Nearly there

As the third week of the course comes to a close and India no longer feels like a foreign place. I am Both exhausted and happy. The trip could not be going any better, except maybe a little more sleep. Unfortunately, where there is a will there is a way and Mysore had a lot more shops than I first had thought. My love of fabrics, designs and jewelry was only becoming more intense. Myself and Alessia Spend days walking around the traditional stores, inspecting every item Of clothing and jewelry. It made me never want to shop in the western world again.

 Even the cosmetics were incredible and the prices were even better.  We had an amazing few weeks. Getting to know the locals, meeting some very interesting people I even met a guy from Kent, who had lived in my home town Skerries for a year. My friend who was living in Baneglore came to visit with her boyfriend. It was lovely to explore Mysore with them. They were so amazing with Alessia, 

they included her in the conversation, interacted with her, and were so understanding and kind towards her. We visited the Mysore palace, which was the only building that has left me speechless since the Vatican.

 Alessia was in awe As we walked through the and Halls and grounds. We ate fantastic food and explored the neighborhood. My yoga was improving more over the last few weeks than it ever had. I had the most wonderful teacher who was so understanding and thoughtful, she was not only engaging with me, but also had so much time and understanding for Alessia. Alessia came to my morning classes and helped adjust me and sat beside me while I did my yoga. She was learning all sorts of pose and was enjoying her morning chant. 

The days were lovely. Pottering around, local shops and stalls. I loved going to the local grocery shops and I could buy a bag of groceries for 25cent it was incredible. The first Monday of  the last week crept upon me, I was certain of one thing, that it was going to be a challenging one. With all the study I needed to do and the lack of hours to do it, I knew I was going to enjoy my trip to Kerala. Alessia was completely settled and was really having great fun. I was enjoying my time with her more then anything. Spending days getting kisses and cuddles and with someone who finds you hilarious is definitely a way to make you feel good. India was everything I hoped for and more. While we continued to enjoy our trip it was a bonus to be making lifelong friends and memories and what was more, I would be able to teach yoga very soon. 

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Another year, older , another year wiser !!!!

Almost the second week of the course over and I can only say it's getting better. Alessia has introduced me to so many people. She is a conversation starter and is bringing new people into my life by the day. She is constantly getting us into the strangest and best situations like playing criket with the neightbours or having breakfast with random strangers.


 Everyday she is getting more and more settled. Back to her happy self and it's amazing as she becomes comfortable and confident  with her minder and her son.I feel assured that not  pushing  her to do something she wasn't ready for is working. Although she is quick to wave them good bye on my return.


 As Alessia becomes happier in herself, I am becoming more focused on my yoga and my concentration is becoming sharper. It feels strange to be in class and not to have to worry about anything other than the yoga pose. I can usually hear her shrieking with laughter and playing away, which is incredibly  reassuring. It is so lovely to have this time for me.



 I celebrated my second birthday as a mother and every year is only getting better. I woke up yesterday to watch my beautiful daughter smile at me and kiss me. It was the start of an amazing day. I love my birthday, I think it's such a special day and always love to celebrate it. I got to do an hour and a half of yoga while Alessia was completely content. I bought myself a lovely present and received messages from all my friends and family. I was astonished as my class sung happy birthday to me and presented me with a voucher for a lovely shop. I was invited for dinner and cake by the head of the school and the rest of the class and presented with yet another gift. A beautiful dress. The whole class sang me happy birthday as I cut the cake and we ate dinner together. 




Alessia was amazing and enjoyed every Minute of it. I couldn't believe how thoughtful everyone was. As I sat and watched and took it all in. I felt such happiness and such graduate towards everyone I had met. I felt so proud of all the achievements i had over the last year. Although different than what I would have once called achievements. How we had traveled to Italy, London, Portugal, America and now India. I was so content and at home with myself. I was enjoying every moment and so appreciative of everything I had. India was the best adventure yet. I was enjoying every second. It was so lovely to share it with Alessia. The time was flying by so I was making sure that not a moment was wasted. 


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Just so much to see

As we become more settled in our surroundings, I realized how lovely it is to be in the country side. How calm and tranquil but also close to the hustle and bustle we were. What felt like seconds came the end of the first week. Alessia had been to the doctor twice and I was still feeling pretty calm and enjoying the experience. I was shocked at how I was taking it in my stride and how relaxed I felt and at home. Even with little sleep and certainly not many  breaks I felt so happy and content.  Alessia was recovering and I could see her mood getting slightly better every day. I had faith that things were going to work out and I knew this trip would be a great experience. We explored our surroundings a little more and found some great restaurants I loved the traditional India ones. I found them cheap and tasty. The South Indian food was fantastic. The organic cafes were also lovely and infact I think Alessia preferred them.
Our morning  ritual was going to get a Masala dose followed by a coconut at the local coconut stand costing just sixty cent for everything. Sometimes we went wild and had two coconuts. One of the mornings there was a man carrying two monkeys in this shirt the two of them playing and fighting  with each other, it was terrifying as Alessia tried to get hold of them. So we quickly drank our coconuts and left.
There was such a buzz around, as from October 1st till the 11th Mysore Dasara Fesival is celebrated where they celebrate the day when the Hindu Goddess Chamundeshwari killed the demon Mahishasura. It felt like Christmas, everyone getting dressed up, there were lights and flowers everywhere even the cars were decorated.  People were sitting in the streets, making flower necklaces it was magical. 



 We went and explored Mysore center there was music and dancing and elephants on the street. We walked  through  Devaraja market, it was full Of spices, incense, fruit, Jewellery, flower and lots of impractical things. It was fantastic.





 The local Tailers invited me over to get home made sweets that were beautifully packaged. I was thinking of putting a sign on Alessia saying please don't touch as everywhere I went people were trying to grab and touch her face which was just way too close to her mouth for comfort. I loved exploring the city and the lights were incredible. We took our first tuck tuck and Alessia loved it. As the wind blow against our faces and we beeped our way home, I could see the excitement in her eyes. 
This was everything and nothing like I expected. I had spotted so many amazing jewelry stores. I wanted it all the amazing gold they had was breath taking. The jewelers were all packed with people buying expensive gold. I was even enjoying looking at it. Taking it all in. Alessia was only delighted once we were out and about exploring. I was reminding myself not to take things seriously and just enjoy the flow. My travel companion was coming around and getting back to her usual normal happy self. She was even happy to stay and play with Sudha and her son and come in and out to me. I was beginning to be able to relax and enjoy the yoga. And I was excited to see what the next week had to offer.




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A SMALL HURDLE

As the first week of the course Began drawing to a close. I started to reflect on what I've learned and how the trip was going. I realized how relaxed I felt and calm. This adventure was grounding me even further. I was not rushing or racing around I was enjoying doing each particular task and i was getting to know myself even more. My one worry of finding the right minder quickly disappeared, as I met the lady the school had recommended. She was from Mysore and was the kindest most beautiful lady I've ever met. She was so soft and gentle and had tears in her eyes as she spoke about the last little girl she had minded, who had moved back to oz. I knew straight away, I loved her and would have no problem with Alessia being left with her. The only other problem was if Alessia would be happy to be left. 

 The course was incredible, an hour and half Asthanga practice in the morning, then meditation and learning different breathing techniques. Theory in the afternoon, followed by teacher training and ending with meditation. I loved the idea of all the classes. It was such  a nice feeling to be immersed in something. Having time to do something for me, as much as I love being a parent and having Alessia it was also  great to use my brain in a different way. I had to teach myself to be mindful when Alessia wasn't around, as I felt myself getting lost  worrying that she was ok. It was amazing  Furthering my own practice, but also learning how to further orders. The first few days seemed very promising and Alessia was really happy playing with Sudha, Sudha had also brought her nine year old son along who was such a wonderful child and Alessia was delighted playing hide and seek and throwing the ball into the pool with him. He was so attentive to her and helped keep her distracted and entertained. I actually couldn't have asked for better.

 I could notice  Alessias' mood change slightly and then realized she was getting her back teeth. Like every time she has gotten teeth, it coincided with a bad cough and cold and fever. So of course she only wanted me. So I was being challenged in every way, both at yoga and parenting. I couldn't leave her if she was upset, but didn't want to not leave her if she would be fine as soon as I was gone. It was challenging trying to get the balance.
The rest of the group were extremely kind, offering to help where ever they could. Checking to see if I needed anything brought back in the evening. One couple was filming the classes so where I was missing out I could watch the classes myself. One of the girls  on the course was from India, she made a wonderful meal one of the nights and invited us to join. I felt extremely relaxed and at home here. I was growing to really like the town, it was tropical and relaxing and had a lovely feel to it.






 The weather was perfect not too hot, but sunny and pleasant and I could see myself returning in the future to do another course. There was so much going on and i was just hoping Alessia would recover soon so we could both continue to really enjoy the experience. 


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Our first impressions

The drive to Mysore was mesmerizing, there were lush green fields and beautiful temples all around. We drove through wonderful little towns which were bustling with people just going about their day. I could've believed it Alessia even slept for most of the journey. I kept visualizing everything working out perfectly and it was.

 Our driver  was lovely, he waited for me for 45 minutes and didn't complain. He didn't mind when Alessia dropped food in his car, or when we jammed to our favorite nursery rhymes on our keyboard or when she cried as she got tired. He just kept looking back and smiling. He told me how he was married without children, but not by choice. Which somehow made me sad as he looked so fondly on Alessia. We arrived at mystic school, in Gokulam in
Mysore http://mysoreyoga.in/ we were wrecked and starving. The staff were very pleasant and were happy to give us time to adjust and were not grabbing the money out of our pockets as soon as we got in the door. Our accommodation was lovely. We had a mini apartment, with a balcony, kitchen and bedroom. It was perfect. 



There was a swimming poor and a sauna on the roof. The town itself was very different then where we had just come from. Much quieter, for me, I thought it was the countryside, although a few people on the course differed and felt it was very much a busy town. It also had a lot of westerners coming to do yoga. So almost like a Seaside holiday town expects a yoga, reiki, massage, holistic living holiday town. 


There were  a lot of organic green cafes and shops and plenty of overpriced shops to buy food. Though there were also fantastic India restaurants where you could eat a wonderful meal for 60 cents. Or get breakfast for 30 cents or pick up a fresh coconut for 25cent. It was amazing you could eat well for nothing. My prayers were answered there was little clothes to buy. We had already checked out all the shops and I could safely say I was happy to buy nothing. Maybe just a few Bindis.


 Alessia was enjoying herself too, and was the talk of the town. We could not  walk down the street without men, woman and children wanting to take her  picture or someone trying to touch her face, which was a bit too much for me. There was wonderful fresh fruit and veg. And you could buy it all for next to nothing. My only concern was the minding situation when i would be doing the yoga teacher training. My concerns were that I would not be happy with one of the people they introduced me too or that Alessia would not be happy to spend time with them. 

The course coordinator  had forgotten I was bringing her so my plan of coming two days early to give me time to prepare didn't work out. But it wasn't a complete waste as it gave us the space to get used to our new accommodation. See the town and Alessia to become comfortable in her new surroundings. The trip was such a success. I felt so privileged to be able to be here, so excited about what was ahead. And so content in every moment. It was bliss. Alessia was the easiest person to travel with. She is amazing. Smiling chatting and enjoying everything mixing in with the crowds. Hopefully I would be a qualified yoga teacher at the end of the month. 



FREEFUN MYSORE INDIA 

The next leg

As we wave the busy city of Bangalore goodbye and move onto our next adventure. I am astonished by the green, lush countryside that lies just outside the city. I've loved every minute of our trip so far. Except maybe loosing my money belt. We have had such a wonderful time sightseeing and meeting loads of great people. We went to a gorgeous designer boutique shopping Mal http://www.cinnamonthestore.com/ which is located in an old historical reconstructed building. It was so pretty and I was lucky it catered to both children and adults so we could shop till we dropped. It was all to much for me it was my style true and true, I wanted it all which made it difficult as everything was so amazing, beautiful fabric, designs and styles. 

The children's clothes were equally as amazing and Alessia was loosing the run of herself. 

I couldn't believe how friendly people were but If I was really honest, no one cared about me Alessia was the star of the show. Making friends Every where we went. People offering to mind her taking her from me while I shopped or ate or did anything for that mater. Of course I kept refusing the offers. 

I enjoyed just walking around our neighborhood and taking it all in. Watching how others lived, how cows roomed the streets and the division of the city between  the wealthy and those less off. 

I came across another wonderful shop http://www.fabindia.com which is actually an Indian chain store, the products are hand made by crafts people in rural India. I loved the traditional shops, great clothes at great prices. Having Alessia with me made the trip far different. I wasn't quite as adventurous, I took cars around the place.

 I didn't see the night life. So we did what we both enjoyed shopped. We went to a very famous sari store, vimor. It is in a bungalow, with an amazing collection of handloom sarees, so makes them exceptional. 

 https://m.facebook.com/VimorSarees/

It is a very personal experience, they pick just the right one for you out of the vast collection. I learned both history and the beauty of sarees. Each one has a story behind it, and the difference from region to region. I got a lesson in how to wear one, all the while Alessia played with the woman's son while he showed her his nieces bike and ball and she was flying around the room. It  was incredible and you could in fact spend a day,  going through the styles and patterns. Each one getting better. I was lucky enough to see their one personal Collection. Of course I had to buy one.

 We were invited to my friends for dinner with her and her Indian boyfriend. It was so lovely to go to her home, it was beautiful and they both cooked a lovely India meal Alessia was having the time of her life meeting all these new people and they couldnt have been kinder to her. Such a nice evening and way better than going to a restaurant.

 We ate Masala Dosa for breakfast and drank fresh watermelon juice. There was nothing I could fault about my trip so far. We even went to a tailor to get my sari hemmed and my blouse made to wear with it. The skill this woman had and was able to make me an incredible top over night. 

 The staff at our accommodation we're so sad to see Alessia go. They loved her, and seriously wanted me to leave her. She even got a preset. As we drove to Mysore, people looking in and staring at Alessia in the car. I was excited for the next leg of the trip. This was all way more than I could have hoped for except I needed Mysore to have a lot less shops.  

FREEFUN BANGALORE, INDIA