tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81654272011-04-21T17:09:13.502-04:00Mysore JournalIndia, baby. What more can I say?Natashanoreply@blogger.comBlogger341100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1108830972044150022005-02-19T11:00:00.001-05:002009-05-31T18:04:52.384-04:00Upon my return I have been asked many times, "What was it like?"It was like landing in a different world that was one of the most familiar places I have ever been. It was realizing the insignificance and the interrelatedness of my life when placed among greater humanity. It was seeing the impact of imperialism and slavery on a regal and proud people. It was disheartening, beautiful, overwhelming,Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1108828437801443882005-02-19T10:53:00.000-05:002005-02-19T10:53:57.800-05:00A bird and a BikeNatashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1108828328068032732005-02-19T10:52:00.000-05:002005-02-19T10:56:14.616-05:00me and guruji - and I'm wearing a money belt under that shirt, peopleNatashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1108828311353723522005-02-19T10:51:00.001-05:002005-02-19T10:57:47.573-05:00A coffee shop in another timeNatashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1108828268717522862005-02-19T10:51:00.000-05:002005-02-19T10:51:08.716-05:00Jasmine and sarisNatashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1108828247222609722005-02-19T10:50:00.001-05:002005-02-19T10:50:47.223-05:00A sadu on the side of the roadNatashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1108828231601962512005-02-19T10:50:00.000-05:002005-02-19T10:50:31.600-05:00The sheep are ever so fashion forward, note the matching bagNatashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1108828198007082702005-02-19T10:49:00.001-05:002005-02-19T10:49:58.006-05:00Yellow cow, need I say more?Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1108828183853774692005-02-19T10:49:00.000-05:002005-02-19T10:49:43.853-05:00Katakali dancer putting on Make up before the showNatashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1108828133331741292005-02-19T10:48:00.000-05:002005-02-19T10:48:53.330-05:00Tikka in the MarketNatashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1108827813152139932005-02-19T10:43:00.000-05:002005-02-19T10:43:33.153-05:00Just a few shots - a colorful and unexepected India...Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1108207383055893202005-02-12T05:51:00.001-05:002009-05-31T18:08:32.962-04:00I vowed to wean myself off of chai today, but it is kind of rude to decline on offer when someone makes one and there were a few other weak moments. I am jittery and anxious as a result. I guess I can go through the withdrawal process during the long journey home. We leave Cochin in an hour - fly to Bangalore then Frankfurt, Boston, and eventually Nantucket. I have been enjoying the lazy beach Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1108010236178045762005-02-09T23:27:00.002-05:002009-05-31T18:10:28.554-04:00I would not describe myself as "an ice cream person". I am more of a cookies and cakes kind of girl, but when I saw the pink and white Baskin Robbins sign hanging from a distance, I knew I had to do it. Somehow that familiar sign and set up seemed just right after being sick for some time, and after the long journey from Mysore to Cochin (Kochi). I ordered a scoop of double chocolate almond and Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1107609121898204342005-02-05T08:00:00.001-05:002009-05-31T18:14:40.423-04:00I was diagnosed with Acute Gastritis (doesn't that mean serious gas, or something?). I was released from the hospital last night after a day and a half long stay. I was subjected to various tests, a blood screening, a sonogram of each organ, a chest X ray, examinations and prodding. I was surprised that no EKG or MRI were recommended. Mysteriously, all test were negative and normal, despite my Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1106974977972472262005-01-28T23:39:00.001-05:002009-05-31T18:18:05.535-04:00"Pray your god," said Harini right before she started laughing a deep and throaty laugh.Oh, Shit, I thought and closed my eyes tight. I was lying on my side, wearing nothing but a string and a strip of cheesecloth ("Indian special" Harini called it), and as slippery as a freshly caught fish. She stepped on my left heel with her right foot rotating my entire leg inside out, as she dug her left Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1106899536676901382005-01-28T02:46:00.000-05:002005-01-28T03:05:36.676-05:00As we ascended Chumundi Hill, a nearby temple complex, in search of the sadu who holds residence in a nearby cave, Alex and I were approached by three teenage boys. We were easy targets slow to climb the 650 steep and rocky stairs. I had noticed them earlier while we were taking a break about half way up where there was a pineapple salesman. They surrounded us, one on each side and one walking Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1106724140424543052005-01-26T01:57:00.000-05:002005-01-28T02:42:10.816-05:00I recently read about how busy eyes can quickly tire the mind. For example, riding in a car or train can become quite tiresome just by looking out the window to take in the sights. The mind processes like a computer; working like a machine to take in the environment, digesting it, storing the images becomes exhausting and forces the eyes to close and one to sleep. So I experienced during the Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1106284859752851902005-01-20T23:59:00.001-05:002009-05-31T18:21:28.748-04:00"Outsiders who go to India have no idea of the country, even when they are there..." V.S. Naipaul, Half A LifeAs I walked home from my cooking class yesterday, I came across a cow who was struggling with a plastic bag on the dusty road. I stood there for some time watching him nose his way around the bag, he snuffled and snorted and I imagined he was becoming frustrated, although even under Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1106147225219457752005-01-19T09:58:00.000-05:002005-01-19T10:12:54.806-05:00In the end, I often end up doing more than I had planned to in the beginning. Tonight I waited tables at my friend Tina’s. Her backyard strewn with pillows and lit with gem like lanterns becomes a romantic restaurant on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights. I have offered to help her serve dinners this week. This is in addition to my chanting and Sanskrit classes, cooking classes, kirtans, Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1105856312661854002005-01-16T01:54:00.001-05:002009-05-31T18:26:08.761-04:00disclaimer: the spell check feature is not working, so...The cow (or was it a yak?) was painted yellow with red strips down his back. His horns were purple and seemingly dipped in glitter - they shined and sparkled in the morning sun. No, this was not some tripped out hallucination; just an everyday spectacle on my way to the internet cafe. This and many other scenes, which upon my arrival seemedNatashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1105702551493169992005-01-14T06:09:00.001-05:002009-05-31T18:29:06.105-04:00They were all lined up when I walked into the shala for this mornings led practice. The students from the previous class were waiting in front of Guruji's chair which sits on a platform at the front of the room. One by one they kneeled down, touched the guru's feet, touched their foreheads, and if they were female stood up and leaned over the guru to give a hug and kiss. I noticed that more than Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1105504362851601712005-01-11T22:57:00.001-05:002009-05-31T18:31:43.523-04:00So, you want to know what it's like at the shala. Well, it's like any other studio, I guess. After all of my anticipation and nervousness, it's really just me and the mat. It is great being in a hot sweaty room with so many people - the collective energy helps to create heat that I rarely achieve in my own practice. I had heard about being stopped in certain postures during the series if you Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1105459019554547252005-01-11T10:42:00.000-05:002005-01-11T10:56:59.553-05:00Today: Tuesday January 11, 2005
Events: First Day at the Shala!
Made new Friends
Discovered THE Mysore Market
Enrolled in cooking classes with Tina – the local chef
Got Palms read by Vedic Astrologer (long life, lots of love, travel – go figure)
Experienced after effects of Manchurian Gobi – you don’t even want to know
Missed Friends and family
Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1105267527590034392005-01-09T05:22:00.001-05:002009-05-31T18:35:20.707-04:00We are still in Ooty. Yesterday, Mani a Christian Ooty native who was about 50 years old, took us on a 3 hour "hike" around the hills. More accurately, we walked around the town, into the back yards of once royal retreats - now only boasting tired gardens - through tea plantations where hunched women nimbly picked young leaves off the tops of full bushes, through pine woods planted by German Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1105171193363845212005-01-08T02:34:00.000-05:002005-01-08T02:59:53.363-05:00I've spent the last hour trying to upload images so that you may get some visuals of the trip. Apparently this is not going to happen this morning, so you'll just have to use your imaginations. Jackie and I are experiencing jaundiced hands, but don't be too alarmed. We feel alright for the most part and worst case scenario is a touch of Hepatitis A. Lovely.
Still in Ooty. Although we are Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1105100023582817792005-01-07T06:59:00.001-05:002009-05-31T18:37:49.915-04:00We are currently in Ooty, in the Nilgiri hills 3 and a half hours Northwest of Mysore. This mountain village is well known for Kasmiri goods, cardamom tea, chocolates, coffee, and eucalyptus. The smell of dried eucalyptus leaves fills the air here. On our way up we drove though the Bandiphur National Forest. Our driver stopped at every spotted deer in case we wanted to take pictures. We were muchNatashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1104936035995646692005-01-05T09:15:00.000-05:002005-01-06T00:22:48.746-05:00I registered at the shala yesterday. Pattabhi Jois lovingly counted out every rupee. Actually, there was a price discrepancy, and I kind of got into it with him for a moment before his grandson came in and resolved the issue. There is more of a story to the whole experience, but at the moment I feel like moving on despite the possibilty of a comical recount.
If you have sent me emails, by the Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1104805381993855502005-01-03T21:22:00.000-05:002005-01-03T21:25:58.886-05:00Last night we met Fish, a hard-core sports fanatic who is biking his way around India for six months. He seems to do everything - from rock climbing to guide training, and snowboarding to break dancing, he is an active dude from Canada who is most at home searching out whatever adventure the world and wilderness might have to offer. He said he has been biking from village to village where he Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1104665888931356512005-01-02T06:01:00.000-05:002005-01-02T23:23:42.020-05:00Many friends have written me to ask what it's like over here amidst this incredible tragedy. It is truly a strange time to be here and I honestly don't know how to reconcile my own experience with this catastrophic event. I mean, essentially I'm on vacation in a country pained by a tremendous loss. I imagine the experience to be like visiting Louisiana from another country, during September 11th.Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1104596734232232782005-01-01T11:09:00.000-05:002005-01-01T11:25:34.233-05:00Since my last post, the reality of the Tsunami has hit. We were a bit removed from everything (ie. reality) upon our arrival. On New Year's eve, we took part in a beautiful and touching ceremony for the victims. Listening to traditional Kannada Raga was heartbreaking. It is a very strange time to be here, obviously. There is fear among many especially since scientists (?) are reporting a Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1104383528013859972004-12-30T01:06:00.000-05:002005-01-01T11:27:14.426-05:00Jagadeeswaran means “ruler of the world”
Yesterday Jackie and I stumbled upon a letterpress printer. I saw the sign and thought I’d price out some business cards. We were greeted by the gentle manager, Jagadees. He explained that his shop was the oldest printer in India – three generations and over 150 years in operation. The equipment they use is just as old from Germany and England and as Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1104296049228266812004-12-28T23:27:00.000-05:002004-12-28T23:55:43.456-05:00What day is it? I'm not sure what's going on around here since I have had about 4 hours of sleep in the last day and a half and 2 incredibly strong cups of tea this morning. We arrived in Bangalore at around 1:30 am. I was worried about typhoid, malaria, scamming and kidnapping before I arrived, but after a hair raising taxi ride from the airport to our hotel early this morning, I think I can Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1104162296636687342004-12-27T10:23:00.000-05:002004-12-27T11:03:08.516-05:00Well, it's a winter wonderland up here in Boston. I depart later this afternoon and expect to arrive in a balmy Bangalore sometime in the early morning, in a day or so. My total travel time will be something in the neighborhood of 20 hours - yikes, good thing I have a window seat and some sleeping pills! I haven't seen a TV for the last couple of days, so I have to go find a newspaper to read Natashanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165427.post-1095085784660636272004-09-13T10:29:00.000-04:002007-03-14T18:48:29.489-04:00Cassius, Buddha reincarnated.Monday 13 September This section of the website is a journal that will document my trip to Mysore, India this winter. I will chronicle, or "blog" the time leading up to my departure, travel in India, study and practice with Sri Pattabhi Jois, and my return to Nantucket in February. Today's journal entry is a test, but is also an invitation to return to this site, to Natashanoreply@blogger.com