mystical west coast

Well faithful blog followers, we have all come to the end of this journey.

I arrived back home a couple of days ago to the beautiful blue tinted mountains of the North Shore and the sounds of seagulls beckoning fullbodied calls of love to the ocean. I completely understand their compulsion.

The cascade of love in India continued for my last days there. I was given the gift of 30 students singing "What a Wonderful" world to me in their lilty Hindi accents. One of the dancers created a solo for me. The classes made a beautiful DVD made up of clips of me teaching interspersed with proclomations of love from students. I was also given many Indian gifts which I later stuffed into my oversized luggage.

The signing of autographs and writing of messages to all 60 students continued as I left the studio and got into a rickshaw. It was the most rockstar I have ever been. Unfortunately the whole event was colored by a nauseaous feeling which increased at the airport when the students came to see me off at 3:00am. It increased again on the plane and it is now at a high in my apartment in Vancouver. This may be a relapse of the hepatitis. It means that I won't be able to go back to work for an indefinite amount of time and every thought of India compounds the sick feeling with memories of sick feelings.

This sick time will bring more self reflection, hopefully some application writing and many episodes of 30 Rock.

On another note, I just read in a Facebook message from a student that there have been marches in the streets of Mumbai against the government. Before leaving, I remember a feeling of faith that the Mumbaikars were going to start rising up against the neglect from the government. Anyone who tries to deny that many people equal rights to food, shelter and education is asking for a revolt. Wouldn't it be wonderful to see an India without any more remnants of castes or unnecessary disease? Wouldn't it be inspiring to see a greater improvement in sanitation and housing? Mostly, it would be wonderful to see it change from the ground up spurred by the action of people who know they deserve better.

Which brings me to one of the biggest lessons I learned on my trip; to never underestimate what I am capable of and to always be using my skills and growing in a way that connects me to others. There is a reason for everything and I think that lesson was my reason for being in India. Well worth a little hepatitis any day;)

Thanks for reading my blog. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it and am looking forward to the next bloggin adventure!

pack it up and pack in the cake!

Things here are winding up for me. Mumbai is kind of shutting down tomorrow for the cricket world cup match (I've never been so excited about a game in my life). So, my final class has been moved to Sunday.
My students have started the process which seems to be common here. I'd like to call it the "great Indian shower of love". Today, they got me a cake with my photo on it. They all FED it to me...all 30 of them in one of my classes. Then, they took photos for about an hour. Then, they made a big circle and had me sit in the middle and sat and gazed at me and asked me to stay.
I got many beautiful gifts and notes which I already charish. One of the most extraordinary was a homemade book with each page covered in things which this lovely student learned during our time together. She wrote that she felt it was her responsibility to let me know what my love does for people. Can you believe it!!!! Ha, and I do truely know what love does because I feel it from them.
So, I'd like to take this entry to honour my dance instructors, it's them who brought me to this amazing situation.

Ellizabeth Russel, Louise Shockey, Laura Lee, Veronica McGuire, Holly Bright, Sarah Brewer, Marla Eist, Cheryl Prophet, Judith Garay, Anthony Morgon, Henry Daniels, Shannon McMurchie, Meghan Walker-Straight, Mary-Louise Albert, John Ottman, Wen Wei Wang, Peggy Baker, Margie Gillis, Serge Bennethan, Julia Sasso, Mark Boivin, Davida Monk, Darcy McGehee, Melissa Monteros, Wojciech Mochniej, Michele Moss, Joanne Baker, Peter Bingham, Rob Kitsos, Lin Snelling, Andrea Nann, Day Helesic, Desiree Dunbar and Justine Chambers.....just to name a few.

AND of course- Mom, Dad and Stace. Where would I be if I didn't have the amazing family that I have. This trip is dedicated to you!!

Everyone, if you have enjoyed these blog entries, please think about sponsoring a child in India or doing a small part to help this country. There are many things which could benefit the people heret including helping to support sanitation programs, education for children or sponsoring a single mother. I'll look for some organizations and get back to you.

My last entry will be in Canada!

Man Love

I love men. I will never become a man basher, men are my brothers, fathers and loves. I need them as much as I need women, animals, food and water. I tend to live a rather yin life as I am surrounded by amazing women in the dance world. Here, I've had the opportunity to work with a group of dancers which is made up of more men than women.
I have a special group right now who are doing some extra classes with me. They are talented and happen to be all men. It's been such a great challenge to figure out how to train them and a gift to see how they respond.
For me, I feel a strong female energy in India. At least, the male and female energy seems more balanced. There is alot of physical affection between men and it's not a problem and I see less machoism here. My men's class makes me really smile every day. I don't quite know how to communicate to them how much what they do touches my heart.
They have a favourite song which I play. It's a gentle lullabye and (to my surprise) they request it daily. Not only do they request it but I see them closing their eyes and singing along. I've heard them singing it together while they are getting changed and ready for class! Amazing.
I've never met a group of men who are so willing to show gentleness and softness. They also aren't afraid to show pain and....they aren't scared to do movement that would look very feminine to the western sensibility.
But, they're still guys and do typical guy things as well. It's amazing to me that they are so unashamed of both aspects of their personalities.


Holi was amazing. That's the celebration where people throw coloured powder at each other. My students took me to a safe party within an apartment complex. I think the photos that are posted to my Facebook profile speak for themselves. It was a mad dance party with grandparents and children alike dancing like MANIACS. Of course, my students blew the lid off the whole event. There was NO agression, only joy. My roommate said that it was the time of his life. It was fun to see him running around like a 5 year old and just playing.

I'm exhausted. Off to bed. perhaps my next post will be in Canada.

blue skies and black waters

When I get back home; I will feel angry. I'm preparing myself now to be patient with that. I know that it will be born from frusteration at not being able to describe this experience fully. I'm sure all those memories will work themselves into my various corners until they get swallowed into my sense of self. I just won't be able to share all of the information with the people who I love in Canada; but something about me may seem new or different. In seeing that, I hope that people will get a glimpse of what the experience was. Perhaps they will understand.
For me, anger is fear. I'm predicting that the fear will be that I'll never be able to communicate something that I've learned here that is just so vital and touching. However, I am reminding myself that this is why I became a dancer. It was so that I could communicate and share those delicate truths that words threaten to squish and destroy.
Ha...this is REALLY how I want to write, pardon me if it's dramatic.

Most of my students have been quite concerned about Japan lately, understandably. The earth, humans, the earth, humans- that relationship is always bouncing around in my mind and within the greater social consciousness. I think about the amount of education and awareness raising it's taken to get Vancouver to be so recyling aware etc. I also think about the amount of people in India. When India turns it's head, the world tilts. Ha. How long would it take to get recycling programs REALLY running here?

Apparently, there ARE recycling programs in India. It just takes a long time for such things to get implemented because very little is initiated on a governmental level. I know so little about this, I really can't make conclusions. Accept, I know the gov is corrupt and so the people don't get what they need.

Today, I saw a dog wading through a river. He was black to his neck from wet dust, compounded feces and ground up garbage which turn the rivers into sludge. A small child was teatering along the bank near the dog. He was enjoying his freedom to explore the littered bank in bare feet and a t-shirt. Cars blared by on the highway a meter away from the child.

Later today, I thought about a recently formed law in Canada which enforces that children ride in car seats until the age of seven. I laughed out loud at the extremes. So, how do we begin to create a balance? What steps do we take to move towards meeting in the middle?

I do have ideas about this. See me for further details. I love chatting about this stuff.

No words

Ha, well what to say. My trip has become inexplicable. I just can't describe it all; it's so rich and full.
My roommates have left now. I actually cried. I realized that my experience was so much deeper because I was able to share it with them. It was also touching to see how they reacted to leaving, everyone was sad to go. I thought about why today and I realized that it's just about love. It's been easy to love here in India and that's a really good feeling. I'll have new roomies soon.
Before he left, Che met me after work one day and we went to the red light district. It was just something that we had both wanted to do as it's part of this city and we want to take it all in. It's supposed to be the largest red light district in the world.
I know of all the corruption and abuse that is threaded throughout the sex trade. I think it is something that everyone knows of. However, it was very difficult to get any sense of that as we walked through the streets which really looked like any other area of Mumbai. There were more slim and pretty women about, but there wasn't anything blaringly advertising what the area was all about. At least, not to our North American eyes and sensibilities.
What we did find was a community of people with men, women, transgendered folks and children all going about life together.
In the midst of it we found five men seated on a stage in front of some wooden benches, playing the most beautiful Indian music. The only instrument that I knew of was the tabla (sp?), and it drew me in. What skill those musicians have.
It was obvious that foreigners were a rare sight there and everyone at the little concert was so friendly and interested in us. The kids completely flock to Che. They are just sooo adoreable; I can't even describe it. They all drag each other around with arms strapped around each others shoulders and huddle together and giggle. We are exciting to them and I think Che with his athletic body must look like a giant body builder in their eyes. We played with them and listened to the music.
At one point, one of the children reached out to grab Che's sunglasses. Immediately about 6 adults jumped towards the child, sharply warning him not to touch us or our belongings. This is something that is opposite to the warnings I heard about India before I left. I prepared myself for theft to be a problem....but it just doesn't seem to be a problem at all. That concern for our well being that the adults showed is much more representative of my experience here.
The culture feels soft and I haven't felt unsafe once...accept maybe while trying to cross the street;)
Back to teaching and back to many loving students who are struggling to understand "turn out". Next project is to buy a new camera and show you all the things that I can't describe.

Seeing it again for the first time

Finally on the mend. I got the go ahead from the doctor to get back to life now. Phew, I was going rather stir crazy and will be happy to see my students on Monday.
The hospital here is wonderful. I've noticed that doctors give out vitamins and natural medications along with western medecines. If they give out an antibiotic, they always give out a probiotic with it. The only medications that I've had for the Hep are vitamins and some things to help with nausea. So that's been great. Also, there is really good information sharing at the hospital. They basically gave me a copy of my file which they add all of my receipts to. Test results are posted online within 24 hours and I can access them using my patient number. Physio, GP's, the pharmacy, the centre for obesity etc. can all be found at the hospital. It's a great system.
As soon as I got the clearance, I went off on a little adventure. Melissa's Dad is here visiting and so the three of us went to Elephanta Island. It's a historical wonder. Elephanta Island has caves which are guessed to have been carved around 600AD with massive wall carvings and statues of Shiva in His various forms. There are also carvings of other Gods and families of Gods which together, depict a very sophysticated and complex Faith based system that was the foundation of the society. Of course, each God has a myriad of stories connected with it which I will be processing and learning about for awhile. Seeing the awe inspiring caves and carvings was such a humbling experience.
There were 7 caves on the island. The main one is a 130 feet chamber very carefully carved into the side of a stone mountain. The chamber is supported by rows of massive stone pillars which rest on a square base and have a cushion like capital. Within the chamber there are 9 carvings. The most glorous of which is of the supreme Shiva, fully manifest, with three heads. He is surrounded by dwarf attendant figures and figures of yogis. The Shiva figure is 8.3 meters high and rests in a recess 3.2 meters deep and 6.55 meters wide. The detail of the hair, jewelery and serene face is astounding.
The entrance to the cave is gaurded by two statues. One of Shiva as Lord of Dancers and one of Shiva as Lord of Yogis (yogesvara). The tour book that we bought says "[A]s yogevara, he is the supreme master of all yogic disciplines, as well as the teacher of all the arts that give expression to an understanding and realisation of ultimate reality." How could I not love this statement and what is conveys. These are the two forms of Shiva that were chosen to gaurd the doorway to the most sacred space of this ancient culture. The power of mindful art making is something that was deeply respected and it reminded me that art does in fact have the power to move an entire civilisation.
Unfortunately, the cave was used as a firing range for the portugeuse at some point and quite a bit of damage was caused. But, the awesomeness of the place is very evident and people still bring flowers as offerings to the Gods.
To get to the island, we took the train down to Kolaba where boats leave from The Gateway to India. I was so happy to get out in the world that while riding in the ladies coach, I delighted in the sight of the women beautifully wrapped up in colourful saris with thick braids down their backs. They all jingle when they walk from their rows of bangels and anklets and flowers are neatly tucked into their hair.
After a day of trecking, I was happy to treat myself to a cab on the way home rather than take the busy train. I could have lounged in the cab for hours and never tired of gazing out the window at the diversity of sights that is Mumbai. Giant billboards stuck to the top of buildings; tiny shops and vendors spilling fruit, vegetables and fish into the streets; old brick buildings; houses made of cloth; people walking their dogs; young girls washing clothes on the side of the highway; school children with perfectly pressed and matching uniforms, bikes and rickshaws and trains and fancy cars. Everyone living together.
So much happens in a day here and life is bursting.
My roomates are going back to Canada within days and they truely are mourning. Though they're very happy to have had the experience, I think it's taking a little mental preparation to say goodbye. Che is a true world traveller and yet he declared the other day that this particular trip was everything. That's because India is everything. And, I'm only getting started:)

Hepatitis

Well, there's a perfectly good explanation for the upset stomach. I have a self curing form of hepatitis. Most likely it's Hep E as I have an immunization for Hep A. Jaundice is a sign of hepatitis and so I have that as well.
I have had some tests to confirm it and will find out if it is A or E very shortly. However, both go away on their own in time and it takes about 2-3 weeks of real rest.
So, I have been sleeping and laying about in my apartment for a few days. I'll have to give myself some projects so that I don't get really bored. Basically, I feel slightly nauseous all of the time and very lathargic and sleepy. Any sudden movement increases the nausea so I just need to move slowly for awhile.
It's a great opportunity to catch up on reading and computer projects. It's tricky not to be able to excersise but I think I'll get strength back slowly and will be able to do bits here and there in my apartment.
As of now, I have no idea what my students will do for 2 to 3 weeks. That's a long time!!! AND, it's their money that they have invested in this program. I'm brain storming some projects to give them from afar. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear it.
Take care y'all, will write again and tell you all about the Indian medical system before too long:)

tastes and smells

Well, I have a bout of stomach upset. This is the second time since I've arrived. I'm not surprised though as my stomach has gotten more sensitive over the years. I've been nauseous for four days now. So....this is a great time to write about the smells of India since I am EXTRA sensitive right now.
I'm sure that you can all guesse what smells stand out the most. It hasn't bothered me much at all as it just seems natural here. But I'm noticing it more now that I am sick.
Street dog poo and cow poo is, of course, all about. But, there are also large strips of sidewalk that somehow have been designated as toilet areas. There are lots of public washrooms around and Mumbai is really great for that. BUT there are just sooooo many people and not everyone is going to bother lining up for a toilet. In a "shanty town" area, it makes more sense to walk up to the sidewalk to do ones business rather than allowing it all to collect inside the little towns made of bricks, cloth and tin.
Melissa, Che and I have named these sidewalks "shit strip".
Today, I was trying to not throw up during my bumpy rickshaw ride home. Then, my driver decided to pull up to a shit strip and do his thing. I thought I was going to lose my cookies right there inside his rickshaw as the smell wafted over me.
Haha, I'm just such a North American wimp. Any Indian's immune system could crush mine just by looking at it. Anyway, we all know that we don't squat enough in North America. All the squatting keeps backs healthy and hips lose here so.....there ya go.
Anyway....moving right along. Allow me to tell you about PANI PURI. MMMMMMM. I can talk about it even when I am sick.
Pani Puri is the food of Mumbai. Every state in India has a dance form and every city has a food. Pani Puri is eaten hovered around a little stand on the street. One doesn't have to travel more than a few metres to find it. There are three components: a deep fried, round bread shell; a type of bean and a spicey/ sweet sauce. The vendor who makes it takes the small shell, fills it with beans and dunks it in the sauce and then hands it to the customer. Each customer gets 7 pani puris and the vendor serves them one at a time to about 6 customers at once. So, one gets the food in their cup and then eats it and puts their cup out to get the next one.
It's the PERFECT snack food. It's street food at it's finest. It's sooooo grab and go and just so handy. Like the rickshaws, like lime juice stands, like pooping on the sidewalk, like so many things here. Just grab it, buy it, do it and go:)
AND, there isn't any waste because either people eat it out of their own little cup or a glass saucer which the vendor then takes back and washes for the next person.
Unfortunately, I'm too wimpy for all the street food and so far...it's made me barf (though I still eat it now and then). BUT, Che has a stomach of steal and he is able to eat everything. JELOUS!! At least we all can get a review from Che.
Good food, bad smells, lots of laughs;)

A picture is worth... a very long plane ride

Ok, here is the link to some photos for real this time. I have WAY more to post but the internet has been cutting in and out so it's been tricky to get them all posted to flickr. More to come!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kirsten-indiatrip/5422120982/

getting to know you....

Yo peeps...are you out there?

Yes, SOME of you have responded to my posts via e-mail, comments, Facebook etc. and I really appreciate it. The rest of you....what is your excuse huh? Sure, you are busy building your businesses, relationships, families, yoga practices and new homes but if you haven't noticed, I'm in India. I'm having a great time but nonetheless a foreign country in not one's own country and I want to connect with you all so that I can share my experiences, remember that I have a life at home and feel that grounding that all you wonderful friends give me. So....get on those comments now you hear. It'll be a good thing for me AND you because trust me...you don't want to piss off a ballet teacher;)

So HERE IT IS FOLKS, a new entry.

These are my latest observations about Mumbai. It is difficult to understand if these things are actually characteristics of this city or if they are conclusions based on my own reactions. In any case, this is how I feel here. I feel free.

India is so free! People here cross the street and drive whenever and wherever they can. They talk to each other without hesitation or judgement. Here, I shop in stores, on the street and everywhere. There is always a rickshaw to drive me wherever. If I don't want to pay for one, there is the train or the busses which are easy to get to and go frequently. If I get lost, I ask a stranger and they help me. No problem.

There are less laws in day to day life here. If 12 men decide to fill a pick up truck with goods and then pile on top of it and all ride home clinging to parts of the truck...so be it. If one falls off well....so be it as well. It's their decision, no one is going to tell them not to. Is there anyone else out there who has noticed this about the culture here?

There is also alot of acceptance here. I never feel judged for being myself; I do always feel a desire to be polite and courteous, but I never feel pressured. For example, my roomate noticed that he passed a man the other day who was standing on the side of the road eating street food. This man was wearing a tiny plastic bag on his head. The bag was so small that he had stretched it and barely squeezed the side of his head into it. He had no explanation as to why he wanted to wear a tiny plastic bag and no one was looking at him strangely. There was no need to explain; there was no judgement. It just was the way it was.

I could go on about that, but I want to talk about my students.

This week, there was a Brian Adams concert in town. Shiamak and his company performed there. They are a very busy company with lots of shows and events. Shiamak runs his own performance career, his company, a school with venues all over India, a youth company, a pre-professional training program AND brings in international teachers to help lift up the technical training of his dancers. There is always something going on.

My students have optional jazz and yoga class daily and mandetory ballet and "Shiamak Style" dance. Many of them are in college full time so the optional classes are for those who can make it.

Out of the 60 students, about three of them have had substantial ballet training. The rest are beginners. Ballet is not an easy thing to perfect if beginning at 20 years of age...it's VERY hard to grasp it. Yet, I want them to understand the processes that has to happen in their bodies for a ballet line to appear. This is even more of a challenge for me as I am a contemporary dancer. Haha, challenges all 'round. I love it. I love the challenge. I love the students.

There is so much invovled with learning how to be a dancer. It's so much more than time, space and quality. One needs to learn how to be in class, how to work, how to address fellow students and the teacher, how to create a home practice for themselves and how to always keep their instrument in tune. As many of my students are beginners, they are learning all of this at once within their jam paked year long program.

It's fascinating to watch their bodies and brains negotiate all the information. I completely don't understand what makes one student get something while all the rest struggle. I have students who seemed to walk into class intuitively understanding a strong vertical and horizontal pull in their bodies. I have others who are still understanding what verticality is. It's an amazing opportunity to work with a large group of people who are all new to this form and who are all around the same age.

It's also fascinating to work with Indian bodies and brains. I'm not going to go on about the natural ability of some of my students. Some of the lines that they have available to them boggles my mind: long achilles, turned out hips, ballet feet, legs for days. There are moments throughout class where various students will suddenly discover how to execute something and poof.... they look like they've being doing ballet since they were 5.

As for myself, I am learning to truely ask for what I need to see in class. I'm learning to be firm yet kind and to define boundaries. I need them to take on the work, to think ahead and to be absolutely respectful. It is what is required in ballet class and I'm learing to insist on it.

Anyway, blah blah, I think I am still in teacher mode. So much to the whole thing.

In any case, still having a great time and learning tonnes. Can't wait to catch up with you all!

Ok, I think this is a link to some photos on Flickr. My camera is terrible and now is not working at all. These photos are all from my roomies. Enjoy!

Lovely Land

Before I left for this adventure, everyone said that I was going to love India. I love it. There are many things that I enjoy in life; things that are interesting to me and also things that enrich my life from day to day in Canada. But it is obvious to me that I love this place, real love.
I got a massage the other day for about $12. I couldn't believe how good it was. It was a 40 minute head neck and back massage. It was one of the best massages I've ever received.
Two days ago I got fed up with my laptop. It's had a broken mouse, speakers and disc drive for a long time. I've taken it to a few places in Canada and haven't actually managed to get it fixed for a price that I could afford.
I passed by a store with a sign saying they fix laptops. Took my computer in, two days later they returned it to me with everything working for the low price of only $140. They showed me how it all worked, what they installed and then they wrapped it up to return it to me all clean and tidy.
Of course, I am living in a really nice area where there is everything at my finger tips and I am loving my job. That could have a large part to do with how much I am enjoying this place.
I I have been going for runs at any time- early morning, late evening. It's fine. I feel safe because there are always people out and about. I'll see families strolling along the road late in the evening and early morning joggers up before work starts. It's just always full of life here.
There's also a courteousy that I really appreciate. Today, I mentioned barely out loud that I hadn't brought enough food with me for my teaching day. A student nipped out and bought me a sandwich without me even asking. How curteous and kind, how thoughtful.
Sigh. Come visit India if you can. It's lovely here.

Oops, sorry. No time to figure out how to post photos right now. Give me the low down if you know how.

Chello Powai!!

So, on my last day off, after heading dowstairs to my beloved Laxmi veggie restaurant for a fresh grape, pineapple and mango juice; I wondered off to my local shopping area. I mentioned that I live in a suburb, quite a distance out of the main city, with my two roomies Melissa and Che. Our area is right by a lake and has everything we would want far as food and shopping. As it was a Sunday, the streets were pretty bare in Mumbai terms. I just cruised around poking my head into stores and markets. Low and behold, I stumbled upon Yoko Sizzlers and discovered a culinary phenomenon.....Japanese/ India cuisine. Japanese and India cuisine...together!!!! Those two things are a match made in heaven and I am signing my name as the witness of their holy union.

Why is it that all food just tastes better here? Even Italian food tastes better here. Weird, but really, I'm not questioning it. I'm just going with the flow of mango juice and happily growing out of my clothes.

Things have been busy. My internet has been down. Generally things are moving ahead. I still teach two classes of the "Year Long Program" (OYP) students for 2-2.5 hours a day each. I now teach Shiamak's professional company once a week and I teach two contemp classes for his regular school. I write and exam and mark 60 exam papers for the students every two weeks and I create a new ballet class for them every two weeks as well. Classes run 6 days a week. I'm working my butt off; but whatever, it is what it is. I don't work as hard as the dancers in the company who often take class in the day, teach in the evening and rehearse into the wee hours of the morning so...I feel happy about that.

Mumbiaians seem to be workers. They also know how to party. Che ran smack into a wedding celebration on his rickshaw ride home the other day. The whole street was closed down for it and he said that people were dancing like CRAZY in the streets. He mentioned seeing men dancing with their chests touching, shaking their whole body and smiling and yelling at each other. Someone caught sight of him and, of course, pulled him out of his rickshaw to join in the celebration.

We really notice that there is less self consiousness here than in Canada. That is fun because it means that students try things, fall over, giggle, make noises, tease each other and generally express themselves freely. They absolutely get me really laughing everyday. Getting them to be free and expressive is not a problem. The tricky thing is helping them to take responsibility for their learning and not depend on us all of the time to tell them exactly what to do. Getting them to genuinely make connections between ideas and bring their own knowledge to dance movement is coming very slowly. But, they are all in their early 20's and I probably struggled with the same things at that age.

I decided to go to the beach today after teaching (Juhu Beach). I stayed about 20 minutes as it only took about 10 minutes before I was totally mauled by vendors, beggars, people who wanted to take my photo and men who wanted my number. In a way, it's going to be strange to go back to Canada and just be a regular person and not treated like such a special prize all of the time. Getting out of that situation was easy. Just a head nod gets a rickshaw and "chello Powai" is all it takes to get me back home. Well.....that plus about 1.5 hours waiting in traffic. 20 minutes at the beach was enough to feel totally swamped and ready for some alone time.

Quickly, for those who haven't been here or who haven't heard all about it, here are some very regular sights here that one would never see in Canada:

-families of 3 or 4 all on one motorbike with the woman riding side sadle. Only the driver wears a helmet here.
-Mansions, condos, apartments, shanty towns and people sleeping on the side of the highway. EVERYWHERE!
-Palm trees
-fresh fruit, fresh fruit, fresh fruit
-many rickshaws weaving through traffic and honking.
-traffic lights that really are only used to light up the city
-a city train that carries 6.8 million people every day. People jump on and off before it stops so that people can actually get on and off.
- beautiful, colourful saris on most of the women


Oh and...me with a big belly stuffing my face with tasty Indian scrumptiousness.
I forgot an important component of my camera, so can't post photos. But, I've posted some from my roomies.

Blessings

I'm eating an Indian style veggie burger with two kinds of dipping sauce; an Indian wrapped bread and veggie creation delivered in a large green leaf with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. This was all delivered to my door wrapped in newspaper and bags,only moments ago, for the low, low cost of $115 rupees. That's about $3. AND...did I mention that the grapefruit was picked from a tree in heaven? Sweet, sweet heaven.

We discovered our ideal local eating spot where everyone will soon know our names and where we will gorge ourselves on India cuisine from around the country for mere dollars per day. AND they deliver. Sigh, oh India, you are a tastey sensation.

I keep discovering more to love here. There is so much heart here. Life goes on with daily frusterations of course; but that life rests upon faith, devotion and an acknowledgement that we are all spiritual beings. I see it in all sorts of places. For example, most people wear a red dot blessing on their forehead everyday. I see it as an acknowledgement that their bodies are gifts from The Creator and that it should be decorated and clean. Easy. That's just a part of how things are here and there seems to be no question about it.

There are also temples all over: in buildings, on the side of the streets or even on patches of earth in the middle of a road. I'm not sure if there are designated times to use them but I always see folks coming and going from them, kneeling in bare feet and touching the ground.

Shiamak burns candles and incense in the studios; everyone takes care to make sure that the candles are always lit. Peoples homes have a corner set up as a little alter to worship a God. People give out tiny statues of God's to each other to ensure blessings for friends. My students lift their faces to the north in their prayers before and after class.

It's like every moment of the day here is an opportunity to acknowledge, love and devote oneself to The Higher Power....well fancy that. I think this is a huge part of what allows so many people to live together in this country. It all results in lots of heart amongst the chaos.

I'm growing in my India savviness. I now have a one month train pass and am starting to understand how to ride the train. Many of you may know that there are carts specifically just for women here. For this, I am grateful. People are generally really helpful and I've felt pretty guided through the whole process of using the train. As of now, I am ok with the feeling of being crushed from all sides. It's like a special "Indian body wrap" for merely the price of a train ticket.

I can now shop successfully in the markets. I am also getting better at knowing when a rickshaw driver is taking me the long route so that he can get more money out of me. Although, I still don't know how to tell him to cut it out, that will have to be the next step.

My students took their first test. I've learned, from marking their tests, that one thing I can encourage them with is taking responsibility for their own learning. I have a feeling that many of them have become accustomed to having teachers stand in front of them and tell them what to do. I can only guesse that this is part of education here. I'm trying to find a balance between communicating ideas to them in a way that is familiar, and yet challenging them to really process info. for themselves. However, I have TONNES to learn still about what education means here and how information is shared.

I do know that teaching is easier and more rich when there is a lot of love involved. These students love well. They sure can teach me about love just by being themselves. I feel a large responsibility to bring them my best self because of this. It's a pretty good system:)

The 6 (now 7) overseas teachers had a meeting with Shiamak today. We laughed together lots and told him about our classes and experiences thus far. If we have any complaints the usual process is to get on it right away, pull out the cel phones and for Shimak and his staff to start running around and calling people to help solve the problem.

We are learning what he wants and needs from us as we go and I think we'll all (Shiamak, teachers and students) create something great out of all of this trying, explaining and bashing about. Surely, the mountains of inspiration that come from Shimak and the students have already lead us in the right direction.

That's all for now. It's humbling and just really great thus far. Tomorrow is my day off and I am determined to get on that train and head to some special Mumbai sites. I'll let you know how it goes.

Blessings to all!

Alot happens over a Chai tea

People who live in Mumbai have amazing spacial awareness. Seriously folks. Any old three lane highway could easily fit four cars and a motorcycle widthwise if everyone really knew where the edges of their cars were. And really...do busses HAVE to come to a full stop. Wouldn't we all be less fearful people in general if we all knew how to jump onto and off of a moving bus.

I have been travelling alot by taxi, rickshaw and recently braved the train. I need to commute about 4 hours a day to get to my two classes and home again. Once I get more proficient on the train, hopefully that time will decrease. I am proud to say that I already feel comfortable on the road and no longer grip the nearest object or person in the cab whenever we come 3 inches away from another vehicle. The drivers know what they are doing and I get that now. However, I also know the Hindi words for "please slow down".

I have a little Delhi (Mumbai) belly happening. I had one day where I didn't feel good but now I'm feeling much better. My health is good!

I finally met Shiamak Devar. He is lovely, inspiring and treats his staff and students like family. There are 5 teachers here from Canada (1 jazz, 2 hiphop, 1 b-boy, 1 ballet and contemporary). This is the first time Shiamak has brought in so many foreign folks to teach for him. Today, we were on the front page of the Bombay Times. As it was my one day off I wandered around town, bought some newspapers and got my haircut to celebrate.

My students continue to be adorable. They call out my name when I see them and they'd offer me their whole lunch if I'd let them. After class, if I don't have to rush to another one, I am always offered some chai and someone will want to sit and relax with me for a few minutes. There is so much rushing about here that people like to take some time to just sit down, visit and relax for a few minutes throughout the day.

As many of you know from visiting India or just knowing about India, there are many economic levels to society here. Of course, because I am white, people think that I have money. However, I feel lucky because it means that I get to interact with little children everytime they come asking for coins from me. I don't give them coins, but I'll give them a banana or even water here and there. There were three dirty, beautiful chilren poking their heads through the window of my taxi the other day in their underwear.

This next week will be full of adventure again. My students will take their first ballet test this week in preparation for an exam at the end of the month. I will get more familiar with the train. I'll make friends with more street dogs....but not touch them. Much love to you all from the land where beauty reigns!!

day 2

What does one say to 60 smiling dance students? Well, namaste of course!

Here I am in fabulous and lively Mumbai. So far, it has been amazing. The plane that took me here slipped through time. Before I knew it I was looking out of the plane over clusters of lights that looked like sparkling clouds in a night sky. When we landed, we were greeted with bouquets of flowers from Shiamak's dancers and our helpers.
Myself and two other teachers are staying outside of the main city in an apartment. We have each been assigned a personal helper who is also a dancer in the company. My helper is a young student who I knew from Vancouver named Kishen. He has been so wonderful and beyond hospitable. He even goes so far as to hold my wrist whenever we cross the street.
Mumbai is everything that I had heard and expected. It's: busy, noisy, smelly, full of traffic, full of dogs and cows and smiling faces.
I have already taught for two days and absolutely love my students. They all dance on a slippery and hard marble tile floor. However, that doesn't stop them from trying everything %100. In Shiamak's school, the whole class prays together at the beginning and end of each class. I love it; it centres us all and gets us ready to take on the challenge of class. These students are going to learn tonnes in our short time together. They eat up everything that I give them and giggle their way through challenges with enthusiasm and joy.
The other teachers who I am staying with are very fun. We are turning into a family already.
So far, I'm taken by the generosity and hospitality of our hosts and the colors, sites and sounds of this very lively city and culture.
Of course, it is obvious that the population is huge and that it puts a strain on the infrastructure of the city. There are less laws here than in Canada, and I think it's simply because there are just too many people to have to enforce all the time. But, there is also a real flow to life (specifically to traffic) and it's interesting to see how things adapt to accommodate the bulging population.
I'm looking forward to more adventures:) Tell me how you are doing.

Getting ready

I'm packing up to head to India for three months where I will be teaching for the Shiamak Devar Institute for the Performing Arts (SDIPA). I learned today that I will be spending the time in the areas of Juhu and Mahalakshmi teaching teaching students from SDIPA's year long intensive trainign program. Those two locations are either within Mumbai or in the surrounding area.
I'm very excited to be working with students who are in an intensive training program. It's a wonderful way to build a curriculum that will work as I will really be able to see the results of what we do in the studio.
A few more days until I leave and I am already all packed. Still, there is a lot of class planning to do before I go. Stay tuned for photos and entries about the adventure:)