And We're Off

And the award goes to...

Just like the monsoons fade away each year, the SMU crew has worn out its welcome in India and the journey home must begin.

Goa to Mumbai, layover in Mumbai, Mumbai to JFK, transfer to Newark, Newark to Dallas.

To the 36 hour journey that lies ahead.

35th Night in India

As promised, here are the most recent pictures of my adventures in Goa. Click for pics! Enjoy.

Locations include: Taj For Aguada Beach Resort, Goa Spice Plantation (where we attempted to shoot cashew tequila), ironically churches were next of the list of sites to see (one of which Saint Francis Xavier is buried), and finally yet another fort, Aguada Fort.

I'm happy to say that my time here on the last leg of the trip has flown by. Mumbai and Goa were gone in a blink and home is just around the corner, which is ever the more reason to celebrate on our last day of this Indian adventure. I treated myself to a five hour pampering which consisted of a coconut body scrub, relaxing massage, papaya facial, ending with a mani/pedi to send me on my way back to the states somewhat resembling myself. After our sad goodbye to Jiva spa, we made our way ocean-side to soak in the hot Indian sun. Being monsoon season, rain interruptions were NBD, just another excuse to go to the cabana to order more food and drinks.

As I sit here now reminiscing on the last five weeks, I don't think I can ever explain the feeling that I have. Never have I been more excited to be home, where my people and heart reside. And knowing that India has given me this gift, so precious and intangible, something I can carry with me for the rest of my blessed life is just amazing. As you can see, a lot of emotions are starting to build up inside me regarding my upcoming journey home--maybe soon I can comprehend and share the purpose of this gift that I have been given.

Last night dinner at El Camino with the amazing TAI.

To that "end of the trip" feeling.

Home awaits!

Goa Adventures

Will have to wait until tomorrow. I'm absolutely exhausted from a full day of 8 a.m. ocean-side yoga, Goan cathedrals, a spice tour, shopping excursions and countless hours on the bus. (Not to mention the late night chocolate ice-cream and Slumdog Millionaire watch party with Ren).

Until tomorrow.

Starting at 11 a.m., I will be enjoying a peaceful relaxation day at Jiva spa. For five straight hours, I will be pampered from head to toe, starting with a two hour massage!

Home keeps inching closer. T minus 2 days.

Love Goa

After two hours of pure, Indian sun and a New England Iced Tea-- I've never been happier.

Quick workout with the girls, then off to an Italian dinner with the entire group!

I'm missing everyone more and more with each second of the day.

Off-season in Goa

We arrived in Goa yesterday afternoon during what seemed like the greyest monsoon of the season. Total bummer, but  our group somehow managed to find a liquor store and the spa.

Four days and counting.

T Minus 5

So long Mumbai--the rest of this Indian adventure will be spent on the beaches, spas and Taj hotel restaurants/bars in Goa. So long cargo pants and oversized linen capris. So long Tide hand wash packets, the infamous sleepy time sack and the towel wrap that made me feel somewhat comfortable after showering in the hostel.

Our last day in Mumbai was mostly spent on the tour bus. Since Mumbai traffic prevents speedy excursions, everywhere we wanted to go today took a good two hours. I didn't mind as I was able to snap photos of everyday city life. Looking at women with their children walking home to their shack from school with hands linked and shopkeepers working barefoot out of their huts on the highway was a humbling experience. To see how the other side of the world lives, works, provides and survives in their environment is an amazing parallel to our life as Americans. Universal aspects of daily life occur around each and every corner. Women walking their children to school, a group of kids kicking around a ball, a texting while driving billboard, environmental efforts and even car dealerships are all present in this world, our world. Yet, we don't think of these commonalities and these precious lives in India--life is here, and it's amazing to me that I didn't even know I didn't know. Does that make sense? Until you see these people and their daily routine, even in so much as a superficial level like watching out the window of a bus, I was unaware of the "commonality" of it all.

As I looked out the window, I also noticed the simplicity of this nation, specifically its people. Friends sitting on Marine Drive watching the waves roll in, a man sitting on a bench pondering who knows what creates this calmness in a city full of chaos. No one runs. No one yells. No one rushes in this life, leaving patience as the guiding principle of day-to-day activities.

Just to note, I wasn't just staring at these people like a creeper, but taking in the entire city. A few individuals even happily acknowledged our presence with a smile and a wave.

Click for More Mumbai Pics

Mumbai Shenanigans

An afternoon monsoon welcomed us with open arms into this incredible city. With spirits up and emotions high, leaving MICA for Mumbai was a dream come true. Approaching our tour bus, we were delighted to find that the tour would be given while we lounged in spacious, recliner seats. Dozing in and out of sleep, here are some of the pictures I was able to take through the busy city streets of Mumbai. Click for Pics

Scrumptious Taj President breakfasts and sea bass and risotto dinners have made my time at MICA seem like a small price to pay for the vacation of a lifetime that will ensue.

Nightlife in Mumbai (Karaoke songs include: Only in America, of course, Come Together, Waiting for Tonight--unfortunately, we did not get to belt out Endless Love). Delicious food. Fruit (Foreign to us after 4 weeks of anxiety over what can/cannot be consumed). Kingfisher. Rolling ocean waves at the Queen's Necklace on Marine Drive. (On the coast, at dark, lights are strung along the shoreline, resembling a strand of pearls--exquisite.)

Today, Rennie, Brooke and I spent five hours at the Oberoi (ritzy hotel) shops decorating ourselves with precious jewelry and renowned Indian silver. As our search for blue topaz and black diamonds lingered on, we became hungry and a bit tired so we parked it at the Oberoi restaurant for lunch. I feel home. 

I'm not entirely sure what brought about this feeling I had today--somehow I think it is the realization that I have one foot in India as the other can sense the closeness of home. It could also have a little something to do with the leisurely nature of the rest of my time here in India. But, whatever it is, today was one of the first times where I have looked back on the past few weeks and have been shamelessly proud of myself. I think before today, I had only seen the individual negative pieces of the trip, but as they wove together, they became an overwhelming accomplishment, creating a sense of self-actualization inside myself that never existed before and probably would've have without this adventure.

Bollywood studio tomorrow, followed by my final shopping stint. 

To the constant assault on all of your senses, especially your heart.