RE: Postcard from God's Own Country (Kerala)!
Hi Prashna,
I'm in India now (Mumbai) but as for Pune and its environs, in a week or less I'll e meeting friends, one of whom has had recent lengthy trips to India already, so he'll probably be my 'guide' for a couple of weeks, the last half of February, and I'll go wherever they do I think.
I read about the Osho place recently in the book 'Indian Summer' and the picture painted of the PEOPLE was far from flattering, though I hear the grounds are nice - but a large charge to even enter? So they/it doesn't much interest me. To wit, the author who spent much time in the Pune slums, depicted them as spoiled grown children who travel in limousines back to their air-conditioned hotels and complain (!) about poor or hungry people around who ask for money. Actually he does a superb job of copying - it seems verbatim - some of their chalk-on-the-board excrutiating 'psuedo' spiritual conversations. So after reading that book I've little interest! - but we'll see!
Near Pun there's a healthylife oriented ashram inspired by Gandhi during his life, and I'll certainly be going there next week.
Well, I left in snow and arrived in the claustrophobic, crowded, huge sprawl of Mumbai (Bombay). I can see why tourists don't stay here long. It's very noisy, crowded (over 16 million people), etc. But I'll take in a few sights and experiences while here, and then move on. I don't really intend being in another city this size or anything like it for the rest of my stay.
Actually I've only got over my flight (worst was a queue before the flight of over 2 hours to reach check-in), and had a slight stroll. So I've no travelogue in me yet ;). So over to Ms S and her postcard -----
RE: Postcard from God's Own Country (Kerala)!
Dear Sunanda,
I started reading your first post and realised that I wanted to sit back and enjoy your charming descriptions. Thank you for putting so much life and vitality in to your posts! I'm going to take some time to savour.
Hugs,
Cub
RE: Postcard from God's Own Country (Kerala)!
I promised to post a photo from the Kali festival. Here is the 'shaman/priest' wearing the headpiece which is the 'travelling' God, Kali.
And here he is (on the left) with one of his entourage:
