Hari Om!

Well I am writing from an internet cafe in Nasik (Nashik) about a 5 hour bus ride northeast of Mumbai.  I has been living on the ashram for a full week now, so the craziness of Mumbai has all but left me.  But it was very intense for me.  I was very happy to leave, and I have no plans to return there!  It is just toooo crowded with no places to just sit, and when I did find one-people would stare and not-so-subtly take photos (which is actually pretty funny) but none-the-less it really wasn't my scene.

Nasik is  a much nicer city, a bit calmer.  And the Ashram is AMAZZING!!!!  The scenery in spectacular with mountains all around, it reminds me of the southwest a little--i will be able to put some pics up in a couple weeks.  I live in a cabin with 3 other girls (1 from singapore, 1 from scotland, 1 from croatia) we get along quite well, which always makes the experience a bit more smooth.  We have limited power and hot water and shower over a bucket.  We get up at 5:20am to have a morning beverage followed by chanting and then some yoga as the sun comes up.  We do chores everyday-mine has turned into giving massage to people with pain, which I'm loving.  Our lectures are interesting and I am so excited to get into the belly of the course!  The food is nourishing and quite tastey :)   Everyday I can't help but think about how lucky I am to be here.   After the program I plan to work/volunteer at the health clinic affiliated with the ashram.  They run 10 day in patient courses to help manage illness in disease.   

It is also very interesting to meet people from all over the world, from different places in their lives, who use and practice yoga differently, and just talk.  I am so inspired.  I have so many new ideas for myself and my life and how I want to apply this new knowledge.  But I guess this is why its my life in progress* 

Well, I won't have access to internet again until the course is over 21 March (ish), so until then, be well and enjoy the pending spring.  

Shanti,
Sarah*

A Brief Intermission

I am writing from White Plains, NY where I have spent the last couple nights.  I have been in the states for 3.5days and am eagerly awaiting to hop on my flight to India this afternoon.  After a 16hours trip I will make it to the asian sub continent tom night (26hours after I take off!) 

My last few days in Ecuador were whirlwind as Chio left a day before me, to visit Thailand, Vietnam, and Loas!  This also happened to be Valeria's birthday, plus Rogelio was leaving for Chili on Sat, so we had going away/birthday celebrations Tues, Wed, and Thurs!! <I left Fri morning>  I have never been so full in my life...I'm still full!  On Wed Richi and his cooking partner teamed up to make a sushi feast...  

Followed by the gooeyest chocolatey, carmel cake ever! And some going away love <3

 It has been a perfect stopover in the city.  It was so good to see all of you*  And I will write when I get to India!!!

Just 3 days Left!

I can hardly believe it is almost time for me to say goodbye to Ecuador.  The last 1 week has been a whirlwind of fun, travel, incan ruins, an infected toe, fun, and some spanish help!  Last Tuesday, after fully recovering from the weekend of graduation parties, I set off for Cuenca-on a 5am bus.  But after a few hours of sleep-I woke up to the most beautiful scenery...once again I was being driven (too fast) down a twisty road in the middle of the Andes!  Totally spectacular.  On the side of the mountains are farms and houses and villages that seem impossible to get to.  I tried to take pictures but this was also impossible! 

Cuenca is the 3rd largest city and in my opinion the most beautiful.  Similar to Quito there is a church on every corner, but the city feels much more laid-back.  It is also small enough to walk around almost everywhere.  My first day there I took a bus to Banos, (a diff Banos) which is just outside of the city, to check out the geothermal pools.  La Piedra de Agua is where I went upon recommendation of the guy who checked me in at La Cigale (my hostel.)  It was the perfect way to pass the rest of the afternoon.  There is a long, shallow pool with warm water, a hotter tub next to it, and a cold dunk next to that.  I also got to try the mud treatment!  After chatting with the manager a bit I got a long standing offer to come back and do massage!  maybe?!?!    The next day were the Incan/Canary ruins which are really interesting.  There is too much history to get into but you should read about it :)   And that night I even made it too a yoga class!  A very nice vinyassa flow.  Unfortunely, I wasn't feeling too great at this point-maybe the altitude-maybe my sad infected toe, but I retired to my room at 8:30pm.  The rest of my time in Cuenca was spent enjoying the weather and relaxing.

 Oh yeah, And last weekend we went to the beach for Rogelio's Bday.  We went to Montanita which is usually a really fun time, but due to a surf competition and rainy weather the place was overrun with people, mud, and trash.  We still managed a good time tho...  :)

And here I am just passing my last few days with the fam.  I have made a friend, Luis "Chicho" who does a yoga/spanish lesson trade with me.  And I've also been helping Chio with some clients. Although today, she performed a really amazing ceremony for me!! This has really been an incredible way to start this trip.  *Next stop India (with a short layover in NY)*