Well then where should I start?
The flight was smooth with no unforseen eventualities, and upon exiting the airport was hit by a wall of humidity as is familiar to most airports in hot countries, something to do with 10 hours of air con me thinks. The strong smell of coal being burned was heavy in the air too, although now I think I am used to it. I then took a cab to my hotel. It is a large complex in the city centre, with a pool which is a god send because it "aint half hot mum".
The room given to me is nice, however there is historical evidence of a great battle once forged between man and beast in the form of a gruesome mural on the wall next to my bed in my room. The artist has used an interesting medium of smeared mosquito's to get across the plight of the battle goers. That night I learned what it was to be at war(Dan sorry mate but you're mosquito net is made for a hobbit).
So the next morning after no sleep and some nice bites I arose at 5:30 am after declaring a temporary cease fire with the mosquito kingdom. An amazing breakfast was to follow of thin bread called dosa and various chutneys and sauces one imparticular is the lovely coconut chutney that is a little hot but not too much first thing in the morning. The food is something special here and think I have picked up eating with the right hand with out making too much mess. The Tamils here have a quirky gesture of gently rocking the head from side to side as they talk it, is very endearing.
I attended a lecture on Saturday morning at the KYM with Desikachar. It was lovely to see the person of whom I have read so much and hear what he has to say in person. He has a very gentle demeanour and a great sense of humour not unlike that of the father from the "Kumars". Following that I consented to letting a rickshaw driver show me some sites, at first he seemed genuine it was only after he had taken me from place to place that I realised what he was trying to do. The long and short of it was that I got fleeced for my naiveity and looming jetlagged mind, however it was not that bad when I worked out exactly how much I was made to spen and it did'nt amount to more that about 12 pounds, but still that is a lot here, so lesson learned early which I have Murugan the rickshaw driver to thank for (which I will in person next time I see him).
At the KYM i met a few people with whom I will be on the course with for the next 4 weeks and so we all met for dinner last night at my hotel as the food is excellent.Also there is a lady here called Hilary McCrae who lives in Hove, I was aware that she practiced in the same tradition but had no idea that she would be here too.
So my course starts tomorrow and I will update you to let you all know how it fares. I will also upload some photo's so you can see a selection of the site's I have been to. I will tell you about my day being a tourist this morning along with the photo's to do them proper justice.
So until then take care my freinds and loved ones.
Love
Duncs
