Oh boy... I have lost track of this blog. Hard to believe it has only been 2 weeks. So much has happened, it feels like I have been here for months! Lots of ups and downs, more ups than downs I would say so far. Let's see... So had a rough time getting out of Mumbai. Our train tickets didn't get off the waiting list so our ticket was canceled.. Little did we know that we could have got on the train anyway but not guaranteed seats. So we got on an overnight bus to Goa. Well worth it. Spent 4 days in south Goa (in peace and quiet, away from the party scene) with the love of my life. I was proposed to (and said yes) walking down the ocean shoreline. We also visited some of the north Goa beaches which were equally as beautiful but much more crowded. Still feels like a dream world. Got very sick leaving Goa because of shitty conditions of our hostel... Rough train ride to Mirazapur. Twenty eight hours in sleeper class is entirely to long!!!! Sleeper class is the cheap class that is basically communal and all you have is a plastic mattress basically, three tiered. It wasn't too bad other than being very ill. Highlight of the trip so far was staying on Gopalpur Farm with Ahana Organics. Very rewarding experience, working with local villagers and learning the farming practices. It still amazes me how generous people are... Dhruv Tripathi and his family welcomed us with open arms and warm hearts as their first WWOOFers. We had it made, living in a teepee and being in complete peace and harmony, away from the noisy and crazy cities. We did everything from pruning, planting, making compost, healing indigenous trees that fell victims to pest with natural products (a handmade mixture of neem oil, water and cow urine), took care of some of the farm animals, etc. We miss the farm already but are doing great things in Varanasi too. A good friend of Dhruv's named Michael (from Germany) lives here and has a school for homeless/beggar children as well as a bakery. The farm supplies wheat, barely, etc. to Michael. We are helping in the school to build roof top gardens in order to feed the children lunches as well as helping in the bakery. Got to Varanasi yesterday and took a boat ride on the Ganges to see the burning of the bodies and other religious ceremonies. More later on that experience and what it means to a Hindu to be burned and carried by the holy river. Very magical! What a beautiful part of death. Anyway, I am so blessed for this opportunity and happy to be in the holiest city. Miss you all. Will write more soon while I'm here with internet access. 

After a flight from SFO to LAX/one night in L.A, a flight from LAX to Munich/one night in Munich, a flight from Munich to Bombay and several days of extreme sleep deprivation, I find myself back in this wonderous place. We arrived here at midnight and found Kelli easily. It was a breeze getting luggage, exchanging money, and contacting the hostel. However, the second we walked out of the airport, we were bombarded by taxi drivers. Being unfamiliar with the area, we were ripped off so bad by the cab driver, paying nearly $25 for a 5 minute cab ride. Then we arrived at the hostel and it looked like it was closed for the night... We were greeted by a man insisting that his hostel next door was the same as Eden where we had reservations. He assured us it was the same management and after several failed attempts (across language barriers) to explain that we had a reservation next door, we gave in to his aggresive and rude business tactics. Long story short, the room was rather dirty, the bathroom smelled entirely of moth balls, and there were strange noises (maybe some kind of rodent?) coming from the next door. We barely slept trying to find a way out as soon as possible. At first I had this overwhelming feeling we were not in a safe area, especially arriving in an unfamiliar place in the middle if the night with uncleanly conditions. Once morning arrived, I learned that the employees were trustworthy and was a good lesson in trust. I will admit, I was sending prayers to my father's spirit and Lord Ganesha himself throughout the night.

Anyway, now we are at the hostel next door that we were SUPPOSE to stay at last night. Even though it is the same management, this place is already so much better. The a/c works, bathroom is clean, and generally a better vibe. We are happy to have the day to rest as Janessa and I are feeling sick. Her more than I. She is sleeping now and I will head to the store shortly with Kelli to find electro powder and maybe some ginger tea.

We are dealing with yet another life lesson that travel plans in a place like India rarely go as expected. Ganesh is a sweetheart and got us train tickets for tomorrow but we are wait listed due to the high amount of people that travel on Sunday. It is literally a waiting game whether our seats are confirmed or not. Patience is key. Sending good, good vibes to the universe that it works out.

That is all for now. Please keep us on your thoughts, especially for Janessa that she recovers quickly after rest and proper care.

Peace and love.

Good bye California

Well America, thanks for keepin it real. It figures that the night before I embark on this spiritual quest of self discovery as a wandering mystic, I would have dreams involving all those I have ever loved, from old friends to new. Less than four hours until I board a plane to Munich, Germany. I feel surprisingly calm, using a passive approach to avoid any feelings of anxiousness. I have said goodbye to family and friends, including my best friend Sean Merillat a few hours ago as he boarded a flight back to the cold and snowy Mitten. From this point on, all travel plans are out of my control, but still sending positive vibes out to the universe that we stay safe, happy and healthy, despite the extreme heat and sleep deprivation we may endure. And now, I wait... Currently people watching as I wait for Janessa to arrive at LAX.. I watch in wonder as people come from all over the world. Curiosity strikes... Where are they going? Where are they coming from and what brings them to this international hub in southern California? I feel completely on my own at this moment but perfectly comfortable with that fact. Probably one of the first times in 23 years I can say that I am okay with this loneliness... Although I sit in anticipation for the moment, I am on no ones agenda, no one to keep track of, no where to be. Just myself and this body I inhabit. Inhaling, exhaling, inhaling, exhaling. Concentrating fully on the breathe that fills my lungs. For those that want to keep in contact, please download calling/texting apps, one called Viber and one called whatsapp. I will be able to use these to update you once in awhile. Also, email/Facebook me your mailing address for handwritten letters. No guarantees for this blog or texting, as I don't know what my internet accessibility will be. Anyway, I am so grateful for this opportunity and for all those opening their hearts and homes to me the next three months. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers for safe travels as I will do the same for you.

See you in three months. Keep Michigan beautiful for me. Love you all so much!