The mangoes are coming!

Well, we've just about made it to mango season. I saw my first paisley shaped one on the tree last week and green ones are already for sale in the market. Now let's see if we get a chance to eat some juicy ones before we go. We had just a few when we first arrived in July. We won't quite get to the most lauded varieties that come in June, but at least this time we were here for some.

We have been in Auroville since February now, and somehow leaving this place is hard to do. We spent one month at Sadhana Forest, which I did enjoy (contrary to public opinion); I only longed for a sink and shower without hauling a bucket from the hand pump to the shower space... Tonight we will go back there for a Passover seder.

I did enjoy my classes immensely and am planning on continuing training in water therapy every chance I get. I gave Ajay a session yesterday at "Quiet" (a coastal community here with a warm therapy pool and host to many other kinds of therapies as well), and he is ready to build me a pool where I can offer sessions to many others.

Learning this "Liquid Flow" (a combination of Watsu and Water Dance methods) has been really good for me. It is teaching me to have a new relationship with water - a slow and quiet one, which encourages me to breathe deeply. And, more importantly, it is opening up a portal for me to *give* something to others. I really hope to do much more in the future.

The other class- Nia - was also terrific. This one, because it is getting my legs moving! It is about the joy of movement and I am finally feeling comfortable working up a sweat in a dance studio. I recommend it heartily.

And,.... I took another class too. This one on "free riding" - riding without saddle and with only a bit-less bridle. This was a both for me and as support for Satya who is really taking to horses. In this class I was able to blur the lines between trainer and rider and perhaps will feel more confident working with horses together with Satya over the years.

Of course my gratitude goes to Ajay who has given me the time for all these endeavors, keeping the kids happy in my absence. In fact, perhaps many of you know that Ajay is most probably going to be the stay at home parent in our household for the next period, and he is really encouraging me to find my passion and start making a living at it.

I have been trying to get over my entrepreneurial phobia and consider all kinds of options. We have often thought of developing some kind of kiva/zen garden/hot tub/retreat space (and water therapy fits well with that). Our stay at Sadhana forest has almost made a vegan out of Ajay, and we have also considered having some kind of "blue plate special" kind of weekly cafe where we live. This also fits in with my interest in learning what I call "spa cuisine." And come to think of it.... there is a eco-lodge retreat in Tamil Nadu which apparently offers such food.... I think we should explore it....

As we let these ideas co-mingle I think fundraising is still a good option for me, and it is time to really pursue it.

Meanwhile, I will watch the mangoes and cashews grow on the trees.