Sunday January 3 Tea Nest

Slept in. Not much happened today. No touring. Vinod arrived and at 11 AM we began our Reiki session until about 3:45 PM. He taught me principles of self healing with Reiki. I am learning the basics of Reiki now. We stopped for lunch. He burns incense during our sessions, which are quiet, meditative. He brought a picnic lunch for me...special wheat noodles, with mint chutney, quiet delicious, and local, special papadum from North India, slightly spicy, Japanese dried peas, pistachio and honey crunch, soy milk with honey and saffron.  Vinod is married to a Japanese lady, whom I will meet at some stage I think. Later in the afternoon, we had tea, and he had a vegetarian cake, which was lovely, called LOVE. He is a lovely person to learn from. Then we headed to the Taj hotel, where he teaches his regular class at 4, and I attend. We met a German couple, and took them with us to do yoga. They enjoyed it. I walked around the yoga complex, and surprised two monkeys stealing veggies. The locals had built a very large wire cage over the veggie garden in the yoga part of the hotel to keep the monkeys away, but I'm not sure if they always succeeded. I joined in the pranayama class, which went till 6. Then got a call from an Indian engineering lecturer that I had casually met, and he invited me for a drink and dinner, so we had a pleasant time, discussing cultural differences. For instance, he lives with his parents, who will be choosing a wife for him. He is very happy with this. Western perspectives are only that: we are not always right, and have no right to judge anyone. It was very interesting to hear about his life. I rode with him on the back of his motorbike, through the crazy potholed road, down the mountainside to the Tea Nest. Better than sitting at home watching the snow fall!!  The silence here is perfect.

Vinod has changed plans for tomorrow. I will take a tuk tuk to Conoor to pay travel bills, and check the place out alone. Don't worry I will be ok....India is very safe, and so far, have met wonderful people, full of love, joy and companionship, people of all ages. No pics today. A day of spiritual development, personal fulfillment, a day of peace and love, so sorry no action to report.

Check out my FB pic with Dania and Sarah in the tuk tuk with our singing tuk tuk driver Zakir Hussein. The three of us wore face masks to protect from the dust as tuk tuks are open. We had a great time singing for him, and he for us. What a blast then, but now a pleasant memory. Life is moments....I miss Dania and Sarah....lovely young ladies that I had the privilege to travel with.