Goa!

I sit and type to you as the sun sets, highlighting the tropical humidity and smog floating in the sky. Birds, mainly India's common crow fights for acknowledgement amongst the beeping of cars, and 6:30 prayers from the mosques that are being broadcast from loud speakers. A powerful, ancient sound, reminisent of singing is music to my ears although I do not follow the Islam, nor do I understand what they are saying. It is just one of the many aspects that intregrally defines India.

I am running short of time as ususal so a short summary of where I am now and what I have been doing.

I have had approximately 9 homestays to date and with that 9 drastially different towns. I am literally seeing india in a way that is unexpected and a way that I don't live.., like a queen. I am happily struggling with this as this struggle continusously highlights my independence and dually the graciousness I have for all that is being provided to me.

The rotary members not only take us into thier home but pay for all our of food, water, snacks and the like and refuse to accept any moneies. They or their drivers also drive us around, carry all of our bags, and open my door for me (I definately struggle with this one! I can carry my own bags... stubborn girl or am I just practicing for my pack test.. ) The wives or maid servants, cook the food and wash my clothes and serve me all the food and won't let me assist at all in any way and then clean up. This is something that I am not accustomed to, to say the least.

And I have recieved more gifts and flowers at every encounter! I came here with one bag (everyone else had 2,) and I have since needed to buy a second bag for all the gifts that were given to me! The flower count is well over 125 flowers or bouguets. So much for a minimalist traveling lifestyle.

All the families are very giving and friendly and I have enjoyed staying with them..Our days are filled with visiting rotary aid projects which include safe drinking water projects, schools for all, the blind, deaf, mentally challenged. We have visited numerous universities, hospitals, farms, and major industries (the environmental nightmare for me! don't get me started!). I have been white water rafting, shopping, to an ashram, joined in laughter yoga (where I flew around the yard laughing and flapping my "wings" like a bird), meditated, met with a Swami, met a princess, toured historic mosques and moseliums, a Palace, traveled to numerous businesses, vacinated children against polio, played cricket, badmitten, went birding (amazing birds!), taken 10 gigs of photos and videos, and swam in the Arabian sea.

I am now in Goa, a travel distination for Europeans, where I have been basking in the sun and enjoying salty hair and sand stuck in my toes. I was in the water for two hours today loving life. I have another week here and then I am off to paris for a couple of days.. more stories to come.. Natasha is right.. I could go for some chocolate right now.

I am not so much homesick as I am sick of the food here. Indian food is great in moderation and I have been eating it for three meals a day for 3 weeks. If I even smell it it makes me sick.. I am on white rice right now! LOL and I haven't seen a chocalate bar or the like in 3 weeks or Salad. but life is still good! Miss you all. More to come