I am making preparations to travel to Goa on Wednesday the 8th to continue practicing yoga with some certified teachers there. I love the Shala here and will be sad to leave but I am feeling the pull to see more of India during my time here and am thrilled to be headed for the ocean! This morning during chanting I broke the no photos in the Shala rule to snap a shot of the big wall of portraits that smile down on us during practice everyday. Tomorrow is my last day of practice in Mysore for this trip and I am setting the intention to return to this place.
Today I went to the post office to ship a suitcase back home to lighten my load for more travels. It was quite an experience. I waited in line like I normally would in the U.S. until I realized that unless I glued myself to the counter I would never get helped because people just cut in front of me. When I did get to the counter I had to ask for the papers I needed three times before I got them and had to fill out three copies of the exact same form. Then came the strangest part which is that no matter what kind of parcel you are sending, be it cardboard shipping box, or in my case a suitcase, you take it to a tailor shop connected to the post office to have it wrapped up in white muslin and hand stitched shut! I thought the process both weird and beautiful. The end result of all the white cloth packages was nice to see. All of this took what seemed like hours and in the end cost much more than I'd expected. I felt like kind of an idiot for having brought so much with me so a dear friend consoled me by saying: live and learn. We all make mistakes and next time you'll know so much more about what to bring and how to pack it. Yes! With each day here I become a wiser traveller.
And you are already so wise! Hope the trip to Goa goes well and with no more learning than you want. Thank you for doing this.
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Dad
We did not realize you were leaving Mysore so soon. Thought you were staying for 2 months there. How exciting to be traveling on to a new place to learn and experience. As to sending things, I had a similar experience shipping some thing from Italy. They had to wrap the package just so with special paper and put cord around it and seal the cord with a special metal and wax. It is all so strange. When I went to europe the first time after only one week we sent things home to lighten our burden. It's all fun and what a great learning experience. I hope after that effort - you will be able to locate or forward the packet we sent as it too was an ordeal to send. wWe know your journey will be fun and enlightening. We send you love, Liz and Mark
ReplyDeletewow that sounds so cool with the metal and wax seal! I'm working on locating the package you sent. pray that it finds its way to me! <3
DeleteJulia, Wonderful writing and photo's again! Thank you! Be safe, love, Mom
ReplyDeleteHaha, Live and Learn, yes for sure! Practice makes Perfect, All will be well, (Insert Head-wobble). I am grateful for our experienced India advisers, Joanna and Tasia namely. Quite a blessing.
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