Christmas in Hampi

December 23r
A quick trip to the Doctor and a few dollars later I found out I had an eye infection due to forgetting to take out my contacts one night. Anyway after a few antibiotic drops all is well.
I decided to do a quick trip(12hrs by bus) here to Hampi for a few days for a change of pace.
The journey here was intense to say the least.The coaches are old and not very comfortable at all and the traffic on the roads through the night was so busy.thousands and I mean thousands of trucks on the road so many that we spent hrs stuck in traffic on straight roads.As there are no traffic rules here its anything goes so there may be 4 lanes of traffic moving ,or trying to, on a two lane road.Imagine if you can hundreds of trucks bumper to bumper and a couple of coaches in there too all trying to overtake each other.Some times there are standoffs when no one can move and they all turn off the engines and sit there.It's completely insane.
Hence I am not using my return ticket but have booked a train instead.That means I am here for Christmas day.
It's is a wonderful World heritage site. A town full of temples and palaces with a river running through it surrounded by huge boulders like I have never seen before.
It dates back to the 13th century and was the capital in the 15oo's and the largest empire in India.
I love it here.Its so peaceful.
I am staying in a lovely guest house that looks out over rice paddies which are being planted right now, and the river. I woke up this morning and looked out to see a line of beautiful women in Saris of all colours walking along the paddies surrounded by palm trees in the early morning light.
By noon they had planted two fields. Such hard work.
There is a small ferry that crosses the river that I take to get to my guest house.Its the quiet end of town and I have to take it each morning and evening so I think of all my Cortes friends when I ride the ferry.It only takes a few minutes and a few people and I have to be home on the last one at 6 pm. but its lovely.
I am happy to be away from Christmas.Here its just another day and that suites me.
I will be back in Goa by the 26th and stay until January 2nd then I will head south to Kerala.
I wish I could type because there is so much to say about this place but I am so slow so will save it for future conversations with you all.
I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and may the new year be peaceful for us all.
Namaste
Caz xx

December 15th.Still chiling in Goa.

Ive been here just over two weeks now and starting to feel like I should go out there and see more of India but it would also be so easy to stay as I have settle into life here in Anjuna.
The day begins with an hrs long swim out to sea with my swim group consisting of anything up to 12 members of all nationalities and ages,the youngest is 14 and always gets back first.
Then we all have a marvelous breakfast,I have lots of tropical fruit and yogurt and even an espresso coffee
After breakfast I meet up with my new family on the beach.An english couple who live in the south and have three small children they have adopted.They are such a joy at 3 4 and 5 years old.
They will be here until January and want me to go home with them to see the real India where there are no tourists at all.They live high in the mountains of Tamil Nadu.
My contact lens is giving me trouble so will stop here for now.

Caz chilling in Goa.

Hello dear ones back home and around the world.I don't know if this is going to work but will see.
My journey so far has gone so smoothly apart from missing my flight from Toronto to London that is.Spaced out the time so slept in the airport and got the first flight in the morning having had a great few days with Erin and Kili and got to see both homes on Toronto island which is wonderful and in town which is also a great find.Thanks you both for making me so welcome.
I was only in England 8 days so it went far too fast,so its a good job i am going back there on route home. All was well with the familly when i left and it was lovely to see everyone..
Arrived in Mumbai and thank heavens I stayed in Colabar by the water and easy to get to places. It took 1&1/2 hrs to get to my hotel from the airport and the traffic is compleatly mad.
Unimaginable.I was in culture shock for the first week. Could not believe how filthy India is.
However I can now see beyond that and the people make up for it.They are incredably helpful and kind.
I enjoyed Mumbai,especialy going to Leopols cafe the famous Shantaram place.I fell upon it by accident and amazingly the bullet holes from the terrorist are still there in the front window.
The place was heaving so obviosly it didn't damage business.
Went to a great sufi concert one night in a beautiful tropical park which again I just happened upon.I didn't do alot there as it was so hot and so crazy busy but I did get to Elephant island
to the caves which was worth the trip.and great to be away from the city.
Then went to Puna which is another crazy busy city.Checked out the Osho scene but was not drawn to stay.
Now in Goa its hard to think of moving on as I love my place here on Anjuna beach.
Making lots of friends and loving the sun the ocean the food and the chill vibe.Lots of interesting people from all over the world and some on amazing journeys.
I will stay at least another week befor going to the south beaches on the way to Kerala.

Caz is travelling.

Hi folks,the tickets are booked and off I go from Cortes on November 4th to Vancouver.I leave for Toronto on the 6th for Erin Skye's grad and a fun weekend then on to England for a week to visit my family before flying out to Mumbai.

Keep an eye on my travels right here. Hopefuly quicker for me than dozens of emails.