8 DIPS IN THE ARABIAN SEA

PART ONE

BEFORE:



"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair." ~Kahlil Gibran



Kerela

Rachel and I rented a car and driver to go through the Western Ghats mountain range and the jungle of India into the state of Kerela. Finally, the Arabian Sea...my dream come true. And, a vacation from my vacation!

I made it to the Arabian Sea and did my 7 dunks plus a bonus one. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I dislike swimming and getting my face wet. I had so much fun and felt like a little kid. I had to wear crop pants and a T-shirt...no bikinis allowed! Plus, the water was so warm.

I will write 'part two' tomorrow as I am hopping on a flight to Dubai Sunday night.

"There is only one way to get a real vacation...get away from the ego as much as possible." ~Eknath Easwaran


AFTER:

TEARS ARE THE SUMMER SHOWERS OF OUR SOUL

(~Alfred Austin, Savonarola)

“Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.”

My right hamstring is still aching and the last two practices have been heartbreaking. I'm injured, in India, doing yoga. I am half flexible and can barely do my poses. I want to vomit, I want to cry. Tomorrow is my last class and I hope I can survive. I asked Sharath today if I should bother...maybe let it heal. He suggests a hot shower and to rub oil on my body to help the muscles. He insists I work through the pain. Ouch. More Advil in the morning. My body is not used to this much physical strain.


"You Can Heal Your Life" says:
Pain= Guilt...guilt always seeks punishment.
Legs= Carry us forward in life.
Muscles= Resistance to new experiences- ability to move in life.
Right side= Giving out, letting go. Masculine energy.
Diarreah= Fear, rejection, running off.

I am feeling sorry for myself until I walk out of the shala and see a homeless man sitting on the street with no leg. Through the alignment of the body (yoga) one discovers the alignment of the mind, the self and intelligence.

I went to acupuncture and it was one of those new experiences that was comical, because I did not know what it was about. "Balance," Sean says. "It is Chinese medicine for your body like tuning a car, to tonify deficiencies and bring down excesses.""

I had:
-2 needles in my lower back (nourishes kidney 'chi'/life energy & strengthens)
-1 in my hip
-4 in the back of my right thigh (bladder meridian to remove stagnation/ inflammation/ scar tissue). It was just a slight pain in the lower leg sites.

Then he took a lit cigar-like tube of smoking, rolled herbs and heated the needles to radiate into me. It is called 'Moxa'. I don't feel much different, but we shall see!

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”~Maya Angelou

Last day at the orphanage. I miss my own children, however seeing the orphans here puts things into perspective. I walk in and they are all seated up against the wall in a line, on the floor, eating rice for breakfast with their fingers. It has been a crash course in Kanata language. One 13 year old asked me to braid her hair as they all rushed off in their school uniforms and braids. I can communicate somewhat with a few phrases. I found out how to say "What is your name" and wrote down all of the names. Calling each one by name THRILLED them, and it built significance. Then I played a 'jump off the ledge into my arms' game with the preschoolers, (since I couldn't communicate other game rules). This one built trust. Some flew through the air with arms flung open. Others were too scared to jump or were very hesitant. We played this alot as it required no language! On my first day, they wanted me to reach up to a tree and pull berries off for them to eat. "Ackai, Ackai!!!" They yelled at me with delight. I thought they were Ackai berries. Then they said 'Ackai' for everything and I thought it meant 'look!' I asked 'Auntie' what it meant and she said 'Big sister'.

One of the senior women says to me "Sister, take me down." She wanted me to help her down the stairs. One little girl took the old lady's sandals off as I guided her down the concrete steps into a rickshaw. She also said, "They are not good kids!".

I pulled out my 'restricted' camera with permission and took pictures and videos of the kids. It was barnyard TV! The older women asked me to take their pictures and arranged a fashion shoot. One led me to the pump to photograph her 'significnace' of pumping water. Another holding her basket of cilantro leaves. Then I sat there for a good 10 minutes as the kids stared into their reflection of my sunglasses. They may have never seen a mirror. They were fascinated by what they looked like. In the West we are consumed mostly by our outer reflection, rather than our inner reflection.

I see 'Fairness cream' in the shops here. Apparently darkness means you are working in the sun all day and of lower caste. We like a suntan in the West as it says you have time to be outdoors! Everyday I am getting comments about my complexion. I am pretty sure it's genetic but someone always asks what magic cream I use, or it looks like I am glowing or that my skin looks airbrushed. *(Nana: Isn't this part of our 'Fey' British heritage? Perfect skin is one of the characteristics of fairies crossed with humans? Can someone please clarify:) I believe it to be the humidity as well as I only get random comments back home. That combined with yoga boot camp and spiritual good vibes...

I also read an article in the Mysore newspaper on the shifting of Indian womens roles. Women are getting more looks/ career conscious and less homemaker conscious. We did that 50 years ago? I think the next revolution will be a spiritual movement. The journey inward. We served our mates/ family, then we served our outer selves, through career and image. Next people will be more interested in discovering the inner self.


"Crying is one of the highest devotional songs. One who knows crying, knows spiritual practice. If you can cry with a pure heart, nothing else compares to such a prayer. Crying includes all the principals of yoga." ~Yoga For Depression

I spent 3 hours on the phone with Damian crying yesterday. Every time we speak I cry. My heart is getting a work out over here!

I wonder if I will cry when it is time to leave India. As they say: India changes you.


“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.”
Dr. Seuss

For those who want to donate to the orphanage email:
bapajimysore@yahoo.co.in
attention Mrs. Nandes

LIFE ON SCHOOLHOUSE EARTH

"Give up the drop. Become the ocean." ~ Rumi

Monsoon season has flooded parts of India, but I am safe and sound here. Despite the rain and the red mud everywhere. I hand wash my clothes in a bucket in the bathroom which take days to dry, hanging around my room. There is still too much rain to hang them outside.

Another sleepless night. Gun shots or firecrackers went off every few minutes and the diarrhea became unbearable! I finally gave into the antibiotics the health nurse sent with me when I had my vaccinations. No sleep, no fluid or electrolytes and I am off to yoga at 6:15 am. I arrive and don't even get to sit to wait when Sharath calls, "You! Come! No resting!" (My yogi name is 'You' it seems.) I go through the motions with my sluggish body, and for my last pose, the 'turtle', Sharath comes and helps me 'bind' my hands (connecting the hands together to hold the pose for five long breaths). I warn him that I think I pulled my hamstring yesterday and the force may make it snap, as he pushes on me to go deeper. He says "Muscle just opening." Sure! At breakfast a yogi friend says he has a crush on me...I say "No, we just go way back... a few lifetimes!" Ever have that feeling? Plus I'm naive and unpolished in my practice which must be refreshing from all of the rubber bands around me. On one side, a lady is in a hand stand, with her feet touching her head. I stopped and stare. The man next to me had purple nail polish on his toenails. (Yep- theres alot of that here too)



At the orphanage, the kids were acting out of sorts. Violent, crying, fighting. Plus, I had no patience with my lack of sleep. I tried to read a story but the lack or respect or concentration frustrated me. They too must have been awake all night. One little girl took a stick and was whipping the other kids. The old lady took it from her, ordered the kids to all sleep in a row on a sheet on the marble floor. They closed their eyes and she would whip them with the stick if they opened their eyes. They all fell asleep.

Getting away from it all

I went power shopping with Amy from LA. At the tailors I had 2 saris made into duvet covers, and then we hit the Sahara market. I was telling her about how my attitude has shifted since I stopped treating the natives defensively, but with an attitude of gratitude. Everything shifted in my inner and outer world at that point. Circumstances are the creation of people, not the other way around.

"There is nothing noble about being superior to some other person. The true nobility lies in being superior to your previous self." ~ Chinese proverb

Today, we had our own little tour guide- a boy of eleven who wouldn't accept a tip. He spoke his native tongue, fluent English and bantered with me in French. I wonder who is the richer person? Communication is sometimes far more valuable, as I have especially learned here. I made sure I knew the basics before I came. It's important to know manner communication and gratitude wherever you travel. It gets you alot of mileage and shows respect. Thank you (shu-kri-ya), how much (kittenay?) and there seems to be no word for 'please', as the language is considered so beautiful as it is. I do notice that Indians call all women Mam or Madam...even each other. It seems so colloquial!

We went absolutely crazy shopping, spending a ton of rupees (which isn't much in Canadian) and I bought all my gifts. After a great day, Amy showed me the hidden gem "Cubs" restaurant. I was transported into an Italian coffee bistro in the middle of India! White leather couches, club music and a normal menu...I was pretty excited! They had chicken, pasta, prawns, desserts...I was drooling! I had a ceasar salad, greek salad, french fries and chocolate cake with ice cream...Three hours later and I am still full... I can't believe no one showed me this place! A couple of other yogis were also there. It must be the 'Getting away from it all' oasis.

Yogi's food makes sense to me now and I have adopted a few of the practices. Non-violence is the 'no meat' purpose. Some vegans don't even eat root vegetables, as worms may die in the digging up of potatoes. There is also a common religion here, Jainism- where they may sweep the floor ahead of them so their steps don't kill any bugs.

The three energy groups are:

Sattvic (purity)

This is the purest diet, the most suitable one for any serious student of yoga. It nourishes the body and maintains it in a peaceful state. And it calms and purifies the mind, enabling it to function at its maximum potential. A sattvic diet thus leads to true health: a peaceful mind in control of a fit body, with a balanced flow of energy between them. Sattvic foods include cereals, wholemeal bread, fresh fruit and vegetables, pure fruit juices, milk, butter and cheese, legumes, nuts, seeds, sprouted seeds, honey, and herb teas.

Rajasic Food (activity, passion, the process of change)

Foods that are very hot, bitter, sour, dry, or salty are rajasic. They destroy the mind-body equilibrium, feeding the body at the expense of the mind. Too much rajasic food will overstimulate the body and excite the passions, making the mind restless and uncontrollable. Rajasic foods include hot substances, such as sharp spices or strong herbs, stimulants, like coffee and tea, fish, eggs, salt and chocolate. Eating in a hurry is also considered rajasic.

Tamasic Food (darkness, inertia, sloth)

A tamasic diet benefits neither the mind nor the body. Prana, or energy, is withdrawn, powers of reasoning become clouded and a sense of inertia sets in. The body's resistance to disease is destroyed and the mind filled with dark emotions, such as anger and greed. Tamasic items include meat, alcohol, tobacco, onions, garlic, fermented foods, such as vinegar, and stale or overripe substances. Overeating is also regarded as tamasic.

No more meat boys!


The foods here in my little bubble of India, are catered mostly to the visiting yoga students:

-Curd (plain yogurt)
-Muesli & Millet toast
-fruit & veggies
-Homemade peanut butter
-Almonds, figs, cashews
-Badam milk (with almonds)
-Ginger& lemon boiled as tea, served with honey...yum!

Three months have passed since I've had any alcohol and I have not missed it. As I go deeper into my yoga practice, I see the connection of how the foods eaten affect life in so many ways. It's about living life from the inside out, rather than the outside in.

I am really content now in India and could stay here if it called me back. This weekend: The beach:)



Check out this site on India:

"For the daring adventurer: India will exhaust and intrigue, exasperate and inspire you. English-speaking India is the world’s most populous country and the largest democracy on the planet. India assaults your senses—all of them. India is loud, pushy, dirty and chaotic. It is both more and less than I’d expected, ricocheting me from elation to despair and back again. That said, the country is immeasurably rich in sights, history, cuisine and spirituality. It doesn’t come easy, but for the intrepid traveler the hassles are worth the rewards; there is splendor amidst the squalor. In the end, India breaks your heart, tests your will, exhausts your spirit, stretches your soul, awakens your humanity and, finally, repays you for its challenges and exasperations with its indelible imprint."

www.offbeattravel.com

KAIZEN

Kaizen means constant and never ending improvement in Japanese .

I have noticed a few improvements in my yoga practice. Today was my first day back to yoga in 2 days. I was up all night Saturday with Delhi belly again...the joys! I missed Sunday's led practice, and I hear there were a bunch of TV cameras around again. Gurujii's quite the celebrity! I may end up in some documentary somewhere. You may see me with Sharath holding my leg in the air in 'Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana' pose and there is red mud splashed all over the back of my calves!



Sharath bumped my time up from 7:30 am last week. When I showed up at 7:15, he yelled at me "You're late! Next time 6:30!" Around here it is a compliment, as the more advanced students practice as early as 5 am. However, I am finding it a challenge enough to get up in the mornings, as I am finally getting used to the 11 1/2 hour time change. Just in time for me to go back home in 6 days! This morning I show up at 6:15 am to sit in the vestibule with the other 10-20 students waiting in queue. Sharath spots me & points "You! Next!" I always do the "Who me?", as I am not sure if it is a complement or I am getting picked on. Then I got the 2 on 1 adjustment from Saraswati and Sharath in the turtle pose (Supta Kurmasana). The adjustments are a bit rough here! I felt hands grabbing every limb and yanking them into position. All I could say was "Wow". I never realized my body could do that!



It was off to Bapuji orphanage again, but this morning I went earlier. The kids all recognized me and came running up in the courtyard to give me hugs. I could see how they get attached so easily. There was one kid screaming bloody murder as four adults held him down for a haircut. I fed the little baby boy his bottle, and as he drifted off to sleep in my arms I thought to myself: This is peace. He was in such a relaxed state of bliss. Warm milk, the security of loving arms, body heat and the rhythm of a heart beat. Twisted boy sat and watched me with his big grin. I came and sat next to him and he giggled and looked at me with his crossed eyes, crawling onto my lap and holding my hand. When I sang the ABC's, he moaned along with me. I picked him up and he screamed with delight, then carried him outside, put him in a stroller to roll around the playground. All the other smaller kids hung off the stroller like a pack, following us around. I put him on my lap and swung on a swing and he laughed with freedom. He then went to school like the older children, carried off by an Indian caregiver. The twisted up boy reminds me of limitless thinking. We have 60,000 thoughts a day, 95% the same as the day before, and we use less than 25% of our minds. Indian yogis in the Himalayas can control heartbeat, digestion and nervous functioning through breathing and meditation. They can go without food or sleep and endure an enormous amount of pain, by controlling their thoughts. The boy chooses to be happy despite his circumstances and draws people in with his positive energy. If he was sullen and withdrawn, nobody would pay attention to him.


With the remaining youngsters, we played outside. I sat them on my lap and we swung on the swings, played patty cake, ring around the rosie and they sang me Indian songs, performing in their adorable little childishness. I found some chalk and drew hopscotch on the cement and the kids picked up quickly. Another handicapped boy of about 2 was crying, so I brought him out and put him in the stroller for the little girls to roll around. I lay on my back and gave airplane rides to the kids on my feet and they laughed and laughed. There are a list of rules for the orphanage. No gifts, no photos, and a few other regulations. I haven't been 'dismissed' yet...so I think I am fairing out okay.

After, I went to an Indian beauty parlor where there was more '2 on 1', with two ladies working on me. I went in for a pedicure and they seduced me into more things over the course of 5 hours. I ended up with a full body wax, which I had never experienced before. Since I had been letting my hair grow to that of a teenage boy, I thought I better clean up my act before I get home. They stripped me and put me in a halter dress that was more like medical scrubs with a drawstring that held it up at my chest. I sat there with my arms spread out, as they scraped burning wax on me with butter knives, simultaneously ripping the hair out with strips of material. It tickled and I shrieked as they spread wax on the backs of my thighs. It felt like I had been dipped in honey, covered in stickiness. Then I got the 'ice massage', which is not very pleasant. She kept saying my hair is small, Indian womens is big, therefore it was too fine for waxing. An interesting thing in India is they also use 'threading' for hair removal. The lady bit one end of a white thread in her mouth and then winded and twisted the other 2 ends around her fingers, pulling the hair out in a quick, fluid motion.

With Indian head massages being so cultural, I had to experience the authentic form. It is called 'Hair excercise'! Henriette does them as well, and much better than here! I was asked to go topless for the back massage (salons are segregated in India) as she rubbed my back, she told me I was all bone- Indian women healthy! After, they put a steam bath machine on my head, and washed the oil out. It was frustrating, because they use junkie hair products and a trickle of water and my hair still feels greasy. Even the blow dry was a 2 on 1. One brushed, while the other lady turned on and off the dryer every few seconds to conserve energy? The sign said credit cards accepted, so when I went to pay, she had to take me to her husbands jewelry shop....on a scooter, so help me God. I was driving down the insane streets on the back of a bike with a woman in a sari. I got off, dropped to me knees and praised hallelujah that I made it alive.

Price: 590 rupees/ $15 CDN. Experience: Priceless.

Experience is like cotton candy...sweet for a moment but then you soon discover that nothing lasts.

THE SOUND OF ONE HAND CLAPPING

The beauty of traveling solo- no one else to consider- just go with the flow!



I gotta hand it to myself
I took myself on a tour of Mysore and asked a rickshaw driver for places with interior design ideas. His English was wonderful- a 'gift' from yoga students he said...

First was the 'Windflower' a Balinese spa on the outskirts of the city.
It was an oasis of beauty I never knew existed. High class cottage style accommodations, luxury spa and an Olive garden restaurant! The decor was beautiful and set on waterways, with gushing waterfalls, one into the swimming pool. A private butler and maid service twice a day and women walk around in white robes and slippers- all set outdoors. A white parrot (who thought it was a puppy) tried to eat my ankle bracelets from my feet. It then crawled into my shawl to hide and cuddle me.

I visited an art gallery/ museum and saw the rich culture through the paintings from over the centuries of royalty in India. There were 'trick' paintings where the eyes followed you wherever you stood in the museum (like the Mona Lisa). I wanted to visit the zoo to see the famous black elephant and the other animals that roam free, but not this time. These things can be boring when you're by yourself on one hand, but on the other, you are free to do whatever you want at any pace you choose.

Time on my hands
Sunday morning was my first shift at the orphanage. I arrived and was handed a tiny baby boy of 6 months, no diaper, swaddled in a plastic mat. I bottle fed him for a bit, and he smelt of sour milk. He stared intently at me, smiling and cooing as I put him to sleep in his cradle. Baby girls lay on a plastic mat, one wailing in pain and I tried to comfort her, but she was disabled. Another had small fleshy bumps where her ears should be. One boy, about 6 years or so, was twisted up and dragging himself on the floor. His eyes were crossed and he drooled, but had the brightest, happiest smile. He kept looking at me and saying 'Hi!" A native lady was feeding him rice with her fingers. I then played patty cake with the 3-5 year olds. They smiled ear to ear and their large black eyes were wide with delight. They all fought over whose turn it was. I then asked for some crayons and paper and was bombarded by the children all grabbing and fighting over the colours. They have that scarcity mentality, so they were hiding them, even in their mouth. They hit each other often, some crying for attention or to manipulate me. The older girls would get quite cross with them. I tried putting a crayon in the hand of the twisted boy on the floor. I took his hand to draw on the paper, but he wanted to eat the crayon. A girl of about 11 sat next to me, playing with my silver necklace. She stroked my cheek and then pinched it! She secretly then put her fingers to her nose to see what I smelled like, before running away. Very primal! The colouring was chaos as I tried to draw cows, palm trees, houses and cats. They were all trying to chatter to me, but I couldn't understand...just me and this mob of kids! A little girl of 5 started to sing the ABC's. She only knew up to 'H'. Her and her 3 year old sister were new to the orphanage and from the streets. She seems very bright, and a sponge. There was 2 kids on my lap at a time as they all vied for my attention. After 2 hours, I was exhausted!

Healing hands
Later, Rachel and I went to Sean's house, for yet another spiritual quest: a Diksha*. He played a rhythmic, African chanting song while placing his hands on the crown of my head. I could feel the spiritual energy transformation, while seeing flashing lights with my eyes closed. We then lay down on the pillows on the floor to collect our thoughts after the energy transfer. Sean is from London, volunteering acupuncture therapy for orphanages. Next time...my first acupuncture!!!!

(*Diksha info: www.experiencediksha.com)

THE POWER OF NOW

"Yoga is about now," my yoga friend Barbara re-affirms. I always seem to find words of wisdom from those around me when my ears are open and my heart is receptive.

My goals in coming to India, were to go deeper with yoga, explore new cultures, research interior design topics and write. With writing, I need material to write about, so I have been seeking experiences that would make for interesting stories.

If you are ready to believe, you are easy to deceive.

I went to an Arabian coffee reader in the 'Little Arabia' of Bangalore. It was a pocket of a completely different culture in the middle of India- very interesting! There was even a meat market! I must admit the experience was crazy, almost like a sitcom. One of those times that makes me wonder "Is this really happening?" This lady reads the Bollywood stars' fortunes and people come from all over to see her. I drank from the tiny cup, leaving a small amount in the bottom. It was then dumped out to dry. The rather large woman, lounging on her bed like a roman goddess, then spewed out my fortune in perfect English for about 20 minutes. (Except for when the maid came in to discuss her laundry in Kanata language, along with an exchange of money. And then the 4 phone calls she took while in the middle of my reading.) It cost 900 rupees which I chalk up to 'entertainment'. Whether or not any of this will happen is more of a self fulfilling prophecy. My question was if there had been a curse put on me. The answer was 'NO, your stars are too strong...they tried but no curse can work.' She did tell me to go dip into the salty sea 7 times to remove any negative energy. I thought this fascinating since I know this is how crystals are 'cleansed'. I was planning a trip to the coast of the Arabian Sea next week, anyways!

"The whole point of yoga is preventative", Barbara says. "Its not to be controlled by the stars, but to be aware of their influence, and control them. It should not overtake you and you needn't energize those seeds of negativity."

Then I got a quick lesson in White vs. Black magic. White is done with the willingness of the participants. Ghandi, Bill Gates an others all use white magic to bring good to the world. It benefits others, furthers society and promotes peace. Black magic on the other hand, is done in the shadows to manipulate others for their own, personal will.

Transomatic hypnotherapy session

The next day I went to Kumar's. He is popular around here. A student of Osho and an Ayervedic specialist. He puts people in a trance through deep relaxation and then goes into past lives, rebirthing, childhood repressed traumas...you name it! Well, apparently my higher consciousness was putting a veil of darkness over my past and I was not about to find out any of these mysteries. Other people have the experience of crying, remembering crazy stuff and releasing blockages. Not me.

It reminds me of the book I am reading right now called the "Yoga of Wealth", which says "It is of little consequence what transpired in the past ~ the past is never fully responsible for your future, your present is."

Many times we delve into the past or blame people and the past for our unhappiness. I am learning that happiness is a decision...its not about giving vent to ego.
As seen in a rickshaw today:

Happiness is the only good.
The place to be happy is here.
The time to be happy is now.
The way to be happy is to make others so.

Diamond Tears

Its called 'Karmic Yoga': Serving others to bring about happiness can reverse negative karma. I find myself at Bapaji Orphanage a block from my house. I have signed up for 2 hours a day for my last week, after they put me through the security and paperwork. Having 4 kids myself qualifies me as they have had problems with yoga students in the past, who are trying to 'center' themselves. Plus, the kids get so attached that they don't want them to be abandoned again by those who aren't committed. Small children grab my arms, call me 'Auntie' and speak to me in Kanata. They are abandoned, from the streets or handicapped. 60 live in the home from infants to 30 year old women. They leave when they marry, usually to Christian men. Caste is of no issue, because they do not know which one they were born into. They receive 270 rupees a month per child, but the cost is 1,000. There is also an elderly women section, who need volunteers to sit and socialize with them. Mostly they just want to comb your hair or give you an Indian head massage. As Mother Theresa says- she feels like the most selfish person in the world, as one receives through giving.



Barbara mentions that she has seen a change in my energy since my arrival. I am no longer 'defensive'. Coming to India, we tend to carry with us the stress of the West and wear it to the world. Coupled with the lack of creature comforts and the lack of peace, India has its way of transforming those who come. There is a rich history over 8,000 years old and She is called the 'Mother of Civilization'. They say when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. I came in hopes of finding a Guru, but India has become my teacher.

LAND OF NOD

"Nod" (נוד) is the Hebrew root of the verb "to wander" and the story is from the book of Genesis. I find India the 'Land of Not'... because it is NOT at all like home.

Business:

People run businesses out of their homes. Restaurants, jewelry, artists, clothing, massage and any spiritual quest. I would not starve in India with my entrepreneurial spirit. I could sell artwork or give colour therapy to tourists. There is a visionary artist here who does chakra readings and colour meditation.

Spirituality:

India is the 'McReligion' of the world. There is a temple on every street corner for you to pop in for your prayers. They dish up all sorts of worship here to any God or Deity of your choice...Buddhist, Hindu (with many deities: Krishna, Shiva, Ganeshe, Lakshim), Catholic, etc. Every business and home has a shrine.

Toilets:

Best advice I got before I came was- bring toilet paper with you wherever you go! Here the toilets are squat style into a porcelain bowl in the ground. You pour water down when you are done and use a little hand held spray to wash yourself with after. Consider yourself fortunate if there is a sink or even soap to wash up with. Forget towels. I imagine plumper ladies trying to maneuver in the tiny stall or Indian women is saris dragging the silk on the sloppy floor. Even an elderly person trying to hover over the hole to aim is a scary thought (especially if the hips aren't open from yoga!)

Yoga:

Indians don't practice yoga! It is mostly a Western thing taught by the Gurus. Indian people don't have time- maybe because they work 6 days a week, 12 hours a day. Kids go to school on Saturdays and only Sunday is a holiday.

Food:

I can't understand the dish names, so its always a stab in the dark ordering off a menu. With the language barrier, trying to find out ingredients is especially challenging. My favourites are "Palaak paneer" which is fried spinach and onion with chunks of cheese made from milk and lime juice cooked in a pan. For dessert: Carrot Halwa (Fried grated carrot with 'ghee'-butter, condensed milk, raisins, cashews and cardamom.) And lots of chai with honey:)
"However it comes to you, is how you should go to it." ~Shoba.



Manners:

I am shocked at how loud Indian women burp like it is no big deal. Horking is also often heard and people blow their nose out on the street without Kleenex.

Dress:

It is very conservative dress for women here. Knees, shoulders and chest covered. Women in saris is the standard, with some Muslim women who are completely covered except their eyes. I wonder if this is empowering to women to not expose their bodies or is it oppression? Body image seems healthier and chubby is considered attractive. On the other hand, I find pornography oppressive, as well as women who dress overly provocative, i.e. Brittany Spears? (In a perfect world, is freedom to choose ideal?) Seen on billboard here in India- "Behind every successful woman is herself"

Shopping:

I am overwhelmed by the high pressure sales here. "Yes madame!" is yelled every few seconds and staff stand outside the store to lure you in. It's difficult to 'look' through a store without someone talking, pushing items in my face to look at. It makes me run away with a burnt and scorching trail behind me.

Marriage:

For those looking for a spouse within their caste can go to the 'Marriage Bureau' for a typical arranged marriage. Some fall in love, even outside their religion/ caste which is also OK I am told.

Driving:

No seatbelts, no helmets...no worries! OMG!!! I just call on the name of Jesus everytime I get in a vehicle. Seen on a highway: A man asleep on a pile of coconuts in the back of a truck.

Poverty:

Poverty is very upfront. In Bangalore I saw rows of tents and shacks on land the size of several football fields. Bookended by highrises, as Bangalore is the IT capital of the world. Begger etiquette: Older people are given handouts as they don't have anyone to help them as they are abandoned, their life is almost over, and those with handicaps because they can't work. Kids are not often given handouts as it will become a bad habit for them, and it is discouraged. Orphanages are quite common. I am going today to volunteer at one behind my house.

Celebration:

There are many colourful events, parties and celebrations here. When one wakes up New years day, all the cows on the street are painted yellow. People throw colourful powder around and on each other during Holy Festival (more up North).

"Everything happens in India...get used to it!" Another word of wisdom from my local friend Shoba.