Where In The World Is Taira?

So for all of you who don't know....because I have forgotten to tell you, I am now in India living in an Ashram for the next 3 months. Yes I said months! Yes I know it is over Christmas and my birthday. And yes Ray is OK with it.
The flight was about 18 hours total, about 8 and bit to the UK and another 10 to India. Very few glitches to speak of....so I won't.
I, unlike my traveling companions did manage to sleep for both legs of the journey.
The weather is humid and warm but the sky is totally covered in low, grey cloud.
The food......all vegetarian. Lots of variety, medium spicy and wonderful watermelon.
Can't tell you about the program as it really hasn't started yet but we did get a tour of the grounds, which are under construction. They have very ambitious plans for the land here which is considered very healing because of a 400 year old Banyan Tree that's roots apparently cover the property. This Banyan is not the oldest but has some sacred significance that has yet to be explained fully....it will be part of the teachings here during my stay.
One cool thing is the Shiva Linga that sits in this very large and very deep pool (right now empty for cleaning). A Shiva Lina looks like the pawn piece of a chess board. This one is apparently made of a blend of very special herbs and is about 4 meters high. It looks just like a cement statue of the chess piece and is painted black(sorry no picture taking allowed in the Ashram). So this pool and it's Shiva linga (not sure about the spelling) are used for special healing rituals. And although we are told not to drink the local water we will actually be able to drink the water that showers down from the Shiva linga with out any problem. As a matter of fact it is suppose to be quite healing!
I am rooming with 3 other women in a two story walk up building much like something you would see in Kenyan or Calgary for that matter. The sites and smells are not that much different from Kenya. Lots of garbage and crazy drivers. I guess driving lessons are only given on Sundays as that is when the roads are the least crowded.
So far I have only spent $100 rupees for the cab ride. Everything here is cheap but I am not into any extreme shopping....I have a much more dastardly adventure planed!
Stay tuned for more nonsense.
Love to everyone!
Taira