Three of my favourite things are happening daily here in India. Meeting new people – from my tour mates to the shopkeepers to the villagers to the wonderful hotel staff to the chefs who graciously give us cooking demos to our super knowledgeable tour guide…I have so many new friends! Including a young woman named Krishnavani from a poor village area who invited us in to her tiny mud roof home and proudly showed us around the two cramped but tidy small rooms she shared with her brothers and parents. The children here are not looking for money. They are asking for pens! I happily gave away all my markers and they were thrilled!
Everyday we are greeted with smiles. Of course, as tourists with white skin, we are the attraction…but the waving and picture taking and the inquisitive “where you from Ma’am?” from schoolchildren and others is so genuine. Compare this to our own society where eye contact is avoided in the street, where no one talks in the elevator, and where one keeps to oneself on the bus, ear buds plugged in. I am reminded daily that a simple greeting sends a huge wave of happiness.
And the eating…oh my what glorious meals! The food has been market fresh, beautifully prepared, displayed and portioned with care, and so varied as we move from town to town on this culinary tour. South Indian food is spicy but so flavourful and my new favourites are dosas, sambar (a lentil, okra, and tomato soup I love to eat at breakfast!), roasted cashews on the roadside, and South Indian coffee – a delectable brew of strong coffee and boiled milk served in a small stainless steel cup. Our chefs have personally come to meet us and share their recipes with pride!
So far this trip has been a sensory extravaganza with all 5 senses fully engaged. Living life with eyes wide open, ears perked, taste buds tingling, inhaling and exhaling, and reaching out instead of holding back, right here, right now. Yoga – “union” – each and every moment.
Next blog – temple tidbits!
Yoga In My Backyard 
Lise Page Rogers said,
January 23, 2019 at 11:58 am
Wonderful pictures, thanks for sharing.
Be safe.
Lise Sent from my IPad
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Glynis said,
January 23, 2019 at 12:16 pm
The girls look so sweet and the trip looks great! So happy for you. 😍
Nancy Lowry said,
January 23, 2019 at 1:24 pm
“Reaching out…. right here, right now – yoga – “union” – each and every moment.”
Brilliant!
Your so apt words, Anne, carry me along, albeit vicariously, on your sensory, connecting-with-others-and-yourself journey through Southern India. Your joyful words and pictures lift my spirit, and bring a lasting smile, inside and out. Onward, to more inward and outward moments. Namaste Nancy (Eager for more am I.)
Faith Stewart said,
January 23, 2019 at 3:23 pm
Love hearing about your trip. We’ve had the coldest few days here in Ottawa in 100 years! And lots and lots of the fluffy white stuff. Enjoy. faith
John Stubbs said,
January 23, 2019 at 3:53 pm
Looks wonderful!!!