The Mother....

So first a few pictures from the last few days.

This was the view of rice fields on our marathon train trip a couple days ago.
Here's a few shots from the parade to go and wash Ganesha....At first I thought it was a military coup...then I noticed the Karaoke machine :-)






We are staying at our 3rd ashram now. For some background, an ashram is a place that centers around some sort of guru (maybe alive, maybe dead) and all the people who come to study that person's teachings. Some are more religious than others. All have loads of character and even more "characters." Plus the guest houses are cheap and clean. They generally have a bunch of rules you have to follow (i.e. no drugs or alcohol and certain hours of quiet.)

Here in Pondicherry we are staying at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Aurobindo (dead for a long time) taught and wrote about the blend of yoga and science. When he died, his philosophy was taken over by "The Mother" a French woman who has now also been dead for over 30 years.
Here's the view from the lanai off our room.



Each room features the lovely decor of a photo of Aurobindo and "The Mother." I think their eyes follow me as I move around the room...