On we go...
42
Pondicherry, 29th Dec

Ou, yes yes. In Pondicherry: in a sense typical (don't ask me why if I misspelled, but you can add an edit as comment; fnx:)) Indian city, but with great French influence.

Two days ago I bought a book. But not just any book. The book I was looking for 5 months (of course I could order it on internet - but I was too lazy:)). The title is Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Yeeeeeeessssssssssss!!! In English of course. And after all, the Ultimate one. Now the trip begins.

With, let's say, todays' renting of bycicle. First time on my own on a higher speed in Indian chaotic traffic. But preobservations were well done and I started quite well... After taking a midday rest I went on. This time under different circumstances (very simillar to riding a bike in Netherlands;) and, wow, yes it was fantastic. Actually, from Mumbai on I knew that this is definitelly the thing I have to do. From now on - wherever possible :D

I don't feel that New Year's eve is coming. Maybe because of the temperatures. Anyway, I will celebrate it at satsang*. Hmm, tomorrow I do a "hitchike" to Puttaparthi, that's the place, where avatar* Sai Baba built his ashram*. We'll see what the way will bring. Greater I choose. Of course to move on. Actually, it's nice to be on the road again.This time with 3 kg lighter backpack (thanks to Barbara, half is going back to Slovenia).

This time it maybe little longer post, anyway it's New Year coming :)) So enjoy the rest...

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Jah bless
k
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satsang* (from Sanskrit): sat - Truth, sang - society; meaning happening where people gather in honour of God
avatar*: realised person, the one free of karma laws
ashram*: community place for living, with temple or gathering hall included

ps. Uf. Too fast. I drank today so fucking good fresh mango juice, that it's hardly unbelievable. But it's true.
pps. So many things to tell you about, but it will come by the way or in upgraded edition. Peace

Last day of stay
I move what I choose
27th Dec, Mamallapuram

Fiijjjuu... It was a three day conscious stop to everything. I was a little walking around (of course finding refill for my stomach :D ), but most of the time I was in a horizontal position resting. It was interesting, from time to time even just a breath was a lot. Really a lot. And it is interesting, because new energies are set and it influences anyone anywhere. It is not a secret anymore, that great changes are going to occur on the Earth soon. All these vibes and talkings and thinkings and everything simillar rises the level of personal and mass consciousness; and as everything we're on the good way to arrive to the limit. And limit does not necesarilly means destruction, end or (as some hurry to explain) the finish of the world. It can be a transformation, to something new, Greater. Who knows what and who dares to say??

Don't be scared, it's only an opinion in combination with 2nd anniversary of Tsunami (that was on 26th Dec 2004). Life here (meaning south India's coasts) is back to normal and people are slowly forgetting the great tragedy.

And meanwhile all the nonsences happening in the outer world, I keep connection to my inner world. India has learned me to keep my space strictly and every time to know where to go. Otherwise you screw sometimes and you learn. :)) Yeah, it's that simple. Of course, if you're opened to new learnings.... And I am.

And yes, tommorow I'm finishing my one week staying in the village of stones. The India has a few stops more, including the north part with Rajasthan and Delhi. The I change to SE Asia. We'll see, time's on my side :D

Jah bless
k

Day passing
Mamallapuram, 25th Dec

It is a chilling out time for me. Yesterday at Christmas Eve I was taking a sleep. And so it passed, when I woke up at midnight, without knowing the reason. But I must not forget to tell you that I'm sick. Like normal illness, with litlle body purification. Noting serious, just forcing me to rest. And meanwhile thinking a lot about everything that happened to me, specially lately. Tones of experiences that want to settle down, that want an integration in my whole being. As through my whole tripping I was experiencieng ups and downs, this one is simmilar. That nothing is wrong with me, just the vibes that influence me from time to time are from the past. Passing to be forgiven and simultaneously I accept them not to be forgotten.

And I procede with learning how photography. This two are latest selection, both close to place of permanent staying. But still a lot of to learn. Also in photography.

One of the many stone temples on the hill in Mamallapuram

Watching tower, Tyger cave, near Mamallapuram

Jah bless for new year
k

After Kochi report
I can fast physically,
but I cannot fast spiritually*
*Mahathma Gandhi's saying
Mamallapuram, 23rd Dec


Namaste!
Yes, greetings, my friends. Finally I reached Computer. I nearly lost my mind sitting by "computer" two days ago. Maybe because as a designer in last two years I get used to better PCs. Hm...

From last time, many many things happened. And the real part was taking photos. I felt wonderful. So some of them I offer you today, inbetween writing about some experiences and impressions.

Near to Kochi is Cherai Beach, on Vypeen Island, said to be one of most popullated islands in Asia. Sunset was magical, deep touching purple...

From Kochi I went on on my own. First stop was from Lonely Planet recommended Kerala backwaters. From part to part flooded subtropical landscape, with many connecting water channels - from big to small. And all the life inferior to that. Boat houses, ships instead of buses, pure village life, as much as Indian way allows and wants. From Allapey it was nice water trip to Kottayam.


One of most beautiful (and also more expensive) beaches of the south is Varkala. With it cliff top location can offer a fascinating view to a newcomer...


To the southest point of India, with entering India's southest state (Tamil Nadu), the path was not so clear. By missing train, a challenge was offered to me. And as from the sky it was solved. So leaded the way to Kanyakumari, a sacred place of south. A place where respected Swami Vivekanda found a place for three-day meditation. And a place, where India's most praised person, Mahatma Gandhi's ash was thrown into sea infinity.

The southest point of India. In the back on the left (with red roof) is Swami Vivekananda's palace.

MGs palace.

Sunset at Kanyakumari, believed to be one of the most beautiful (and thus respected) in India.

Sacred karma purifying bath at the point of three seas: Bengal sea, Indian ocean and Arabic sea.

Friend last time asked me to upload maybe some photo with my figure on it. And I chose that one with group of Indian pass-by friends :DD


From Kanyakumari I went to Rameswaram, closest city to Sri Lanka. And actually it was even more pilgrimage than previous. Hard to believe. Photo session went on, but the light wasn't on my side, either the batteries for the camera. But in Ramanthaswamy temple, closed area of few hectares, there is a place for 22 different bathings - of course in sacred water... All the Tamil Nadu is very spiritual.


The last of the temples I wanted to see was Sree Meenakashi Temple in Madurai. I reached a photo-taking overdose, and now I moved to Mamallapuram, a village of stones. But sadly not stoned :DD


In the over Christmas rest time I will recharge my batteries and surely some comments and thinkings are soon to come. For today only that one to the Irani president, who recently said that Israel and West (meaning USA and Europe) were going to collapse because of non respecting God. I say to him that the same will happen with Islamic countries, using Vivekananda's thought: "All nations have attained greatness by paying proper respect to women. That country and that nation which do not respect women have never become great, nor will ever be in the future. If you do not raise women, who are the living embodiment of the Divine Mother, don't think that you have any other way to rise."

Wish you a year full of light, whenever you chose to change - on earthy winter solsticium, on Christmas or New Year's Eve or at Deepawali, the Indian time of light.
Say to you Jah bless

And YES, we got to keep on walking, on the road to....

Kochi report
12th Dec, Fort Cochi

Today is a fifth day of staying in Fort Cochi, former Portugesse, French and English harbour/enclave. Very nice (and touristic) place of India, also pretty expensive. Time to move on. 14 days day-to-day moving trip awaits me. Going to southest point and on rounding way back to Goa.

Yesterday I took an ayurvedic massage. It was very good, a little bit expensive. But, for those who not know: first herbal oil massage of upper part of the body, after that foot massage (not my feet!), after that herbal hand massage. In very chilli bamboo huts atmosphere. And after that ajur-cleaning of head senses (with smoke mostly). Very intresting. I feel different today.

And just a story more: of course staying in new rooms brings new mosquitos and if you want to sleep good, you must kill them. And few days ago obviously one of mosquitos felt the vibe and comited suicide, by flying directly into fan area. Pity... :))

About story of French man next time...
Bless from summer time
k

Every day, every morning
Kochi, 11th Dec

Ough, it's nice and warm afternoon. As I promised I'm sending photos :)) And just to let you know. Updating the photos seems easy, but it's not.

And just one thing more. Travelling every day brings many situations, and surfing them is the way you come through. Does not worth to tell thousands of words. So: enjoy.
Jah bless, k

First (palm tree with Indian) and third (Indian snooker, three men) from Kochi
Second (with "halfman" Indian) from Chowpatti Beach, Mumbai
Fourth from Mudumalai National Park, a ariving view from our appartment

Sweet India
Coimbatore, 6th Dec

I realised that missing the sweets in India would be a mistake. Just while ago we went and stop in a classical street shop with sugar and all alike bakery. I did - of course - take mix: a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Mmmm. Tasty :)) ...

And people, always "belling" (moving similar to turned-over bell) with their heads, saying yes in body language. And it is really funny, I mean unusual for our (European) behaviour to do it spontaneouslly. But it feels really good!! :D

And the third, last thing for today is - we were trekking close to natural park (in park is probrohibited by government laws...) and saw elephants. Just a mother and a baby. And also other animals of course, but these were the biggest :)) And one more: today while taking a bus ride from Masinagudi to Ooty (Udhagamandalam) I felt real joy (like a child). first we were driving through flat landscape with more than 80 km/h - on the Indian road!, with many BIG holes - and the highest jump of the last line was above 50 cm! :D And after came long ascending to the hill station (Ooty) at height above 2000 m. On the very tight hilly way, called Sighur Ghat road (sounds really like Tolien name, ha) I felt like "remembering" Tibet. Aaah, so refreshing, simply powerful. Pure joy.

Hope you follow or walk in front
stfk

lightworker dot com

It is GOOD to feel GOOD
Mysore/Masinagudi, 3rd & 5th Dec

This travelling blog changes from day to day. Surely because I had no vision of it. So I'm forced to create my own blog in my own style. The readers may change, new will come. The circle will widen like my horizonts. And surely this blog changes because of that. And this it is: a diary of journey to my Self.

Last time after posting I realised I've not much yet told about Indians. And India. Here's the brief:

• the traffic is "chaotic": meaning that usually are centimeters in the "game". For a common Western can be this kind of moving through the crowds of people (and does not matter with a car, bike or on feet) fearful and unlogical. But Indians do it with belief and awareness. Belief that everything will be (is!!) OK. So you too (are forced to) simply do it :))
• "You get India through your all senses." (Lonely Planet)

1. So many colors that fit together.
2. Chaotic indian traffic includes a lot of horning (this way they let the others know of their temporary position) and so moves the vibe of every town or city.
3. Smells from top most to horrible.
4. Delicious Indian and world-wide ethno food.
5. Climate changes (for me) are noticable. Showering up to 5 times a day.
6. Here definitely is something inbehind.

• Indians are usually friendly. But generally you could find two opposite reasons for such behaviour. First is they want to sell you something, of course for much higher price than it is. And second kind is simply because being natural. Those look into the world clearly: with little or even without "color filters."

And, yeah, today we arrived in a natural resort area / including three national parks of three Indian states: Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. And animals move between the parks without barriers. They actually exist only for people (barriers I mean:)) The main reason for coming here were TREE HOUSES. Now also my idea is getting more clear borders.

And picture selection coming soon... :))

Jah bless

Boom boom shankar

For some might seem the situations and the feelings that I write about no good. But it's only the way the life flows (and good and bad is very relative!!). Cause every day in such big country with so many different people (cultures) as India brings variety of everything. Although not really Everything. Actually fellings - better to say impressions - change within moments. And this way you are forced to create your own (sacred) space.

Today I bought a lungi (skirt for men). I wished it now for some time. And soon I realised that it would be perfect to buy also a neckless out of rudrakshi, little wooden-like balls from a himalayan sacred bush. We'll see... :))

The way leads from Mangalore to Mysore, said to be beautiful and ayurvedic city. And from there on to Ooty, marvellous town at the height above 2000m. Inbetween stopping in one of the national jungle parks, also to check and to have a night in a tree house.

And only one month left in da year of 8 (2006), wishing you to spend divine.
Jah bless
k