Either you hate it or you love it

Like I've mentioned before either you hate things about India or you love it, here is a list of things I love and 'hate' in India:

1. Everybody takes off their shoes before they walk into a shop
2. Everything is commission based really
3. Its ok for an Indian girl to show her stomach whilst wearing a shari, but shoulders is not ok.
4. The traffic system consisting of beeping your way through, passing on the ride side and the left!
5. Prepaid taxies
6. The fact that everything is possible in India, you can negotiate whatever you want!
7. Its normal for boys to hold hands, yet they check you out hehe
8. They wobble with their head to say yes/ok/thank you, this is very nice :)
9. The combinations of animals walking around in the street/beach everywhere; cows, pigs, dogs, monkeys, cats, goats, chicken, the cow is considered as holy of course.
10. In some places of north India women shave their head out of respect when somebody dies.
11. The amount of people/animals/things they are able to fit on a moped, bike or rickshaw.
12. 98% of the women haven't had an orgasm (this was written in one of the OSHO books)
13. I'm amazed how big TATA is and how much it owe in India.
14. They don't have or they don't use bins, they burn their rubbish everywhere instead (which smells awful).

cookienight at woodstock, last blogpost from india

I have a lof mixed feelings about leaving India and not to mention woodstock. I'm ready to go home and looking forward to see my friends and family again, at the same time I'm very sad to leave the people that has become a great part of me and inspired me so much. The energy has been very different after we came back this time, first of all a lot of good people left, many amazing souls with unique energy, this obviously changes things and I didnt expect it to be the same, I knew this, but it was more to it then this. The energy had become a bit dark and a lot of strange people had started to hang out at woodstock and bad things were happening. However we realised this together, opened up our eyes and did something about it. The strange people are gone, we jammed a lot tonight, some of us cried, I made cookies and we created shantiness. The good energy is back as it us that creates it. This also made me realise even though woodstock the place has given me a lot, it is not even half of the amount of what the people I have met has given me. So maybe I won't go back here, maybe I will, maybe I rather go somewhere to meet these people again wherever they are in the world, if I do or I don't I'll have their energies with me anyway. Because like Alex told me today happiness you can create anywhere, the only important thing is just to keep in touch with reality at the same time and don't close our eyes. These 3 months have been amazing, I've become more spiritual, I've become more free and yes I have probably found a little hippie side in me, but I'm still me, I'm still Maja who loves the materialistic world as well. But with nice words from the great Osho, we can have the best of the western and eastern world. We can create a nice place to live in Babylon, in the materialistic world and we can keep the spirituality in us and meditate whenever we want to, we can have the best out of both. We should learn from each other and by this we become more balanced. We create our own paths and way to live. I love India and I will always keep the love and shantiness in me from this trip.
I bought presents for friends and family today so all I have to do tommorow is to pack (I'm not even sure how I am going to bring everything home) and to enjoy my last 24hours in India for now. Thank you India and to everyone that I was lucky enough to meet on this trip you have all inspired me in different ways :)

More Risikesh and my new mantra

After a lot of moving it has been very nice to have some days in Lax Manjuhla without having to put on the heavy backpacks and drag them around for hours to find a place to stay. The other day Johanna and I decided to take Kiyo for a day and give Ivo a break so he could get some rest from us girls. We went for a long walk, spent some time by the river, talked to the monkeys, bought some more OSHO books, had a nice lunch, very shanti and Kiyo was really at her best behaviour ever. My body is acing a lot thou, my mind is full power but my body is telling me to slow down a little bit and have some rest so when we come back to Goa tomo I'm booking a massage. We have been very active and walking a lot the last weeks. Yesterday we went for yet another adventure to the waterfalls, it was a long up hill walk and it was very hot so Johanna, Kiyo and me made it only half way to the small waterfall whilst Ivo, Indie and Sasha made it to the top to the big waterfall. The surroundings were beautiful thou, lots of wild creatures and listening to the waterfall is one of the most soothing sounds for the mind. We also reunited with Alex (Kiyo's mum) which was nice, she is also coming back to Woodstock so we'll be all together one last time :) I actually can't wait to go back, its gonna be very hot and tiring but all so worth it, we started of in Woodstock and ending it there and I honestly couldn't think of a better way to leave India, from the place I love the most and has inspired a whole new mantra for me. You choose everything yourself, you choose your own path and I choose love, shantiness and letting go of deep painful thoughts. I choose to be happy and this I'm taking home with me (kg free very good!)

varanasi-delhi-haridwar-riskikesh

Thursday evening we got on the train to Delhi that turned out to be 4 hours delayed, we couldn't get on next train to Haridwar as it was full, the bus would take hours and it was already starting to get dark at this point so we went for the option taxi. After spending 2 hours getting out of Delhi and another 5 hours later we arrived Haridwar 2 in the morning at this shitty noisy expensive hotel which we spent one night as deciding the next day Riskesh would be more worthwhile and more shanti. What we didnt think of was how hard it would to find a guesthouse as it is kumba mela (worlds biggest religious gathering) and there is loads of people everywhere (including lots of funny looking baba's) and everything was fully booked so after hours of walking and spending the last two nights swapping hotels we finally settled down in a nice guest house in the outskirts of Risikesh in a place called Laks Majula. All of us have to share a room tonight, but its big with a balcony, roof top and great view over the river and besides its always fun to be all together now (like Stav would say it). So far I like Risikesh, it has more nature consisting by nature and waterfalls, but I have to admit my body is getting very tired and starting to notice 3 months of traveling so its very nice that we don't have to move until thursday again. However my new mantra is to be more positive and open to life and others so I only see the positiveness in my pain, it has been some of the best months in my life!

crazy day in varanasi

I started of the day with a lovely sunny morning sitting on my balcony observing a big monkey family jumping and climbing on the roof tops, one of them even sat on my balcony for a while and another one walked through my room, couldn't have a nicer shanti morning. After breakfast by the river with ivo, kiyo and johanna with decided to go out for an adventure with Indie and Sasha to a village a bit outside Varanasi. We got there by horse and carriage and walked for hours (the entire day) around this village, talking to people and playing with the children. They were very strange looking people and looked very unsymmetrical, some had narrowed eyes, some very big mouths, some with very small noses, so strange but very beautiful in their own way and so excited and full of joy. We also walked passed a small ashram were they very old baba's telling crazy stories and showing off their skills by lifting heavy stones, they also showed us some very old indian coins that are worth lots of moneys. After walking around the whole day we decided to take a boat back which was gave us a new sight of Varanasi looking from the river, lots of old buildings, towers, people washing their clothing, going for a swim and it was beautiful sunset light. Very nice boat ride until we passed a ceremony of burning corps and we saw a little dead child floating in the river. Varanasi is known for this, people come here to die and they burn the bodies, but not the children, they get drowned but this one had come up to the surface again. It was an awful sight but at the same time its so normal in Varanasi so its hard to realise and know how react to it. After a long day with lots of emotional moments (good ones and sad ones), we sat on the rooftop of our guesthouse and I was having I miss woodstock moment and out of nowhere a group of people came up the stairs with instruments asking if it was ok for them to jam a little bit. Within seconds I almost felt like I was back in woodstock again, very nice :) this also made me decide to go back (yes I'm going back to arambol again) so we changed our flights and coming home to woodstock with ivo and kiyo on friday for our last few days before going back to Norway. I'm very excited and so happy to be able to spend some more days there!

Ivo and Kiyo are safe and sound with us, they showed up about 5 min after I came back to the guesthouse the last time I wrote on the blog. So what happened was that we were at 2 different train stations so no wonder we couldn't find each other but its all good now! I love Varanasi, this town is very special and different from the other places we have been, its very dirty and polluted, but yet unique and beautiful! The little streets have lots of little shops, cafe's and markets and not to mention shops were they sell bang lassies, weed, special cookies and chocolate balls all legal supported by the government, very strange! But everything is possible in India!

I really like our guest house to, the people that work there are grumpy but they have a very cute puppy and the layout of the house is very cool. It has about 4 floors, we live on the top floor and have a balcony with a view over the river and the town were I sit in the evenings with lighted candles and incense and read in my Osho book. Osho is a guru which I have become very fond of and has inspired me to think in new ways. His ground belief is to live in the moment, not dwelling on the past and not to think to much about the future, but live in the present. And what I have said before you don't find happiness, you create everything on your own!

Back to explaining the guesthouse we also have a huge roof top with a great view where we chill out in the evenings or in the mornings, yesterday we bought lots of fresh fruit, some musli and curd and made our own breakfast as we looked over the river :)Tonight we are going to explore the night life of Varanasi and have a look at their evening ceremony where they pray to their gods and have a wonder around the markets!

Varanasi after some very emotional 24 hours

wow the last 24 hours have been very emotional! we left woodstock yesterday (this time for good I think at least for this trip) which was as always very sad filled with tears. I already miss the butterfly Teryn, mummy and daddy at woodstock: Liav and Ofra and the rest of the few that are still there. But it was some great weeks and lots of good memories and I'm sure we'll meet again sometime! Anyways we got on the plane to Mumbai and from Mumbai to Delhi where we were suppose to meet Ivo and Kiyo at the train station to go to Varanasi. Not as easy as we thought it would be, Ivo's phone is broken, the train station consists of 19 platforms and is massive and he had the tickets, but we couldn't find him anywhere, we even tried to announce hes name on the speakers, but no Ivo and Kiyo. We asked so many people (including information desk) what train, when and from where it leaves but we only got about 10 different stories in return: there is no train to varanasi, its platform 9, it leaves at 11, it leaves at 10, you can only go close to varansi, you have to change the train etc etc. So being very frustrated and almost in tears we found the train and decided to jump on it hoping for Ivo to be on it (as he had the tickets). We searched the entire train and it took us 2,5 hours from when we got on the train to get seats, we had to pay more for not having tickets and still no Ivo. 12 hours later we arrived Varanasi and got surrounded within seconds by lots of Indians shouting rickshaw taxi cheap price! After some arguing we made a good deal and finally arrived at our lovely guest house where Indie was waiting for us. As soon as we saw him both Johanna and I burst into tears out of joy and sadness at the same time. It was so nice to see him again and we've been walking around in beautiful Varansi together all day. So far I love it, lots of little streets that looks like a maze, little cafes and chilling by the river. Its so shanti here, but at the same time you can go up to the main streets if you want to feel the noisy indian vibe. An Spanish guy we met on the train said that India is filled of love and hate, you love it you hate it, you love it, you hate it all the time over and over again and this fits exactly of how I feel about India too :)

Back to Ivo thou, we have emailed him and hoping for him to show up so hopefully very soon we'll see him again!

There is only good :)

Its been very emotional and sad the last few days as there has been a lot of people leaving woodstock and the vibe is changing, end of the season. First it was the dutch boys, then alex,then dan and then Naor which was the worst emotional goodbye ever. Naor is a very special soul that everybody loves deeply, he sends out a lot og laughters and good energy. And he has some wise words to, he told me this before he left: remember there is only good! Even thou it was extremly sad to say bye we will always look back at the good memories from woodstock. Woodstock and the people I've met there has really opened me up in new ways and I have never felt some much love at ones and so peaceful. It has been a great adventure but now its time to leave up north and enjoy our last 3 weeks. We're meeting Indie again in Varanasi which both Johanna and I are very excited about! I really hope I'll come back to Arambol again maybe even next season, this has definatly given me the want to experience more of.

The last week has been very good and we have just been chilling out and making the most out of the time we had left here. Spent time at the beach, done some shopping, nice siestas and hanging out at woodstock, couldn't be better to say bye than this way :)

Munnar versus Bangalore

The local bus ride was so much fun and it didn't even take that long considering India time and the roads up here, 6 hours is very ok on a bus! What I didn't realise was how many rich areas there are in kerala as we were driving away from the city we were passing a nicer villa after the other, massive houses with big drive inns. India is defiantly full of contrasts! As we got higher up in the mountains it was amazing to feel the fresh air and the surroundings: WOW full of high mountains and lots of tea and spice plantations, very very nice (yes I say this a lot know). The main street in Munnar is very small but lots of people, it has no restaurants, but lots of good local food and amazing home made chocolate! We found a cute little pink guest house where we stayed for a few nights before moving up even higher to Koodaikanal. This bus drive started off very nice, but we got stuck for 2 hours on the way as there was a truck that had problems and was blocking the way in the middle of a turn. I also will admit that it can be very scary as the bus driver drives like a crazy banana and when u look down its pretty far down! It also took us a lot longer time then expected and we arrived late in the evening so we ended up in a very shitty room in a basement of a house so we got out of there very quickly the nexy day thinking to stay another night somewhere else but ending up taking the nightbus to Bangalore (we have to go by there to get back to goa). Koodai kanal wasn't as nice as we thought it would be and very cold too, so Arambol wasn't a hard choice to make!

We arrived Bangalore 7 in the morning facing the usual choice of rickshaw drivers that took us to hotel that had the best policy ever consisting of a 24 hour check out meaning we had to check out 7 in the morning next day and wait around until 7 in the evening for our bus to Goa. Hehe what a system, that's India for you! Bangalore was very modern, too modern even, very dirty, extremely polluted was very hard to breath, but we had a very funny westernized day! Started our day with breakfast at Coffee Day, lunch at Pizza Hut, walking around a shopping centre, eating dounuts from the bakery and had dinner at KFC hehe We survived the day and got back to Arambol safely where we were greeted by lots of smiles and hugs, always good to be back home, the best hug was obviously from Stav that came screaming towards me with open arms shouting maja, that's pure love and the best kind :)

Kerala

taking the train is always a new experience, luckily we got the top bunkers which are the best as indians wake up early and starts talking so its best to be higher up. Anyways it wasn't to bad to take the night train I slept ok considering that its a very hard bunk "bed", a lot of noise and loud local people. Woke up pretty early thou to the lovely shouts of chai, coffee, breakfast, water, lassi etc etc every 10 min there is a new guy shouting and selling from early morning to late in the evening and its only "quiet" a few hours. What was suppose to be around 12 hour train journey turned into 17 hours (but hey its India you always have to add on a few hours). We got to Kernakulam in Koochin in Kerala (that for your info means coconut)around 3 PM, straight to a rickshaw to the ferry and over to forth Koochin. On the other side there was a new line of rickshaws with loud drivers shouting come with i show you very cheap hotel, very cheap (obviously said in the lovely indi english accent), so we picked one with the best deal and found a hotel. Very strange to sleep in a bed in a room after being used to sleeping in huts, but at least we hot water for showers too :)

We spent 3 nights in forth coochin spending one day as proper tourists going around town seeing museums, shops, churches etc etc, one day with backwaters going around in a tree boat on the lakes where we got served a delicious home made veg thali on plam tree leaves of course and the next day on local buses up to Munnar. Its funny to see how commission based India is that we really got to experience up close on out rickshaw tour as every time he shows up a shop or museum the driver earns money, everybody has some connection to each other hehe


anyways after being fed up with the heat and mosquitoes we found our way to beautiful Munnar :)

Roadtrip

5 days ago we got on the bikes and left Arambol on a roadtrip to Palolem, 4 bikes 9 people including Stav. After 3-4 hours of driving with stopping, a bit of waiting and some scary moments on way we arrived to Shai's house. Shai is a good friend of some of the woodstock people we came here with, great guy with lots of curly hair, smiles and good heart and letting us use hes house whenever we want to :) We found a beautiful place to stay called Top Hill that consists of a small restaurant and little beach huts on a hill with a sea view. Our hut has a cozy balcony where you can see the sea only a few meters away, very nice (like all the Israeli people say in their funny accent). Anyways to be honest we haven't done that much since we got here, we did go for a dolphin trip one day (we only saw a few and it wasn't really all that exciting but we went for a swim a this tiny little beach with crystal clear water which was nice), the place is very nice and shanti and has a nice atmosphere, the food however hasn't been that great so we've been going into town everyday to eat, we didn't even plan to stay here for this long but the first train available was the night train tonight off to Kerala which is exciting. We're ony 4 people left now as the other 5 have gone on their bikes to Gokarana and back to Arambol, so the train it is, its says it will take about 12hours but knowing India you need to add on a few more hours! It's the first time we're taking a night train so that will be fun to see if I'll be able to sleep amongst all the noise and loud Indians hehe

Anyways I'll probably write more interesting stuff next time from Kerala :)

You dont find happiness you create it :)

No matter how many pills or whatever you take of medicine etc you will get ill at one point and this is what happened to me, I haven't been dying or anything but been sick and have had a bad tummy for days! Very annoying and I lost a lot of energy and none of the pills were working to make me better so I went to this Ayuverdic Center where they gave me full body massage and this horrible medicine that tastes a mixture of cough medicine, jeger meister and some other horrible flavours that I had to take for 3 days. Yesterday I have was nearly ok and finally today I feel good :)

Anyway enough of the boring stuff I've had some fun since the last time I wrote on the blog like yesterday for instance we went on a day trip on the bikes to Paradise Beach. Its about 30min drive, then you take a little ferry (where they amazingly fit on 3 cars, lots of bikes and people and it looks likes its going to fall apart and its the most slow ferry I have ever been on but it works) and then you drive for another 20 min and then you arrive to Paradise Beach. AMAZING! One long beach that never ends with no restaurants or any people, it was us and beach so we decided to go skinny dipping, might as well you know when you have an entire massive beach to yourself hehe We also found lots of gorgeous coloful shells and Stav even found a baby octopus which I have never seen before!

I also had an aha moment yesterday that I found at of all places in a small traveling agency whilst sat there waiting reading a poster that said "You don't find happiness, you create it". I haven't thought about it like that before but its so true so I'm going to stop searching for it and create it on my own, I chose myself to be happy, I chose myself to let go of deep negative thoughts I chose to live by the moment cause I'm India, exciting beautiful India, how can you not create a happiness when you have so many gorgeous and amazing people around you, now the challenge is to take this happiness with me back home again, it's all inside me now its just a matter of fact to hold on to it :)

All together now

Sorry that it has been a few days since there was a new blog post but we decided to come back to Arambol and the internet was down in Goa the day we got here and then we just haven't had the time well we sat down to do it yesterday but it closed earlier, anyway we're back and even got a beach hut at Woodstock :) The train ride back to Goa was very long nearly 10 hours but it was defo one of the best memories so far from this trip! Indian people are so friendly and always want to help you even thou they don't have a lot. We sat next down to an India couple who was probably around 35 maybe and you could tell they were poor but yet they offered us to share their food with us, the woman didn't say much but her eyes and smile was enough. The man who spoke a little bit English was so friendly and was telling us about India and asking us about Norway, very sweet people that will always be on my mind :)

"ALL TOGETHER NOW!" is Staf's (one of the cutest girls on earth who lives at Woodstock) favourite sentence and this is what were met by arriving at Woodstock. Well not exactly the weirdest thing was we just got out of the taxi and started to walk towards Woostock and then Indie comes towards us, it was like he knew we were coming. The sun was going down and it was one of those great moments and it hit me straight away that yes it feels good to be back! Then we went to Woodstock and were met by more smiles and hugs and little Stafi saying all together now hugging us. She is from Israel but she speaks very good English to be so young! She defo brings a lot of smiles and laughter upon everyone! Most of the people that we left were still there and we have some new friends as well which is great! Yesterday we went to a juggling convention where we attended a massage workshop which was a laugh and we learned some new techniques as well, all though both me and Johanna got more massages by the guys and the other way around hehe Have to take advantage when you can :) In the evening there was a Gala show where the professionals where showing of their skills consisting of poi, juggling, tricks, dancing, fire witches and so on! There are so many amazing and talented people out there, it was beautiful to watch!!

Anyways loving life in Arambol and it feels great to be back, but don't worry we are going to move on end of this week I think going to an ashram in Kerala which I am so excited about!

Pics from Hampi

in my indian gear gotta love the alibaba pants

breakfast

Mango Tree

People starting to gather around for morning bath





Johanna and I on the moped

Indian Hampi lady

Cute little Indian girl

Shanti Guest House

Hampi day nb 2

We got up really early this morning to go down to the lake the watch the people take their morning bath and washing their clothes. The sight was very colourful watching the beautiful Indian women wearing their colourful sharis, little children running around naked, children wearing their school uniforms, elderly people and a few tourists here and there, pretty much everyone from the village. After taking a few snaps here and there we walked to Mango Tree again for breakfast were we got served fruit salad with museli and curd on a palm tree leaf (very yummy).

Hampi is divided into 2 parts with a lake in between, one side (the one where we live) is more India whilst on the other side is more western, but also more lakes where you also can go swimming. So after have seeing the India side yesterday we decided to take the boat over on the other side and rent a moped again to find the lakes. Again we had such a laugh on the moped and found a nice spot to take a dip in the fresh and surprisingly very clean lake. Hampi is a very small, but nice place, however both Johanna and I don't find the people here very friendly from what we have experienced other places. People don't smile a lot and seem a bit fed up with tourists, but I still reckon its worth the visit! Tonight we're just gonna chill and try and go to bed earlier as we have to get up very early tomo and hopefully catch a train back to Goa :)

Hampi

We arrived Hampi yesterday morning after what should have been a 8 hour bus journey turning into 12 hours, but that's India for you, everything needs to be considered with shanti shanti. However that bus journey didn't go as smoothly as the last one, we didn't stop by any toilets (had to wee by a truck in the dark when we were stuck in traffic, then wee behind the bushes at the second stop),when we stopped by the second stop we were so hungry and old they had was little biscuits so we that all we had for 12 hours (note to ourselves stack up on snacks before departure). Anyways we arrived in the end and its lovely out here and very different from what we have seen before, lots of ruins and beautiful old buildings surrounded by lakes and lots of trees. After checking into Shanti Guest House we decided to rent a moped and drive around town. It was a bit scary at first as I have to remember to stick to the left side and of course the beeping system, but we managed:) Johanna sat on the back and we had a great time (reminded me of if you read this Sian, Soph and Lauren when you were in Norway and we drove around on my moped). Al though the moped is obviously not in the best condition and not of the strongest kind so Johanna had to get off a few times when we were driving up the hills hehe which made us laugh a lot every time it happened (guess you would have to be there to find it funny sorry hehe).

We did experience one weird and I have to say disgusting thing as we stopped by one of the ruins to take a picture, I look over and I see well at first I didn't think I did but it was a boy jerking of very obviously knowing we stood there, I was like Johanna is this boy, is he doing what I think hes doing? and she was like yup welcome to Hampi oh well haha funny but pretty disturbing we decided to drive along! In the evening we found a very Shanti restaurant called Mango Tree that had the most amazing Veg Thaly (we love this and they vary a lot of they contain but its mainly veg, rice, chapati, soup etc) yet and this one was served on palm tree leaves as well. Mango Tree had a very cool lay out to, sitting on the floor with small tables looking at the lake with lots of lit lanterns that created magical atmosphere! After the delicious meal we sat on the internet to try and find tickets to get out to the Islands, but no such luck, to expensive so we have changed our plans again!

As we got time we have decided to go back to Arambol for a week or so Johanna can get her nose pierced again, I can get my hair braided again (as the ones I got now are not as nice anymore) and we get to see our friends again! woopie! But we are only staying there for maximum a week before moving on to Kerala to do yoga, go with boats on the lake and visiting tea plantations which I am very excited about! And after that to Chennai and then North India here we come :)

More pics from Arambol

As I haven't been good to put up pics on all of my blog posts (takes ages to upload) here is a small collection :)

Hampi here we come

Kudle beach has made us feel a lot better and our minds are a bit more Shanti now, we started our day with washing our clothing, had a nice breakfast (food is very yummy here), spent the day at the beach and booked bus tickets for tonight to go to Hampi. Met some new people today, two guys from England, one of them from Bournemouth, small world hey! Both of them can't understand that I'm from Norway and not from England because of my accent, so to my beautiful English friends, that's thanks to you! Andy (the one from Btown) has been traveling in India several times and recommended us to go out to the Indian Islands which was our plan but we had changed it to not to go, so now after listening to him telling how worth it is etc etc we're thinking about going there instead of Kerala and do Yoga out there at the beach! Sounds pretty amazing to me hehe so maybe stay out there for a week or so and fly up north directly from the Islands and spend about 4 weeks up there. We're still unsure about returning to Arambol thou, we're gonna see how Hampi make us feel. But meeting new people was defiantly a motivation to keep on moving, there will always be more fun and new people around the next corner, but of course our Woodstock family is very close to our hearts so we'll see what we decide in the next days:)

pictures from Gokarna

Old town in Gokarna




Some of the Indian people that started to gather around us on the train.



On the boat on our way to Paradise Beach

Gokarna

So we finally managed to leave Arambol and got on the train to Gokarna, took us 3 hours and cost us about 16kr for both of us (1,60 punds) crazy! The train was the longest train I have ever seen, it would never end and that's exactly how we felt as we had to walk through it from one end to another and we didn't even make it to the end of it cause we were to tired to walk. The train ride started of ok although we were a bit confused where to sit down so we took a chance a sat down by a very nice Indian family in a wagon that had seats and bunk beds (without realizing that you had to reserve a seat to be able to sit there). Anyway after about an hour on the train chatting away with this family some Indian guys come over with tickets that were reserved for the seats that we were sitting on, so we sad sorry and asked where we could sit, one of them pointed to the left the other on to the right, so we took a chance and started walking to the left through all of the wagons. And I have to say it again it seemed like it would never end consisting of AC wagons (very freeeeeezing ones others just cool), warm wagons, kitchen, screaming babies, couples, shouting, laughing and to mention starring people. We're getting tired carrying heavy backpacks and very near the end thinking we're going in the right direction until a conductor stops us asking let me see your ticket: "your going the completly wrong way its the last wagon on the other side" (in a Indian English accent). OMG I thought I would collapse on the floor, so we turned and started walking through the wagons again with screaming babies, starring people etc etc etc eventually we decided just to sit on the floor between to wagons by a door where we could get some air. At this point we were already very sad to have left Arambol and this wasn't doing us any good until all of sudden we look up and find ourselves surrounded by Indian children, "what's your name, where are you from" laughing and giggling, then their family gather around starting taking pictures of us, one mum even forced her crying son on my lap just to take a picture. Flattering and funny for a while, but they stood for good 30 min and it got a bit too much, but it was defiantly an experience, almost felt like a celebrity! It cheered us up a bit for sure. An hour later we arrived Gokarna and decided to take the boat out to Paradise Beach, as we sat in the boat we both looked at each other thinking the same thing, we miss Arambol, we miss our family at Woodstock.

It is hard to leave a place where you find yourself so peaceful and calm and that is mainly because of the people. Both Johanna and I feel like we have left our home and miss the people there a lot, especially Indie, Dan and Ivo who has truly become great friends! I miss the wise words of Indie, his interesting stories and opinions, him juggling next to us, we miss our bigbrother Indie! He even said you shouldn't rush away from a place you really enjoy, 3 months is far from enough to see entire India, and he was right. We got time, so we should have stayed there a little bit longer, but if we haven't had left we wouldn't have realized this.

Back to arriving to Paradise Beach feeling very down we settled in a beach hut thinking we need to try this, we need to give it a few days, we lasted one day.. and we did try! In the evening we sat down with a group of people BBQ fish, but none of them were opening up to us, not like at Woodstock when someone new walks in they always get a hello. We got up this morning and I actually thought to myself whilst opening up the door this morning wow, I'm starring at the sea, the sun is shining from my hut, new place new start. We had breakfast (did not taste good at all but we still tried to remain positive) went for a swim and lied down at the beach, 5 min later a massive wave came over us drained me and my towel and took one of my flip-flops straight into the sea. Johanna and I looked at each other thinking the exact same thing this is shit, we cant fit in here, let us leave so we did. We're still in Gokarna thou we're not running back, at least not yet. We took the boat into town and settled down by another beach next to it which we both liked a lot more. After a little swim we walked into town and it is a lot more India here then it was in Arambol, more culture to it, less tourists and it is lovely, we even bought some new clothing (shock I know), so we might have to send some stuff home soon.

But both of us are still not feeling completely right, but we're trying and staying here for 2 nights then we think we're gonna go and see Hampi, then maybe a little trip back to Arambol. Time will show whatever our minds and destiny decides to take us :)

We really did try to leave

So yesterday morning we were all packed up, ready to leave, checked out from our beach hut, brought our backpacks to Olive Garden where we had goodbye breakfast. BUT we didn't get that far as they boys convinced us to stay at woodstock (boys live there and this is where we hang out a lot and did try to stay when we arrived but there were no available huts at the time) for a couple of nights promising they would take us on their bikes to show us more of Goa so we thought why not. Ivo and Dan took us to Old Goa which was very peaceful with lots of beautiful old ruins and churches and buildings. We spent the entire day on the bikes and stopped to watch the sunset on the way back which was amazing, wow bright orange and simply magnificent!



The boys were too tired today to do anything so we've had a lazy day hanging out at woodstock but tomo they are taking us on a roadtrip to another beach, can't wait!

Organic dancing

Yesterday day we had our first yoga free day as it was Sunday but I had a very nice start to my day anyways. After our usual morning bath in the sea, Dan took me on his bike for a ride to the nearest ATM which is about a 20min ride. It was great I loved it, sitting on the back feeling the wind in your hair wearing a skirt and a top and not being cold, very nice :)

India is all about karma and to a certain extent I do believe in it and try to live by it here. So because Dan was sweet enough to take me to the atm I bought him a new pair of sunglasses as he lost his and he was so happy! Have to tell u a bit about him because he is defiantly one of nicest people I have ever met he has so much good energy and is such a nice person to be around, very shanti. So that was my karma act of the day hehe When we got back Johanna and I went for more swimming and relaxed with the boys for the rest of day and chilled at Woodstock. Woodstock is amazing very inspiring as u meet so many different people who either live or hang out there. There is such a massive mixture of people; a newborn baby (she had it just a few days ago), children, younger people, elderly, hippies etc etc A lot of them smoke weed all day even thou their children are present playing around or sitting next to them , but for them is normal very bizarre for us but an everyday thing for them. All of the people are so lovely thou and have a lot of interesting stories to tell :)

In the evening we went to a place called magic park (a little walk from the beach surrounded by trees and candle lights with seating groups consisting of pillows, sofas and chairs) were there was something called organic dancing. At first I have to admit I was like okkkk WTF is this?! as the music is very calm and not what I'm use to when I go out and it was only 3 people doing weird moves. We sat down for a bit and more people when out on the floor, some of our friends started to dance and as a result we got dragged into to it as well. And you know what I never would have thought I would be able to let myself go and do it (Johanna either) but we did and I'm glad we did cause it was a moment and experience I will never forget. And I did feel better afterwards (and yes I was completely sober).

Monday

Today we started of with yet another yoga sesh but it was harder as it is so hot today and already in the morning it was warmer than usual but we managed through it and went straight for a swim in the sea after. The sea has been our hangout place today pretty much been swimming all day as like I said too hot to do anything else :)

Before we sat down on the internet we had a walk around the markets and I bought bracelets, ear rings, sunglasses and 2 alibaba pants (most comfy pants in the world and so pretty) and it all cost me 9 pounds/90 kr, you gotta love that :D and from what we here this is expensive as the rest of India is cheaper:)

No regrets I took a decision about traveling here, I know half of my trip will obviously not be beach life but experiencing culture and seeing real India more south and north, but I just love this, I needed this, I feel better in every way :) and like I said the people here that you meet makes a part of it too, I care for them already you create special and different bonds with people whilst traveling and you learn so much about yourself and from others!

Enough of deep talking, we're going back to the heath now (air con in internet place) to find a place to have dinner, will try and put up more pics tomo!

Shanti

Shanti means calm and that is the exact word spot on you can describe me right now. India is doing me well :) Yesterday morning I started my day bright and early by sitting on the back of Dan's motorcycle to Yoga class and it was the best and most inspired yoga lesson I have ever been to. She was so good at explaining and pushing you and make you stretch and and go beyond what you thought was your limit. Dan had to leave earlier so the last 15 minutes it was just me and her and I felt amazing thinking wow I'm in India meditating and doing yoga on a roof top and its just me and a yoga teacher. I had a great chat with her afterward as well telling her about my back and neck pain and she was telling this is probably cause of this that and everything she said was so right. It was a great way to start a day! After that I went to meet Johanna for our usual morning swim and beach breakfast :)

Later on the day I got half of my hair braided (looks really cool and its so nice to get my hair out of my face) and Johanna was brave enough to get her nose pierced (she looks great it really suits her!). Just so no one thinks OMG this was done in a western shop all nice and clean and all that, so no worries about infections etc! hehe

We met up with the boys later on and went to Woodstock (neighbour beach huts) where we had dinner and listened to a concert. There were 2 men and a woman playing on drums and this special weird looking guitar and again it made us feel very shanti :)

Today I started of with another yoga class greeting the sun and I just love our yoga teacher, she is so sweet and really explains to you all the stretches and positions and why you should do them. Other than that I have a roasting day at beach reading my book whilst Johanna has taken pictures around Arambol. Tonight we're going for a BBQ at the beach having prawns and fish yummy yummy can't wait :)

Beach jam

Yesterday morning we woke up early to go to a yoga class but no one showed up so we decided to do some yoga on our own. The place is very nice on a roof terrace surrounded by palm trees with coconuts, perfect place to do yoga! After that we had a lovely breakfast, the mint tea and the fruit juice consisting of simply squeezed fresh fruit are amazing! My favourite ones so far are mango or pineapple! We spent half of the day at the beach which was nice then we took a taxi to nearast ATM as there are none in Arambol and I have to admit the culture of driving is just crazy! As I said earlier about Mumbai they are beeping their way through and being very risky sometimes and pass each other on small margins, but I guess they are use to it and know how to drive that way! In the evening we had a very yummy dinner at the beach watching the sunset (grilled kingprawns in lemon juice YUMMY and it was the most "expensive" meal I've had so far meaning 30kr (3 pounds), god I love this place! After our dinner we went further down the beach where a lot of people had gathered around a bonfire jamming with lots of different instruments and singing. The people varied from small children to old people, some were high, others drunk, some sober and others just listening or dancing to the magical music! I loved it you just sit there and listen and its amazing how they haven't even met before but yet can jam the way they do! After that we just chilled by the beach huts and I finally feel that my body is completely calm, it is so relaxing to be here and just let go of problems and bad thoughts.

Today we started off with yoga again and then we met up with Indie and his friend Dan from Australia who took us to the next beach around the cliffs. It is called sweet lake and has a lake that follows into a jungle forest were we saw monkeys which was cool! Deep in there there is also a special mud in the lake that we covered ourselves in as it is really good for your skin! A natural spa in the middle of a lake surrounded by beautiful nature, can't get a better spa experience than that really :) We wandered full of mud back to the beach and had a swim to get if off, now my skin feels so nice and smooth! After that we had another great lunch and a dessert that is called hello to the queens which consists of crushed biscuit, chocolate, nuts and ice cream pretty good!

Tonight we're going to watch the bonfire again and listen to the jamming :) I'll try and put some pics very soon!

Goa

Last night we got on the bus to Goa which looked like the most obscure bus I have ever seen. The first few seats were normal but over them and the rest of the bus consisted of bunk beds for two. At first I was like oh my god how are we going to fit and survive, even thou with lack of sleep and my first hole in the ground toilet we survived the 12 hour journey. And I have to admit it wasn't that bad after all :) We arrived early in the morning and got a taxi into Arambol where we met Johanna's friend, Steven aka Indie. We had some breakfast together then he helped us find a place to live. And oh yes we have a beach hut amazing! Small but very cute with own toilet (normal one!) and sink and shower, it's great!! We spent the rest of the day chilling at the beach, had a swim (very nice temp i reckon 26ish in the sea), and had a wonder around the markets and streets. There a lot of tourists here and hardly even any Indians. People are very relaxed and friendly, took some great pictures today as well! Johanna got henna tattoo as I made friends with the mans wife who was very sweet, going back there for some more shopping later this week!

Tonight we're meeting Indie and going to chill by some bonfire or restaurant by the beach :) Can't say I miss the -20 in Norway now, but I do think about you at home and I do miss you a little bit. I still don't feel completely settled with traveling yet, but there has only been a few days!

New blog

Had to create a new blog as the other one wouldn't work here for some reason! Anyways we got to Mumbai yesterday and got a taxi into town to find a hotel. The traffic system here consists of beeping your way through, no signals or being considerate its amazing how they don't crash or bump into each more because its only a few mm between the cars on the road. After a bit of walking and sweating us through the roads with our backpacks we found and a hotel with an ok prize and we even got our own toilet and "shower" (it nearly looks like one). There is a lot of poor people and loads of chlidren approaching you all the time but even thou they don't have a lot I've never seen happier people. They constantly smile and the children are satsfied playing on the streets. Today we've had a wonder on the markets and bought a few indian style clothing, ear rings and very nice shoes (oh yes had to buy a pair love the shoes). We aslo had breakfast at the famous Leopold (known from the book Shantaram) which also an experience, great service but you do wonder a bit as we had to go through security gates the beeps if ur carrying weapons as there as been some shooting incidents there. But all good, great place :)

Tonight we're taking the bus down to Goa, we were going to take the train but its fully booked and we found out its the easiest and cheapeast way to get to north of Goa where we want to start off. In Goa we're meeting a friend of Johanna from England that she meet in Indosia when she travelled there. He has already been in Goa for a while so will be able to show us around a bit :) Got to packing and get ready to go to our bus which will take 10 hours oh joy but luckily we travel during the night so we can sleep and it has AC :)

xxx