A Day Outing

Things seem getting better for me in the last few days toward the second week of training, except on Monday when I took Malaria pill at breakfast and was feeing drowsy at Philosophy & Sanskrit class. It was so hard keeping my eyes opened! To be more comfy, I bought a bucket for storing extra water, a drymop to clean my room and a brush to clean my feet! Again Gamal went to pick up all those things for me and the total cost was only 450Rs ($9) he is an angel! People are so nice here and I am blessed.

I finally was able to connect with Gunther through video on Skype on Tues, that was the highlight of my day :) I also saw the first rain in India (there was some rain overnight before too but I didn't hear anything), it poured and that's the good thing because we got  tap water turn back on for a day or two. Yah!

On Wed, the day off from training, Bhooma took us to another ashram, where he was trained for 7 years. We met one of his teachers, who is 90yrs old, stayed silence for number of years, was fasting 30 days at one time to calm some conflicts in the ashram... Talk about faith and endurance!

Then we went to Varkala beach about 1hr drive. Stopped for breakfast first, of course vegetarian food again but different and better taste. I selfishly took the seat next to the driver the whole time back and forth. I knew some might comment on my action but I also knew I would get car sick if I didn't. I was in my own calm zone, no socializing as the group on the back seats, just observing the scenery, the dangerous driving--our driver passed a passing bus as the the opposite cars were approaching! I was the only one in the car put seat belt on. Have faith and no fear :)

Varkala Beach, Kerala

Bhooma left us at the beach by 11:30am and would return by 6pm to meet us again. We had that much of time to do whatever we wanted. I came prepared but decided not to step down the cliff to the beach (I heard the water was warm).

Varkala beach is very touristy but gives you comfort: lots of foreigners, better standards and variety of Western food if one is craving like me ;), lots of shops, massage places, guest houses, and resorts...all i bought were couple comfy pants I needed, trying to control my shopping habit. Enjoyed  a much craving lunch--red snapper with veg and salad for $6, cheese cake $1, and lemon soda $.50. All restaurants had wi-fi so I just sat and put my feet up, upload pics... Had Mango Lassi for snack. Jitra stayed with me the whole time so we kept each other company. Varkala beach is similar to some places I had been before in VN, but not better so not much to highlight, unless you like to swim, sun tanning, shop...

On the way back we stopped at the same restaurant for dinner, didn't understand the menu so we let Bhooma ordered, nothing special. When I come back to Canada, surely will not have Chapati  (like pita) for a while, and won't turn to a vegetarian either ;) However my eating habit seems improving: smaller portion, less sweet and still feel good physically:)

We were all very tired at the end of a "hectic" day (the rough ride back, the crowd, the excitement...) I was already looking forward to our second week of training  to find calmness :) Hmmm?