Yogaaaaa!

We've got an afternoon off today! It's been pretty cool so far, A LOT of information. Yesterday we did philosophy of yoga and some anatomy and physiology. It's cool learning about all this stuff- even if I don't want to teach it's pretty useful.
I was still feeling really sick so the main teacher put me on a coconut water and water only diet for like 30 hours. Starve the sickness out of me I guess. We do 2 hours of yoga in the morning, from 730-930am... by 930 it's already HOT!! Kinda like hot yoga.
The people here are wicked, really diverse from I think over 16 countries. The food (now that I can eat it) is delicious! Lots of fresh fruit and veggies. And deliciousss desert!! I think I've lost weight with all the sickness but the desert might help me get it back.
On Sunday we've got a day off we're going to go to a market. Lots of shopping and eating! I can't wait to try the prawn curry, apparently in Goa it's amazing.
It's realllly hot here- all I ever do is sweat lol. I brought all tshirts and long shorts/ pants. I went a little crazy and cut off a whoolle bunch of sleeves and pants legs hahaha. I couldn't take it anymore, I feel liberated without my sleeves!
My little tiki hut bed is SO hard, it's probably good for my back but I miss my big comfy bed.
I've been officially hired in Red Lake for the summer!! Really excited about that.
Missing you all! Can't wait to see you all <3

Ashiyana Teacher Training

The course started today- mostly introductions and rules and general schedule outline. We have yoga and meditation at 730am for 2 hours, breakfast, sessions throughout the day (philosophy of yoga, anatomy, dance, healing etc), another 2 hr yoga before dinner and thenanother session after dinner. From 9pm to 11am everyday it's silence.. For serenity. It will be interesting!!
We had a Hindu blessing tonight, for new beginnings and prayers to the gods and goddeses for health and well being for the month. It was cool, the Hindu priest talked SO fas!! He blessed us with a red dot btwn our eyebrows and a real flower lei.
The food here is delicious but I'm having a hard time with it because it's so rich and oily and it's very opposite to my usual diet. I try to eat a lot of salad and easier stuff like rice and potatoes. Maybe itll grow on me.
We're not supposed to be on Internet much during training but I have Wed afternoon and all day Sundays off- I'll blog both of those days and maybe other days if I've got something really cool to say haha.
I'm living in a cute beach hut- big bed and a drawer in a straw hut with a little balcOny. I like it a lot.
Miss everyone from hone, cannot wait to see you all!
<3

Mandrem Beach, Goa

It is so beautiful and peaceful here. Wifi in a hammock doesn't get much better! I met a girl in the training with a computer so hopefully will post a few pictures soon. Blogs are way more fun with pictures!

Spent the day on the beach... Got quite burnt- layed out for a few hrs and I'm fairly certain an Indian lady in hampi is laughing bcuz she sold me "sunscreen" 30 SPF apparently- I say not a chance. 
Pretty sure its just hand cream- need to find more.

I'm thinking of trying an experiment of going off anti malarials for a few days bcuz I'm starting to get bad aches and chills and stomach problems. I've heard the pills cause similar side effects as actual malaria so we'll see.
The food here is really delicious!! Hopefully it'll be diff once the course starts but right now it's just 1030am breakfast and 7pm dinner... What kind of schedule is that lol.
Course starts on Sunday- depending how I feel we're gonna try some water sports tomorrow!
Miss everyone a lot- can't wait to seeeee you all! (facebook me updates about your lives- would love to read them)
<3

Yayyyy! I'm in Goa! It's so gorgeous here- apparently it just got like this but hollllyyyy it's SO hot!! I've been aggressively sweating all day. 
My last few days in Hampi were pretty amazing. I got out to a really great climbing spot with some of my new friends. The rock in hampi is realllly grippy (SHARP!!) and a lot of the problems I was working were crimpy and balancy. I lovvveeed it. 
Stayed in Hospet last night and took an 8.5 hr train to Vasco de Gama (Goa). It was a loud, sweaty ride. Without fail when I get on the train always someone in my spot. Before I was more timid but now I just wake them up and tell them to get out. I don't understand the confusion of train seats lol. They're VERY well marked, like 3 times and still ppl are always pointing and talking and motioning and shuffling around. People just can't figure it out. Typical India. 

Then an epic taxi ride to here- Ashiyana. It is gorgeous!! I'm really excited about it. I'm sitting with 3 of the girls who are doing the training as well. They're super cool and I think we'll have lots in common. 

Tomorrow either Mapusa market or may just lay on the beach. I'm so glad this place is nice and the people seem cool. 
It is soooo sweaty. 

<3

Hampi

Hampi is everything I expected and more! It's so nice here... I feel WAY more comfortable here than anywhere else in India. My bed is on the roof of Sharmillas house. I have a mattress and a mosquito net its so airy and nice.
That being said I've spent the last 24 hours feeling verrrry sick. I felt like I did when I had swine flu- major body cramps and chills even though I was sweating. I talked to Sharmilla (the owner/ mama bear to everyone who stays here) she hooked me up with some magic Indian pills and I just slept all day. I think that after a few days of traveling and being so cautious of everything I finally relaxed and it was very hard on my body. After whatever Sharmilla gave me and a good nap I felt a lot better (still not 100%) but I climbed tonight! It was so awesome!! The boulders are amazing and the people are really fun. I don't have the means to upload pics yet but if I get the chance I'll post some. Met a guy from Toronto today and climbed with him. There's so much shopping here- and so cheap! You can haggle everything to like $4.
Might go out and climb tmrw again- I'm hoping I'm over my sickness.
Miss you all, love you.

Wearing my pants backwards.

So I mentioned yesterday that I had bought some wicked harem pants- couldn't have been happier haha. They're so light and breezy, and I've read in a bunch of different places that if you dress in more traditional Indian clothing that people will stare less. Well! I was walking around yesterday morning getting breakfast and exploring before my train came and I noticed everyone was staring at my pants. I thought it was kind of weird but everyone stares at me all the time anyways. Then I was waiting on my platform for the train and this little girl was pointing and laughing at my pants. Then I realized they're probably on backwards. I had seen a girl wearing similar ones and mentally compared them and then concluded that in fact I was wearing my pants backwards. I laughed and smiled at the girl a silently thanked her for not having a filter or to know its not polite to point and laugh. Its not a big deal though- one time I was climbing in Guelph and realized the same thing haha... It happens. Anyways- when I got on the train I hobbled around in the bathroom and flipped them right way around.
I had an 11 hour train ride from Pune to Hubli- sat with 5 older men who had gone to Uni together 30 years ago and they get together every couple years to do a trip around India. I thought that was pretty cool. Then I transfered to a train from Hubli to Hospet. It was supposed to be 3 hours but that slowly turned into 4 hours. Its interesting how the trains always seem to pick me up on time but never drop me off on time.
I was pretty aprehensive about Indian trains, interestingly the part I thought would be the hardest was actually the easiest. Finding your platform and coach is easy- everything is marked! (1 point for India). Finding your stop however, REALLY hard. Especially in the middle of the night. I got to Hospet at 330am last night and if it wasn't for a nice guy I met on train it would have been a lot more difficult. I have written down how many stops it is to where I'm going and every stop I cross it off- (suchhh a tourist) haha. But then sometimes the train stops in the middle of the tracks... Or at a dark station with no people. Then I don't know whether it was an actual stop or just a break lol. Anyways- I'm done with trains until next week and couldn't be happier about it.
I took a lesson from my Mom and decided that since I was arriving in the middle of the night I'd stay at a more upscale hotel. Someone from the hotel had a little sign for me and drove me to the hotel. Good thing because India streets at 330am is not something I'm really looking to experience. The hotel is pretty sweet. I even had a hot showr and continental breakfast this morning- amazing.
I'm heading to Hampi today, really looking forward to getting there and getting settled for a few days. Everyone I've talked to said I'm going to love it.
Will hopefully be able to update everyone when I get to Hampi.
Love you and miss you!
<3

INDIA!

Holy cow... I've arrived in India. I flew into Mumbai yesterday morning. The first thing I saw when I got out of the terminal was a TV playing the news, a bomb had blown up in Delhi on Monday... greaaaaatttt. It was tarrgeted at a diplomats wife. I'm not going to Delhi but still, not the first thing I wanted to see.
I took a cab to the Dadar train station which was pretty fun. They all drive smart car sized cars- my bag and me barely fit in the back seat. There was a seat belt but I couldn't find the thing you click it into so I just held in across me. Driving in India is pretty funny... everyone just weaves in and out and honks their horns. I think one beep means "I'm going to run you over" and two beeps means "I'm going to run this red light." There are traffic lights but we didn't stop at any of them from the airport to the train station. Not sure how that works.
I had almost 6 hours at Dadar train station to wait for my train which was by far the worst part of my day. The first thing I noticed when I got there was that there are people laying and sitting EVERYWHERE. In the middle of the floor, in all the corners, on the sidewalk. So I figured that it'd be cool if I posted up in a corner to wait for my train. I think that maybe only poor people sprawl out on the floor because I got a lot of weird looks (although perhaps that's just because I'm white?). One guy came over and told me that where I was sitting was very dirty and that I should sit somewhere else.. I picked the spot I thought looked the cleanest and I was sitting on a sheet so I just said thanks I was ok. And then another group of guys came over and asked why I was sitting on the ground, I just told them I was waiting for a train. I put my headphones in but wasn't even listening to music and I had my hat on so it was pretty easy to avoid eye contact. If I did look around though 1/2 the people were staring at me. I dont think the hat helped.. no one in India wears hats.
My train finally came and it was a lot easier to find than I had expected. There were signs that directed me to my platform and coach and the train was right on time. I'm hoping that every train station is set up like that. Knowing where to get off is for sure the most challenging, although I lucked out because the people sitting beside me were getting off at the same stop. I sat with some nice older husband and wife couples. There were interested in my trip and I tried to talk with them as best as I could. Everyone speaks English but I hardly understand it. I just do a lot of nodding and smiling.
The train ride wasn't bad, I was exhausttteed- didn't sleep much on the airplane so I'd pretty much been up for 2 days. I got to Pune and found a hotel right across the road from the train station. The location is amazing, it's really cute looking but the rooms are foul. I did not let anything touch the bed sheets (I rolled out my yoga mat and got out my sheet). It was really cheap (650 rupees, which is like 12 CAD) and it had power and running water so it was fine with me. And the door locked and it had a pretty sweet private court yard, I even had a little porch. I felt safe which is the biggest thing.
I walked around Pune, bought an amazing pair of harem pants and got a really delicious vegetarian Indian thali for dinner. I hadn't eaten all day so the spicyness kind of hurt my stomach but it didn't last long. I was in bed by 8pm, exhausted from all the traveling. Had a pretty good sleep and now here I am. There's an internet cafe above the train station. I'm going to get some breakfast and snacks for my 14 hours of trains I have today. By the end of today I hope to be in Hospet. And then tomorrow I'll take a quick bus to Hampi!! I'm hoping that I'll meet other travelers there because so far I haven't met anyone (a nice English girl chatted to me for a minute before she got off the train yesterday). I'm also hoping once I get to Hampi where I'm staying for a week, I'll feel more comfortable- instead of having to navigate trains all day.
Yesterday definetly began terribly... but ended really well! I dont plan on having any more 6 hour waits in train statins so hopefully will not have to experience that again.
I miss everyone, I wish you guys could be here with me.
Love you all <3

I'm a turkey!

I'm not actually a turkey, but I'm in Turkey for a layover. Just hanging out at Starbucks. First flight was alright.. I was so psyched because everyone was seated and the 2 seats beside me were still open and then some lady from 4 rows up asked if she could be moved back into my row. Lame. It was alright though, we took turns curling up on the empty seat. Of course I was surrounded by new borns but they only screamed on take off and landing.
I always find it funny that when you get a vegetarian meal on a flight its not just the meat they take out, they don't give you the good desserts either. The girl beside me had raspberry cheesecake and I got a fruit bowl haha. And for breakfast she got a little plate of cheese and a wicked looking omlette and I got a bowl of celery and some pancakes with weird apple pie filling. I thought about asking for a regular meal but so often they don't have veg meals for me so I figured I better not complain. Ill bring my own dessert next time.
The Istanbul airport seems pretty small.. The gate for my flight isn't even up yet- they put it up an hour before the flight.
I'm pretty tired.. I slept a little on the flight but all my limbs kept falling asleep. I had a really vivid dream that the flight attendants came by for a mid flight snack and I got a muffin.. And then when I woke up I was SO confused about whether or not it was true. Apparently the Malaria pills I'm taking have been known to cause crazy dreams. Maybe its just a coincidence since I started taking them my dreams have been SO vivid and real! Cooooooool.
I'm gonna go check if my gate is posted- they make announcements in English (apparentl) but I can't make out anything they say.
<3

Bye Canada!

The plane starts boarding in 10 minutes. My first flight is to Istanbul, about 10 hours. I have a 2.5 hour layover and then off to Mumbai- about 7 hours. My nerves are calming but I think that's because it doesn't feel real yet.

I wanted to share a poem that I really like- when I read it brings me back down to Earth.

Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy

Will miss you all!!
<3

PLANS PLANS PLANS.

T minus 5 days until I leave!!! I've had SO much on my mind this week... I have my fire pre fit test on Friday that I've been working out for. And I'm writing my GRE on Saturday afternoon.. it's the exam you have to write to go to grad school in the states. I've been trying to study hard but all I can think about is India- everything I have to do, everything I'm going to do, things I need to book or get before I leave.



This is what I'm expecting... free air conditioning anyways.

Exchanging Canadian dollars for Rupees makes me feel rich (haha), $500 CAD for about 24 000 INR. I like it.
I've reworked my trains so I'm not on a waiting list anymore.. it was making me nervous not knowing for sure that I'd have trains. Also, I've decided on the sleeper class (only class open haha). I've read a lot here's a great blog post; and I think experiencing sleeper class will be one of the highlights.

When I land I'm going Mumabi to Pune (about 3 hours), staying the night in Pune... will give me a chance to regroup after the flight, and will also leave room for delays in my flight. The next day I'm going Pune to Hubli (11 hours) and Hubli to Hospet (3 hours). Depending on how I'm feeling/what Hospet is like I'll either stay in Hospet for the night or take a bus/ auto rickshaw to Hampi. I've got accomodations in Hampi at the Goan Corner that my friend Ashley recommended to me. It's where a lot of the climbers stay so hopefully I'll be able to meet people to climb with.
I'm staying in Hampi for a week and then taking the train to Goa. I arrive in Goa Thursday night and my yoga course starts Saturday afternoon. I think I'll explore South Goa on the Friday but make my way to Ashiyana Goa for Friday night.
My plans for after Yoga are up in the air but I have a rough outline..

Madikeri, Karnataka which has cool trekking and hiking in the rain forest as well as a cool spice market.

Mysore, Karnataka has a biking tour of the city that is of interest to me, as well as another market and a huge silk outlet factory (SCARVEESS!)

Then hopefully down to Kerala; Wayanad, Kochi, Lakshadweep Islands. There are tons of boat tours and cool nature trips. The Lakshadweep Islands look amazing, some are inhibited and some have introduced "eco tourism" where you can stay at the guest houses and explore the island.

From there I'll head back to Mumbai (thinking by plane for the sake of time) and then I'll have my last few days in Mumbai.

See all the fun stuff I want to research that is drawing my attention away from the GRE studying... which I should get back to now.

CAN'T WAIT!!