Traveling In India with Friends - A Spiritual Journey

Julie and I once had a guide in Croatia, who after a few moments of rattling off facts and figures about a building, took one look at our glazed over expressions and said, "I will not torture you with details, nor trouble you with names." The six little pigs had a great day in Chennai and I will try to abide by my friends motto as I give you the highlights of this special city.

Chennai is a unique city because of its connection to the East India Company and Fort St George. As the pigs truffle through the South, we will primarily be visiting Hindu temples. However, today we visited two Christian Churches:  St Thomas Basilica Catholic Cathedral (where the apostle St Thomas was buried); and St Mary's which is inside the walls of Fort George and is the oldest Anglican Church in Asia. We also visited Fort St George which was one of the two forts which housed the British troops in India.

Both St thomas Basilica and St Mary's shared two common threads:  Christ and memorials. St Thomas basilica highlighted the crypt of St Thomas and his relationship to Christ and the other apostles while St Mary's highlighted Christ and the memorials to all who died in service to their country, or while giving childbirth. We found both churches beautiful and refreshing in their simple surroundings.

What really made our day special was our friendships. We find happiness with our friends if we expect it there. I watched as each little pig found a particular memorial plack or gravestone that moved them, then call out to others to share the emotion. I laughed in St Thomas' crypt as the lights went out leaving us in total darkness underground and one pig sings out "Onward Christian Soldiers," and we all marveled at the statue of the Virgin Mary dressed in her Indian Sari - showing us  the common threads we all share. I am grateful to have friends to share these experiences with. We receive from every experience in proportion to what we give ,and what each one of these little pigs gives to each other is the uniqueness that is themselves. Yes, today the six little pigs enjoyed Chennai but most importantly we enjoyed each other.

M

The Thrill of The Chase - Tiger Trekking in India

We are on our way to Chennai( formerly Madras) where we will soon be six pretty pigs instead of four. 

Before moving on I want to talk just briefly about the elusive Indian Tiger. Nagarhole is not the only tiger habitat we will visit on this trip but it is one of the countries best. The park is a 640 square kilometer wildlife perserve which also serves as habitat for elephant, leopard and an assortment of prey for these predators.

There is nothing like the search for tiger and no where in the world can you experience it better than in India. I have spent over a year analyzing my response to the tiger. The flying pigs explored five tiger reserves in India last year. We were very fortunate to have a number of sightings and although they were different, we had the same emotion and sensations each time. I have come to the conclusion that the experience is based on primevel memory and is strongly instinctive and without reason.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE? 

It comes from the gut and originates in that part of your brain that is hard to articulate. Your hearing is acutely sensitive to the sounds of the forest. When you hear the alarm of a monkey your heartbeat quickens, your skin begins to tingle, your stomach tightens. You listen; you hear Every single little thing.....you know it is there. Your heart is racing, your body is clinched and you feel Him. Your eyes are focused, your pupils narrowed but you do not see. You are only attuned to the sounds, the alarms that get closer and closer. You KNOW He is there....your hair is electric,your breathing shallow.....you KNOW HE IS THERE....watching.....waiting. You KNOW.

He is THERE.

And sometimes, you're surprised and delighted in a totally unexpected way!

M

Rex Sees India - Daily Photos

Rex is a very well-traveled bear. He holds the Guinness World Record for most miles traveled by a toy mascot. If there were a prize for "best" traveled he would win that too, but he doesn't like to show off. Rex likes organic honey, nature walks and theme dressing.

Ghandi-Esque Rex 

Spring Awakening. Rex enroute to Mahabalipuram

Eat Your Way Through India

Four little pigs are eating their way through Southern India. Two little piggies love very spicy fare. One little piggy loves mildly spiced fare. The last little piggy likes Varsity hot dogs and french fries! There is something here in India for every palate.

The South of India ia a huge agricultural community. Markets abound in fresh fruits and vegetables. Rice fields are common as are crops of sugar cane.Since I am the picky eater little piggy, I would love to share some of the Indian fare I love.

Tomatoes that truly grow on vines, cucumbers, okra, cauliflower, peppers, onions, squash, beans red carrots and eggplant are just a few of the vegtables you find in the fresh produce department of your local outdoor market. They use all these vegetables in a variety of ways but my favorite is RAITA which is yogurt with cucumbers. I also never pass up a home grown tomato! I love rice no matter how it is prepared (plain, saffron or pilao which is like rice pilaf.)

Bread has always been my downfall and it is no different here. Naan and Puri are my vice and when you add a little mixed fruit jam to a puri its like eating a jelly doughnut! I had TWO this morning.

Cows are sacred here so I stick to chicken and fish. They cook them in a Tandoor clay oven and its better than a Big Green Egg when it comes to making the meat juicy and tender. My favorites are Tikka fish and Tandoori chicken.

Last but not least my staple snack, dessert and friend maker while in India are M and M's with my favorites being plain and peanut. Bon Apetit!

M

Four Little Piggies in India - Daily Photos

A prize goes to the first person who can spot the leopard in this photo. Leave in comments!

3 Little Piggies Outside a temple in Nagarhole National Park

Toby Sinclair, Our Very Own Papa John

Have you ever seen great joy, love and respect pour out of one's eyes into anothers soul? We witnessed this over and over today as the people and staff of Kabini River Lodge greeted our Toby Saab. For you see, he is the living extension of a man who touched each of their lives everyday for many years.

Papa John Wakefield lead the conservation and wildlife preservation movement in India for more than 30 years and he just recently passed away. Everyone here loved this man with their hearts and souls. Read more about the life of Papa John HERE. 

The people we have encountered love Toby Saab much the same way they loved Papa John. How we all long to make such a difference in this world. It is a beautiful thing to witness and be a part of, and today the 4 little pigs were truly blessed. May you too be this blessed someday.

XO

M

Mumbai - Holy Smokes!

We arrive in Mumbai a little after midnight. I check the weather on my blackberry and it states 69 degrees and smoke. SMOKE! What does smoke mean? Is something burning? Three perky little pigs whisk through customs and baggage claim eager to see our Toby Sinclair - India guide extraordinaire -  once more. 

Four Little Piggies + Toby: Yeardley Williams, Toby Sinclair, Martha Gaughen, Meg McGriff North & Vicki Upchurch

We carry an 8x10 picture of him to hold up to the awaiting crowd. I cry out, "Has anyone seen this man?" And a wonderful gentleman approaches and with his Indian accent says with excitement "He is over there!" Toby sees us, sees the sign and let's out an exclamation of both joy and chagrin. I can tell he is thinking, "Here we go again!"

Gateway to India across from Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai

Meg & Martha sandalwood facial. Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai

We are back in India and so thrilled to be here. There is no smoke but there is the smell of sandalwood incense. Yes we are back in India where all the senses are brought to max overdrive. The smells, the sounds, the texture of all that is India wash over you every minute of everyday.


M

When Pigs Fly

Thank you for reading my very first blog post! I hope you'll follow my blog and enjoy this little piggies adventures!

When pigs fly it is a special time. No,this is not Vegas. This Little Piggy is in the City of Lights...Paris! Where else can you be with such friends as Patrick, Antoinette and Laurence who make the city come alive for me. I watched a butcher prepare his choice cuts of beef while singing "No Woman No Cry" by Bob Marley. I ate the best steak tartare I have ever had at Le Stella Bistro, and walked the streets of the left bank with a guide who opened my eyes and heart to all the amazing things that make up this oldest part of Paris. 

It is special when pigs fly and its not about how you get there as much as what you do when you are there. Next stop - INDIA!

Bon Soir Mon Amis,

M

Preparing to Explore

I cannot tell you how excited I am to venture back to India once again...Now you have the chance to experience it with me.