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October 19, 2005
We saw elephants!
We went to the Mysore palace yesterday and did a tour. It was pretty neat, but we wanted to see more of it. They have a very defined and narrow tour they give. The gold throne the Maharaja sits on was on display as well. I guess they don't always have it on display which is probably why they had like ten armed guards around it. Anyways, we walked around the grounds and saw that you could get camel or elephant rides. Andrew promised his son that he would get an elephant ride and take pics, so you guessed it..... The ride was only 50 rupees (a little over a dollar). Rowan loved the elephant too. We didn't take her on a ride because we didn't know how she would like it, but we walked in the stroller next to the elephant as Andrew was on it.
Andrew and the elephant ride:
Posted by Tara at 06:30 AM | Comments (0)
October 16, 2005
Picture link plus some...
Well, I have more pics. The Dasara parade was this Thursday and Jason and Andrew went and took some pics. Jason took a lot of small videos and if I can ever figure out how to put them online I will. But there are pics. Supposedly there were over 300,000 people at this festival. Jason said it was mainly men too. Good thing Rowan & I didn't go...
We also went to the government Sandal Oil Factory this week so that we could get the pure stuff. We did a little tour and Jason got one picture before the guard told us to stop. They don't like you taking pics anywhere here! When you go to the zoo you have to pay extra to take pictures. Go figure. Anyways, we walked out with 2 illegal photos! What are they gonna do????
The shala is only open for one more week and then the family is off for safari. Jason, Rowan & I are going to Auroville for a week. It should be fun and also very HOT. I will get some photos. I am anxious to see what the place is like. It is sort of a communal social experiment. We will be staying at a healing retreat center called Quiet. We were like, "we have a kid, does that exclude us from Quiet?" because we all know that kids know nothing about being quiet!
Well, here is the picture link and I will post more later:
share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8Acs27Fy5atWGK
Posted by Tara at 07:06 AM | Comments (0)
October 12, 2005
Mysore updates
Well, here is what has been going on with us this week:
Sharath is back at the shala and everyone's energy during practice seems to be up. I have noticed people talking about getting poses more and more since he has been back. I have even found myself thinking this week "when will I get the next pose?". Those thoughts are infectious. :) But if I do first series for the rest of the time that would be okay because I would still get to contend with my arch nemesis - Supta Kurmasana!
Jason cut ALL his hair off! He has been talking about it for awhile, but finally did it this week. I got to be the executioner. I really liked Jason with long hair, but I really like him nowith short hair. He iso cute,he is. Our landlady tol him he looked like James Bond. Neither of us could figure that one out...
We were all sick last week, but it seemed like we all had different things. Rowan had a cold with a runny nose and cough, Jason had a runny nose and fever, and I was bowel purging for a few days. We each took some days off from practice and layed low for a few days. We are feeling better now and are back to practicing.
Dasara is happening this week. It is apparantly a really big festival that goes on this time of year. I lasts for about a week and a half, but we haven't seen much of it. Thursday is supposed to be the big day where there is a huge procession through the city and up to Chimundi Hill. It is supposed to be absolutely packed. I have decided to stay home for this one because I don't feel comfortable having Rowan out in a scene that could be like Mardi Gras in India. However, Jason is going and will hopefully get some good pictures. I am not sure what the festival is for now that I think of it. I will have to find out and report back...
Well, I think that is about it. I have been feeling very homesick this week and wishing I was in my own bed, driving my own car and eating anything but Indian food :) but I think it will pass. I am also fantasizing about an actual whole day and night without Rowan! I have been with her every single day but one since she was born and I think she is old enought that she could do some sleep overs and I could be by myself! I can't even imagine what that would be like anymore :). Mom, if you are reading this, you may have to babysit your grandaughter when I get home!
That's all for now!
Posted by Tara at 11:57 AM | Comments (0)
October 05, 2005
Picture link and more
Here is a link to more pics of us when we went to the Mysore zoo and to the Mysore palace.
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8Acs27Fy5atWFk
We went to IVAC yesterday and I had 2 Ayurvedic treatments: an abhyanga massage and shirodhara. The massage consisted of me getting completely naked except for a piece of dental floss they gave me to wear as a thong. Two women slathered me with warm sesame oil and gave me a very expertely synchronized massage. I know people who love this type of massage, but I have to say that I was not super thrilled. It was a bit too stimulating for me - too many hands and very quick strokes. You are also laying there nude without anything to cover you. I am not a prude, but it did take me a minute to adjust. THEN they started massaging my breasts! My first reaction was to start laughing. I won't say it didn't feel good, because it did, but really how often to you have 2 women massaging your breasts in unison???? That is usually bedroom behavior for me.
After the abhyanga massage I had shirodhara - it rocked! Basically this consisted of me laying still (this time they covered me with towels) and having warm/hot sesame oil slowly dripped on my forehead for about 45 minutes. "Is that all?" you ask. Yes, and it was wonderful. It becomes very hypnotic and puts you in a very peaceful place. I thoroughly enjoyed that treatment and will get it again.
There is lots of bodywork floating around here and I haven't had a chance to expereince it all, but I will keep you posted as I am able to get work done.
Posted by Tara at 05:47 AM | Comments (0)
October 04, 2005
Guess who!
Yesterday we drove out to Lalith Majal. It is a palace just outside of Mysore built in the 1920's for the Maraji's guests. Now it is kind of a swank hotel/restaurant. They also have a number of gift stores selling silks, paintings, statues, etc. It was a nice drive out there and we walked around the grounds and visited the shops. Rowan especially liked the stuffed lion and tiger in the lobby. She has learned that lions and tigers say "Rooooaaaarrrrrrr!" and so as soon as she saw them she was saying that over and over. It was very cute especially since she used to say "woof woof" for every animal she saw.
We were walking around and ended up going into this very small statue shop. It had very cool antique statues and figurines, but the one thing I noticed as soon as I walked in was the one picture hanging on the far side of the store:
It was Tim's daughter, Leela. What her picture is doing hanging in the store I don't know, but the shop keeper was quick to tell us that Tim Miller shops there. He would even give us a discount since we knew Tim :)
Speaking of shopping, if any of the friends and family who read this blog have any requests of stuff they want while I am here you had better speak up. Don't wait till the last minute!!!!
Today we are off to IVAC - an ayurvedic center - to get massages. I will let you know how it is.
Posted by Tara at 05:33 AM | Comments (0)