The last two weeks have been challenging and a bit scary, but well worth every minute.
Earlier this week, Goa got the tail end of a cyclone, which apparently is the same as a hurricane, but in the Northern hemisphere (that is what I was told- don't hold me to this fact). On Monday evening the rain began. My roommate and I were in a friend's hut chatting. We sat, waiting for the rain to slow down, but it did no such thing, it only got more and more severe. Eventually, we made a break for our own hut. Because of the weather conditions, we had no power; therefore, Katyanna and I had to feel our way into our beds. When I cam to my bed, I also came across a nice puddle on top of it. (Leak #1) Suprisingly, I was very calm about the situation. There was nothing I could do, so I laid a blanket over the wet spot and crawled on it. Throughout the night, rain continued to drip on my head. Problem solved... put another blanket over my head. Although, I was ok with the dampness of my bed, I couldn't sleep. I was scared there would be sever flooding considering that where I was staying was destroyed every monsoon season and rebuilt afterward.
Eventually I fell asleep, and in the morning woke up to strong winds and seeing the beach being completely wiped out. Thankfully, no one was hurt during the storm, but it was really sad to see the huts and beach chairs, that the stafff spent so much time rebuilding, completely gone. The ocean and the storm completely transformed the beach, not just by wiping out the things that were on it, but it changed it's shape.
On a happier note... Before I leave Goa, I want to recognize all the people that made my month here wonderful. My wonderful yogi girls, the resort staff (The Dunes), Christna- my cab driver and Sunny- the best shop owner ever!
My yogi girls: without the support and positive attiude of these ladies, I would have struggled. Without the unique personality and good nature of each, I would have been bored. I love them all and can't wait to see them again!
The Dune's staff: They were fabulous! They were not only hard working and patient dealing with 20 some emotional females. Not to mention, 20 females who were practing bramachara (aka...no men). Those poor boys. They were not only there at our beckoning call, but you could always count on a big, beautiful grin from each and everyone the moment they saw you.
Christna: Again, the biggest and best smile as well as the best cab prices in town!
Sunny: He was able to give a girl exactly what she needed... A pile of beautiful colorful fabrics in an air conditioned room while serving you masala chai. I probably spent a good number of my free hours sitting on a pile of Indian silk.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
India-week 2
It has only been two weeks since I've arrived in Goa. It has only been two weeks since I've began my life long journey studying yoga. It has only been two weeks sence I have met 22 of the most amazing women. In two weeks I have manged to gain knowledge useful for a lifetime and friendships that will last a lifetime.
When I signed up for this yoga program, of course I thought it would be fabulous, it's my cup of tea. I didn't realize or expect that it would exceed my expectations. My first day of the program, one of the teachers told us that in the next month a large amount of purification would be taking place within our bodies, minds and souls. So, if we needed anyone to talk to, they would be around. I blew off the statement because I didn't know what it meant, and I was just there to do some yoga. Two weeks later, after 12 hour days filled with meditation, yoga and yoga philosophy. Twelve hours of my day where I was left alone with my mind and thoughts. I had a breakdown, along with about 7 other people.
Each of us come from entirely different backrounds and locations. All of us have our own personal stories of why we started yoga and decided to drop everything and come to India. I've learned that no matter the situation or reason, no one's reason is more important than the others. We all came to better our selves and our lives.
I entered Goa with the determination to learn some yoga and lose some weight, but I soon found out I was here for much more than that. I realized that I was truely here to do some self-realization. Without going into details, it has occured to me that there are a lot of things that have happened in my life that I brush off as nothing. I have said I'm ok with it, I still say I'm ok with it, but I am sincerely not. I lie to myself, a lot, and I am not the only one. We all want to be stronger that we really are. We all want things to look perfect from the outside no matter how ugly they are on the inside. I'm working on that.
On a happier note... I love it here! I love the people, the food, even the little critters that live in my hut. My roommates are fantastic! We are like a little international family; Hong Kong, Scottland and the U.S. We became very comfortable with each other extreamly fast due to our bathroom door being nothing but a sheer curtain.
Even though I don't have a lot of free time, there is always time for a dip in the ocean and a chai masala tea (soy milk of course). This weekend, the director of the program put together a Halloween party for us. We had to scrounge through our limited resources to make ourselves a costume. The theme was, come as your favorite asana. I was "goddess" duh!
Saturday after noon, we shopped at a near by market, searching for things to gather for our costumes. In the evening, our yoga shalla was used as a giant dressing room. One of our teachers provided us with body paints and glitter to spice things up. After making ourselves beautiful we headed down the beach where we induldged in a veggie buffet and danced to Indian musice all night. "Boots with the Fur" was also thrown into the mix. It was a fabulous evening!
When I signed up for this yoga program, of course I thought it would be fabulous, it's my cup of tea. I didn't realize or expect that it would exceed my expectations. My first day of the program, one of the teachers told us that in the next month a large amount of purification would be taking place within our bodies, minds and souls. So, if we needed anyone to talk to, they would be around. I blew off the statement because I didn't know what it meant, and I was just there to do some yoga. Two weeks later, after 12 hour days filled with meditation, yoga and yoga philosophy. Twelve hours of my day where I was left alone with my mind and thoughts. I had a breakdown, along with about 7 other people.
Each of us come from entirely different backrounds and locations. All of us have our own personal stories of why we started yoga and decided to drop everything and come to India. I've learned that no matter the situation or reason, no one's reason is more important than the others. We all came to better our selves and our lives.
I entered Goa with the determination to learn some yoga and lose some weight, but I soon found out I was here for much more than that. I realized that I was truely here to do some self-realization. Without going into details, it has occured to me that there are a lot of things that have happened in my life that I brush off as nothing. I have said I'm ok with it, I still say I'm ok with it, but I am sincerely not. I lie to myself, a lot, and I am not the only one. We all want to be stronger that we really are. We all want things to look perfect from the outside no matter how ugly they are on the inside. I'm working on that.
On a happier note... I love it here! I love the people, the food, even the little critters that live in my hut. My roommates are fantastic! We are like a little international family; Hong Kong, Scottland and the U.S. We became very comfortable with each other extreamly fast due to our bathroom door being nothing but a sheer curtain.
Even though I don't have a lot of free time, there is always time for a dip in the ocean and a chai masala tea (soy milk of course). This weekend, the director of the program put together a Halloween party for us. We had to scrounge through our limited resources to make ourselves a costume. The theme was, come as your favorite asana. I was "goddess" duh!
Saturday after noon, we shopped at a near by market, searching for things to gather for our costumes. In the evening, our yoga shalla was used as a giant dressing room. One of our teachers provided us with body paints and glitter to spice things up. After making ourselves beautiful we headed down the beach where we induldged in a veggie buffet and danced to Indian musice all night. "Boots with the Fur" was also thrown into the mix. It was a fabulous evening!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)