INDIA…Oh Spicy!

 

India…Kochi, India…Oh how I’ve been waiting so patiently to meet you, India.

Senses absolutely wide open…heart open….soul open…mind wide open to anything and everything that is about to happen at this moment in time.

No thoughts clouding my mind… no worries or distractions…nothing negative around me whatsoever. Surrounded by chaos yet I feel so at ease and calm…everything about this experience is supposed to happen it couldn’t feel more accurate at this moment in time. Hopping in a local taxi (Indian Ricksha Service)…with Babu our amazing driver…and with my beautiful in every aspect friend, Brianna….We have no idea what we are about to experience but we know its so right and we will have the time of our lives. Cackling, gasping for air laughing in so much excitement and thrill getting driven around by Babu’s Ferarri…oh my dear.

 

Weaving in and out of traffic; busses, cars, bikes, people, goats and even those holy cows…it doesn’t matter, nothing is stopping us nothing is blocking us in any way. India is at our fingertips and Babu is sure to show us a fine time…to say the least I suppose.

We are getting driven around everywhere and I’m really thoroughly soaking every bit of every feeling in knowing that I’m in such a happy, healthy, amazing place right now in this moment in my life. I’m completely in touch with my feelings and am solely doing what makes me happy. I’m laughing so much more these days…smiling…sharing my energy with people around me and touching souls with my eyes. Doing what feels right…and I know all of this is spot on. Pulling up to the best Indian liquor spot getting served this local alcohol made from coconut called               …as well as little bar snacks (anchovies, tuna with delectable spices and tapioca).

It all was so exceptional and again felt so right. There’s really something about India that I felt so at home. As much commotion there was going on it didn’t matter to me in anyway I just knew everything was going to be wonderful.

Normally for me…if I’m in a place where there’s insane traffic I feel a bit uneasy in a sense…or my stomach tightens up, but today….today was so different. I suppose I just knew it would all be okay. It just really blows my mind for how comfortable I felt…Brianna was very calm as well..and we’re still smiling so big it hurts our faces. Beautiful and absolutely lovely.  My goodness after we finished our traditional coconut alcohol that is supposed to make us fly…we continued onward. Thee Babu himself took us to his restaurant, Salt and Pepper…we meet his cute little dog and head into his place.

There we met a couple of his friends and then we began our Indian/American dance party! Ahh! It was all so fantastic! Feeling so free and alive and embracing every bit of the moment around the right people expressing ourselves in whatever way we feel.

 

 

 

Alright so we’re still on our journey…Everywhere we turn I’m seeing so many different, new, fun things going on.

 

Children playing cricket in the park, cows and goats wandering the streets, vendors making crafts or making food…then I asked babu to take us to the fishing area; where the locals are fishing in the most old fashion way ever…see for yourself. It’s really not the same unless you've experienced it with your own eyes, but I suppose you can give it a try and see how you’ll enjoy the sights. ; ) 

 

After we made our appearance to the fishing area we boogied on over to this incredibly aromatic organic spice shop…wow oh wow wow. I took the largest and most intense breath in through my nose and my senses exploded into this wild array of refreshing smell of such a variety of spices. I had never imagined something so exhilarating and honestly at this point in the day I was feeling so high and sensational and it wasn’t even noon yet! Who knew the day would already be so invigorating?! From the spice shop we coincidentally met up with another friend, Amy, and we headed to another spice area…this time there were even more barrels and boxes and everything full of spices. I was so happy in this moment in time…again and again…the day honestly just continued to get better.

 

 

 

 

 

Then of course us three free spirited young women couldn’t fight the urge to bust out a photo shoot in this old rustic warehouse with a peak of light sneaking through the roof…enjoy these photos…because we couldn’t refuse the opportunity of the backdrop by any means!

Natural sunlight is one of the purest beauties witnessed by the eye, and when captured in the right moment it all comes alive.

Once we finished the ultimate photo shoot done by Babu…we carried on because unfortunately we were on a time limit and needed to get back to the ship so we could pick up a few more fantastic people to make the experience even more memorable. So Babu waited for our return at the port with 3 extra bodies…he rounded up two other Ricksha Ferrari drivers and we made the best of everything. We were taken to this hotel for lunch called ATS Hotel…nothing what I expected; but to be honest I had zero expectations of India…like I said before I went full force into everything open minded to the fullest. I had zero desire to even glance at the menu I was willing to try anything and everything…so bring it on! So Babu just ordered from his buddies a few different entrée’s of some chicken marsala and a few other things I was unfamiliar with but again, it didn’t matter.  All delicious foods eating it with my fingers…unfortunately there was no Indian nan bread there but still plenty of curry and it all tasted so fantastic.

Before I forget I must inform you the Brianna and I were both lucky enough to drive our Ricksha…haha ohhh my goodness what an experience that was. Things that I’ve done now never cease to amaze me and saying that I’ve driven on the streets of India just really blows my mind. It’s all quite surreal and this is such a fantasy world I’m living in.

 

 

 

 

 

Once we finished our ethnic meal our drivers took us to this jewelry/rug/souvenir shop and my goodness what a surprise I encountered there. Just wandering around taking a gander at everything in front of me knowing I couldn’t afford 90% of the beautiful treasures they had there I still appreciated what they had to offer. I was looking at this particular sculpture/creation and from afar this polite, intelligent, sharp-spoken young man was explaining what it symbolized and wanted to show me a handful of the same sculptures, just different sizes. So his assistant came behind the counter holding a simple white cloth as this man was perfectly placing these figures side by side…and knowing me not really sure why he was doing this. So I curiously asked the gentleman “So what is is exactly I’m looking for?” Again..here I am sort of looking at these figures with my head tilted to the side not knowing if they were going to fly off of the white cloth…he confidently replied with tact and perfect annunciation “The beauty of the sculptures, ma’am.” I was in awe not only at the beauty of the sculptures but also the way that this man was speaking to me in every intonation…it was so perfect and intelligent and so attractive and completely caught me off guard. He then proceeded to ask if there was anything else I was interested in in his lovely store…so I told him I’d love to try some gold jewelry on. Okay okay so Brianna and I got swooped into the jewelry area as he asked one of the women to get some tea for the two of us. Trying on every piece of old jewelry of ruby and sapphire…as this man and I continue to exchange shy yet flirty looks…I was smitten and it was obvious. Such a refreshing feeling to exchange such fun, flattering looks to somebody else who feels the same. It’s what keeps some people alive, that’s certain. So of course Brianna insisted to take pictures of the two of us and he tried to be so proper and smart but then when he whipped his phone out to get a couple of the two of us he just slapped his arm around me and gave the biggest smile ever.  Ahh I’m having the time of my life!!

 

 

 

 

 

We headed on our way back to the ship…I was so sad to leave in such a short amount of time spent in Kochi, India…it honestly was one of my top destinations I have visited. Of course every place has something so different to offer but it really was such a breath of fresh air and I know I will be back in the area something in the near future. We will see…only time will tell…and anything can happen.

Exchanging goodbyes to Babu was strangely enough so painful and tough…he was sad you could see it and we all said we would NEVER forget this experience and we will never forget Babu! Definitely one of the most outstanding experiences I’ve ever encountered in an entire day. See you again real soon India, Babu and Sahil.

I’m feelin’ good!

Life….oh life life life. What you have granted me…is so comforting and delightful. I feel so free and light like a bird…I can do anything. Everything seems so clear now…things are becoming easier…I run so lightly with a smile on my face and so poised now.  Just over a year ago everyday things were so difficult for me…moving, walking, bending, twisting, and so on. I have put all of the negativity behind me and I’m finding myself a whole new young woman with so much insight and strength to keep my head held high even in the toughest times of life. I am so proud of myself to where I’ve been and who I’ve become at this beautiful point in my life. I’m proving to myself more and more each day what I’m capable of….always challenging myself…never would I have imagined I would be in the places in the world that I’ve been! I am currently in Wellington, New Zealand just on my lunch break…prior to this I ate some sushi out on the back deck in the sunshine enjoying the stunning beauty surrounding all around me.

My senses are wide open and I feel like a whole new Jenna…everything honestly looks so much more stunning, everybody’s smiles seem brighter, and the atmosphere I’m surrounding myself with is a positive natured energy. I choose to be happy…I choose to make the best of every situation I’m placed in and learning to really live in the moment. Honestly I have no idea what is going to happen for me in the next coming months…I have been working on this stunning cruise ship for just about 5 months…and will be here for about 4 more months. Time has flown by…I just try to sit back and think what do I want out of this experience…do I want to do it again? Or do I want to move to a different part of the world and try something new? ANYTHING can happen…So I will remain here for the time being and soak it all in as its happening…keep my mind wide open and my heart open….I will be safe…and enjoy this opportunity while I’ve truly got the world on my fingertips. My philosophy…opinion…however you want to take it…Everything in life happens for a reason…if things are meant to be they will happen…keep an open mind…and listen to your heart…and truly follow your dreams. Truly let go and live in the moment.

I keep thinking and wondering what is going to happen for me significantly in 2011…the possibilities are truly endless!! 2010 was such a huge year for me…so many things happened and I really learned a lot and accomplished an astonishing amount for the positions I was placed in and got myself into…and now I’m here New Zealand….really? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. I’ve already accomplished so much being on the ship and really learned a lot and have been challenged so much everyday in so many ways. For example…in the mornings my colleague, Austin (from Botswana), and I are always instructing classes for the guests…one class we have is Total Body Conditioning…typically in the past I’ve been used to about maybe 10-15 people in a class…simple enough, yeah? WELL…a few mornings I had about 50 people show up…there isn’t enough space for a load of 50 people! So here I am….a part of me is jumping for joy with so much excitement!! The other part of me thinks ohh crap…where are they all going to go!? Have no fear…I can think on my toes. I scurried my guests up a couple flights of stairs to the stunning Sky Deck…where there’s SO much space….and I just lead a workout up there! It was a wonderful turnout and it was so empowering to be instructing this group of 50 people…I’m fearless and fierce when I’m up there with them! Great results and feedback from the guests when we’ve done that….so there’s a challenge that I took on and succeeded!…and I think I had just a little fun doing it as well. ; )

New Zealand…New Zealand ohh how beautiful and green you are. Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Oban…All I can say is you’ve absolutely blown me away and I had never expected such astonishing beauty coming from you. I’m very impressed. Napier I just wandered around with my dear roommate, Violeta, we went into a couple of the shops of course wanting to purchase everything…I refrained myself and just took pictures around the town.

 We had a nice time though..just quickly exploring the town..it was very cheers-like….nice to get some civilization around and order a sandwich from Subway…haha. The little things in life that you tend to miss while being on a ship…trust me, it happens. We had to head back to the ship fairly early that day…so enjoyed it while we had the chance. :)

 

Then we arrived in Wellington…I worked that day but I’ll leave you with a couple pretty pictures.

 

Then onto Christchurch….Mmm hmmm. The first thing I noticed were the accents of the locals… very English-New Zealand...the town itself is very proper English. I loved it! I did a tranz alpine train through the mountains....unbelievable. wait till you see the pictures. my goodness.

The Train toured in and around these huge hills/mountains….bluffs (ha) and they were just unreal. The pictures really make it look fake! It was just stunning and endless!

 

After being on the train…we headed in to actual Christchurch the little town and oohhh my goodness I loved it there! Like I said before…it is very English. It made me want to explore more of England and all it has to offer….I’m sure I’ll be back in England sometime in the near future. Anyway though…Christchurch…have a looksy!

I love exploring off on my own and learning about the town by myself….just to soak things all in and create my own opinion on things and enjoy myself to the fullest. : )

 

Then we have Oban….Halfmoon Bay, New Zealand. Such a small small little island place. Again just wandered around…we walked up some hills to get into the actual town…maybe a half a mile away. Beautiful scenery and now sitting in the community center snaggin some free wifi. enjoy.

Until next time…talk to you after Australia. We’re headed to Tasmania..then Port Arthur, Australia…and then SYDNEY!  : ) Life is good…no matter what.