Destination: India

Photos: KOLKATA

Thu, 25 Aug 2016 | By manuel | Photo Gallery

Calcuta. Nadie me avisó (I)

Thu, 25 Aug 2016 | By manuel | Views [533]

“Do not wait for leaders, do it alone, person to person” reza un gran panel que me da la bienvenida a Calcuta, como no, de la Madre Teresa de Calcuta. Yo no esperé a líderes, elegí tomar la decisión de salir, ... Read more >

Tags: calcuta, ciudad, kolkata, olores, pobreza, ruido, sucio, tiempo

Photos: PERFIL

Thu, 25 Aug 2016 | By manuel | Photo Gallery

Chennai

Mon, 15 Aug 2016 | By butterfly-freed | Views [780]

Long before we actually reach Chennai settlements have become more tightly knit until forming a town, which somehow becomes a city scarcely separated by the airport. It seems inconceivable that there is space for runways and terminal buildings, but suddenly ... Read more >

Tags: airport hotel, ashok tree, celebrations, chennai, cookery classes, food, sunbathing

Pondicherry

Fri, 12 Aug 2016 | By butterfly-freed | Views [832]

It's only about 110kms to Puducherry (formerly known as Pondicherry) but as most of the road from Tiruvannamalai is not highway, it takes around three hours. From the main Chennai road, the toll national highway is a pleasure. I muse whether NH66 could ... Read more >

Tags: ashok tree, bay of bengal, churches, colonialism, french, pondicherry, pondy, puducherry, tamil

India, Ramblings and Etiquette

Tue, 9 Aug 2016 | By butterfly-freed | Views [723]

One evening not long after we arrived we ventured out for a stroll down the road. We hadn't got very far when we were invited to a nearby house. A light day bed frame was hastily produced and we were invited to sit outside and converse with the women ... Read more >

Tags: ashrams, ayurvedic massage, cave, enlightenment road, hammocks, shiva, vibhuti, womens handicrafts, yoga

Photos: SUNDARBANS

Mon, 8 Aug 2016 | By manuel | Photo Gallery

LOS TIGRES DE SUNDARBANS

Mon, 8 Aug 2016 | By manuel | Views [343]

Estábamos preparándonos para despedirnos de Calcuta y comenzar el viaje alredor de la India cuando AdC nos invitó a conocer el otro proyecto en el que trabaja junto con el Brother. Se trata de un dispensario médico y una ... Read more >

Tags: amigos de calcuta, delta, ong, rice, sundarbans

In and around the Retreat

Sun, 7 Aug 2016 | By butterfly-freed | Views [738]

On the days we don't go out, we spend time with the children, teaching a little as well as playing. There is always something going on. The builders have finished the fourth classroom and the toilets are almost complete, amongst several other projects ... Read more >

Tags: ashok tree, beauty, charity, friends, henna, kindness, tamil, teaching

Vibhuti - Cow Dung Initiation

Fri, 5 Aug 2016 | By butterfly-freed | Views [1024]

The time has come to step outside of what feels comfortable. Life in the retreat is a very sanitised version of what lies outside, but we're pretty comfortable with that. However, We came to see India and are not going to do that unless we get the local ... Read more >

Tags: ashrams, cow dung, initiation, masala chai, retreat, shopping, templesl

Life, Lessons and Yoga

Wed, 3 Aug 2016 | By butterfly-freed | Views [788]

It's business as usual today following the festivities of yesterday's holiday. School is back in session, and so are the full complement of builders, site workers and the labourers in the adjoining fields berhind us.  Breakfast consists of ... Read more >

Tags: ashok tree, india, school, sita devi school, teaching abroad, tiruvannamalai, yoga

Circle in a Circle

Tue, 2 Aug 2016 | By butterfly-freed | Views [806]

It is already hot and humid by the time we are welcomed into the thoughtfully designed grounds of The Ashok Tree shortly after 9.30am.  Looking round the circular layout to our left we see the small school with three operational classrooms at present, ... Read more >

Tags: ashok tree, food, india, medicine garden, retreat, school, yoga

Photos: The Ashok Tree, Tiruvannamalai-retreat & school

Tue, 2 Aug 2016 | By butterfly-freed | Photo Gallery

Introduction to India..!

Mon, 1 Aug 2016 | By butterfly-freed | Views [916]

The drive from Chennai to Tiruvannamalai (Tiru) takes about three hours which passes in a hazy state of excitement, jet lag and sensory-overload. Tamil Nadu province is full of vivid colours, abject poverty, beautiful green countryside, piles of rotting ... Read more >

Tags: culture shock, first impressionsi, india, tamil nadu, tiruvannamalai

Photos: India, Tamil Nadu

Mon, 1 Aug 2016 | By butterfly-freed | Photo Gallery