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Well, I feel like I’ve left you in Nepal on hold.

So sorry for the delay. The last month has just flown by!

We did a lot in Pokhara in just a few short days before Justin headed back to the States. Some of the days even started hours before sunrise, even if I didn’t feel up to it.

Getting in the taxi with one eye open, Sarangkot bound, not knowing much other than it’s well known for its sunrise and view of the Himalayas.

Well, for someone who was already under the weather, it was an interesting ride! Steep and winding roads were an understatement.

The taxi driver stops and points up to a narrow set of steep stairs. I gathered myself as much as I could, and up we went.

When we reached the base, we were greeted by an 18 meter tall, breathtaking Ganesh statue looking out over the valley! Wait for it… WOW! If you don’t get the WOW reference, go back and read a few posts back.

Pitch dark slowly turned to dawn. Twilight brought the day in, but it also brought in a huge freaking cloud cover…

There wasn’t the spectacular sunrise we’d hoped for, but the view was breathtaking!

With the crowds dispersing, it was time to explore. To set the mood, Mother Nature brought a fog and fine mist to us. At nearly 5,000 feet above sea level, for the first time in months, I had a chill. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the cold, so I looked up the weather. It was 67°F!!!

I rounded a corner to the beautiful sound of running water. An entire line of water taps inlaid in granite. I paused for a moment and closed my eyes. Took a deep breath and let the sounds pass through my body. 108 taps, to be precise.

I had to do some research on this. Sahasradhara means “a thousand streams” in Sanskrit, referring to water flowing in many small streams. And why 108, you ask? Well, me too.

108 is a sacred number in Hindu tradition. 108 taps to match the 108 lingas. A linga is a smooth, rounded stone pillar that represents the Hindu god Shiva. (We will talk more about Shiva later.)

After finding Justin,  we set out to find the cable care to take us to the bottom of the mountain. Not super excited about this as i dont particularly care for highs, but hey im in nepal yolo. Now I’m not going hang gliding   … 

To my joyous surprise the gate was closed and locked! Not be able to speek  english the security guard  called over a neighbor who told us “slow season, first 9 am not 5” 

I was so happy i could jump for joy! 

Not wanting to wait two hours, or to be brutally honest, not wanting to go at all, we asked if he could assist in getting a taxi.

He invited us into his family’s small restaurant, mind you, it was not open, and served us coffee as we waited for our taxi.

After a much-needed nap, I enjoyed the rest of the day lakeside. Over the next few weeks, this would become my go-to place. Surrounded by beautiful, lush green hills and colored with little boats. Many cafes and bars buttoned right up.

The servers knew me before long, always greeting me with a smile and a warm, “Hello Jay, a peach iced tea to start…”

Lake Phewa was like the town’s center, bustling with people of all ages and nationalities. I could sit for hours and watch time go by.

You know I’m always drawn to the water. It felt like home.

From the beautiful World Peace Pagoda (also called Shanti Stupa) to Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, both lovely, the site that stuck with me most in Pokhara was the Pumdikot Lord Shiva Statue.

Before reaching the statue, we stopped at a little cafe for a coconut, and I noticed this counter with beautifully filled baskets. When I asked, I was told they were offering collections, or Puja Thali. The offering basket was filled with traditional items used to honor Lord Shiva, including flowers symbolizing love and devotion, milk for purity and cleansing, red and yellow sacred threads for protection and blessings, green grass representing prosperity and long life, incense for prayer, and colored powders used for blessings and sacred markings. Together, these offerings are part of a Hindu ritual called Puja, a way of showing gratitude, seeking blessings, and honoring the divine. Of course, I had to get one to offer!

Standing 108 feet tall, Lord Shiva is seated in meditation with his trident beside him. Lord Shiva’s trident is called Trishula. Its three points represent creation, preservation, and destruction, as well as the past, present, and future. It’s a symbol of balance and a reminder that sometimes things must end for something new to begin. In Hindu tradition, Shiva is associated with meditation, destruction, and renewal, making way for new creation.

The act of placing the offerings, or Puja Thali, and being blessed by the Hindu priest, or Pujari, was a beautiful experience, one of those moments where you may not fully understand every tradition, but you can still appreciate the meaning behind it.

Justin and I, being the social butterflies we are, got to know some locals, which was so cool. We were able to talk with them and truly get to know Pokhara. Some even became people we could ask questions or turn to when we needed an insider’s point of view.

The time had come for Justin and me to go our separate ways. Him to depart and fly back to Kathmandu, then the US and me to stay in Pokhara before continuing on west.

I found myself a cozy cabin on the mountainside overlooking the town and lake. “Into the Wild,” and that it was! For three days, I stayed nestled up, finally sleeping off this lingering cold. No air conditioning, no TV, no boutique hotel. Just a clean bed, a fan, and a view that would never get old.

Eating lovely food, swimming in a natural waterfall swimming hole between rainstorms, meditating, and finally coming back to myself.

I had booked a bus to leave on Monday for Chitwan Forest, excited to go on a safari! But the rain would not let up, and I was told that parts of the road had been washed out and the journey would take triple the amount of time. So, with a heavy heart, I decided not to go. But what to do next?

Through the recommendation of one of the locals, after I mentioned that I was a massage therapist and interested in maybe learning about singing bowls, I was introduced to Atma Jyoti Yoga Retreat and Sound Healing Center.

I’m very grateful for this recommendation, but seven days was simply not enough time to sit and learn with Mahindra, the owner and lead teacher. A Nepal native, his father was a shamanic healer, and his mother came from a Brahmin family, traditionally associated with Hindu priesthood. With such a rich spiritual and cultural background, he brought a depth of knowledge and understanding to the experience that made it even more meaningful.

Due to the floods, many people had canceled their trips. While unfortunate for those who couldn’t attend, it gave me the unexpected opportunity to have a much more personal learning experience. I practically had a private class, as one gentleman finished his training just two days into mine, leaving me as the only student for the remainder of my training.

This class was unlike any other sound healing experience I’ve ever had. It was so much more than simply playing singing bowls. There were many different instruments, the chanting of mantras, and a deeper understanding of the purpose and intention behind each sound. It wasn’t just about creating beautiful sounds, but understanding their meaning, the traditions behind them, and how they can be used with intention for healing and well-being.

We would have class during the day, followed by real hands-on practice in the afternoons, conducting group healing sessions and sound baths that were open to the public.

My very first afternoon, leading my very first group sound bath, I was so nervous! I knew everything was going to be fine with Mahindra and my fellow student by my side, not to mention the power of sound itself, but still, those first-day nerves were very real.

As folks began filing in, we greeted them, showed them to their mats, and prepared to conduct the session.

When we finished, one of the participants approached me and asked, “Jay, how long have you been teaching?”

A little shocked by the question, I replied, “Well, today is actually my very first day as a student!”

To their surprise, they responded with a simple, “Wow!”

Funny enough, we would cross paths again later at a local thrift store, where we had the chance to reconnect. As it turned out, it was also their very first time thrifting!

My days were filled with so much knowledge, and who knew I’d become a musician of sorts! From Himalayan singing bowls, tingsha cymbals, gongs, rain sticks, harmoniums, and drums, I was learning to play instruments I never imagined I would. Each had its own unique sound, purpose, and place in the healing experience. 

We also learned about mantras, sacred words or sounds repeated to help focus the mind. One was the Manjushri Buddha mantra:

Om Ah Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhih, 

which is about wisdom and clearing the mind.

As much as I enjoyed learning and hanging out with the school’s dog, you can probably guess my favorite time of day. Mealtime, of course! We were provided with three very square meals a day, each filled with Ayurveda-inspired cooking and a little Nepalese flair. The food was delicious, plentiful, and definitely something I looked forward to! 

The meals were vegetarian, with plenty of options, and of course, I had my favorites! Ankurit Geda Gudi Tarkari, to be exact! A delicious Nepali-style dry curry of sprouted beans, chickpeas, onions, and warm spices. Simple, hearty, and full of flavor.

Lunch and dinner usually consisted of soup (and yes, I was in heaven! I’ll eat soup in the middle of summer and as many times a day as I possibly can because I LOVE soup!), rice, and fresh vegetables grown right there on the property.

Besar Bhat, a simple rice dish cooked with turmeric, and steamed pumpkin were also top-notch!

On one of my daily walkabouts, after my afternoon lakeside peach tea, I came across the Movie Garden. A cozy little outdoor cinema tucked into the hillside, surrounded by greenery and nature.

Later that week, they were showing The Lion King, so of course I had to go! What an amazing time it was!

I mean, who doesn’t love popcorn and a good sing-along under the stars!

The movie started at 6:30, and I had already calculated that if I stayed for just half the movie, I’d only be about 45 minutes late for dinner. And trust me, dinner was not something I wanted to miss! You never knew what they were going to serve, and what if it happened to be one of my favorite dishes?

With my seven days completed, my time in Pokhara had to come to an end. Due to the flooding, bus service to Kathmandu had been suspended, so I booked a flight instead.

I got to the airport early for my flight, a little too early, actually! I figured I’d take my chances and walked up to the ticket counter to ask the attendant if there was any way I could get on an earlier flight. To my surprise, that flight had been delayed, and she was able to get me on it!

Just like that, I was on my way to Kathmandu, arriving four hours earlier than originally planned! 

With plans to meet up with a colleague from my Ayurveda course in India for his birthday, along with some volunteering, I was eager to get back to Kathmandu!

It was great to reconnect and talk about the program after being apart for a month. We shared some great meals and got to spend some good quality time together!

I also had the chance to meet some of his friends who were visiting Kathmandu. We all went out for his birthday dinner, and they brought along their four-year-old daughter.

I bring this up because something really special happened. Their daughter, who was from Russia and didn’t speak English, ended up connecting with some kids from China at another table. None of them spoke the same language, yet they played together and had the greatest time!

Just goes to show that you don’t always need to speak the same language to connect with someone.

Not one of the dozen or so inquiries I made about volunteering panned out. So, what was I going to do in Kathmandu for the next week? I had already seen all the major tourist sites, so I did what anyone would do. I hit Google!

While searching for something to do, I came across Brewliners Barista School. When I inquired, I was invited to attend a class, and after being there for just a few minutes, I decided to sign up for their basic barista course!

Typically completed in 20 days, they were able to stack the classes for me so I could finish in just one week. Normally, students attend one of three daily shifts, but not me! I attended all three, squeezing in everything from theory, latte art, cold and hot beverages, and manual brewing, just to name a few things.

The students and staff were equally hospitable, welcoming me into their fold and making me feel right at home. What started as a way to fill an unexpected week turned into another wonderful learning experience in Nepal!

I even mistook some of the students for teachers because they were so good at helping me understand latte art, which I was definitely struggling with! Getting the milk steamed just right, holding the cup at the perfect 40-degree angle, starting with a big pour, then lifting the pitcher and somehow creating a heart. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, somehow my hearts always ended up crooked or lopsided! But everyone was so patient and willing to help me get it right.

I would definitely like to return to Nepal someday! Next step Thailand, stay tuned! 

Well when I stopped typing of thought of a few more things I wanted to write about… 

Mini entry 1 

Keeping Your Heart

One day, I was leaving my hotel to head to barista school when a young man tried to get my attention. My immediate thought was, “Oh gosh, what is he going to try to sell me, or what does he want from me?”

After a few moments of deliberately ignoring him, something inside me told me to turn around.

He hurried over and asked my name and where I was from. As we spoke, I got the impression he might have an intellectual or developmental disability, though I didn’t know his story. He became visibly excited when I stopped to talk. He just wanted to connect.

We chatted for a minute or so, and when he asked my age, he excitedly shared, “I’m 34! My birthday is in two days!”

I wished him a happy early birthday, and he eagerly thanked me with a big hug.

When I saw him the next day, he asked the same questions, but now his birthday was tomorrow!

That night after class, I went to the toy store and bought a bag full of bubble wands. I planned to hand them out when I returned to the hotel, but nobody was outside.

The following morning, I didn’t see him on my way to school either. But when I returned, all the neighborhood kids were outside playing. He ran up to me and said, “It’s my birthday!” Then he reached into his pocket and gave me some candy.

I thanked him and said, “Wait here. I have something for your birthday!”

I went upstairs, grabbed the bubbles, and brought them down, giving him a wand and handing the rest out to the kids.

You would’ve thought I had handed them the world’s best toy!

A conversation I almost walked away from became a moment of shared joy. A little reminder to stay open, soften those first assumptions, and keep my heart clean.

Mini Entry 2 

Right place right time

After breakfast at the hotel, I decided to head back up to my room for a rest. As I walked through the lobby, I overheard a woman say, “Just do it. You’ve got this!”

Without having any idea what they were talking about, I chimed in, “Yeah, you’ve got this!”

I looked over and saw two women, one with a shaved head and the other with a full head of hair. They laughed and said, “Wow, I guess this is affirmation!”

It turned out that one woman was encouraging the other to shave her head, reassuring her that she could absolutely rock it. As a bald individual myself, I had unknowingly become the person to offer a little extra encouragement!

The transition from india to nepal has been nice. Indian and Nepal are very similar but at the same time very different. 15 minutes different really …

Where nepal runs on UTC +5:45 and india runs on UTC +5:30. A reminder that Nepal literally runs on its own time in more ways than one. 

The flight from South India to Nepal (Kathmandu) was easy and uneventful until I looked out the window and saw the Himalayas for the first time. Of course, I didn’t have a window seat, so I was rubbernecking to get a good look. Just simply breathtaking, Simply breathtaking, both because of how beautiful it was and because, as luck would have it, I had been feeling run down for a few days and was developing a cough.

Clearing customs was the easiest thing I had ever done in my life. Not a single question, just a smile, a stamp, and “Welcome to Nepal.”

I was thinking there had to be another step, but nope, that was it. After getting my new SIM card and some Nepalese rupees, I walked out of the airport and saw my name on a placard. Pinch me, it got real.

The hotel shuttle carried me through yet another unfamiliar city, enjoying every bit of it, but this time there was something familiar waiting for me: my dear friend and travel buddy, Justin. I didn’t realize how much I needed that familiarity until he greeted me with a big hug.

Dazed from the flight and the onset of a fever, I dropped my bags, chugged some water, and we hit the streets. A beautifully crafted itinerary by Justin awaited us. I had barely reviewed it beyond a quick skim and was more than ready to just be along for the ride with a friend. 

Our first afternoon took us straight into Kathmandu’s history, starting with Durbar Square and making our way through some of the city’s incredible UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Stretching across a few city blocks, you could easily spend half a day getting lost and exploring all the temples, shrines, and sights of Durbar Square.

One that stood out to me was the Taleju Temple, dedicated to Taleju Bhawani, the Malla kings’ protective goddess.

Parts of the centuries-old temple were covered in intricate Tantric carvings, some spiritual and symbolic, others surprisingly erotic and very much leaving little to the imagination. Some of these carvings are so old they predate the entire most things I can think of, showing  the beliefs and artistic traditions of the Malla period. 

Seeing something so openly depicted centuries ago really made me wonder how we became so prudish about it today. Not to downplay the rest of the magnificent square, because there was so much to take in, but for me, this took the cake!

We finished the day off at the Garden of Dreams. How appropriate, because it still felt like I was dreaming. The flora and fauna were just amazing, fountains singing, birds chirping, locals hanging about, and the whole place just had this magical feel to it.

I requested that we have a nap before dinner, as I felt like I’d been stampeded over by a herd of cows, then run over by a dozen tuk tuks for good measure. With a bunch of Ayurvedic herbs and cold meds in me, the plush boutique hotel bed was calling my name. A big difference from my humble little room along the shoreline in Kerala. 

Over the next few days, I found the delicate balance between exploring and keeping my fever down. Justin was a great sport, always waiting for me to catch up.

At the “Monkey Temple,” thinking I had seen the gist of it, I was tapping out and heading back to sit in the van. A few minutes later, I got a text and then a call from Justin saying, “You gotta get up here! That was not the temple. THIS is the temple!”

So, I mustered all the strength I had and up I went. And I’m glad I did. Sick as a dog or not, reaching the top was worth every step.  

At the top stood the massive white dome of Swayambhunath, with Buddha’s eyes watching out over Kathmandu. Prayer flags, prayer wheels, incense, and monkeys galore, with the entire valley stretching out below. Here it comes again. WOW.

If only I knew that just moments later, this would look little in comparison to what I’d see next.

The iconic Boudhanath Stupa, now this thing was massive. All the photos I had seen of this icon did not do it justice. Take Swayambhunath and multiply it by ten, and you might start to get the idea.

One of the most sacred places for Tibetan Buddhists outside Tibet, people make pilgrimages here from Nepal, Tibet, and around the world. Walking clockwise around the base, also called kora, you’ll find people spinning prayer wheels, praying, and making offerings as they go. Look up and you’ll see colorful prayer flags and Buddha’s eyes looking out in four directions, symbolizing awareness and wisdom.

As we arrived, we were welcomed and instructed to remove our shoes. Big signs said “No TikTok videos,” and then there was another sign that I apparently did not see or take in: no shorts.

So, as Justin and I are taking it all in, we’re less than a quarter of the way around when a gentleman turns to us and says in broken English, “No shorts.”

Justin and I both looked at each other and realized we were exposing our knees. I thought to myself, that’s what that sign meant. What do we do? Do we go back counterclockwise, or do we continue clockwise, baring our knees for all to see?

We don’t run, but we walk at a pretty fast clip. Our time on the stupa might have been rushed, but it certainly made for a good story.

Note to self: no shorts at temples, it’s rude and immodest. 

Of course, after that brisk walk I needed a break to catch my breath and cough up a lung, reevaluating my decision to continue on.

We sat in a lovely coffee shop relaxing, overlooking the stupa. After enjoying a beverage, I thought once again  it would probably be best for me to head back to the van and rest. Through an act of God, or perhaps Buddha, there was a pharmacy less than a block away!

With hardly more questions than I got going through customs, I walked out with some stronger cold meds and an antibiotic. Maybe I could keep going after all, with just two more stops for the day I must go on!

A gentle note before continuing: The next section touches on death, dying, and the public cremation of bodies. I’ll do my best to share the experience respectfully without going into too much detail. If this is a sensitive subject for you, please feel free to skip ahead. If you’re interested in the subject or my experience, I’d be happy to talk about it in more detail.

As many of you know, or maybe are just finding out, last year I completed my death doula certificate training, so this was something I was looking forward to. In hindsight, I probably should have prepared Justin just a touch more for this part, as it’s not every day you hear, “We’re going to a cremation on the river.” It didn’t click for him. 

Sitting along the banks of the  Bagmati River lay the Pashupatinath temple, considered one of the holiest and most important Hindu temples in the world. And the Bagmati River is considered one of Nepal’s most sacred rivers. Beginning its in the Kathmandu Valley and eventually joining the greater Ganges river system, its waters hold deep spiritual significance, especially here at Pashupatinath temple. 

Families traditionally bring their deceased loved ones here as soon as possible after they pass, often within 24 hours, for purification, blessings, and cremation along the sacred river. 

There is also an Ayurvedic hospice center, where people can receive care during their final days while remaining close to the sacred Bagmati River.

Seeing the process from start to finish is something I will never forget. There were no tears, just families coming together. At the river’s edge, the eldest son and the priest blessed and purified the body in the river. Prayers and mantra said, offerings were made before the body was carried to the cremation ghat and placed on the funeral pyre. The eldest son then traditionally lights the pyre, beginning the final part of the journey. 

Our guide explained it in a way that really stuck with me. The deceased may not have lived the best life, and the family may not have always gotten along, but in this moment none of that matters. Performing these final rites gives the family, especially the eldest son, one last opportunity to make things right and help their loved one’s soul move peacefully forward into whatever comes next.

Our guide also told us that one of the bodies being brought in had been recovered from the massive landslide just two days before we arrived. It was clear from the condition of the body that they had been in the water for some time. I paused for a moment of silence to honor this person and everyone else who had lost their lives, those still being recovered, and those working tirelessly in the recovery efforts. From working natural disasters myself, I know just how deeply something like this can affect an entire community.

Before leaving, we were invited into one of the small temples, where a woman from one of the families traditionally connected to Pashupatinath gave us a personal blessing. Through mantra, tika, sacred thread, holy water, and flowers, she offered blessings of protection, peace and good fortune for the journey ahead.

With one more stop between us and the hotel, the cold had officially taken over and I had completely run out of steam. I let Justin take this adventure solo while I claimed the back seat of the van and slept. Somewhere between exhaustion and finally admitting defeat to the cold, I decided tomorrow would be a day for staying in bed, resting, and letting my body heal. Just what you want to do on holiday, right? Not exactly, but you have to listen to your body. 

The next day, with a little bit of FOMO, I sent Justin off to explore without me, and back to bed I went. I ended up sleeping nearly the entire day. Apparently, I had made the right call. The next day we would be moving on from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

Pokhara sits about 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu, which meant choosing between an eight hour bus ride or a 25 minute flight. Naturally, we chose the flight! Officially the shortest flight I’ve ever taken, even beating the quick hop from Miami to Key West.

I’ll stop here, leaving Pokhara and everything that came with it for the next post. For now, peace, love, and happiness. – Jay 

Well, I’ll be brutally honest: I’ve opened my laptop 3 or 4 times to start writing this and couldn’t bring myself to do it. So many thoughts, so many things I didn’t want to word-vomit. So many thoughts, but my fingers wouldn’t move.

So I’ll give this a try. Hold on to whatever you’re reading this with, and I hope you can follow along!

The word “wow” is still very relevant. Now the jet lag is gone, the vacation-feeling phase has passed, and life is in full swing here in the south of India. actually my time here is half over. 

Two and half weeks it has been since I arrived here in Kerala, feels like a life time ago. 

It was dark and rainy after a long day of travel. The  45 minute cab ride from the airport seemed like a lot… though I thought I might be able to catch some Z’s on the way. I was wrong.

The honking of horns followed me, and the roads were very windy. I did try to sleep for a little while, but eventually gave up and simply enjoyed looking out the window.

Things felt a lot slower than New Delhi, but still very much bustling.

I was the first student to arrive at the villa. I was greeted by the caretaker, who spoke very little English and didn’t know who else would be staying there. I was shown to my private room, thankfully with its own bathroom! When I asked about the other students, all I was told was, “Tomorrow.”

Typically, I’d like to unpack and settle in, but this time I dropped my bags and fully clothed crumbled into bed. I remember thinking, Thank God it’s comfortable, because it was going to be a long three weeks if it wasn’t. Sometime in the middle of the night, I found my way to the bathroom, relieved myself, and finally stripped away my clothes.

The next morning, I woke after only a few hours of sleep, unpacked, and started to settle in. Then I thought, Okay, no one else is here yet. I need the basics. So, to the market I go.

I typed “market” into Google Maps and off I went.

I walked about 2 kilometers down back roads and dirt paths before finding a tiny roadside shack, maybe 8 by 12 feet. Small yet mighty. It had everything I could possibly need: fresh vegetables, basic necessities, and everyday groceries. Cabbage, okra, carrots, potatoes, beans, peppers, and plantains, along with eggs, bread, milk, tea, noodles, spices, and a few basic toiletries and laundry soap.

As I placed everything on the counter, the shopkeeper scratched the prices down from memory on a little piece of paper. My one reusable shopping bag quickly overflowed. I paid the man what amounted to a very small sum of rupees and started the walk back to the villa.

And as I walked, I just took it all in.

Holy shit. I’m actually here.

I was walking back from the market in India, groceries in hand.

Am I dreaming?

I arrived back at the villa just as the caretaker was welcoming another student. Our eyes locked, and later we found out we had both had the exact same thought: Another person! Glad to know there’s life here!

Over the next 24 hours, four more students would arrive. By the end of it, there were six of us staying at the villa, all from different countries.

And just like that, this place that had felt so quiet and empty when I arrived was beginning to feel a lot more alive, a little more like home. Cooking and sharing meals together became part of the rhythm of daily life, laundry hung out in the sun, conversations drifted through the house, and there was someone around to share a laugh, a story, or a cup of chai with. What had started as six strangers from different corners of the world was slowly becoming something that felt a lot like family. Of course, like any family, there were disagreements too, but even those only made the bond feel more real. 

I promise I’m not going to give a play by play of every day, but this was just so surreal! 

Thirteen people from around the world, all gathered here in Kannur, Kerala, India, for the same reason: to learn from the source of one of the world’s oldest holistic healing traditions, Ayurveda.

Romania, Israel, Italy, Nigeria, Colombia, Germany, Australia, Spain, Canada, Punjab, India; California, USA; Gujarat, India; Chhattisgarh, India; and, of course, Key West, USA.

So many different languages are circling around the classroom. I’m very grateful that the courses are taught in my native tongue!

The program is a mix of practical and theoretical learning, and at times, it feels like I’m drinking from a fire hydrant.

Some students, like myself, will be here for one month, while most are here for three months, and some even six! As one of the doctors said, we’re really only scratching the surface. It took us about a week just to go through the definition of Ayurveda.

Even though we have long days in the classroom, it all starts with the serene sounds of the Arabian Sea and birds outside my bedroom window.

No, this isn’t a bad dating ad, but I really do enjoy long walks on the beach with a cup of chai. LOL

Even though I did months of planning, there was still so much I never could have anticipated. And honestly, I’ve welcomed it all with open arms.

Doing laundry has always daunted me, but doing it the “old-fashioned way,” especially when curry is involves, has taken it to a whole new level. Eating with my hands and without utensils certainly doesn’t help the laundry situation either.

We do have a small, basic washing machine with cold water only cycles, but I still use the washboard and bucket to work out the tougher stains before sending everything through the machine.

I’m actually doing pretty well without utensils, although I still hear my mom in the back of my head saying, “Stop playing with your food!” Well, Mom, it’s culturally acceptable now!

One of my elective courses is Ayurvedic Nutrition and Cooking. One of the topics we covered was eating with your five senses (sense organs) and why eating with your hands is considered an important part. In Ayurveda, eating with your hands is believed to help create a deeper connection with your food, engaging the senses and encouraging you to be more present and mindful while eating.

South India takes great pride in its food, and there is certainly a friendly debate about why it’s “better” than North Indian cuisine. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed dining out and cooking my way through the nutrition course, exploring dosa, idli, puttu, sambar, countless curries, and the spices that transform simple, raw ingredients into incredible dishes. These are just a few of the many foods I’ve discovered, and so many of them are things I’ll be incorporating into my daily life.

As I mentioned earlier, grocery shopping here has been mind-blowing. Kerala is famous for its dozens of traditional banana varieties(who knew!!), along with coconuts galore. I’ve mostly been eating a vegetarian diet, although I’ve also enjoyed some fresh fish and chicken.

The seafood here is incredibly fresh. On my morning beach walks, I’ve watched local fishermen head out before sunrise, casting their nets from the shore and bringing in the day’s catch. 

The school provides a driver and transportation for our daily needs, but you know me, I’m a little extra, so I rented a “Bullet,” as the locals refer to their motorcycles.

One of my instructors said, “If you can drive in India, you can drive anywhere in the world!” And yes, I’ve definitely found the horn. I feel like I’ve earned a rite of passage by learning to drive like a local.

When I told the driver I would get myself to and from school, he asked, “Oh, you got yourself a Scooty?” I said, “No.” His eyes got big, he smiled, and showed me a picture of his Royal Enfield.

I have enjoyed my morning rides to school, alot of heads turn say hi and ask where are you from, i had half of of the school bus fully of maybe second or third graders smiling , waving ! 

One Saturday, I woke up early, picked a point on the map about an hour north, put on my Meta glasses, turned on my tunes, threw my phone in the mount, and hit the open road.

About 45 minutes in, I’m feeling great, cruising at about 70 kilometers per hour on a wide, open main road. Not quite a highway, but definitely more than a little country road. All of a sudden, my music fades out and stops. I’m like, “What?!”

I look down and my phone is no longer in the holder.

Well, I pull over, say “fuck” once, stay calm, and head back into traffic going the wrong way. About 500 feet back, there it is, lying face down in the middle of the road. I stop, hop off, grab it, and keep moving, this time with traffic.

Miraculously, it was mostly unscathed. Just one minor crack. I made sure it was securely fastened this time and continued on my way.

Could I have made it home without my phone or GPS? Yes. But still, I was pretty damn happy to find it and in working condition, surprised  no one ran it over!

I stopped in the little town of Kavvayi, took a short walk, and then enjoyed a chai and biscuit with the locals.

Sharing chai, the simple act of sharing tea, has really opened my eyes. Chai simply means tea, but everyone’s chai is different depending on the region or the individual. But sometimes, stopping, stepping back, and letting tradition guide the moment is where you truly get to experience a place.

I could type and babble on, but my Celine Dion playlist has already looped, and you know that means I’ve been at this for a while. We’ve covered some ground!

I’ll try to post more often, but no promises. Thanks for coming along for the ride. If there’s anything you want to hear more about, just let me know.

P.S. I know I’m bad at math, so you might be thinking, “Wait, didn’t he say three weeks? He’s been there for 2½ weeks already!” Well… I was originally supposed to be here for three weeks, but on day two, I was enjoying it so much that I canceled the next part of my trip and decided to stay for four weeks instead. So yes, I’ll be here a little longer! 

July 30, 2026

I have only been in India for less than 72 hours at the time of writing this, and the first word that comes to mind is wow. At one point, it crossed my mind that I was living my own version of Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Unlike John Candy’s adventure, though, my story wasn’t about frustration or bad luck. It was about stepping outside my comfort zone, meeting incredible people and experiencing the culture, and discovering the beauty of this remarkable country.

Wow – I am honored to be here!

Wow – am I dreaming?

Wow – how fortunate I am and how much I have to be thankful for.

And there are so many more…

Delhi was a bustling city at all hours of the day. The drivers seemed to have one hand on the horn and one hand on the wheel. They might honk at a tuk-tuk, a dog, a horse, a cow, a pedestrian, or someone on a motorcycle carrying who knows what.

At first, I thought all the honking meant people were impatient or angry. I quickly learned it wasn’t an aggressive honk at all. It was more like saying, “Hey, I see you. You see me. Let’s not collide.” The horn isn’t an expression of frustration like in the States; it’s a form of communication.

In a city this large, everything must keep moving. By perspective, New York City is home to about 8.5 million people across roughly 300 square miles. Delhi, by comparison, has about 35 million across its metropolitan area, spread over roughly 575 square miles. Suddenly, the constant chorus of horns made perfect sense.

From Delhi, I boarded the high-speed train, the Gatimaan Express, to Agra, often called the City of Love and home to the Taj Mahal. Before arriving, I knew it was one of the Seven Wonders of the World, but I didn’t fully appreciate the story behind it.

After the death of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, in 1631, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the Taj Mahal as her final resting place. It took more than 20 years to complete, with an estimated 20,000 artisans and craftsmen working on the project. Long before modern construction equipment, the white marble was transported nearly 250 miles from Rajasthan using elephants, oxen, and boats.

Standing before it, my tour guide asked, “Can you imagine loving someone so deeply that you’d spend more than two decades building them something so magnificent, knowing they would never see it completed?”

That question stayed with me. Suddenly, the Taj Mahal became more than a breathtaking monument. It became a timeless reminder of love, devotion, and the extraordinary things we are capable of creating for those we cherish.

As unforgettable as the Taj Mahal was, it wasn’t the only thing Agra had to offer. It may have been the reason for my little side quest, but the city itself deserved its own moment. From seeing the impressive Agra Fort to sharing a delicious lunch, wandering through the local markets, learning the difference between pashmina and cashmere, and discovering zardozi, the centuries-old art of handcrafting intricate gold and silver embroidery, I quickly realized Agra is much more than a stop for a single monument. It’s a city rich in history, craftsmanship, and culture, and I’m glad I took the time to experience it.

Yesterday, I flew from Delhi in northern India to Kerala, nestled along the country’s southwestern coast. It is completely different from Delhi.

It was hard not to smile waking up to the sound of the Arabian Sea, less than 100 steps from my window. The waves, birds chirping, and the occasional horn in the distance all invited me to slow down, take a deep breath, and simply be present. As an extra treat, I was greeted by a family of peacocks wandering by, making an already peaceful morning feel even more magical.

Over the next three weeks, I’ll be studying Ayurveda, immersing myself in one of the world’s oldest systems of holistic medicine and learning traditions that have been practiced for thousands of years. The specific course I’m enrolled in focuses on Massage & Herbology.

Here is to the next chapter!!

XOXO much love and light fam

Wow, where have the last two months gone?

I know the journey is just beginning, but this summer has been nothing short of spectacular. Time spent with loved ones (who are normally 1,000+ miles away), uncontrollable laughter, and so many moments I’ll never forget… the list could go on.

Being off the rock has been lovely, but I do miss my island. Big city life, though, has been refreshing.

I have to admit, I’ve been to see the orchestra three times this month. Some days I’ve just wandered the streets in awe. The endless culture and cuisine here in Chicago have me excited for what’s yet to come!

This is a test post as I have no clue how to build a website LOL, This Should show up under archived posts.