It is our second day in Kaivalyam. The rooster wake us around 5:30A, this morning he were followed by an air raid siren which turns out to be the factory blast signaling the beginning of the work day. We went down to the yoga pavilion and about halfway through our practice, Harish’s mother came in. She is in her mid-eighties and practices every morning. I had asked Harish why she walked stooped over and he told us her story: She was orphaned at the age of 15 and subsequently suffered malnutrition. This was during Gandhi’s time and he was promoting the idea that men marry women beneath them in wealth and status. So, when she became of marriageable age she married Harish’s father. The years of malnutrition took its toll on her spine, but she remains elegant and beautiful. She wears her hair in a tight bun, but loose, it falls below her waist. She generously posed for me, but my favorite pictures of her are candid. If I ever get wifi again, I’ll send Harish the pictures.
After breakfast, we met with the grounds keeper and took a 2 hour walk down to the river. On the way, we saw the herb and vegetable garden on the property, then hiked through the adjoining cardamom plantation down to the river. The water was clean, cold and a welcome break. We hung out there for a while, climbed upriver over the rocks, then made our way back up to the resort.
We had a light lunch. The food here is so good, but we stuck to fresh salads, fruit and yogurt. We probably won’t be able to eat fresh vegetables for the remainder of the trip. This afternoon, we did nothing….We are still in the state of Karola, and tomorrow, when we leave for Tamilnadu, everything will change.
