for me- and it was a big event for us!  The room was set up with 7  sleeping cushions and pillows and I met my gentleman, an Englishman, and the event began.
My session went smoothly and it was a tremendously rewarding experience. The events in this man’s past life perfectly answered questions
that have been troubling him in his current life. And when the session was over, 2 hours later, I felt a kind of euphoria come over me . It was just an incredibly joyus feeling to be able to help someone in this way.
One more full day here and then we leave Mysore. See you tomorrow
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Annie

Mysore Diary, Jan.26

Saying good bye; it’s our last week here in Mysore and we are tying up loose ends and planning our departure.
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We made a visit to our treasured Green Hotel to speak with the travel guy about booking a train or getting a plane to Chennai this Thursday. It was the perfect moment to visit the solarium cafe for chai and carrot cake! And I did a drawing.
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Walking thru town this morning I saw a painting on a tree that I hadn’t noticed before.
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I’m sure it was just painted, and it captures how I feel about leaving this magical Mysore- I feel like crying! We went to the main Shala and I met a lovely lady from Guatemala who has her 3 year old with her. She told me that her husband is managing a company called Novica.com that works with artisans around the world, creating an online marketplace for their products!
They even help the artists organize their merchandise so it works for them. Wow! And more Wow! Love that! And it is changing the artists lives! Their work is now in demand.
The picture of the child is the daughter of the Guatemalan lady, taken in front of the Shala. And the gentleman in the photo is the security manager at the Shala. Everyone in town knows the balloon man. He has really made a name for himself.
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Today in Past Life Healing class I worked with a tall, charming gentleman named Moss, who I believe I’ve mentioned before. I was feeling self conscious about giving him a session – I’m new at this and it’s a tad awkward- this guy is quite the looker -catch my drift? Anyway- it turned out to be one of the most magical moments in my life!
Well- for starters, his first feeling was- he was living in a rain forest and- get this- he was a gnome! With pointy ears! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing – he could even see fairies around him! With wings! Of course- this guy gave himself the name Moss!
He is definitely a kindred spirit. He was living in a hole in the ground!
Incredible!
Tomorrow is our last class . I will give a session to someone not from the class- should be interesting- there will be 7 of us- giving regressions to folks laying on cushions on the floor.
All for now- happy snow!
Love Annie

Mysore Diary,  Jan 25

Last Sunday 6:30 class at the main Shala  with  Saraswathi.  Facing the end of our trip – I felt low energy during class as I thought it is over now – almost-my dream is coming to an end and now what? We have 3 more days here.  I was glad to get my photo with Saraswathi….. and I
stayed for the second class with her and  wrote down the counts for the poses. It is such a precise form!

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Onto Rangoli class .  I learned about how it’s done. I was in a yoga shop and the gal mentioned that her mom teaches how to make Rangolis. So I sat on the side walk area behind their house and I had my lesson.  With chalk, she showed me how the designs start with a basic tic tac toe design. Then you expand from there.

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She demonstrated the powder technique, using stone powder or rice powder ( made in her blender) . And I tried it- takes a lot of practice, to get the feeling for it . You scoop some up , holding it between your thumb and index fingers  and slowly release it by pushing the thumb forward. Tricky- and holding it slightly differently, you can make a double line. She explained that a girl who is going to be married needs to be able to do this. It is one of the basic skills of womanhood!  With these designs in front of your home, it shows that you keep a clean house and you follow the cultural traditions of the Indian home. Also, each day of the week, a different Hindu god is celebrated and the Rangolis reflect that with the appropriate design. At big festivals, where a procession is coming down the street, the community creates giant Rangolis that cover the entire street! And people work together making these. She said for these large designs the rice or stone powder is mixed with water to make a paste, and it sticks to the pavement better than the powder. She also said that insects, birds and chipmunks enjoy snacking on the rice powder designs. Holy cow- how fascinating- how could I have lived this long with out knowing  about this- it’s mind boggling.
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Lazy afternoon packing  up stuff in our hotel  room – getting ready to travel East to Chennai, then to Pondicherry and on to Auraville- still figuring out the details.
Tonight we got an auto-rickshaw to the Mysore palace. It is lit up on Sunday evenings  from 7:00-8:00 pm. The scale of the place is mind boggling  and  the crowd was huge.

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Hope my New York and New Jersey friends have enjoyed the cozy snow fall. Love to all of You!

Namaste, Annie

Mysore Diary, Jan 24

Today we had a field trip with our friend Vania, from Montreal to see a few places around Mysore. The summer palace, the silk factory and the ox cart factory with workshop and painting shed. By far the most fun was at the ox cart wood working shop . We discovered a charming village with lovely families and children. They all came out to greet us as Allynn brought out the balloons.
Then a merry time was had by all and especially me, who loved taking pictures of all the happy faces. It might as well be Christmas! It is hard to describe the heart warming feeling that comes over me when we are having a joyful moment with people who are from another world. And they exude such color, charm and dignity!
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Later we had Past Life healing class. I did another regression. More down to earth than the alien story. And tomorrow is early yoga at the main Shala and I am having a lesson on how to make a Rangoli. Never a dull moment here! Fun fun fun!
See you . Annie

Mysore Diary, Jan 23

What a beautiful day! It is getting warmer here and the air and sky is clearer, as summer is approaching.
Walking to the yoga Shala I saw this beautiful Rangoli design come to life, being made before my eyes. I asked the artist how long it took her to make it- it is one of the most elaborate that I have seen. She said it took about 45 minutes to make. She said she is having company tonight for dinner- ah- part of the decor!

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After yoga and breakfast, I marched down town for a bit of retail therapy and I met an amazing, handsome shop owner who grew up in Rajhastan and now lives in Mysore. He told me he is a Brahman, the highest caste in the caste system. These people you can recognize by their sharp features and deep set eyes. They are the thinkers- the elite intelligencia. His name is Badrinarayun. I was noticing his interesting hair style when he whipped out a picture of himself with long hair- taken in Rajhastan and another one with a turban- dramatic- holding a rifle- bizarre- colorful. I bought 2 wrap skirts and I had fun taking pictures, drinking in the exotic life all around me. He had an altar with a whole slew of yogis and he introduced me to each one . I thought – wow- here is an Indian who really does yoga! Such a kind and gentle man.
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Kumar’s Past Life class is getting down to the nitty gritty . We are doing regressions on each other now. And I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by the scope of it all. It is a big bite to chew and I’m not sure I’m up to the task.
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Tomorrow is a no yoga day so we have a field trip planned- going to see how silk is made – I will tell you all about it!
Love , Annie

Mysore Diary, Jan 22   

Yoga is getting tiresome. Feeling like not wanting to do it more and more.  IMG_0924
Just looking forward to when it’s over. Relieved to find out I’m not the only one to feel that way. I was talking to someone- my friend Vanya- she said she’s thinking about breakfast the whole time too. It was her birthday today and we took her out for breakfast.

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We have a lot in common. She also designs costumes, and carries her art supplies around with her- like I do. She lives in Montreal and does costumes for film. She has friends who work for Cirque de Soleil so I’ve asked her about that.

Pampering Hair Day:
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I had my hair colored last weekend but the dye did not cover well. Part of the roots did not take the dye.  And they offered to do it over. So in a few days I will have them do that. But meanwhile, I got a trim from them yesterday and today I got an oil treatment.  The girl rubbed coconut oil all thru my scalp and all thru my hair and I thought I was just gonna sit there for an hour and then it would be washed out. But no- she massaged my hear for a whole hour- maybe 45 minutes- I never had a head massage before- foot massage- yes- but all that time, she was running her fingers thru my hair, tapping, pressing- all kind of things she was doing to my oily head and it felt wonderful.  She is a trained massage therapist as well as beautician.  Never had that kind of treatment before!  She washed my hair too. ( some people choose to leave the oil in longer and wash it at home) but the shampoo is just as good as the head massage. There is a platform for your head to rest on as you lean way back to have your hair rinsed and the girls’ golden fingers are caressing your head the whole time. Then comes conditioner, and my hair feels like it belongs to someone else- transformation!
Today at Past Life class we got to lay down and nap as we took turns reciting the trance induction talk.
More of the same tomorrow – a napping class- I like this.  All is going well.  Namaste Annie