Day 612 - Ashram life

Life at the ashram seems pretty laid back. For the $6 each you pay to stay there you get a pretty nice room (if you're a couple anyway- unfortunately singles get jammed into dorms) and 3 Indian meals a day. The ashram has a daily routine of singing, chanting, working, meditation, yoga, conversation and hugs!

There are lots of people (Indian and foreign) who stay here for months at a time, and are obviously staunch devotees, but there are also quite a few people like us who have just come along for a few days to check it out. We never felt like we weren't welcome, and everyone was extremely nice to us. Most long-timers dress completely in white and you can really feel a sense of collectiveness.

For us the day was spent in observation of the people and their practices, whose faces are lit up in what can only be described as contentment.

The ashram feels both traditional and modern - its accommodation towers seem totally out of place in the stretch of land sitting between the ocean and backwaters, but the setting is undeniably beautiful. And the view from the roof is incredible! We spent a few hours reading (Liv and Peter) and exercising (Adam) at the beach looking out over the ocean that stretches for miles and is lost over the horizon.

Although Indian meals are free there is also an amazing western cafe there where you can buy yummy western food and coffee - not what we expected coming here, but it was a great surprise. The food, cakes, and coffee might just be the best western food we've had since leaving home!!

Adlibing the ashram.