Palace of Illusions

I recently read a thrilling account of the Mahabharata, one of the ancient epic stories of India. Similiar to the Iliad, it was full of vengeance, deceit, envy and war. This particular account was told from Princess Panchaali's point of view, which was maybe why I was so captivated with her story.

The entire story was fated, the characters knew what their destinies were and unfolded them perfectly, like actors on a stage. The most important things they had was their word & honor and they would stop at nothing to protect it.

Man, times have changed. People talk a lot of shit and don't back it up. Comfort is king and few people go out of their way to protect anything. I bet a lot of people wish they knew their destinies, so they could know what purpose to pursue instead of guessing at what they're supposed to be doing. Sometimes something that seems so right might end up so wrong. But was it fated that way? Destined to be so?

The jury is still out on that one. Maybe the truth of existance only lies outside this world of pleasure and sorrow. And so we're left to meander on through our own palace of illusions.

Gotta Go to Goa!

I've heard so many stories about the hippie beach town of Goa, so I knew I had to stop there while I'm in India. I was only there for a weekend, but it's safe to say those few days were the most enjoyable of all my time here. The beaches are beautiful, the local culture is rich and the party vibe of the beach shacks made me feel right home.

 Everyone kept telling me I have to go to Curlie's beach shack in particular. I was determined to find it, but it proved pretty difficult. The streets of Anjuna Beach are narrow, bumpy and not lit at all, but a dozen u-turns later, we found the Curlie's parking. From there, we set out on foot, navigating our way through a dark trail of dense palm trees. Stepping right in a giant puddle of mud only added to the adventure and reminded me how damn clumsy I can be sometimes.

When we finally walked into Curlie's (after cleaning my feet in the sea) it was like finding that elusive oasis. This place had everything we could ever want. A chill smoking session lounge room, a crazy dance floor full of interesting characters, relaxing beach chairs, expats from all over the world, and munchies galore.

The people watching was out of this world! Party people from all over the world come and get super fucked up, offering hours of entertainment and interesting conversations. If you're ever in India, you gotta go to Goa. And find Curlie's. You'll be glad you did~

Fumbling through the Vedanta

India is known for its spirituality, so naturally I hoped some of the age-old wisdom would rub off on me. I like to think of myself as a spiritually advanced person. While I am not religious and do not particularly appreciate the label "God" I instead attribute that infinite, omni-everything to the term "Universe." It has many names; Brahman, Atman, Consciousness, so call it what you will.

In search for It, I picked up a few good books; Autobiography of a Yogi and The Eternities: Vedanta Treatise. Humans are comprised of body, mind (emotions) and intellect. I respond best to intellectual spiritualism, ie reading. These books reinforced ideas that I was already familiar with; God is within each of us, we are all one and we must give up our worldly desires to transcend to eternal bliss. Intellectually, I get all that. But putting it into practice is easier said than done. Desires flood my mind every second of everyday. Currently, I am craving California sushi. Mmmmmm sushi...

Okay, fine, I can drop my cravings for sushi. And Starbucks. And good Mexican food. And vegan pizza. In time, hopefully I can drop all my worldly desires of material wealth, name and fame. For the last few years, I've been trying to practice the art of meditation, when apparently I never prepared my mind for it in the first place by releasing my desires. Shit, I'm much less spiritually advanced than I thought. And apparently really hungry...

Market Madness

The sights, sounds and smells of the market make it a must on any trip to India.

The Caswell market in Mumbai is fun to go to, even if it's raining. The vendors conveninetly place themselves under the awnings of buildings and everything is compacted into one large strip that's easy to walk through. Haggling is an interesting part of the experience. When they see a tourist they quadruple the prices so you have to talk them back down. I think they still made a killing off me, but that's okay. You can always walk away from a deal and they'll either chase you down with a better price, or you'll find the same item for less a few stalls down. The smells of street food are enticing, but during the monsoons its not a good idea to indulge. Instead, enjoy the unique handcrafted treasures you found along the way.

Adventures in Filming

I had big plans today. I'm filming a short video on India for the local NGO Be The Key and I was really excited to explore the city with camera in hand. With my tentative shot list, I headed out the door and was immediately met with drizzle. I'm no sissy girl, so I put on a head scarf (which made me feel super authentic) and marched on.

Cut to: me staking out my first shot at a nearby school. Suddenly, the skies open up and dump me with buckets of rain. Like a drowned rat, I scurried away and snuck into a local restaurant. Disappointment set in as I realized another day would be wasted indoors. Stupid monsoons...

One of my best, and worst, qualities is my determination and I vowed to make it a day of adventure. Afterall, my pants were only wet up to my knees. And I'm no sissy girl! So I hired a cab and went on my way, despite the non-stop down pour. When the world gives you rain, you might as well sing in it.
 Here's a few stills from the days adventures.

The Art of India

I went to an art exhibit in Mumbai, showcasing international artists. Although I liked the show, it was compiled of the same Western images I'm used to. Semi-nude photography, abstract shapes and clique Indian street photography from an outsider looking in. I much prefer to soak up the local art, which better depicts the culture.

Spirituality is engrained in everday life here, many wear the all-seeing third eye as proof of their morning prayer. So naturally, their deities are beautifully predominant in their paintings and sculptures.

Femininity is often a symbol of beauty in art. But instead of sexually depicting the bodily form of women, they tend to showcase the overall essence of the Divine Mother in all her glory.

Music and movies are very representative of culture, past and present. Many Indian films explore societal pressures, whether it be the harsh school grading systems, the predetermined career path in which the individual has no choice, or the arranged marriage woes. Yet the takeaway is always to follow true love and dare to dream. Against all odds. As the new generation paves their way, more modern themes are emerging: homosexuality and going abroad in search of a new life.

Most popular music is directly from these epic 3 hour long movies which require an intermission. Bollywood has made a unique art in weaving these music video breaks into any story. Bright colors, choreographed dancing and wind blowing through the protagonists hair is a must. The high pitched woman singing is distinct, which goes hand in hand with the spectacle.

The art of India reflects the culture perfectly; full of tradition, loud and unapologetic.