Dats all folks!!!!

There has been Ganesh's birthday, a 8 day goddess festival, a heat wave, monsoons, 15 hour power cuts, a series of fire fire ant bites in very delicate areas, a baby with a shaved head, drinking beer with with a german hippy and devi opening a new restaurant, hikes up the mountain and bathing in rain water and of course quiet time in the ashram. Not bad at all. I have really let go of the difficulties of the past and look forward to going home to start my new life. Lets see if the peace lasts.

Of course I am flying home into a possible hurricane. My first test of my new inner peace. Please pray to whom ever and hope I get home in one peace. Life is now an adventure. I may be delayed in Dubai for at least a day while the storm passes, more if air traffic is backed up. Instead of fretting, i am looking forward to the adventure. who knows, I may be kidnapped by Bedouins in Dubai and live a life on camel back under the stars. Hey we never know what life will bring so best to enjoy what comes along and just accept the rest. What to do?

OM, my dear ones

Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

Rural Tamil Nadu

We had to walk on the retaining walls of this rice paddy to reach the temple. On the way in I steeped into the deep mud and lost my flip-flop. A string on children followed me and and laughed quite lustfully at my dilemma. I took out my mud caked filp-flop only to do the same with the other foot. Of course the chi8ldren thought this hysterical. I jokenly shook my finger at them and jokingly said, "Not funny" to which they replyed "VERY FUNNY". My special white clothes were caked with mud as were my feet and shins. They were correct in their assessment of the situation.

Devi led us back to our rickshaws and bikes as she carried a huge silver pot on her head full of the prassad. All the while the holly hill looked on and silently radiated peace. Magic does exist in the world.

A mother's love

(IF you're just entering this blog you may want to scroll down to the beginning of this string of posts to see the story as it unfolded. click on any pic to enlarge.)

Devi's face says it all: Joy!

Two for the price of one

This little girl joined in the fun and her head shaved as well. She had the ceremony once before but mum and dad decided to give it another go. The black Kohl circles are to ward away the evil eye. Funny thing is, I had to have a friend take this pic because every time I got close something shoved me away. What to do?

How CUTE

VIsnu Rocks the shaved head.

HOW CUTE. Good bye baby Vishnu and hello Little boy. His outfit with the priestly pants was just too cute. He was the center of attention the rest of day and loved it. The sandalwood paste on his head help cool down the skin. Over all, a very successful make over.

The first cut is the deepest

Karuna gave me the great honor of  the first cuts on Vishu's head. He wanted me to do the whole thing but I explained to him that if Vishnu wanted to keep both ears he should hire a professional. One mistake and Vishnu will remember me as "Bloody Uncle". Vishnu was a real trooper through his ordeal. He but up a minimum  of fuss and endured with acceptance.