it's hard to believe...

...that my time wandering the east is about up. To think that in three weeks I will be back in the United States after eight months of traveling is like a mix drink made up of anticipation, shock, happiness, and sadness. Lot's of emotions to make me drunk on life.

Speaking of being drunk on life, India is by far the most intoxicating for the senses place I have ever been to. I have been here for four weeks as of today and have made the journey through these cities by part train and bus. Trichy, Pondicherry, Mammalappuram, Chennai, Trivandrum, Varkala, Cochin, and am now in the hill station of Ooty. All those cities are in the deep south of the country in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. India is intoxicating because of the vast differences from city to city that this amazing country has too offer. Everyday hits with the unexpected. Like where I am right now, Ooty. Resting pleasantly in the hills of what is known as the Western Ghats between the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. It is summer in India and it has been extremely hot. Wether in the very crowded cities or in the coastal beach towns the sun is a golden ball of merciless heat making it quite a sweat drenched experience just going outside. But here in Ooty, it is shivering cold and uncomfortable unless I am wearing a beanie and layered up. The hill city is quite amazing. The walks that are taken here are surrounded by beautiful landscape views of the hills with fog gently rolling along the tips of the pines that give the city a marvelous smell. Only adding to the already amazing smells of India. The arousing essence of the best food in the world and incense one step, and then the next the nauseous smell of feces (of every entity) and pollution only adds to the perplexity of this place.

The traffic is absolutely insane. Part of the everyday soundtrack of life is a constant sound of car horns. Different melodies and pitches from every direction will make your neck hurt trying to find the annoying source until it's eventually blocked out. The food is literally different from restaurant to restaurant. What parrota is to one place will be what I thought was chippati from the night before. And every single dish is a mystery even when I think I have what Veg Korma tastes like figured out. One hundred percent guaranteed is that at the next place Veg Korma will taste nothing like what I thought it did. But India being almost entirely vegetarian means that I don't have too worry about what I am getting. The chai stands that are everywhere is enough too keep me here alone. So delicious.

Another aspect of the India charm is that religious views are a way of life and culture as a whole rather than being something that is practised only when convenient. The people in India are truly another part of the duelist character of the country. One second I am being pointed at and feeling very alien while getting stared at in a most unwelcoming way to find the next moment having met a person who is more hospitable and kind than anything I have ever been accustom to. Offering me tea, food, a ride somewhere, and anything else that the person can think of too make me satisfied and comfortable. With the biggest, happiest smile I have ever put eyes on. It (the way I have been treated here and other places while abroad) is more than enough for the conscious to ponder the way that I have treated strangers. Especially strangers who are more than obviously in strange places. All I can think to come out with is too be kind, open, and full of heart with every moment that passes from here on out.

Then there is the transportation. A small bit of opinionated advice...if you are ever planning on coming to India and want to ride the train (which hosts 14,000,000 passengers daily), you will want to plan very far ahead. Many times Brent and I have gone to the train station with a destination in mind only to be told that all trains are sold out for the month. Sold out for an entire month in advance. There is no middle ground. Either be totally planned out or be very, very flexible and patient when traveling here. Nothing is as it seems on a daily basis. Time is of no value and neither is personal space. At all. I am grateful that I will have many precious memories of public transportation alone during my time here.

The concept of middle ground is what is of no relevance here in India. The extremes (which reach to incredible highs and lows in both directions) are devastating and wonderful all at once. Making it an extraordinary place to spend time in. Each moment is unforeseen, unexpected, and can be life changing in the most horrific and splendid of ways. It is all a big, fat lesson and insight as to what kind of person I truly am. Is there a better reason to be anywhere at anytime other than that? I don't know if there lies an answer to that question but I know that I feel very charmed and blessed for my life. And to be going through all of this with my best friend right now. At this moment in my life I have everything that I have ever wanted. It is probably plain and simple that I could ramble on and on about all this but I will save it for when I see you. It only gets better the more personal it is.

Now I just gotta get my ass home to see everyone that I cherish and love in my heart and soul.

only three weeks left!
nate