Jan 17 2008
And We’re All Floating On Okay …
(a view of Mirissa bay, where I'm currently staying, with a view of the point in the background)
Despite the chaos slowing making its way down south, I'm heading up into the hill country next week — mainly to get my Indian Visa. This, of course, means that after Sri Lanka, I'm heading to … wait for it … wait for it … India.
I'm heading to Kerala, India at the start of February. Kerala is on the Southwest coast of India, and has little to no surf. I'm heading there ostensibly to practice on my Yoga in preparation for a potential career change (should I ever decide be forced to go back to work, of course). I've been getting fairly involved in my Yoga (Ashtanga) during recent years — mostly in an effort to increase my strength and flexibility for surfing (and tantric sex, of course).
As described by one commentator, in Kerala:
Mosques, Hindu temples, Christian churches, Jewish synagogues and Chinese fishing nets exist companionably side-by-side. There’s a heady scent of spice in the air and Arab, Portuguese English and Dutch influences.
Kerala is also, from what I've learned so far, a fairly laid back area of the sub-continent, and fairly devoid of the fruity, cultish, neuvo-hippies on holiday from the West, seeking 'enlightenment' at a 7 day course in some random Ashram. I only hope I can better my yoga practice down in the Kerala province while avoiding these nutjobs as best I can.
If anyone has any suggestions as to other places I should hit during my two (2) month stay in southern India (other than Goa), suggestions and comments are greatly welcome (but not from you fruity nut-jobs, tho — no offence intended).
Head south. Find the Tamil region. Ask for Padriashee. Maybe you can learn something about the side of my family I know absolutely nothing about. If you do, get back to me, would ya?
Take care homeslice.
omg that pic of Mirissa Bay is beautiful and I wish I was there.
practicing yoga in Inda huh? I wanna know everything you learn!!
you could always teach in GL;)hehe (sign me up!!)
TK, I didn’t know you had Indian blood in you! THAT explains what happened to your dog’s leg (I’m not saying you ‘ate’ the leg, I’m just saying you may have an interesting curry dish once of twice — hey, it had to be said, and if your friends can’t bring it up, who can … besides animal control, of course). Peace, buddy, hope all’s well in Boston, man.
Cyn, Yes, it is beautiful - but it ain’t no Siargao, so don’t get too depressed. And yes, yoga lessons are in order when I head back to GL (hopefully I can get the Frenchies to pay me to teach there also!)
“fairly devoid of the fruity, cultish, neuvo-hippies on holiday from the West, seeking ‘enlightenment’ at a 7 day course in some random Ashram. I only hope I can better my yoga practice down in the Kerala province while avoiding these nutjobs as best I can.”
absolutely not true, pal!
I visited cochin, kerala on my trip. BTW, contracted salmonella food poisoning in cochin, first time I got sick and this was my third trip to India!
Cochin was the first city in india where I was surrounded by westerners from all countries (except America - I rarely come across Americans when I travel in south india.). hated it. usually I’m the only westerner where I go in india.
Cochin is loaded with old hippies and neuvo-hippies. this is exactly why I have no desire to visit Goa — ugh.
hey, I’m an old hippie broad, but I don’t have to wear it on my sleeve, know what I mean?
P.S. if you want to know about yoga AND India, check out my blog.
shanti, dude!