Getting to Kovalam

This past week I've started making arrangements to get to Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) in the state of Kerala, South India. Trivandrum is very close to Kovalam (my final destination), and that's where I will be for at least two months, studying ashtanga yoga with Lino Miele. Kovalam was once a traditional Keralan fishing village, but is now more of a tourist attraction for those wishing to capture a bit of the Indian experience. I wouldn't call it paradise (who knows, it may be paradise by the time I get there), but the beach and the Arabian Sea will be a welcome sight for me.

Now, back to my "arrangements". Seems this is a popular Indian travel season, meaning trains and budget to medium range hotels are all busy (I know this because I've tried to book several places between here and Kovalam to break the trip up). I have a travel agent working on the train ticket to Trivandrum out of Bangalore...he said "this may not be possible, but if I can find a seat, I will buy the ticket for you"...alrighty then. So, today I will find out about that. No biggie, though, if I have to, I'll fly...just a little more expensive. Once I'm in Kovalam, things will be easy. And it's "easy" I'm after. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Again, it's hard to believe I've been here in Mysore for almost two months. I haven't "accumulated" much, but it's funny the things that have to be done just to leave. On top of making the travel arrangements to my next destination, I've got to talk with my landlord, arrange to drop off my scooter, make sure everything I have will indeed fit in my baggage, start the goodbyes (I'm not good about that...would rather just sneak out of town), visit the last few places in Mysore that I want to see...you know, life is tough here! But I'll survive.

There will be more to report later...so now, off to the travel agent!