I have been fighting an oncoming cold for the past few days, and today it decided to come out full force. I woke up with a sore throat, a cough (painful one at that), sneezing, headache, congestion, etc…After my bath I started to feel a little better and took time with my practice, which also helped. I seemed to be doing alright until about 9:30am when I headed to Anu’s for my daily internet fix. My energy really waned and my body became very achy. Ugh…. When I arrived at Sindhu’s she noticed I didn’t look too hot…We spent the first ten minutes of class talking about things I can do to prevent myself from taking in so much of the dust and pollution around – she explained it has a lot to do with all the walking I’m doing b/c I am constantly out in the streets with the horrible pollution from cars, dirt, scum, etc….She told me she would take me to a wonderful homeopathic doctor after our session. We took it pretty easy today. I have learned four of the ten Trebunks and four of the ten Chowkas – today we reviewed them all slowly, and she also taught me the fifth of each. I did very well with review – most certainly seem to be grasping things better – beginning to put together the hand and wrist movements, torso and rib movements, feet and leg movements, eye and head and neck movements together with more ease – actually beginning to look somewhat nice! But I did find the fifth Chowka difficult – think it was that I didn’t feel well and was hard to learn a new movement today. Sindhu was very kind, and extremely patient with me. She laughed a bit as I thanked her for all her patience in teaching me – (I feel like an idiot sometimes but she is ALWAYS extremely patient) – she explained that it is actually very easy to teach me b/c of my yoga – as I am strong so I have no soreness in legs and arms, I have a complete understanding of my body, moving my body, working with the information she gives – she said people whom she teaches who do not have a yoga background are very difficult. I was happy to hear that b/c I don’t feel like I am an easy student.

After our session she ran next door to pick up her children, and then we took a five minute walk to Dr. Mrs. Poornima Anand – the homoeopathic physician. She was lovely – very soft spoken yet strong, and beautiful. She asked me a series of questions, looked at my throat, listened to my breathing – and then used some ‘big’ medical terms to diagnose my condition – basically a bit of an infection in my throat, causing the congestion, stuffy head, headaches, body aches, cough, etc. She prepared little individual packets of a natural medicine for me. Said I was to take one three times daily for the next three days and I should be fine. It looks and tastes like little sweet pieces of candy (but it wasn’t – it’s really a dried concoction of herbs with a little honey mixed in for taste) – she told me to suck on the medicine and let it dissolve in my mouth. Less than two U.S. dollars later (including exam and medication) I was out the door. She was simply lovely! And I must say that stuff is amazing. I’ve taken all three dozes as prescribed and already feel a million times better – I’ve been blowing my nose all day (as she said I would – means the phlegm is clearing), my body aches, headache, and sore throat have subsided, and my cough is almost gone. Telling ya the natural way is the only way…Homeopathy…Very intriguing!

On my way back to Tina’s it began to rain – I didn’t care today – as I was about to go take a nice long nap and allow my achy body to rest for a bit before I resumed with my day. I came back to Tina’s – made a bit to eat – grabbed my book and laid on my bed – about twenty minutes later I was out cold. When I woke up about 1 ½ hours later I phoned Girish to come get me and take me to Barti’s shop. I was very happy to take care of that today. When I got there I happily observed the tailor working on one of my bags – was able to examine the great job he did stitching about twenty other bags, and spent about twenty minutes discussing what I wanted done with the new material I’ve discovered. Barti told me two sample bags would be ready early tomorrow afternoon ; - ) made my day!

Girish dropped me off close to the shala – as I wanted to check into housing…Saw Morti – he showed me one place that I wasn’t really a fan of. Stopped by to see Shiva (although I really didn’t want to go through him if at all possible) – luckily he didn’t seem to give two shits anyway – saw one house that had several flats within it (but immediately opted not to rent from this family as soon as I saw the house – for a friend of mine rented from them last year and said it was a nightmare.) That ‘no way Jose’ house was very close to Geetha’s house (where Shirley and John live) – so I stopped by to see if I could speak to Geetha about renting Shirley’s flat when she leaves. She was so very kind – her demeanor was gentle, her words soft spoken, and he energy wonderful (realized when I met her I really wanted to rent from her – after my experience last year with the Vas’ – I found her to be an amazing breath of fresh air.) We discussed what was included in the flat, the cost, my duration here, etc…I told her I definitely wanted it – and paid her for the first month today to ensure it’s mine….So it seems that the Universe did will for Shirley’s flat to be mine – I’ll be moving in as early as the 15th but most likely the 17th or 18th.

Timing couldn’t have been any better…When I left Geetha’s I had just enough time to walk to my first Kanadda lesson. I was to meet with Hema (think that is how you spell her name) – at the school right across the street from Sindhu’s apartment. When I arrived I was greeted by Ben, Hema’s gorgeous and amazingly friendly doggie. He was awesome!!!! He walked with me to the main door, he kept lifting his right hand for me to shake it, and he followed me everywhere – I’m in love! When I walked inside the school I couldn’t help but smile – it was lovely – serene, calm, inviting; the perfect place for me to come in the evenings several times per week to learn to speak conversational Kanadda (I did ask Hema on my way out if she would mind if I took some pictures of the school – and she smiled and said “sure!” – so I’ll post some up soon so you can see for yourself) We spent about an hour and twenty minutes together tonight – and I must say she was also a breath of fresh air (really interesting how much feminine energy I’ve been around today – and even more interesting was how pure and gentle and sincere each of these women appear.)

Tonight we started with some things I want to know how to say. Here’s a brief rundown…

Namaskar – Greeting (hello and goodbye)
Thank you – Dhyana Vada
Please – Dhyvithu
Give – codi
Have you had your lunch?
Informal way – Uta Ita?
With Respect – Uta Mardra?

To answer the question:
Yes – Nan Uta itu
No – illa, nan uta aggila

Have you finished your breakfast? - Tindi Ita?
Yes – Nan du tindi itu
No – Illa nan du tindi aggila

How old are you?
Nima vayasu yashatu?

How old are you?
Haga edira?

How much?
Bela yashatu?

Which place are you from?
Ne vuu yavurinda bandiddra

To answer:
I am from America – na nu America Inda

I miss you!
Nenu ilda bajaroo

I love you!
Nanu neenanu prethusthana

Would you like to come with me to drink coffee?
Nanjotha coffee kudiyaka barthia?

Please put on the meter! (When getting a rickshaw)
Meter haki
Or (with more respect)
Dhyvithu meter haki

Please turn up the music (need this one at Silver’s)
Music jouraga madi

Do you have change?
Chilrai edya
Yes, I do!
Houda edya

No, I don’t!
Illa

Will you take a walk with me?
Nanjotha nadakunda barthiya

I want to go to Bangalore!
Nanu Bangaluruee gee hogabaku

I am going to go to Bangalore to change my plane ticket!
Nanu Bangaluruee gee hogi nana plane ticketanu badalicekoo baku

I am enjoying learning the Odissi dance!
Nanu Odissi danceanu eshtapatu caliutadne

Kothi – monkey (you know how I love monkeys!)
Kothi chanagida – nice or pretty monkey

I also learned words for family members…

Mother – Amma
Father - Appa
Son/nephew - maga
Daughter/niece - maglu
Grandfather - thatha
Grandmother - Ajji
Older sister - Akka
Younger sister - thangi

Nanaga ebaru Akkendru eedharai – I have two older sisters!


Uncles and Aunts are a bit more intricate –

Mothers older brother - Doda sodhara mava (but you can simply say mama)
Mothers younger brother - Chika sodhara mava
Fathers younger brother – Chikappa
Fathers older brother - Dodappa.
Mothers older sister - Dodamma,
Mothers younger sister – Chikamma
Fathers older sister - Doda atha
Fathers younger sister - Chika atha.



Learned the names of many fruits and vegetables so I’ll be able to use this when I go to the market to tell vendors what I want and also ask how much it is ; - )

Beans – Hoora li kai

Tomatoes and carrots are the same as in English

Eggs of a chicken – choli motha

Mushrooms – hanabai

Okra – bendikaye

Banana – bala hannu

Watermelon – tarbuga or kalangrehannu

Fruit – hannu

Apple – sabu hannu

Grapes – ceebai hannu

Mango – maveena hannu

Orange – kee ta lai hannu

Pinnapple – ananusu hannu

Kiwi, strawberry, cherry are same as English

Dried coconut – tangin kayee

Tender coconut (i.e. the water from the coconuts I drink daily) - elneeru

I asked her how to ask for a sweet tender coconut: it will come in very handy!
“Dhyvithu sweet elneeru codi” - “Please give me a sweet tender coconut!”


As you can see it was a very informative session – and I look forward to many more ahead – I have plenty to work with now – must spend some time with it tomorrow as we are going to meet tomorrow evening as well – can’t wait!

Well, until next time – Namaskara!