they had HAMMOCKS in BARS!!

i think most people have heard me say at one point or another that i wish there were a hammock here or there, particularly when sipping brews with my friends at night, or "getting trashed" as mom likes to call it! anyway, left the ashram to go to varkala, a beach town full of westerners and touristy things. lots of yoga, lots of cute little shops, and people wearing TANK TOPS (gasp!). i was shocked to see meat, cigarette smoking, beer drinking, short skirts. it was great! i got a facial and a pedicure for $10. cushy cushy.

then 4 of us gals went up to allepey to do a backwaters cruise (the venice of italy). we took an hour boat ride to this family's home (no running water). they lived on an island with 9 other houses. it was so beautiful. we took a tour in a canoe and people would just wave at us and stare at us and smile. we made friends with these people and most of them didn't really speak english! they cooked us meals and were so warm and friendly.

now i'm in cochin, which is also super cushy. i took a motorcycle ride down the street to an awesome veg restaurant today with 2 other people. (i have seen families of 5 on motorbikes here!) last night we went out with some locals and had a great time - we crammed 6 people in a rickshaw, which is technically about the size of a smart car - 4' wide in the back and smaller up front! tonight we'll meet up with the same crew - should be a rockin' good time. tomorrow we head to wyanad wildlife preserve, and then on to mysore for some serious yoga (hopefully!!).

diane, i am drinking loads of chai on a daily basis, so yummy! the next one will be 4 u! please post pics of my adorable cousins - or send to matt pie and he'll be happy to do it, right pie;)

merissa - are you able to post to the blog yet? hopefully you don't create a new one again! happy birthday to ang!!

will - yeah, my hair is 1" long all around. it's growing out a bit though!

miss you and love you all! more postings pretty please!