from the journal...

Thursday - massage day.

Had an ayurvedic (?sp) massage today. wow. my first massage ever so nothing to compare it to, but very relaxing. covered in oil. no towel. reflexology as well.

walked along promenade now sitting at Promenade Hotel waiting for my masala tea. View looks onto a small court yardwith a fountain and the Bay of Bengal is in the near distance. Remains of an old pier. Two men in small boats--kayaks of sorts--fishing. Very calm. Very relaxed.

Am constantly amazed as are many members of the team as to how hard it is to get a chai masala. Have given up at Mass Hotel [where we stayed] and just order Indian tea. Which is basically black tea with milk and some sugar already added. I take mine with two additional lumps.

My fav drink--Fresh Lime Soda--Sweet. When done properly it comes in three containers one with fresh lime juice, one with sugar syruip and one with carbonated water. You add your own amounts of each--refreshing. [During our Habitat orientation the first night we were told to not drink the water, etc and fresh lime soda was one of the items on the list...I had been drinking it since my arrival in India so figured I'd keep going. Basically the thought is that the sugar water may not have been properly boiled to kill off any bugs.My theme for the trip...if it doesn't kill me it will only make me stronger.]

My plan for today is no plan at all. Have my tea, wander the streets and when I get tired back to the hotel to rest then wander again. I'm doing lunch on my own away from the group. supper...not sure. It's V day and I'd rather not be the only single at the restaurant so maybe room service.

I have purchased all the musts and think I have run out of room in my bags--so may have issues getting it all home. [It was indeed tight. I arrived with two back packs and went home with two back backs.]

tea break over--it's time to wander!

I have no idea what time it is. I can't have been wandering for that long, but I am hot and hungry. I'm back at one of the restaurants the team ate at before. They have good soda! I'm having a comfort food...butter chicken..something I eat a lot of in Nunavut. I'm having a great time wandering and keep forgetting to take photos. I found silk for 400 rupees a metre ($10 CDN) I'm tempted but I think I'll just stick with the one pillow case I bought. over priced by Indian standards, but it will look nice on my bed. I was blessed by an elephant this am. Maybe it will bring me good luck...ok, actually my sunglasses were blessed...but still.