Bring it on, Bangalore

I arrived in Bangalore three nights ago. Sanjay, the trip's travel agent, was there to pick me up at the airport and my transition was smooth. In fact, it was the most wonderful air travelling experience of my life. I briefly met the captain before the flight on the escalator and he moved my seat to first class. Later when we were talkng about why he had decided to do this for me, he said, "I don't know, something inside of me told me to be kind to you." And even though he was not on my second flight, he talked to the pilot of that flight too and had me moved to first class.

Suri is his name. I am corresponding with him about changing my flight out of India from landing in London to Paris. From there I will fly to Stockholm on the 29th and then take a train to Narvick, Norway...but that is all far and distant plans.

Now I am in Bangalore, India where the car horns stop beeping only in the dead of night, wild dogs gather in the evening and at dawn, and no meal is ever over $4 (and usually it is under $2). Today we went to a Sikh gwardar (sp) in another part of Bangalore and learned that they worship their ancient text as a king and have no living gurus. They receive their answers to life's questions from the text alone. After eating in the basement of the gwardar, we got back on the bus and went to get some ice cream in a busy part of Bangalore. There are so many cars, motorcycles, and taxis not following the 'rules of the road.' It might seem quite treachorous to corss any street. And I frequently cover my face with my scarf to filter the air.

Jane arrived too. Her orginal flight was delayed and she did not arrive with the rest of the group. She opened the door to my room at about 3am this morning and we stayed up for a long time talking and laughing. Although we were quite tired today, it was worth it.

There are more details I would like to include, but am writing quickly as I am headed back to Teralabalu Kendra for a yoga session (which I will lead today). In my first day here, I wrote three songs. I believe I will perform one of them for a ceremony this weekend. The whole group will perform together and some of us will do other things too. There are a few other performers on this trip.

I feel great. I just took a nap. Tomorrow we leave Bangalore and will not return until the 6th of November. Our journey has begun. I am so glad to be here in this place and with these people. I am learning so much.

Love.