En route to India – via Frankfurt

Luke’s goodbye kisses.

So IT is finally happening – my silly little idea that I threw out there on September 27th, which turned into some sort of decision, and then picked up momentum for action, is now a full-on reality and I’m off to India with a one way ticket in hand. Am I ready for adventure, change, challenge, and the unexpected? Who knows? Yikes! I’m excited.

This morning while my older brother drove me to SFO airport, my stomach was flip flopping with excited and nervous butterflies. Of course, everyone’s been saying that this trip is going to be extraordinary and super good for me, but there is always something so freaky about change – about leaving my family, my friends, my life, my usual routine, my yoga studio, my blender, LUKE. It’s funny because I find that the things that worry me most are those which I have the least control over. I mean, things are changing every moment of the day, no matter what, whether I am in India or New York or Camarillo. So I just have to embrace it and have faith in this path is already written for me.

Anyways now that my long first flight is over, and I’m showered and fed and watered (thank you awesome Frankfurt airport lounge) I’m feeling a ton better! Also, I found “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” playing on the ride (someone recommended that I watch it before India) and it really lifted my spirits and got me excited for an Indian life. Drinking lots of chai, speaking in Hindi, which I plan to pick up fluently by the time I get back, wearing pretty Indian clothes, maybe getting a job, learning how to cook (I must), and riding a scooter – yea!! Don’t worry, I’ll be careful ;).

I really have no idea what to expect. I just want to learn how to live simply and more humbly. After being in Southern California suburbs and the Bay Area these past 3 weeks, I discovered that I have been a little spoiled by the wonderful, glamorous New York. I got so used to having everything at my fingertips, by getting anywhere in a matter of 15 minutes, wandering home at 6am in a short dress by myself because Manhattan was like Disneyland, being surrounded by beautiful, talented, driven people all the time, having all this awesome food and yoga culture around, and by only having to truly worry about taking care my own self. Now I’m not saying this isn’t a bad thing at all – I’ve grown a such a thicker skin, found independence and strength within myself, and shed some layers of shyness so that I could give so much more of what I have to offer out to the world.

BUT on the other hand, it would be nice to grow in other ways and I don’t want to get attached to a life only like this. It would be nice to find contentment in other ways without expensive Lululemon everything and 20 pairs of Mavis and fancy groceries from Whole Foods and Hector (my vitamix) and unlimited yoga…well I still want the unlimited yoga part…

Hopefully I’ll make some friends.

Gosh I’m going to miss my friends like crazy. Saying bye to my loved ones in New York was tough enough and then these past three days, I saw twenty-three people I love – twenty-three!! incredible!! It was like endless hugging, I was so happy. Ah I’m going to always remember this time <;3 Ok that's enough of that. I'm off to explore the Frankfurt airport and buy some chocolate (supposedly they sell the best kind here according to mama) before I board my next flight to Pune where Granny and Grandpa will be waiting for me with mischievous grins. It has been over 2 years since I've seen those crazy loving kids so I'm super excited! More later. Much love. And more love. SONIA P.s. Subscribe if you want to get my updates via email.

• ← Cantucci di Prato – chocolate dipped
• Suryanamaskars at sunrise. →