Cooking, dogs and gurus...

Just a quick update on our progress up the coast of India. We spent two nights in Varkala- a beach town. We actually both preferred Kovalam a bit more- but Varkala was nice too. We stayed in a decent (India decent) place for $7 USD per night- that tends to really help our budget. As you can imagine, I'm a complete spaz about bugs...and always sleep better the 2nd night KNOWING that I will not be getting bed bugs. We haven't stayed in any place that would warrant bed bugs yet....but I believe someone (Jessica!) told me a horrendous story before I left the states about bed bugs...and now my mind wanders! Surprise Surprise!

The beach in Varkala was very dangerous...so I only went up to my knees- and I'm sure polluted also. Although everyone had warned us of Indian men trolling the beach- it was actually fine and just very hot! We have completely lucked out on weather- and we are hoping to miss the monsoon season completely! Knock on wood.

The first night in Varkala we met a few people and stayed out decently late. The entire town runs along these cliffs- and our hotel was at the very end. By the time we were heading home all of the shop lights were off. THANKFULLY we had a flashlight (thank you mom)....and so we felt safe walking home. However, about halfway through our walk- a dog ran up to us and grabbed at a bag Ang was holding (that contained two sundresses)....we squealed of course and hoped he would go away. But he didn't. He kept "playing/barking/nipping" at Ang's bag to the point where she throws the bag on the sidewalk. This dog is a complete street dog and we are both petrified of getting rabies. After throwing the bad towards the dog- Ang realizes that she doesn't really want to give up the two sundresses she has just purchased and starts looking for an opportune time to grab the bag back--I think I'm convincing her to leave them...but I'm SO worried that the dog is going to grab my flashlight that I'm panicked too! We are also yelling at the dog in English....and I'm sure that its first language is not English. Needless to say- Ang eventually grabs the bag and puts in in front of her where the dog can't see (probably a bad choice) and we make our way home as the dog runs off. My heart has not beat that fast in a while...

We also took a cooking glass while in Varkala....although it was mostly a demonstration...we cooked a five course meal that was delicious! Just you guys wait until I get home...it should only take about 6 hours to prepare this exact same meal! We made (not spelled correctly) vegetable pakora, okra marsala, korma, coconut chutney and chapati (bread). It was really fun...of course we got to giggling a few times and always have to lie about what we are laughing at. We can't say to the teacher..."oh, actually we are giggling because you just sneezed, wiped it on your shirt and kept cooking".....instead Ang does that shaking silent laugh and I generally have to make up some stupid story.

Today we took our first train in India! It is dirty, which was expected, but fine overall. Where else can you get a 7-up and samosas served to you? We actually didn't eat the samosas--but I'm sure will before all is said and done. We also booked our first overnight train for the night of the 16th. The trains in India fill up very fast- so we are having to do some planning unlike some of our other trips. Our first overnight train will be from Mysore to Mangalore to Goa on the 16th- it will be more than 19 hours of travel.

We are staying in an ashram tonight- It is the Amma ashram-which is the home of the only female guru in India. It is interesting....to say the least....but don't worry, we just met a woman from Sweet Home, Oregon- so we should be fine. (what the?!!). We walked into our room- and there is only one twin bed. I, of course, freaked out....and we later find out that we may have to put a mattress on the floor. Okay...we do have to put a mattress on the floor- and Ang has said she will take one for the team and sleep there. I told her I owe her a HUGEfavor....once we are back in the states. It isn't clean- and I can tell you why. They offer you cleaning supplies and before you leave- you are supposed to clean. Now, how good of a job would you do if you were staying here one night? THAT is why it is not clean. Yikes!!

BUT the cool news is that we get to meet Amma tonight! She happens to be in India right now- although she travels most of the year--she is a hugging guru- so tonight we will get to see her and get a hug! I think that part is pretty cool.

Staying at the ashram is 150 rupees- which is $3. This includes a meal- I can only imagine what that meal will be like. I can feel my karma on the universe depleting as a write this.

More on the ashram later--we need to go find the mattress that Ang will be sleeping on. We have a feeling that we will have to haul the mattress to the 14th floor- on the elevator, which should at least cause some good material.

Oh India!