28.01.2008

Last Days in Kovalam

Its amazing how fast my trip is going, yet another chapter is about to close. As I sat down for breakfast at german bakery this morning and got staring out to the ocean I had a moment of reflection on all that happened in the past 7 weeks in Kovalam. All the friends who were here, all the great moments and experiences...And with the yoga being so intense (particularly this morning as I was given 2 new postures and turned into a live jelly with Laghuvijrasana) I felt ever so happy and content.

I have been thinking about all the good and bad things I will be missing about Kovalam, here are few to list:

• I love looking up to the stars as I walk in the dark to the shala at 5am every morning, and the mind games I have with all the possible creatures that may jump in my way
• I love hearing prayers from 5 mosques at the same time at 5.30am and how the hocas compete with their hideous voices; followed by recording of chants from the hindu temples
  
• I love practising next to Denis and how she sometimes corrects me with whispers or steal my towel time to time
• I love Lino as he is, with his humanly faults, with his Italian charm, sweet firmness and humour
• I love having breakfast watching the waves, people surfing and swimming or jogging down the water front; fishermen pulling the nets in with a handful of tiny fish in it
  
• I love the countless "hello madam, how are you" I hear from shop owners, and trying to avoid shaking everyone's hand particularly when they scratch the inside of your palm meaning I want to shag you (yuk!)
• I love the food, my favourite is spinach thoren this year. I love the fact that I can eat a lot and not gain weight
• I love everyone here in Kovalam, couldnt count them all but definately a few new ones (Peter who is sitting next to me at the internet cafe and how we tease him about his new girlfriend back home)
• I love and hate the ayurveda massages but definately love hanging out at Unni's reception getting to know everyone in Kovalam dressed in same lungis and looking very oily
• I love the mosquitos, those suckers who love to suck your blood during practice; during breakfast and dinner, whilst sleeping and pretty much whizz around all the time
• I dont so much likehow filthy Kovalam is getting
• I love the diversity of toursists you come across on th beach from fit yogis to fat English beer gut-ters
  
• I love bartering so low for lungis on th ebeach and driving the local beach sellers crazy