Mumbai Madness

Well I am here in the land of SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE.  And let me tell you, the movie definitely accurately depicts life here in Mumbai for so many people!  As I was in the plane landing looking down on the city there was not one inch of empty land to be seen!!  

Unfortunately (or possibly fortunately) I am only here for a very brief stop over and will not have the chance to really get a feel for the city.  I am staying in the old part of Bombay called the Fort Area.  I am happy to report I have managed to book a decent hotel...no moving (well, I did change rooms, but don't really think that counts).  My hotel has wi-fi, so I have spent a huge chunk of time skype-ing with everyone...which of course I love (I so don't understand how it's totally free)!

Today i spent most of my time in a very posh suburb of Mumbia called Bhandra.  I had a Dr's appt and that was where his "clinic" was.  It took about 1 hr to get there in an a/c cab and cost $5!   And get this......the entire bill for the appt and sonogram was 1600 rps (about $31)!!!!  That is less than my co payments at home!!!  Hmmm....I am thinkin' there is a major racket going on with the American health care system (not that i didn't think it before, but this really solidifies my view)!!

Did a bit of browsing around the market area and bought 2 really cool leather/turquoise handmade bracelets for $1.25 each.    The combination of 4 months traveling and limited luggage space (not to mention how much you get hassled) has made me become super selective in my purchases...so I must say whatever I do end up buying ends up being pretty fab:-) 

It's now Sunday am..

I had a great night sleep and am taking full advantage of my wi-fi and comfy room (just ordered room service for bkfst).   I leave for the airport around 3pm.....so only have a few hrs today to explore the city.  Am in search of slippers of all things!   Mine are totally trashed due to the cow-dung flooring from YogaMagic---yuck!

I am super excited to be meeting up with my friend Cara tonight in Udaipur!!!!!  She decided pretty last minute to join me in India for a month---yippie!!!!    We will be staying at my new friend Paul's house for a few nights (which from the pictures I've seen looks fabulous.....it was just shot for Elle Decor UK)!!!!

Namaste,

Dayna

more yogamagic pics

                                                   Entrance



                                   where everyone eats breakfast and hangsout.....

Camping luxury style....

                                                My ECO-composite "thrown" (aka toilet)
                                               table inside my tent
                                                       my sink
                                                 daybed in my dressingroom
                                              my bed in the tent(room behind is open ceiling dressing room, then behind that open air bathroom

Goin' Goan Style....

Greetings from Goa!

So the journey continues!   After a long 12 hr overnite train from kerela,  I finally arrived to the sunny infamous land of laid back, hippie,and free love (think 60's era with a twist of spirituality and style).  And what better way to welcome me than my hotel throwing a "trance " valentines day party!  Yes, upon arrival i was greeted by saying there was going to be a "white" party that evening with 200 people!!  The only info I was given that white wardrobe was mandatory! 

 Ugh, I didn't have many options (white not being the most practical color to bring on a 4 month trip), wishing it could have been a black party I would have been set!  Not to mention, this party was supposed to be "THE" party of the season with a very exclusive invite only guest list!  So I managed to put together something halfway decent (luckily accessories didn't fall under the color mandate) and was ready to experience the "trance" party that I have heard so much about.  Just to be clear...the owners of YogaMagic (where I am staying) are a young hip british couple and most of the guests at the party were europeans that spend the season every year in Goa (think Ibiza with a more hippy. spiritual vibe).  

All I can say is "WOW"!!!!!!!  I felt like I was watching a movie or something.  The people coming in were all gorgeous, scantily dressed, yoga perfect tanned bodies.  Yes, a bit intimidating for the "not so fit", white, heavily clothed ( i was wearing a white tank top and white skirt, but that was a lot of clothing compared to most of the women there) american!!

It was truly a fascinating scene to watch!!  I was in stimulation overdrive...looking at everything!!  Did I mention it was an "alcohol free" party????  However, there where other types of mind altering products going around:-)

So that was the start to my week long experience in Goa.....

Namaste,

Dayna

More elephant pics

                                              What a pucker on a her!
                                       This is the one I rode (i forgot her name), she is 39 yrs old--I told her we                                           both have sun  spots:-)
                                              This is Assana--she is only 3 yrs old!

Elephants, elephants, everywhere....

Greetings from Fort Kochi, Kerela!

I arrived in Fort Kochi early yesterday and am very happy to report that I am very pleased with my guest house--phew!!  It is very basic/simple, but fits two "musts", well maybe 3:-)

-CLEAN

-Hot Water

-in my budget

and as an extra bonus has free wi-fi, a/c and in a totally new building (which i typically don't like, but new in India isn't sometimes such a bad thing unless you have a big budget).  Not to mention, I finally don't even have to use my own sheets!!  All this for 1800 rps per night which is equivalent to appx $40.

Plus, the owner is super hospitable and friendly.  He was born here but has been living in London with his wife and children for over 30 yrs and just opened this a few months ago.  He even came to dinner with me last night (he has a daughter too and I guess was feeling fatherly to be being alone).

I really like Fort Kochi!  Its super quaint and charming...and very easy to navigate.  It was once a Portuguese run town, so the architecture is a mix of Portuguese and kerela style...very nice!  However, I am told now the Kashmir's and foreigner's have bought up most of the old buildings.  It is the cultural center of kerela, so lots of interesting activities, shops, etc.  If I did have a larger hotel budget there are some really stunning boutique heritage hotels!!  I might splurge and have dinner at one tonight.  Hmmmm....perhaps I shldn't of bought 2 tops, 2 pants and had a pair of my favorite pants copied from a tailor in this amazing fabric.  Ugh...but everything is such a bargain compared to the US!!  I have shown enormous amounts of willpower thus far (with the motivation being that I really don't want more to schleep around)!  BUT....when I was on Chennai I sent a parcel to the US as to "lighten my load" (aka...make room for shopping)!!

So this am I got picked up at 6:30am to spend my morning with elephants at a rescue camp about 1.5 hrs away.

Wow...I love elephants!!!  They have such an interesting physique about them, they are really playful,  smart/good memory (hence, I have the memory of an elephant--which I have happen to have been told  plenty of times...which is fine as long as no one says I have the figure of an elephant--tee,hee) and seem very loyal.

I had my own car and driver (for $20 which included elephant ride too).  There were about 7 other tourists there, but I was the only one brave enough to attempt to help wash them (well, more of a photo opp I must admit).  I was a bit squeamish after I saw them all pooping and pishing right where they were getting bathed--yuck!  They get a bath every day at 8am.  Their handlers use coconuts to was them.  

Afterwards the get their "ayurvedic food"...apparently their dosha's are in balance:-)

It was a really great experience for me..loved it!

Tonight I am going to see a typical Keralan dance performance called Karnakatil--which looks very interesting.

Until tomorrow...

Namaste,

Dayna

Houseboat Heaven....or hell????

Hello everyone!

Well I left the Ayurveda beach resort this am, and am now on a beautiful houseboat which I have all to myself with a staff of 3!  But before I go into details of my day on the houseboat, I will give you an update from my last stay.

The place was  stunningly beautiful!!  The ayurveda treatments were interesting, but doing the program for 6 days isn't enough time to get my dosha's in balance.  Oh well, guess I will have to continue being dosha unbalanced for now.  However, i do have super soft skin from the TONS of oil they slather you with, not to mention the relaxed state it puts you in.  I also had a rejuvenation massage daily where you lie on a mat totally naked, spread out and they pour hot oil all over you, then the  therapist holds onto a rope from the ceiling and begins to rub you down with her feet (Yes, it does sound sort of kinky..)!!!  Ok, the combination that I am not very into feet (actually soooo not a foot person), and the hygienic issue--this was one massage I was questioning. However, after i got over my issues, it was really great in a barbaric kind of way:-)  And yes, she cleaned her feet in a bowl prior to rubbing them all over me.  

On a totally different note, I ended up meeting some really interesting nice people at the resort and ended up having several dinner invitations:-).  One of the woman who I totally loved is from the UK and her daughter lives in NYC and is also a fashion stylist!  She comes to Manaltheeram every year (along with many other people)--so I had dinner with her a few times.  My last day i also met a nice older couple from the UK.  They live part-time in Israel. So if I ever get to Israel I apparently have a place to stay:-)

 OK...yes, I had bug issues here too!!!   I actually had a scorpion on my balcony!!!  The first night I saw it I called up the front desk explaining what it looked like because i have never seen a real one before--but have seen pictures and they are very distinct looking!!  They sent someone up and he couldn't find it anywhere!  Did I mention it is 10:30pm, of course always the time I spot the bugs so I can't go to sleep--ugh!  Again, another sleeping pill is in order.....

So it seems to me that is very clear that whatever it is you fear, or think about somehow comes to you!  In my case....BUGS!!!

Which brings me to the houseboat.....I am getting swamped by mosquito's---yikes!!!!!  The sun is down and the chef is cooking my dinner and it smells great!

OK--gotta shut down my computer--

Well, it is now night time and I have been stuck in my tiny room on the houseboat since 7pm due to the infestation of bugs/mosquito's!!!!  Apparently because this houseboat has no a/c or screens anywhere the bugs get too much to be on the deck so they serve dinner on my bed!!!!!   

Not only do I have to be couped up in my tiny room, but it's hot as hell because I can't open the windows--they said too many bugs will come in--UGH!!!!  

So here I sit in a hot, cramped room sweating my ass off and paying LOTS of money to do so!!!  It is now 9:15pm and I have had dinner (0n my bed) and taken a bucket cold shower (which for a change felt good because I am so f*#*ing hot)!!

It's really a shame because the day was so great!  Amazing scenery, wonderful lunch and beautiful sunset.

Tomorrow am we dock at 9:00am then I head to my next destination--Fort Kochi.

I just booked the guesthouse the other day, so we shall see what tomorrow has in store....

Namaste,

Dayna

My Ayurveda diagnosis

Hi Everyone!

Well I am starting day 4 at Manalthheeram  Ayurveda resort.  But before going into my days, I will give you a VERY brief intro to what Ayurveda means.

It is an ancient science of the study of life (has been around for over 5000 yrs).  According to Ayurveda, every living and non-living being in the universe is a combination of earth, water, fire, air and ether. These 5 elements manifest into the body into three categories Vatha, Pitha, and Kapha--which are called Doshas (not to be confused with dosa's..which are tasty crepe like snacks).

The goal of the treatment is to have all of your Dosha's in balance to lead a healthy life both physically, mentally and spiritually.

I was diagnosed mostly Vatha (apparently the cause to my dry hair and skin), with a bit of Pitha.  I was also given a diet of food choices that they suggest I follow.

So last night I ate Vegetable Kofta (mashed veggies/potatoes in a thick creamy sauce), chappatis with butter and cream of tomato soup!!  I don't know about this diet...I have a feeling I am going to end up gaining weight on this plan (hello, didn't they see my thighs)????

Later today I am meeting with an astrologer who has already done my chart.  I had to give him my bday, place and exact time of my birth ugh, I hope that i really was born on 12:18pm (hoping that give or take ten minutes won't change the entire details of my future:-)

And finally, I have included some pics of where I am staying...truly beautiful!

Namaste,

Dayna

Here we go again....

Hello Everyone!

Hope you all are staying warm over there (I'm not even going to mention the temp here)!!

I am now in the south western state of Kerela, their tag line is "God's Own Country" (which God is yet to be determined since they pray to sooo many)!!  It's amazingly beautiful, the setting from my hotel is truly straight from a postcard!

However, it didn't all start off that way......

Tuesday Feb 3rd I land at the airport and immediately meet my driver who proceeds to take me to the ayuervedic hotel (which I have been looking forward to for months, not to mention the hrs I spent on the web searching for the PERFECT one)!!  As we drive, we pass so many billboards with pics of beautiful resorts, but don't see any for mine (which, am happy about..afterall, I am looking for the "authentic" ayurvedic experience)!!

As soon as we pull into the place my mind goes immediately to those beautiful billboards..wishing I was staying there!  So here I go again, not happy with my choice (yikes, could this be a reoccurring theme in my life) and want to switch hotels!  But hey, I am in India trying to open my mind...I decide to stay one day and see how it goes.

I wake up early the next day for Yoga.  I meet a wonderful woman who must have sensed I was unhappy with the hotel (I don't know how because I was quiet the whole time).  She told me she was staying at a fabulous resort down the road right on the beach and invited me if I wanted to see it!  So hesitantly I decide to go (hey, the world works in weird ways)....

WOW...as soon as I entered the gates and saw the arabian sea and the bungalows all around I decided I MUST stay here!!!  Immediately I walked with a skip to the reception and they had one room available!   Ok, yet again, another "Splurge"--but hey, I am in God's country...and staying at a place that isn't even fit for a  (hmm, can't think of what is the equivalent to bottom of the God chain, but you catch my drift).

Now the challenge was to get out of my reservation at the ungodly place I was staying at!  I had made the reservation months before and had given them a 100 euro deposit.  Miraculously after much trepidation on the hotels behalf (and an extra 50 euro on my end), they let me out of my ressie!!

Yippie...Arabian sea and cute bungalows here I come!!!!

More photos....

                                               Some bracelets that we made....

                                                   Apparently this cow is a  papertarian.....