Airports... and Mountains.

This is so funny.  I feel almost as if I m doing a 24 hour solo again, only this time I am in the complete opposite setting from last time.
Beautiful mountainous terrain is replaced by international airport hustle. Instead of fresh open air, I am contained in air-conditioned terminal air. Rather than birds and distant dog howls, I hear the chatter of a hundred different languages all around me. Rather than the complexity and mystery of the beautiful trees and foliage, I am now surrounded by countless replicas of designer brand stores, duty free liquor gleaming with prices, and staple coffee and food shops.
Instead of my thoughts echoing into nature, my thoughts swirl out into an abyss of jet-lagged, streamlined travelers.
And yet I feel a similar energy within myself...
The same as last time, if I want this experience to be anything other than WHAT IT IS, I will be miserable. SO I can whine to myself about being here for so long, or I can get lost in the comforting friendliness of my own mind, allowing it to be free. Putting restrictions on what we wish reality could be like in this moment, or how we wish we were in this moment, only puts strains on the self which create inner conflict. Whether in an undesirable airport terminal, completely plugged in (as it were) to "reality", or on a distant mountaintop away from other humanity, the inner reality may be a constant stream of peace with how things are naturally playing out; peace with what is.
So, I am trying my best to NOT try... to tap into this peace. And though I am getting strange looks for stretching in my bright-hippie clothes in the corner on the floor, I think I am at least more at peace here than many of these people running around, looking at the next thing they could buy... we have it all backwards.

I Hate The System.

I Hate The System So MUCH. I just tried to get on an earlier flight home- I even started crying and begging, and saying that my sister was having a baby! The universal response? "I'm sorry, we can't do that for you ma'am." ...Just one little seat? GOD! Now I am here for the next 12 hours, plus a 12 hour flight after that This is SO unnecessary! No one book through Student Travel Association. Even though they claim to give you the best deals, they screw you over! I NEVER asked for a 24 hour layover, and I know that there were other options when  I booked my tickets MONTHS ago! Wow, come to think of it, I had a dream a long time ago, about being in Hong Kong, and being afraid that I wouldn't get home. Well, I know I'll be getting home, but I just have a LOOOOT of time to kill before that time comes.
..Any suggestions?? The consumeristic stores here are already making me sick and crazy. There is only so much you can do in an airport. And I just don't feel like going through customs to take a bus into the city with my huge backpack, when I have no inclination to really experience it. They should have workout rooms at airports!! Dude, that is what people need to do!! Maybe I should just bust out dancing. They'd probably send security on me. They do have a massage and shower spa... $50... I think I may pamper myself. Other than that, I guess I just have to accept this hellish ride, and accept that sometimes, we just waste time. That is just the way it is. And even though this SUCKS, it COULD be WORSE.

I LOVE YOU! Ready or not, HOME I COME

HELLO!
Everyone, I am ALIVE!
...But just barely. Naw, it's not that bad; but travelling was pretty uproarious at times!
That is where I have been, by the way: my group went traveling for ten days through southern India, into a city called Mysore (the second cleanest city in India), and to a place called Honey Valley, which is a beautiful resort in the mountains.
It was a great experience- I have some stories for you, but I think I'd rather wait to tell you in person. They are not really blog-fodder, and plus, I have just a few days left now in Auroville, and my intent is to be HERE and fully and presently as I can in the few remaining days.
I am felling very sad to leave, but I am also excited for home. I just hope that I will be able to maintain my center and grounding in the midst of the hecticness of traveling, as well as the intensity of western culture! It will be a good challenge for me, as well as a chance to really reflect on the lessons I have been having here!
I am so excited to give you all hugs! SO much love!
Your girl,

~Heather