Count us in for the 11pm PST universal jam moment this Friday--we'll be somewhere over Dubai or something by then, high-fiving all the Indian nationals and British Air flight attendants in the vicinity of seats 42 C and D. Let's hope they can't carry a tune. (Etiquette note: if one MUST high-five in India, one must make every effort, despite one's extreme jubilation,to use the RIGHT HAND, while pointing one's feet away from the high-five target. Yoga helps).

Speaking of yoga, Greg and I are off to an ASHRAM for a few days. Having just left Ayurvedic heaven in Kodai, and being currently checked into a weirdly post-colonial hovel in what has to be the most unlikable city we've yet visited (Trichy), with the most over-promoted temple we've yet been barred from as non-Hindus, we're off to a place whose sanskrit name means "forest peace", and whose Roman spelling comes DANGEROUSLY close to Shantaram, which as Ken knows, would be enough,on its own,to draw us to the place--despite its promise of peace and quiet. Anyway, it's called Shantivanam, and they swear they can provide mosquito nets, which is Greg's main requirement.

Kodai spoiled us. Like every other place we've been in India, it was unlike any other place we've been in India (I think Ken made a similar observation a few posts back). If South India was a classroom, Kodai would be the kid up in the front with all the answers--ignored by all the rowdy kids for being teacher's pet. You can't easily get to Kodai, but that's okay. Once you get there, you appreciate how hard it tries to be the coolest place in India (probably doesn't succeed, but such is the fate of teacher's pet). First of all, it has BANNED AUTO RICKSHAWS!! Second, it has BANNED PLASTIC BAGS! It's chilly up in the hills, and so has a significant Tibetan population, who all still wear traditional Tibetan garb and make very tasty momos. Because it's a hill station, it has a significant British flavor - especially in the stone cottages and prim gardens everywhere. The forests around Kodai are rife with diverse ayurvedic roots and barks and leaves and things. Plus, it's a coffee and cocoa growing area (This in no way suggests that breakfast comes with anything other than Bru -- the Indian Nescafe).

Anyway, gotta run. Greg is back at the hovel (probably fine-tuning his new song) waiting for me so that we can check out and head off to spiritual awakening. We haven't had much sleep, so the Shantaram folks could have their work cut out for them.

Peace and quiet, y'all.