Helping the kitten that wanted no help....

One morning Ray and I headed out our front gate to go to dinner.
As we passed by the OSHO Meditation center that was across the street from our place, I heard a kitten crying.

We looked and looked and finally saw it on a very narrow ledge on top of the roof area.
The instant I saw it there I told Ray that he Had to help get it down!

"The poor things been put there" I insisted. "There's NO way it can get down by itself" I pleaded.

So, my husband, being the Hero he is..
climbed up and proceeded to try "talking" to it.

They understand "No English" we realized..

you can see the little kitten on the outer part of the ledge. The inner part is cut out, so there was No way it could have even gotten there by itself.

After Ray was up there for a few mins. and the little guy was having nothing of it. I realized I may have made a Big mistake in having him go up there and try to get it down. He could and would have gotten scratched and so suddenly two curious Indian boys walked up and I told them to please help us.
At first they were quite hesitant, but I think they wanted to impress us..or Me.
So they happily jumped up and gave it their all~

Ray was anxious to help out (so he wouldn't get scratched)

and then, all of a sudden, the kitten got into position and all the guys had literal "Fear" in their eyes as the little thing was screaming up a storm (I was safely on the ground getting ready to run if need be)

But the screaming little guy jumped above Rays head onto the other ledge and off he went!

Oh well, at least we tried to help him out. The Indian guys were quite proud as well and I think a little relieved that they didn't have to grab him either and get torn up.
We thanked them profusely and off we went, everyone all smiles!

Eating "Tiffin" style in India!

When our friends Chris and Warren (they seem to be an on-going theme lately!) (I like it too!) mentioned to us yesterday about a woman that cooks for them a few times a week and delivers it as well..Ray and I lit up like nobodies business.

Reason being is~
1) were here for 6 more months and we are Not doing our own cooking.
2) it gets boring going to the same places and eating (even though the food is good)
3) Monsoon weather has arrived and that means down pours of rain at any given time with very little notice.
4) rain is good, but it ruins my hair...(joking)

So of course when I said we were REALLY interested. Chris, being the Super Man that he is (no joke, honestly, I know there are the "go to guys" here in Mysore...but Chris just Knows How to Get.Things.Done. and Pronto!)
Arranged for us to get our First Tiffin Meal delivered to our home Today!!

We didn't want Chris or Warren to deliver it because we don't like to inconvenience anyone...but they insisted today.
So at 1:30 this special guy showed up on his scooter...

and gave us this Huge meal...

it was much more than we could eat..almost!! We Forced ourselves to finish it because it was so Incredibly Delicious. Plus we eat dinner at 2:00 or so each day, so we knew it would last us all night! The flavors were just divine and you can NOT get this in any restaurant..especially the Roti!! It had herbs cooked into it. It was SO GOOD!!!!

and this pic is Before we washed the Tiffin boxes! I know, it looks like we practically licked them. We practically, almost did! We also just Love the fact that the woman who cooks this incredible food really can use the little extra that she charges for it. We love helping out those who need it while were here if we can.

So we called up our "go to guy" Super Man Chris and told him that we Must, Must have this at least 3 days per week. No less.
You know what he said?

"Which days?"

I told him which days we wanted..

"OK, Fine, Done" he said. (Indian head bob was there too, I was sure of it)
and you know what the best part is?
He means it and It Is Done!

And That is how you Eat Tiffin style in India!

 

Moving Day "India Style"

Today was the long awaited Moving Day!!!

Don't get me wrong, I will try to not complain too much about most things while I am in my beloved India. But the room we were in prior to the room were renting now is like Night and Day.

Honestly.

But were finally here at Meena and Mahesh's peaceful home and we have only very fond memories of being here each and every time we come back to India!
Weather it's while we rent their upstairs room with rooftop terrace, or I shop at Meenas "in home" infamous Silver Nest jewelry shop! ( Did someone say JEWELRY?? My Fave!!!)

Bright and early and might I say Right On Time, and not India time. Were talking USA, right on time!
Our new and Best friends Chris and Warren showed up on their scooter and right behind them, almost as if they were pulling them by a string, a TRUCK with two Indian fellows arrived at our place and we were ready to Move!
All the bags were downstairs ready to load up and in 10 mins. flat we were looking like this...

 

and this...

 

and then This!

were Happily all settled in and Meena is thrilled to have us just as much as we are to be here...
Oh yeah, the cost of the move With movers and Truck.

Not One Rupee.

Thanks to our friends Chris and Warren... xxxxx
That's some pretty great friends indeed~

 

Another item to check off my bucket list~~ Indian Wedding!!!

It was one of my lifelong dreams.

And we were in India for only 2 weeks and it came true!!

This is us on the way in a Rickshaw...

Our friends Chris and Warren who have been living here for awhile now, and are well seasoned on..well, Everything pretty much, invited us to attend the wedding with them.

We did this back and forth and laughed the whole time!!
(well, we actually Laugh all the time when were together!)

We arrived at the wedding as the photographers were taking snaps of the extremely handsome groom..

and before we knew it the wedding was in full swing..

we were treated as royalty, and brought to the front of the line to give the beautiful couple their blessing of pouring three times some milk into a coconut and then sprinkling rice on top of the bride and grooms head.

The horns and drums announced the newly married couple...

and we were the first to eat..on banana leaves, with our right hand which I am not used to. I know, I should be since I have been here so many times before..but I am so out of my comfort zone and plus being such an OCD neat freak. Well, you get it I'm sure!

Then came the part that I still can't believe.
They called us up onto the stage (and I won't lie, I LOVE the stage) but this time was a different story, as they insisted we all sit on the special "Love Seat" that was especially for the newly wedded couple.

We met the most beautiful people and they were so warm and inviting and they honestly made us feel like we were the guests of honor..

 

Truly a day I will Never, Ever forget.

Ranjini my Chanting and Harmonium teacher

After finding the Perfect Harmonium in Mysore city I was all set for my first lesson with Ranjini!

I arrived promptly at 4pm as requested and we got started~

We began with some Slokas (chanting) as Ranjini said it was a Prayer to God that our lesson would go smoothly (as it did!)

I had attended One Chanting session 4 years ago with Ranjini's cousin, the well known
Jayashree of Mysore~ and was quite pleasantly surprised at how it all came back to me so easily and effortlessly.

After we Chanted, the lesson began and Ranjini is a Very patient teacher I must say as I was nervous. I played the accordion as a young girl, so it has been many years since I have played an instrument.

I know I will get it, as it is quite simple to play if you just take your time and practice!

(we went to Three music stores before we found the Best Harmonium at the Best price)

I will have my class every Tuesday at 4pm for one hour~
And practice everyday for one hour...
I have plenty of time to perfect this instrument!!

If you are planning on coming to Mysore just contact me for Ranjinis info as she teaches Chanting, The Yoga Sutras, The Veena and of course the Harmonium.
She is a very well known teacher here in Mysore and is in fact a "Senior" Teacher and her rates are quite reasonable!



 

Ramakrishna Ashram

I had seen many photos of this very spiritual and special place when my dear friend Jean was living here in Mysore.
I Knew I had to go there one day, and finally yesterday I did.
It was Everything I had thought it would be and more...

 we went into the bookstore and I must have purchased at least 10 books and 3 posters and the total came to 10.00 US dollars. I was very happy to support this wonderful Ashram.

 Ray and I were able to enter and do a nice Meditation with the Indian women and men. I sat on the side with the women and Ray on the men's side. Such Peace...

 We were invited into the main office where one of the Sadhus sat and talked with us for almost an hour and told us all about the Ashram and all the children that they help and educate. We were especially happy when he told us about the belief that they have in embracing ALL faiths. As that is how Ray and I feel. You can take a little something from all, and no One Faith is better than any other in their eyes.
I wish everyone would embrace that thought.

I cannot wait to return! It's within walking distance to where we are staying~

Out and about in Mysore~