I think I'm Turning Japanese! Tokyo - Transit and first 2 days

Hi everyone!

So it's been a few days since my last post (I always seem to start the blog like that!), so I figured I would catch you up.  Right now I'm sitting in my tiny, tiny room at my hotel in Tokyo, Japan - taking advantage of about the only place in this city where I can have free wifi...

Transit to Tokyo

The flight from LAX to Tokyo's Narita went off without a hitch, as to be expected on one of the world's premier airlines, Singapore Airlines.I got to fly on one of their new Airbus A380-800 planes, which is the currently the largest passenger jet in the world, with 2 full decks of passengers.  In their configuration, the entire top deck was business class, while 70% of the bottom deck was Economy (where I was) and the remaining portion dedicated to a class of service for 'Suites'.  Basically it's almost like a mini bedroom, with a full, lie flat bed, good service, etc.  Of course, it also costs upwards of $10k for a single ticket, unless you somehow get upgraded.  Thus, back in Economy I went - which actually I had no problem with.  My seat had not only a giant touchscreen LCD (larger than most other airlines) and the full range of entertainment options that go with it, but also a USB port (with software that lets you modify office documents and view photos / play mp3s), an electrical outlet, and amazing ergonomic design.  The food was good, the service was good - Singapore Airlines rocks!

Once we landed in Narita airport, it was a long walk down many corridors to immigration / customs for Japan, which also went off without a hitch.  Then, I retrieved my luggage, and bought a train ticket on the KEISEI Skyliner, going from the airport all the way to Ueno station (a major transit hub in Northern Tokyo).  I was pretty exhausted by the time I sat down, and I was really thirsty.  They had vending machines on the train where you could buy water, soft drinks, etc. - but they didn't take credit cards, only smaller denominations of cash.  I had some Japanese Yen, but the bill size was a bit too large, so I had to wait...

Though it was difficult to see out of the window due to glare from the cabin lighting, I could see some of the landscape as we made our way down the track.  It was raining, and was a little cold too.  One of the things I saw were many McDonald's, a few 7-Elevens and KFC's... and other Japanese shops / stores identified by the Japanese writing (which I have no idea how to read - more on this later)...

Mind you, I had all my luggage with me - which consisted of a really heavy suitcase (just under 50 lbs), my yoga mat, and a jammed packed backpack that was my carry-on.  Once we got to Ueno Station, I took all of that on my person and managed, for the next 20 minutes, to lug it around all the way until getting to the hotel, which (accordingly to the research I had done previously) was located about a 5 minute walk from the Minowa station on the Tokyo Metro's Hibya Line.  Also realize it was the tail end of rush hour, and you can imagine the craziness that a Tokyo subway station undergoes during rush hour, especially in a major transit center like Ueno.

So there I was, hauling all that luggage up and down stairs, having people bump into me, almost falling down on the stairs from the weight of the luggage... It was pretty intense.  I finally found the platform for my train to Minowa, and when it pulled up... you guessed it.... P-A-C-K-E-D to the brim.  Shit.  This isn't gonna be fun, here goes.  I squeeze all my stuff into that subway car, the door closes, and everyone is pressed up into one another.  All I can think about is planning an exit strategy once the doors to my station open, so that I can actually leave the car and not have the doors close prematurely.  Somehow I make it through all this, though I was admittedly frazzled...

Ok, back up the stairs, lug lug lug.... Finally outside... Ok.... NOW where do I go?  The signs are all in Japanese.  What's the street I need again?  Lemme pull out my map... It's cold outside, it was raining too and the ground is wet...  The directions to my hotel said for me to come out of a particular exit from the subway station (they are all numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.).  Is that where I exited?  How do I find out?  Maybe I should go back inside and see if there are markings to identify which number the exit was... That means I have to lug all my luggage once again back into the station.... Ok I see it, that was not the correct exit... I need exit 3.  Where IS exit 3?  I don't know...

Ok go back up this exit, and outside, I'll try to figure it out.  Oh there's a map right next to the bus stop.  Excellent I'll just compare my notes with it.... Well, that map is in Japanese, can I make out the orientation anyway?  What street is the one I'm currently facing?  Is that Meji-Dori?  I can't tell - it's in Japanese...

Ok ok ok - don't panic (I'm starting to sweat and freak out a little bit).  Look just go down this road here, it looks just like your map, and it seems to have a similar orientation... though you're not sure, you've got nothing else to go on right now, so just try it...  But it's later in the evening, there aren't a lot of people around... what if I get lost?  How will I even know where to go?  Do I have enough money on me?  Didn't I experience something JUST like this in India???

JEFF!!!!  Get a hold of yourself - just keep walking... Ok look the street is splitting like the directions said it would... awesome!  Ok stick to the right.... Where do I cross, because I think I need to cross... Why not here?  Ok...

Walking walking walking.... Turn left into the maze... There isn't an apparent ordering to the layout (later in the trip, I found out that Tokyo is VERY organized, you just have to understand the system of Wards, Chromes and Blocks)...  Walking down tiny little avenues with no one around... I still don't see the hotel... It's been 20 minutes and I'm still walking.... Ok Ok Ok Ok.... I'll find it, don't worry... Oh look there's a woman walking down the street, I bet she can help....  I ask her where this address is, and she points - I was standing 100 feet from it!!!  Ohhhhhh it's on the south side of the street, not the north... That helps.... Finally!!

I get in the hotel, complete my checkin, and proceed to my room.... WOW... This is the smallest room I've ever seen!  There is a fold out tatami mattress and very Ikea-like efficiency for the use of space.  So I guess it won't be too bad...

Need a shower... Need to go to the bathroom... Need to CRASH... And I do!

Tokyo Day 1

I wake up around 7am, and decide to do a yoga practice in my room.  I re-fold the tatami mattress (which is actually VERY comfortable!!) to create space (otherwise there would be NONE).  I had an ok practice, really any movement just felt good after last night.  I get ready and go to the front lobby for their breakfast - which actually was pretty good!  The standard eggs, toast, etc. - only JPY 500, which is like $5.  Food, I'm finding, isn't all that expensive in Tokyo - you don't have to spend tons and tons to eat... But lodging and other items... that's another story!

One of the front desk girls gave me a ton of brochures that give you a subway map, descriptions (in English) of some popular sites, etc.  So I perused through those items at breakfast and built a list of things I'd like to see.  First item that came up was the Asakusa Temple and Shrine .  Apparently this area is an relic from the Japanese Edo Period and erected in 1649.  It appears kind of religious to me, because I see people praying in front of the shrine, whiffing the smoke from the incense pot over their heads, etc.  (Wikipedia confirms that, and tells more details - click the link above).  Part of the complex includes a HUGE shopping district with a lot of different food as well.  It's pretty crazy, with just the sheer amount of people everywhere...

Later, I decide to go to the Tokyo Skytree - which, as of this writing, is the tallest tower i the world (after the tallest structure in the world, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai).  Actually it's not just the tower but an entire shopping complex - a HUGE one at that.  It seems to be a common theme that Tokyo has shopping plaza after shopping plaza, each one more massive than the last.  This particular one seems upscale - complete with entire food supermarkets (just like I saw in Shinsegae in Seoul).  But where is the ticket office where you can buy a ticket to go to the top of the tower?  Ah it's in the center of the complex, outside as well.  I find it, but realize that since I did not have a reservation, I have to get a stand-by pass that, once my time is called, will allow me to stand in line in order to purchase a ticket.  And I can see why they make you do that - there were so many people!!  Amazing crowd control - Disney has nothing on Tokyo...

So my time slot was 3pm, and it was 2pm.  So I decided to get something to eat from the food court.  I want Ramen - I love Ramen.  I find a little place where, after seeing that I'm white and clearly not Japanese, the staff (who spoke no English) handed me an English  menu, and I pointed to the variant that I wanted.  Also just like in Seoul - some people speak English, but many, MANY more do not in Tokyo (or are afraid to, for fear that you might judge their grammar mistakes).  And yes - that Ramen was Gooooood!!!

Next, my slot for the Skytree was ready, and me (along with 10,000 school children, eldery people, disabled, everyone - all went into an elevator that whisks you 350 meters into the sky at a REALLY fast pace, with a cool light show along the way, and a video monitor that tells you the rate of ascent (which got as high as 60-65 meters per second at its peak - that's FAST!!!)...

Once it opens, everyone in the elevator went "Ahhhhhh" and "ooooh" - LOL it was funny :-)  Then we all get out, and boom - there is the Megapolis Tokyo, in all its splendor.  The city is GIGANTIC - you really have no idea just how big until you see it from that level - and I still don't think I saw the whole city, as there was some fog and clouds out.  Also, because of the clouds, I did not clearly see Mt. Fuji, though I'm told on a clear day you can easily see it...

I spent about 45 minutes - 1 hour on the observation deck, before being whisked back down to the 5th floor of the complex, where I eventually left back for the Subway to head over to Shinjuku.  I wanted to see where the Hilton Hotel was in that ward (as I was originally going to stay there but changed my mind, because of expense mainly, but also because I wanted an experience of a traditional Japanese Inn, with something a little more personable.  I did find the hotel, and it is REALLY nice - nicer and larger than I expected actually.  Most patrons and guests were white Europeans / Americans, many more in business attire no doubt conducting critical business (as the metropolitan government buildings are right next door within Shinjuku)...

Side note - 99% of the males here wear a suit and tie.  It could be that I'm traveling during the week and I happen to see them while they are walking around outside and in the subway - but seriously, almost every single man I see is in a suit.  Women are a little more dynamic in their dress - but still nothing too flamboyant for the older folks anyway.  The younger ones are all obsessed over the latest Korean pop star...

So I walked around Shinjuku some more, looking at all the tall office buildings, before deciding to head back to my hotel.  Mind you, Shinjuku is on the west side of town, I'm in the very north east, so there was some traveling to do (~45 min on 2 subway lines)...

Once I got back to my hotel, I scrambled for a little bit trying to find it!  Oh no this isn't a pattern hopefully (it's not :-) ).  Finally I found it again - now i think I can repeatedly run back and forth between the Metro stop and the hotel, I've figured that part out anyway...

Then I just came back to my room, showered and then crashed.  I slept pretty deep too, it had been a long day...

Tokyo Day 2

Today's experiences were not quite as fun as yesterday's.  I woke up around 4:45am, and deicded I would get ready and try to go to Tarik's Mysore class.  So I head out to the subway, make my way ALL the way down to Shibuya Station (towards the south end of town, while I'm coming from the north).  And here's where I get lost - I can't seem to make out which ward (ku) I'm in, which block (Chrome), or even numbered buildings within that block.   Nothing is making sense - I keep going in circles over and over again - until finally I had enough, and I just made my way back to the subway and went home.  I was kind of upset because I made a concerted effort to go and see this studio, practice at it, but the Universe had other plans in mind, mostly in an effort to make me practice patience and acceptance (that I will not be finding it today)...

So all the way back to the hotel, and I get the same breakfast I had yesterday.  I go back in the room, work on the computer some, and then head out once more towards the Imperial Palace.  Once I exit the station, I realize I'm next to the quaint Hibya Park, that itself is across from the massive Palace complex.  The park was so peaceful and serene - birds chirpin, squirrels running around, water sounds, trees rustling... and in the background the car engines and noise, but it seemed subdued...

Once I made it into the Palace grounds, the traffic noise was substantially reduced because of the high walls flanking the grounds, which made the experience much better.  There were a lot of tourists in the Palace Grounds, many of whom are European / American.  This one woman from Chicago came to me asking if I would take a picture with her and her boyfriend (fiancee?)  I could hear from her accent that she was from the midwest, and I realized that after talking with her - that was the most English I've spoken in 2-3 days, not feeling like I have to use broken English or make hand gestures all over the place lol :-)

All the crowds were trying to enter the complex via this famous brdige (famous for what I don't know).  But the entrances were guarded, so I'm not sure what was going on, but alas - did not get to see very much inside the grounds...

After I've had my fill of the Palace, I decided to give Shinjuku one more try - to see if I could understand things better.  For example, all the guidebooks and internet reviews I read tell me that Shinjuku's 2nd ward (Shinjuku Ni-Chome) has a direct connection to the most densely populated gay bars in the world.  However, I STILL couldn't navigate around that underground maze that is Shinjuku station.  Basically the transfer points are many, and the station is huge, therefore a lot of people running around everywhere.  I'm determined to find Ni-Chome and check this place out - not that I'm huge in drugs or anything, I just think the name is fun :-)

Long story short - I don't find anything - so I head back to the hotel, and now where I sit and type my blog for you lovely people to read :-)  You ARE reading all of it, aren't you??!!

See you Soon!
- Jeff :-)

Los Angeles Days 3-4; and onward to Tokyo!

Hey guys,

So I'm at the very end of my stay in LA - actually, I'm sitting at the LAX international terminal waiting for my flight to Tokyo.  It has been an amazing stay so far - I've gotten to connect with some good people and checkout some new places.  A brief run-down:

Day 3:

Yesterday was great - I woke up feeling refreshed and relaxed.  I did a short practice in my room, then headed to the Hotel lobby to get a bagel and some water.  I wanted to do something different today, something I've always wanted to do but never had the chance to do while in LA.  One of those things is visit the Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park.  The drive up the hills in Los Feliz is amazing!  The homes are beautiful, the landscaping, the scenery - everything about California is always so epic and one of the things that inspires me about this place...

So I drive up the hill (mountain, almost), park, and start walking to the observatory.  Along the way, I see people going the other direction to what looks like a hiking trail, so my instincts say I should follow them.  I do, and stumble across the hiking trail towards Mount Hollywood!  It was sooo cool - lots of fun exercise, challenging, steep hills (for me anyway).  Once you get to the top, you have some incredible views of the area and the Hollywood sign!  It was pretty foggy though (fog I hope, maybe smog :-/), so it was hard to see much of the city, but I did see a big part of the San Fernando valley.  So nice!!

Afterwards, I went to the observatory and checked out the free exhibits.  I love that place - lots of information about the universe, astronomy, history, everything - and well presented!  If I get some time I'll try to upload a bunch of photos from the hike and the observatory...

Later that evening, I realized that I was leaving for Tokyo the next day, and really had to do some laundry, as I wasn't sure when I could do it again.  The hotel only has valet laundry, and really expensive at that - so I found a local laundromat and did my laundry - that was an interesting experience, seeing all the local people - just like everyone else...

This morning I woke up early, did a short practice, and then met my friend Jay for breakfast at this cute place in Hollywood called Kitchen 24.  It was so great to catch up with him again - we share a similar philosophy on life and always have a lot to explore and discuss...

And now - I'm at the airport - waiting to board my 12 hour flight to Tokyo.  Looking forward to it immensely!

Namaste :-)

Los Angeles Days 1-2: Adjusting, Relaxing and Letting Go...

Hey guys!  I am sitting in a coffee shop near Burbank, CA and I figured I would write a blog entry while I can get free wifi (which I also have in my hotel but this is more social :-) )...

Day 1

Yesterday was a strange day - almost the entire day I was lethargic, feeling congested, and just overall BLAH.  After breakfast (from the last blog entry), I went up to my hotel room and crashed for about 4 hours.  In retrospect, I think I needed yesterday to decompress from all the hecticness of my life back in Orlando, leading up to (and including preparation for) this trip.  To be honest, over the last few months, I don’t feel like I've really been myself - I've had lots of issues physically (pain, stiff joints, digestion problems, etc.) and emotionally (frustration, annoyances, sadness, etc.)  For the first time in a while I actually had nothing to do - so my body just shut down and slept.  When I woke up I basically didn't move from the couch in the room - I stared out over the 101 Freeway (where my hotel is), where I can see the backside of the Hollywood Hills, watching the traffic go whizzing by from 19 floors up in the sky…

It’s really beautiful out here, scenery wise and weather wise, and one of the reasons I love Los Angeles (as I’m sure many do).  The fog in the morning is really cool, seeing how it literally sits in between the hills. Coming in Thursday night, I took the 405 north towards the San Fernando valley, and as I made my way to the 101 Freeway I saw all the sparkling lights down in the valley below - it was beautiful! And during the day it gets to mid 70's, low humidity, not a cloud in the sky today, and you can see the mountains in the sky's background. I wish I lived in an area with Mountains - and water, the combination of the 2 would be ideal...

Anyway, after I got myself together yesterday, I realized I need to eat something. So I did a search on my phone for vegetarian / vegan restaurants (since they're so easy to find out here, practically a dime-a-dozen), and found this amazing place 5 minutes from my hotel. It's called the Sun Cafe and most of their food is vegan or raw. I had a Kale salad, paired with a cup of Potatoe Dill soup, and perhaps the most amazing shake I've ever had! It was called the Strawberry Superfood Shake, and consisted of blended Strawberries, Goji fruit, Cashews, and agave. Man was that good! I posted a picture of it on Facebook...

After lunch, I headed to the nearest Trader Joe's supermarket to pick up a few things like water, snacks, etc. For those not in the know, Trader Joe's is like a cheaper version of Whole Foods - lots of organic options for food and products. They are building a few stores in Orlando / Winter Park, and I am super excited!

One thing you learn very quickly when driving in LA - there is traffic everywhere, and with all those cars comes a serious shortage of parking (or, parking that is charged - like everywhere you go in Hollywood, or central LA, you have to pay for parking!! Other parts of the metro are easier though). The plaza housing this Trader Joe's in Studio City was no exception - everyone is piled on top of one another, aggressively stalking each other for the empty space. When one person waits for a prior occupant to relinquish the space, all the other cars behind it are stuck waiting as well, which leads to even more cars waiting, and then being backed into the road. It's crazy how it all works - but I guess if you live here you get used to it. Orlando has its traffic problems too, but definitely not like LA...

Later, I called up my friends Louis and Karie (who live in Burbank) to go out to dinner. It's been kind of a tradition - started the first time I came to LA for work, and every time since we've met up for dinner. It's been either a sushi restaurant or a Japanese Ramen Noodle Restaurant, just across from that sushi place. Both are in a mall called the Burbank Town Center, a newer-looking shopping plaza and mall, movie theater, etc. Love me some Noodle soup! I can get it in Orlando, but somehow it's different out here - more variety, more options. Anyway we decided later that night to meet at our Ramen place (Orochon Ramen Burbank), but I got there a bit early so I just walked around the mall and the outdoors part of the connected plaza. Once we met up, we spent about 2 hours just chatting, laughing, catching up since the last time we saw each other. I knew Louis back in Elementary School (and Middle School), so we've known each other a long time, and it's really cool that we have kept in touch all this time...

After dinner I drove back to the hotel and just crashed. I slept pretty hard again - I guess my body is still adjusting to the time change and overall feeling of ickiness...

Day 2

This morning, however, I felt much better. I did a full and complete Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practice in my hotel room (I didn't yesterday, though it might have helped me feel better). Man oh man, that was one of the best practices I've had in a long time. It was magic! For my yoga friends (especially those who know me well), they know my backbends are always a challenge for me and have been since day 1 of my practice. This is contrary to what I actually hear from other teachers and/or students who observe my practice - they say my backbends are really open and graceful - I assure you the look is very VERY different from the feel! Somehow, though, this morning I had an insight - I could visualize my psoas muscle working to open my hips and control my decent backwards. It somehow worked, and I just glided down and up, down and up. I literally came out of the backbends going WOW!!

Then it got better - before final 3 poses just prior to savasana, final resting pose, I turned off the lights of the room, but sunlight still beamed through the small opening of the curtains to my room (which were, otherwise, closed). The sunlight actually shined on my head and my body - it was like a movie, sort of like I was emitting the light myself, and helped me feel connected to everything. It was so amazing...

Then I showered, called my friend Monica (it's her birthday today!), and got ready to go out for some breakfast. I decided to checkout a local bagel place - found a place called Western Bagel, and had a strawberry bagel with butter accompanied with a hot chocolate with soy. That place didn't have wifi though, so I made my way to Priscilla's Coffee - a neat little local coffee shop, where I sit now and blog, having some passion fruit herbal tea :-)

So what to do now?  I don't know, I don't have a specific plan - and it's weird, I feel a bit uneasy, but I think this is what I need to experience right now.  I need to learn to let go of attachment to a plan, to a schedule, to make sure that something is completed, a box is checked.  I live so much of that in my life back home, that taking a few days off to let life lead me where it does is not a bad thing...

That's all for now - sending <3 :-)

Los Angeles, Japan, Singapore, Bali, and Australia... It's ON!! :-)

Well it has been a while since I’ve posted anything, and normally I tend to use this blog when I’m traveling to document what I’m doing, where I’m going, etc.  With that understanding, I am actually on a trip right now!  I haven’t had the cycles to put anything into the blog while at home, because I’ve been so consumed with work, family, friends, life in general.  But let me catch you up…

So earlier this year I broke up with my boyfriend (for reasons I won’t go into here - we’re still cool though and, to my knowledge, there’s no animosity between us).  That was back in mid-March and, obviously, moved me into a different place in my life where I decided I really wanted to go on another big trip - something epic, almost as big as India (see previous blog posts) - something to allow me to explore and connect with myself and others.  India was such a life changing trip I was hoping to experience something similar - in retrospect, maybe it’s part of a process of healing and dealing with the pain of my broken relationship…

Anyway - I found out that my Ashtanga Yoga teachers who live in Bali (Prem and Radha) are having a confluence at their new retreat center in Ubud, Bali.  It was a bit expensive, but I decided to go for it and register!  That meant I had to make my way back to Bali, but as I usually do, I wanted to take advantage of stopovers - maybe go somewhere new that I’ve never been before…

Turns out I found a route that took me to Singapore (where it’s super easy to get a connection to Bali) via Tokyo, Japan!  I’ve always wanted to visit Japan, and maybe this is my opportunity.  I also have friends who live there, which would make the visit even more rewarding.  And from previous blog entries, you know of one of my friends who joined me in Bali (and India) on past trips - she now lives in Sydney, Australia.  It’s a 5+ hour flight from Bali to Sydney, and she convinced me to go there as well!  So this trip consists of:  4 days in Los Angeles (as the departure point), a week in Japan, a few days in Singapore, a week in Bali, and nearly a week in Australia.  All in all - about a month’s worth of travel.  I’ve been planning all year - and I am super excited to now be on my way!

I write this blog entry from my hotel in Los Angeles.  I left Orlando around 7pm last night, had a 5 hour flight to LAX, and after all the luggage, car rental, hotel check in, etc. - I crashed once I got to my room.  It’s now the first full day in LA, and I’m still a bit jet lagged…

One of the most amazing parts of the journey so far have been the unexpected surprises.  I found out that my good friend Jon is himself traveling to Singapore on business, and left the same day I did.  His layover is in LA, and he was on the same flight - and… get this… sitting next to me!!!!  It was so awesome - we met up in the terminal, went to dinner, boarded the plane and flew here, then parted ways once we got our luggage (my hotel isn’t near the airport, but his was, as he has an early connection for the onward journey).  We laughed and giggled almost the whole way here - he made the journey so enjoyable!!

So now it’s the next day, and I’m eating breakfast in my hotel.  I have to say - the buffet provided by this hotel is amazing!  I’ve learned my lesson about eating at buffets, but I’m starving, so I’m sticking to hot food and bread - no more cold stuff like dairy or yogurt which has made me super sick in the past!  They even have an asian selection - Dim Sum, Tofu, etc.  So nice :-)

No real plans today just yet - eventually I’m going to meet up with some friends here and spend time with them.  But the rest of the trip will be so busy, I want to take this opportunity to decompress and relax with no real agenda.  And after the last few months I’ve had in Orlando, it’s a welcome change.  I don’t have any real pictures either - though I do have a few that I posted on Facebook…

So that’s all I can think of for now.  Will write more as I’m inspired to :-)

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia: Yoga, Nature, Humidity, Sickness, Massage, Peace (in no particular order)...

Whoa - it has been like 10 days since I made an update to the blog! I'm guessing those who really read it are wondering why it has taken me so long - but really, I've made an honest attempt to unplug and just experience things here. I have been on Facebook now and then, still texting a few friends over the Internet, but haven't had the time to put into updating the blog (as it takes a lot of time to write this and upload pictures!). I'll give a brief overview of what's been going on...

So - most everyone knows there are 2 primary reasons I am in Bali right now - the first being yoga, the second to meet with my friends whom I last saw in India (also via Yoga). Both have been going really well! I REALLY like the approach that Prem and Radha have to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga - combined they have over 50 years of experience (Prem has been doing it for a very long time and you can tell when interacting with him). I think they know how to fit the practice to the student while still maintaining integrity and purpose, rather than simply making the student conform to an ideal and just do it. It's a very subtle gift (artform, really) that few teachers have, in my experience. Many people know the Ashtanga sequence, but how many know it so deep that they can see aspects of you in your practice, your personality, your energy and know exactly what kind of adjustment to give, how to break things down for individual understanding, etc. Prem and Radha click that like for me. I knew this before I even came to Bali - Prem has a book called "The Only Way Out Is In" (search for it on Amazon if you're interested) that I read previously, and just through that, I could tell I would resonate with the 2 of them. I am already having thoughts about coming back here in a year's time or so to continue study with them...

So that's the first part of our mornings - the girls and I leave our Villas around 7:45am, make the 5 minute walk to the Shala, setup the mats, Call for the Opening Mantra is at 8am sharp, 2 hours of practice, and then afterwards you can buy a coconut for 10,000 Indonesian Rupiah (like USD $1), and then head back to the Villas for a quick shower and change of clothes. Breakfast is free here until 11am, and usually we just make the cutoff. At first Breakfast was really nice - your choice of a set of 3 different kinds of breakfast: Continental (Toast, Butter/Jam, Fruit), American (the same as Continental but you get an Egg Omlette and Ham if you desire, but we're all Vegetarian so we leave that out), or Indonesian (Usually Mie Goreng, or some rice dish). Also you get a fruit plate, free juice and tea/coffee. After 10 days or so of this, it's getting a little repetative, but we can't beat the convienence and the price!

Oh I forgot to mention - Prem and Radha have Discussion and Q&A on Thursdays after practice, so that particular Thursday the girls went into town for breakfast. I suspect we'll do the same this coming Thursday...

After eating breakfast, we usually lounge around and chat, laugh, reminisce, catch up, and laugh some more. I love these girls so much - they are just amazing people, all of us click so easily together. It's like we've been friends for 20 years, and I suspect we will try to keep in touch for a long time to come, at least I will - it's very special what we have going on...

Days are very relaxed and laid back - they often consist of going for a swim in the pool (the villa complex in which we stay has a nice Pool), reading on our own, or walking into Ubud town. We are in a part of Ubud that's a little remote from the hustle and bustle of the actual town (which, during the week, is VERY busy with a lot of traffic and activity). To get there, we have to go through the Monkey Forest, which is basically a big forest where - you guessed it - a lot of Monkeys live! There is a tourist entrance that you have to pay for if you want to go down to the main drag and interact with the monkeys, but otherwise there's a separate footpath that we usually take to just cut through to Ubud. Initially, the monkeys are cute and it's fun to watch them play with each other, jump all around, etc. However, they can be mean - like really obnoxious! They often grab people's bags, rip them open so everything comes flying out, and scour it for food. They're used to people giving them food, as that's part of the tourist trap for the attraction - you give the monkey food, you watch them up close and personal. One of them even jumped on my friend - I wasn't there but I'm sure it was scary. I don't like them much so I try to stay away - and most of the time they leave you alone if you don't have anything flashy or swinging off your arm. Put away your sunglasses, your camera / cell phone, even brightly colored scarfs or clothing, else the monkeys will likely come and harass you.

Yesterday I had my first experience with that - perhaps it was the time of day that we were walking back from Ubud town to the villas. I think most of the tourists had gone home and there was just foot and motorbike traffic on the upper path where we normally walk. All of a sudden one of the young monkeys hissed at me at started to follow me. I became a little freaked out, and started walking faster. I pursued a little faster still. I don't know what he saw that he wanted but sometimes, I'm told, they just like to make trouble! They're like obnoxious 3 year old children who provoke you to see what you'll do, what food they can get, or just cause mischief. Eventually I turned a corner and lost him, but seriuosly that was freaky - I'm hesitant to walk through that forest anymore, but you basically have to in order to get to town - the only other way is a really far detour that you'd have to drive, meaning either rent a motorbike or get a taxi...

Don't know why I haven't tried to rent a motorbike here. Driving in Ubud can be dangerous, I guess - I mean, I did it in Thailand so I'm not a complete stranger (and both countries, Thailand and Indonesia, drive on the left, whereas I'm used to the right)...

Anyways, once you get through Monkey Forest the rest of Ubud is quite charming. Lots and LOTS of arts and crafts, clothing for sale. Some of the galleries house really beautiful paintings! I didn't price them but they are quite lovely. There are the usual Kopitiams (similar to Malaysia Coffee shops, but probably a bit nicer, at least in my experience in both places). One of my favorites is this place called "Kafe" on Hanoman street, really laid back, lots of funky westerners, fantastic food too! Pricey though...

Speaking of price, I've had a hard time adjusting to the currency here. It's usually in thousands of Rupiah, and sometimes your bill at a restaurant or clothing shop or whatever can be like 250,000 Rupiah! Just so you know, that's like USD $25 - so it's not that outrageous, but probably more expensive than other parts of Bali, since there are so many tourists here...

I did get to bargain for some clothing - 2 nice button down shirts and a sarong! I wore one of the outfits to dinner and I got some nice compliments for it. All I need is the Balinese headress and I'm set! Maybe before I leave I'll get one...

Let's see what else? Oh yes - the latter part of last week I was really sick. Basically, I might have gotten something in Korea that took a few days to ferment in my stomach and become full blown sickness. I had been feeling the grumbling sound in my stomach just like I had in India, in Malaysia, in Thailand... It's called something different in every city or country. Here it's Bali Belly, in India it's known by many names (Delhi Belly, Calcutta 2-step which is my favorite, etc.) Seems I always get a gastrointestinal parasite or something when I travel in Asia. At first, I though I would wait a day or so to see if my body took care of things on its own. But by the 3rd day, I had enough of being tied to the toilet and bedroom (one of the days I didn't leave the villa at all, I was constantly going!). I had to skip yoga too which really sucked...

So on the third day of sickness I decided to go to the local clinic. The resort was kind enough to drive me there, and even wait for me while I saw the doctor. They examined me, took my vitals, etc. But also wanted me to give a blood sample and a stool sample (YUCK!!! Never have I done anything so disgusting in my life!!!), but I wanted to get this taken care of, so if it helps them confirm their diagnosis, ok. In retrospect, I think they just wanted to charge me more for the tests, but whatever...

So the result? Salmonella! It is a nasty bacteria that you want to get taken care of right away, I wish I had done it sooner. In fact I remember when I had dysentary in India, I told myself that I would go for western medical care immediately should it happen again. LOL I guess that didn't work as planned since I waited 3 days! But now on some strong antibiotics which appear to be working very well. I am so grateful for them!

The sickness was probably the worst part of my experience thus far (it was not fun at all), but the best has to be the Balinese people themselves. They are so charming, so kind, and genuinely happy! It's amazing - they smile at you, they always say hello, they like to engage and interact. Some of them are so beautiful in their physical features too - I guess it's like any culture, but I found some of the South Koreans and Balinese on this trip to be quite attractive. But it's their energy that makes you feel happy!

Oh just remembered - there's another restaurant that's within easy walking distance of our villa called "D'Warang" or something (actually most things are within walking distance, and there are LOTS of restaurants and cafes called Warang, just like every restaurant in India seems to be a variant of "German Bakery" LOL - friends who have been to India will understand that one, the rest of you might not :-) ). Anyway, for the first week here we basically ate at D'Warang almost every evening - it's very small and run by this lovely Balinese woman who definitely knows how to cook! I think someone said she used to work in a 5 star resort, not sure where. Anyway, not only is the food good there, but "D" comes up to our table every time we're there and chats us up! She is a social butterfly and loves to engage with her customers, asking them almost everything, where are you from, why you are in Bali, etc.

Now for me, because I'm American, she has a special name for me - "Mr. New York". Actually when she says it, it's more like "Meeesteerrr Neewww YORRRKKKK!!!!", even though I repeatedly tell her I am not from New York! I guess they just know about New York and Los Angeles as the major cities of the U.S. I later realized there is a double meaning behind this name - via another American guy who frequents the restaurant as well. This guy actually IS from New York, a bonifide Italian American with a thick, New York accent. "Ehh Fuggedahboutit" LOL. "D" only told us about him at first, and we didn't meet him until later. This burly American guy comes to our table and asks to clear our plates - I thought it strange, who is this man? Then "D" Comes up and points to him and says "MEEESTER NEW YORK!!!" Ohhhhhh so YOU'RE the famous one! I chat with him a bit, he's a nice guy and really has affection for "D" since he helps her out by cleaning the tables, etc. - this is a customer mind you, who just enjoys the place that much and wants to connect with "D" and her family. I should try to get a picture of not only "D" but also Mr. New York before I leave. We'll see...

What else? Oh - today I had my first Balinese massage. O-M-G it was amazing! There are spas upon spas upon spas in Ubud, so you easily have your pick of where you want to go. Some places are really cheap, some more expensive, but I'm finding that you often get what you pay for in Bali in terms of hygiene, service, etc. (not just spas but restaurants, resorts, etc. Seems obvious right?) Though the Villa where I stay has a spa too (which I might try later on), I opted to go for the recommended place just up the street (my friend who has been to Bali before said that was really nice). She was right!! Super nice space, very clean and tidy, fresh flowers, running water, the works! It was 207,000 Indonesian Rupiah for a 60 minute Balinese Traditional Massage. That's about USD $20!! The equivalent done in the U.S. would probably cost $100 at minimum, but likely more...

Anyway, I pay, and I'm led all the way down a path into the villa complex which is much larger than it appears on the road. I go to the spa area, I enter and it's 2 beds nicely made with fresh flower pedals around. I think normally they do couples massage there. I'm told to go to the shower room (really big place, very clean), and change into a kimono robe. Then they give you this paper underwear thing that's like - really strange! But whatever, I'm not shy, it's all professional anyway, it's too nice a place to be the one that gives "Happy Ending" if you know what I mean...

So I change, and come back into a room to be greeted by yet another person. This time, a young man was about 25 years old, give or take a few years. He will be my masseur. Ok, on the table, let's roll.... Ohhhhh My God...... this kid's hands are amazing.... He has to have been doing this for 10 years or so, it seemed to me. It was really, really good. Afterwards, I go to the adjacent shower and have, for the first time in a week and a half, a proper, hot, full pressure shower, as the Villa where I stay has a nice bathroom for sure, but the water pressure is really weak for the temperature that is most comfortable to shower. If you put it hot, it's SCOLDING with high pressure. But lower, the pressure goes off a lot asn is very weak. So needless to say, it was soooo nice to have a regular shower again...

I get changed, come back outside, and another person takes me to the cafe where I am served a plate of fresh fruit (VERY fresh), bread and an amazing tea that could become my favorite tea (next to true, Indian Masala chai). It was ginger black tea with palm sugar and some cinnamon. It was really, really nice. All in all, I'd rate the whole experience on par with the best massages I've ever had in my life!

So that's about it for now - tomorrow is a moon day so there is no yoga practice. Thus, the Ashtangis are keen to go out and have a nice dinner, so I'm gonna get ready for that very soon. I've still got about a week and a half left to spend in Ubud, and there's a number of things I want to do still. Saturday we may take our first excursion and drive somewhere north or east, like one of the volcanoe tours would be awesome! Even if I don't get to do everything I want, I know this will NOT be my last time in Bali, so I'm ok with putting it off until the next visit...

Meanwhile, you read through all that text - so you deserve some pictures! Here are some pics, ordered by: The villa where I stay, Ubud Town, a Bali Temple, and me eating something :-)

















Namaste and Love from Ubud, Bali, Indonesia :-)

In Bali... Still alive... Enjoying Life!

Just a quick update - yes, still in Bali, enjoying the days here. It's really hot and took some getting used to (coming from very cold Seoul), but overall having an amazing time. Meeting up with my girls from India has been wonderful - it's like we picked up right where we left off over a year ago...

My day consists of -- waking up at 7am, walking 5 minutes to the Yoga Shala to practice Mysore with Prem and Radha, getting a coconut (sometimes), walking back to my villa, having breakfast, possibly going into Ubud town for errands, shopping, eating, etc. But we've also taken liesurely days off just hanging by the pool, chatting, reading, enjoying ourselves...

I'm currently at a restaurant close by to my villa, just finished an amazing dinner, but about to leave soon. Hope that I can post pictures soon too, but it's difficult because the internet is slow it's just not that easy as it was in other cities. That and I seem to have less inclination, more to just chill and relax and do yoga...

So anyway - yes, all is well - loving every minute... Namaste :-)

Bali, Indonesia: Arrival & Ready to unplug...

Greetings from a warm and muggy Ubud, Bali, Indonesia! This post will be really short as I am tired of being on the computer and I want to disconnect for a while. Maybe I'll write a longer one when time permits...

So the flight from Seoul was easy enough - about 6 hours 45 minutes long, landing in Bali just before midnight. Going through Indonesian customs was easy too, although a lot more chaotic than Korea that's for sure. As soon as I step outside, the immediate thing you notice is the temperature - holy COW it's warm and humid, feels like summertime in Central Florida! Big, BIG difference from the bitter cold of Seoul, South Korea. I think I prefer this much more...

Anyway, I got in pretty late, and Katja & Sarah were asleep already but left a note with the reception that manages the villas I'm staying at - aww it was sooooo very sweet to be welcomed like that. And when I did get to see them it was amazing - it's like things haven't changed since India one year ago. We constantly laugh, smile, and then laugh some more. They are truly lovely ladies and great friends to have!

So it's been pretty quiet and laid back this morning / afternoon. We ate breakfast, we went to the yoga shala where we start practice with Prem and Radha tomorrow morning to pay the fees, discuss issues, etc. I was concerned that it would be a walk from our villa location, but seriously it's like 5 minutes away, could NOT have chosen a better location!

And here I am! Probably going to go for a swim in their pool soon, maybe read a little and relax. That's what I want to do now - relax, not worry about things, unplug for a while...

Namaste & Love from Bali :-)