PONDICHERRY and AUROVILLE

12-18 September 2014, Pondicherry / Auroville( INDIA)

Pondicherry, a former colonial city of France, now became independent and renamed it self as Puducherry. It is probably one of the most expensive cities here in south India.. France has left it´s flair in this city that can be seen by its houses, most of them are now hotels for tourist and some of them are totally runned down. As seen in many parts of India, pollution is everywhere, sadly the rivers and canals and all the streets are not maintained so that all is full with garbage. Besides the french influence that we noticed in Pondicherry we also saw many Ashrams of Sri Aurobindo in the french quater. While Pondicherry couldn't offer much to us, we remembered a place called Auroville.

Griselda, a friend we met in Vadyagrama encouraged us to visit Auroville, when she heard of our plan having an eco village of our own. She said „you have to visit Auroville!“. Auroville is an international town that started in 1968. Very near to Pondicherry, we decided to leave the city after two nights a head straight to this village.

So we went to that place that attracted us somehow eventhough we did not know a lot about it.

We experienced many impressing and intense situations in some of Auroville´s districts.

„Auroville wants to be a universal town where men and women of all countries are able to live in peace and progressive harmony above all creeds, all politics and all nationalities. 
The purpose of Auroville is to realise human unity.“

To know more about Auroville: http://www.auroville.org

 

Vadiagrama (Coimbatore)

Friday 12^th September 2014, Pondicherry ( INDIA)

An ayurveda hospital what seems to be like a village in the middle of nature. A healing place where people of all nations come to relax, rejuvinate and be healed. Our first days in this place were not easy. We did not know what to expect, in relation to the western world where the doctors explain everything what they are doing and will be doing. Here, we were confronted with situations in which the only thing that the doctor asks is to show our tounge, eyes and let them feel our pulse, they expect us to surrender in their medical practice. In the eastern medical way, the doctors are treated as wisest one whom one should trust without questioning their capabilities, in short one has to have faith. After a few days we got used to the bitter medicine every five in the morning and in the afternoon, and after each dull tasteless meal. The meal wasn´t spiced so much for the reason of it was not to satisfy the tounge but to cleanse the entire body, and it really did. We have met a lot of wonderful and nice people in this healing village. Within the first week, we soaked in to the atmosphere of the unique experience of the place and were able to enjoy the theraputic massages and oil treatments especially suited for each person. We started to treasure the serinity, the sound of nature, and the sweetness of doing nothing and to concentrate on oneselves healing process. Eventhough this was a hospital for healing, the indian culture was so present in the daily routine and also the impressive ceremonies that were celebrated together with us in the yoga hall, left a remarkable experience in our minds.

This place is not just a hospital but a place where the villagers, nurses, and doctors are not only working but as well living, a place that does not only focus on the healing aspect of ayurveda but to actually live it. Ayurveda means the knowledge of long and healthy life and tries to teach people how to live healthy in harmony with nature. The 21 day experience was intense and at the same time relaxing and healing for our body and mind. We were very thankful for the opportunity of being in a little patch of heaven that helpt us to balance our body and mind.

A great way of starting a new chapter in life.

For those who are interested :  http://www.vaidyagrama.com 

RAVENSBURG

9-19 August 2014

Our successful Hitch-tour from Rhein river to the South (of Germany) brought us to Ravensburg where our lovely Grandparents together with sister Judith welcomed us. We had so many experience in so little time with so many nice people.

Judy took us to a nice movie and went with us to a very nice and unique thermal bath in Überlingen very near to the Lake-Konstanz. A feast at Aisha´s Birthday-party in a chinese Restaurant, Max even reminded us to enjoy the meal, coz we won´t be having the same kind in the Ayurveda treatment.We feasted with the Igels during Pangratius´ Christening and saw all their wonderful(permaculture) projects in the Farm. We had a really good get together with the Nüberlins at the Pizzeria(the Pizza was so great!). A Visit to our dearly friend Sybille and her mother the Gräfin of Felz was a very meaningful time to spend.

Auntie Barbara toured us to her great and humble town called Ulm and to the sourrounding nature esspecially the place called Blautopf. A Spring which is incredibly deep and seems to give an enchanting feeling of it´s beautiful blue colored lake-like spring.

We had a wonderful stay at our Grandparents house. Grandma used to cook meals as always for us.. we miss it :). Sometimes, we went out to nice Restaurants where we could enjoy the Schwäbisch cuisine, very delightful. We had nice conversations under a tree eating ice cream and playing a game called GENIAL! (it´s a fantastic and enjoyous game! :) ) At our last days on a sunny Sunday morning, we drove to Sulzberg for a hike and to enjoy the view of the mountain ranges of the Alpines.

Even we will be so far away they will be so near in our hearts!

We are so Lucky to have these wonderful people as friends! :)