A Taste of Tamil

As this journey continues there are many reminders of how things fall into place... reminding us to allow for our intuition to be our guide by following the signs put out by the universe in whatever being and essence you consider that to be.  
This was again made clear when we arrived in Coimbatore (in the state of Tamil Nadu) looking for a place to stay. If it wasn't for the sugar cane juice that we had stopped for to recharge ourselves through the south India heat or the extra stop for water, we would not have been at the junction super market at the time Radha Krishnan was there. Upon stopping to decide on a way to go we were immediately surrounded by questions and curiosity... people offering their help, trying to answer our questions of 'where to cheap lodge?' or 'where can we camp?' Being an English teacher at a local school, Radha was able to come to the rescue and assure a safe place to stay at his home with his wife and two daughters. 
Although we could already sense Tamil hospitality from the smiles and helpfulness, this stay with Radha and his family gave us a deeper understanding of the true Tamil way. Not only were we invited into his home but into many neighboring homes as well, all excited to share their culture with us.  Upon taking off our shoes and entering the homes we were quickly given tea, fruit, biscuits-anything they had to share.  As compared to home, the appearance inside the house is not much of a worry which gives a more realistic view of the lives of these Tamil people.  
This feeling of warmth and welcomeness allows for the effortless act of conversation and silence. Looking around you often see pictures strung with flowers of parents and grandparents as well as religious dedications. It is not long before we are shown these things as they are a central part of the daily life where prayer presumes and dedication lies.  
The only difficulty in our stay here was trying to decide where to eat since many neighbors and hotels (restaurants) were offering to feed us their traditional Tamil south Indian food! We wish that our stomachs were able to hold more rice, idly, somber, dosa, chutney and the many other yummy yummy foods!!
As dinner is often eaten a bit later (anywhere between 8 or 9) we had the evening to get to know one another including a finger light dance party to Tamil classical dance. The two daughters, Thalika and Aniska showed us their dance moves while Jason (next door two year old neighbor) shook the egg shaker :)
Tamil cultural traditions are still very much prominent in the daily lives even continuing to the younger generation. This is inspiring to see since development can often lead to a fading of tradition. 
Although these is much for us to learn about Tamil culture, we can experience the simplicity of it the moment we are greeted with smiles and many welcoming hands. 
There is no sufficient way to express our gratitude for getting a peek into the lives of such amazing and loving people. 
We thank you very much! 

Dinner:) 

School visit! 

Nanban (Friend in Tamil)

"Brave Sisters"

While staying in Udamapet, Tamil Nadu our new friend Hari invited us to visit STC college, near to Pollachi where he had graduated. He thought we could share our journey and passions with some students there. It turned out to be a very enriching experience, sharing our love for Indian warmth and hospitality, our passions for connecting people with nature, and encouraging everyone to follow their own passions and live with greater awareness. By the end of the discussion, tour of the campus, and delicious lunch our faces were sore from so much smiling!

   A few photos from sharing at STC college! Thank you all for the warm welcome and for giving us your                                                                                 time :]



'BRAVE SISTERS'

We were given a welcoming introduction as "Brave Sisters" on a challenging journey through a dangerous country. 

But inside, in my day to day experience I don't feel I'm doing anything especially dangerous or being faced with extraordinary dangers. I guess I just feel that I am living. 
The reality is that we are met with very little need for fear. All we see and feel are warm smiles, hellos, curiosity, and offers of help from every direction. Villages, cities, everywhere, are full of families going about their daily lives, all in very livable places and tight nit communities. There is never a lack of welcoming people we can turn to if we feel the need. 

For me, cycle touring is just living each day, learning from the world around us and our experiences, and sharing with others. I'm learning to remain open, loving, patient, and to have trust in the goodness within each of us. 
I'm learning to LA DE DAH and TA THA TA

The real bravery was only back at that initial step and in the building of some momentum. 
Now we're only living. 

Roadside Abundance

Cycling up the back roads towards Munnar.

Red and yellow fruits that look like peppers are scattered all over the road. They're cashew fruits, with the less ripe fruits and nuts hanging up above. Mixed in with the cashew trees are avocado, once I noticed one I noticed many, filling the trees. Jackfruit are there as well, so large and numerous that it seems unlikely that they could remain hanging. Sweet coconut and banana fill in the remaining gaps.

A forest of diversity and abundance lining the road. Providing nourishment to our bodies, cleansing the air we breather, holding together the soil and retaining water, and providing a home and comfort for many. Taking relatively little while giving so much.

A lesson in give and take, balance, and community.

Thank you trees! :)

A couple of photos showing tea plantations around Munnar and cycling through the Western Ghats.

From the southern most tip!

HIII!!!!

The 18 hour ride on the train from Bangalore to Kanniyakumari was smooth and enjoyable from meeting a group of young Indian men going on a temple pilgrimage to receiving our bicycles in one piece! 
Enjoy these pictures of the ride up the coast- by bike and boat! 

Cycles all wrapped up and ready to go!

hi:)

Train meal

Holy moley!! Western Ghats came out of no where!

Kanniyakumari-southern most tip of India!
Where we will begin our cycling journey 

fields & nanners 

Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea  meet at the tip of Kanniyakumari 

Sunrise Selfie with friends Rebekka and Deev

Curious kids 

Let's Go ladedahdedah! 

Ladies cooking pongal at temple. We were grateful for a taste! 

We found that there are many catholic churches in Kerala as we made
our way up the coast 

Blessed to stay the first night in a convent with these lovely sisters
and children 

Arabian Sea eroding away the pavement

traditional fishing boats

Bike licence plate! When asked what is ladedah I would say:
"you know like ladedah dedah de dah" with my head and arms
shaking around and they would say "oh yess! ladedah! like a dance" 

Tathata!

Coffee&Tea overlooking the sea in Varkala 

Swimming and smiling :)

six hour boat ride from Kollam to Alappuzha

Before 

After -south indian thali 

Before you watch this!!... pick a song of your choice to play along with the time lapse and see how the music you choose will change the feel of the video! Try watching with different tunes! :) 

Lazy way out for us since we didn't have the right software to put music to it ourselves but this is kinda fun!

Journey thus far

***We hope to be able to add more stories, experiences and lessons along the way. Although pictures and videos are fun the purpose of this blog is to share insights gained and lessons learned.  More of that to come:) 

Together at last!!

The 

Journey has

Begun!

After about twenty-two hours of travel Erin and I were united at last! 

From the building of snowmen to the...... 

   Landing in Bangalore, the most apparent difference was the weather.

hot rays of the sun and abundance of lushes life and beautiful flowers!

Lalbagh Botanical Gardens 

Breakfast Dosa with Subbu, Myself, Erin,  Nandini and Yateesh

 In preparation for the journey on wheels,  we spent a week in Bangalore staying with Subbu (who Erin had posted about in the last blog) of which we are so grateful as he has provided much help and a greater feeling of community while here for the short while.  Throughout the week we have been able to meet some amazing people and gain a more enriched experience through the conversations we have had and the places we have seen! From a morning run at the botanical gardens followed by breakfast dosa to trying many delcious and spicy south indian foods on food steet and tasty beers at a brewery. 

Really neat tree

Along with all this beauty and fun, we spent much of the week putting together our bicycles! Erin was able to get in touch with a bike shop called Cadence90 in Bangalore that could source the parts and type of bike that we were interested in.  Not only did Cadence get all of the parts together for the building of our soon to be way of life, they also blessed us with so much more.  Before getting into what a gift it has been getting to know and work with this bike shop I would love for you all to meet the Cadence90 team (Check them out!)

Satish- wise mechanic!

Chethan Ram- Founder of Cadence90 

For just about a week Erin and I would spend from about 12 to 8 learning and building the Surly Long Haul Trucker cycle that will (hopefully) be strong and sturdy enough to carry the weight and variable terrain that is in our future. After the first day of introductions and getting to know each other a bit more we became more and more goofy and Satish became more and more like a father to us through his worries and concerns and invaluable advice. 

Satish mainly worked with us on the bike with Chethan assisting as well. From day one Satish ensured that we would be leaving this place knowing much more about bicycle mechanics and the workings of the cycle than we had coming in (which I really did not know much). With patience and persistence Satish broke down the workings of the bike, from the ball bearings in the hubs to the height of the seat and everything in between! 

Throughout the week we met many cyclists whom Chethan often bikes with as Cadence also offers many cycle trips and workshops as well as a comfortable and supportive space to be able to learn and enjoy one another. Erin and I could not have imagined the growing support and community that we gratefully fell into when working with Cadence. The evening we had finished our bikes we were blessed with a traditional Hindu puja that rid away negative energies and spirits and would send us on this journey with warm blessings.  

Satish placing flowers around stem

Squishing a lemon under tire 

Along with this blessing we were also shown great support and warmth from the cycling community we had met throughout our week at Cadence, sending us on our way with smiles, hugs and the traditional cutting of the cake! It was pretty amazing to have acquired such support and community while only in Bangalore for the week but Erin and I truly felt the warmth as if we were around family, providing so much more than we could have hoped for!! We cannot show and express the appreciation we have for this new family and community we have been blessed with! 

Here is a neat time lapse of building the second cycle! 

 

Photo credit: Cethan Ram

With many blessings and kindness Erin and I will take a train to Kanniyakumari which brings us to the southern most tip of India where we will begin the cycling journey! 
Click here to check out the estimated route of the journey!

Ladedahdedah!