...sitting under the bodhi tree...

Namaste,

It has been roughly 10 days since our last post, and I know our loyal followers must have been checking everyday to see if we have written. Our apologizes, we have been immersed in the colourful culture that is india. Let us first answer the question of everyones mind, yes it is hot, very hot, 40+ everyday we have been here. We understand now that this is due to the taunting and mokcing that we bestowed on everyone back home during the months of dec-feb when you saw snow and we saw sand...we are sorry...not too sorry but we are melting away here. We have taken to having naps from between 12-2 to stay cool and hydrated during the hottest parts of the day and are adjusting quite well thus far.

When last we wrote we were in the south in Trichy, from there we took our first train to chennai for one night and then our 13th flight of the trip to kolkata to cut rougly 30 hours of train travel and give us amble time to get to delhi, from here on out we are slaves of the indian railway system. Upon arrival in kolkata we became quite aware that every previous country was just a warmup in someway for india. The traffic in hanoi, the heat of indonesia, the begging of cambodia, the power outages of laos have all prepared us to feel not quite as overwhelmed as id india was our port of entry instead of exit. Kolkata is still an incredible city, and despite the preparations we were quite taken aback by it. It has been the only place where in the same field of view you can see something that will make you cry, smile, laugh, think, question and fill you with joy all together. It was no wonder that Mother Teresa came to call it home as many people need the help of a selfless indivual. One afternoon we made our way to her tomb to see the remains of a future saint. No matter your religion, you can se the good she has done in the organization she founded.

With walking the streeets just as entertaining as many attractions we have seen thus far, much of kolkata was seen in this fashion. Many a cricket match was observed by sitting as much as possible in the shade. Yet again as all busy cities we looked forward to seeing the countryside and leaving the hussle-bustle. We that said, we bought our first overnight train tickets and headed for Bodhgaya, the site of the buddha's enlightenment.

Which is where we are currently writing this post, we have spent the past two days on the temple grounds sitting, thinking and people watching as the masses pass through to see the actual spot of his enlightenment. The original bodhi tree was destroyed but a sappling was saved. This sappling was taken to sri lanka and thrives today, and from that tree they took a sapling and planted it back in bodhgaya in the very spot the original stood. It now sprawls out and is in its prime. A beautiful place to sit and enjoy the peace away from the market stands outside the complex. This has been one highlight of many on this trip for sure and has allowed for much reflection of the entire4 months to date. With that being said there is roughly only 3 weeks till we return and we can then elaborate on the posts we have made.

Anyway, back to the tree we go before we head to a hindu pilgram site of Varansi in the morning.

Love you all very much,

jay/maeve