last day in vermont

as i drove to bhava yoga center in brattleboro this morning, the incredibly white snow clung to every branch of every tree, making them appear larger and more three-dimensional than the normal grey of this time of year would allow. i realized how amazing it truly is that i am able to experience the beauty and stillness of white winter in vermont one day, and practically the next, experience the heat and chaos of india. a giddy euphoria wells up within me as i ponder just how i will be spending the next several months of my life: hot, sun-filled days, spicy foods, challenging experiences, exotic language and land, profound teachings, and enlightening realizations (i hope). 

today saw the final preparatory steps taken: photocopies of ids, traveler's checks obtained, malaria and antibiotic prescriptions filled (emergency only), and my bags packed. there is not much else left to do, other than cuddle darjeeling (the kitten at my house) and gaze at the northeastern stars.

itinerary update:

agra through the 15th, then back to delhi for an evening flight to mumbai. from there i have yet to decide whether or not to continue onto ganeshpuri (late into the night) for saturday morning guru gita recitation, or wait until saturday morning to leave mumbai. ganeshpuri will see me only thruough monday (maybe tuesday) then off to the caves at ellora, and back to mumbai for elephanta island and down south across the tip hopefully stopping at hampi to do some bouldering and temple gazing before establishing myself at the mother's house.