The Great Escape

Hello dear friends and loved ones!
I'm sure many of you have been a wee bit anxious to hear how our travels to India have gone. We would like to let you all know that Jonah and I (Whitney) are safely tucked away in Amrithapuri, Kerala, at Amma's Ashram. I will not say that we have not had some trials or a few snafus. We'd like to take a moment to share a bit of our own experiences of India and Ashram life so far.

Whitney: The trip to India was an adventure all in itself. We landed in Hong Kong, China, and had a couple hours to switch planes. Thank goodness for that, because we had such a hard time locating the departure gate. Then upon finding the gate I realized I had misplaced my Ipod. The Ipod I had promised everyone (Dad especially), that I would use to skype with. I was definitely freaking out a bit. It had been left on the previous flight, and the Singapore Airlines crew was so amazing and helpful. They returned it just before boarding. I AM LUCKY!
The next stop was in Singapore, and WOW I really liked it there. I could see myself going there to vacation easily. The airport had 3 terminals, two hotels inside, and and assortment of spas, including one where fish will clean your feet.... Very Asian!
We booked a room for 6 hours and slept right passed our wakeup time. Luckily we did not miss our flight. Did I mention the people of Singapore are beautiful? They really are, and the flight attendants of the airline had really neat outfits. We now know why it's such a highly rated airline, they even hand out hot towels throughout the flight, and each passenger gets three choices for each meal.
SO India... I will try to make this breif. Confusing and tiny airport, walked to the hotel... Big mistake. Got lost. Hotel had no confirmation of room. Taxi from Ashram showed up at 1AM instead of PM next day due to military time error. Scariest nightime drive of three hours I have EVER had in my life. AND sleeping on the airmattress/floor, water issues, spicy food, pretty elephants, community dogs, and ocean breeze with crashing waves through our 13th floor barred window. That kind of sort of gives a little indication of my experience here so far. OH AND Not as many mosquitos as Alaska! Though bugs of many variety are EVERYWHERE. Yep.

Jonah: Flip Flop Flip Flop , "should we walk?" "Okay lets save a few hundred rupees!" "Its only 1 Kilometer away!" A blanket of dark humid air enveolpes use as whitney begins to recall Georgia in the summer time. "Look hun a cow, wow!" :I think we should ask someone for directions"
"Okay hun!" Focus on your mantra jonah all will be well and safe.

And so it was our expectatins were turned upside down and around and around again. Yet underneath it all a peace flowed throughout and I began to understand that on this journey through this land called India one must go within in because the external world is always in a constant shift. Out of time...(6 computers at an Ashram of over several thousand! I will continue again... Om Namaha Shivaya Whitney and I love you all so dearly, you are in our hearts.