Back from Mysore

[Guest guest]

Dearest Friends and Family, Well a quick note to let you all know I am

great, Josh has a bad cold, and we returned from the ashram today at 6am

on the train. We (mostly I-Josh was only with me over Christmas and for

Datta Jayanti). Had a great time at the ashram which was bustling with

activity almost the entire month. We got to stay in William Bertolettis

cottage which has hot water (we felt very fortunate). My back is hurting

though from sleeping on a mat on the floor and from the 15 hr train

trip. First on the agenda was the 3 day birthday celebrations of Lord

Dattatreya which was so beautiful with many angels(foreigners) present

and lots of singing, prayers, meditation, chanting, pujas, homa,

abhishekams, a tank bath for the deity and loads of good conversations,

meeting old and new friends and food and fun had by all. The monkeys

were everywhere causing mischif and I had a small one jump on me while I

was shopping in Chamandipuram and scared me to death. I enjoyed getting

to know Barb (a devotee from Mt Shasta) and I helped her out a lot with

Manasa(10 yr girl from San Jose). It was great spending time with you

Rick and hope your family enjoyed their unique Christmas gifts. Sarah I

went to a lovely exhibition where I found the most beautiful jewelry

that I though would look lovely on you (or Gato). Thank-you so much for

the lovely antique print Marylou and Ethan. It’s the first picture in

our home. I especially enjoyed lunch with Rick at one of India’s finest

places the Lolita Mahal Palace and wish I could afford to go weekly for

a respite from India. I was the ambassador of fine shopping and helped

many friends figure out what to get their loved ones for Christmas. I

too picked up a few groovy punjabi suits which I will be modeling in

future photos. Mysore even has a grocery chain now called Nilgiri and I

brought home some delicious cheese from the Swiss dairy in Kodikanel an

old British Hill station in Tamil Nadu. It has been quite chilly here

and I had been wearing your green shawl Padma and am now looking to buy

one for each of us. It’s going down to 12 Celsius at night but it gets

nice and warm in the day. Padma it was so great sitting in your apt at

the ashram in the comfortable wicker chair and sipping warm coffee out

of one of you mugs. I felt homely for you there. I got my dog fix by

enticing Blackie to my room with crackers-her favorite are the cream

crackers. I found her sleeping at Joshua’s head this weekend but checked

him for fleas but there were none. Kumandini sends her love, as does

Gita and Mukanda and a lot of other folks whose names I can’t remember.

Next on the agenda was10 nights of lectures on the Joyti lingums in both

Telegu and Kannada (languages) with excellent stories and lessons on how

to get more connected to God, maintain spiritual practice, and generally

how to best survive in this crazy world. On the 22 His Holiness the Dali

Lama arrived at the ashram for a 2 day stay. It was so very special to

be in the presence of 2 great saints that words cannot describe the

bliss I experienced. The place was swarming with police and the road

from the airport to the ashram was closed to safely get the Dali Lama to

the ashram. Needless to say our paths were severly restricted and we

wore identification batches at all times. I got to see the Dali Lama and

Sri Swamiji holding hands and the Dali even played with Swamijis

beard-they were like 2 affectionate children during their walks. Swamiji

meet with the local Muslims to celebrate Ramadan, the Jains, and we even

celebrated Chanuka and was served potato pancakes for dinner. For

Christmas we put on a play which was such a delight to do. I was in the

chorus so I got to sing lots of Christmas songs and I helped with makeup

for 45 little girls from a school that Swamiji funds. We all got a

present from Swamiji (the children’s and adults got mixed up so I got a

toy) and then we went to the wedding hall and was served a very special

Christmas meal which Swamiji ate with us. I was so happy to be

celebrating such a special occasion with friends and not just the 2 of

us in Hyderabad. We are off tomorrow evening for a 3 day weekend with

Sri Swamiji in Vijayawada to bring in the New Year. Elaine honey I just

got your Christmas card today. India’a post service has been on strike

for 3 wks. I love you Mom and Dad and hope you’re well. Kim and Umberto

we’re sending you loads of love and miss our dinners together. Sarah

send me an e-mail and let me know how you are. I miss talking with you.

Tom and Nancy how is Ms. Mae doing with all the snow and cold

weather-has it dampened her tennis ball and stick obsession? Rick and

Tina how’s it going at the little homestead-are you keeping warm with

just heating with wood? Hoping all the systems in the house are working

okay for you. We still haven’t gotten a land line in from the

government for a phone. I hope you all had a beautiful Christmas and I

will keep you in my prayers for a happy and prosperous New Year. Please

don’ t stop writing us-we’ll be back in station on 1-2-01. Much love and

hugs to you all, Love Carol and Joshua.