15th October Allepey

So we had a night at Amma's ashram which was an experience to say the least. The chanting and kirtans and pujas were just amazing but the ashram, its rules, its hygene and its noise left a lot to be desired. We were quite glad to leave - not for the level of spiritual devotion we found there but for the lack of sleep, the strictness and austerity of the people in all their gestures.....we headed to allepey and met with the character full Johnson before taking yet another rickshaw to the water side - the backwaters of allepey. Our house boat was just the best spot for us to chill out for 2 days, the staff were fabulous and the food the best we have had so far! We have spent two amazing days watching the water world go by and getting some well earnt chill time. Although even the houseboats beep their horns every now and then - they are no doubt getting withdrawels from the lack of beeping on these amazingly beautiful stretches of water. The local people when we stopped were so friendly and we had a great chance to see the people at their daily lives - morning puja and prayers, washing themselves and their clothes in the river, the little canoes and the local traders selling anything from rice flour to milk to cigarettes. Yoga on the deck of the boat in the morning and evening and leslie and martine has a swim in he river after lunch yesterday. It was glorious weather during the day and rainfall at night. We visited a small local village and temple last night and it was lovely to see the simple but devote way they worship despite the water, the mud and the obvious lack of material wealth they have. So now back in allapey town and we plan to head to the beach this afternoon - the last water and beach of this trip before we head up to Coimbatore and Mettupalayam tomorrow and then onto Ooty and Kalpetta on Sunday......3 nights then at the ayurvedic hotel so we hope to get some serious treatment time and a few walks in as well. Until then from this amazing country of soul! Namaste and om shanti!