Losing Our Way Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day I can hear her breathing. --------------------------------------------------------- Arundhati Roy (Indian author, advocate, activist)

S INDIA: Shantivanam Ashram; Trichy; Kumily; Amritapuri Ashram; Kollam; Varkala; Kottayam; Cochin

INDIA | Tuesday, 22 December 2009 | Views [651]

We spent two days hiking in and around the Periyar Sanctuary in the Western Ghats that border Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The highlight of our first day's climb of Mt Ottathalamettu was being greeted by enthusiastic smiles, hand-waves, and "Hi!"s from every local child who saw us -- and there were TONS of children. One young boy shyly ran to us and presented us with this beautiful flower to welcome us to his neighborhood.

South India is an incredible mix of religious groups – Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Animists, Jains, Buddhists, even Jewish and Zoroastrian.... with a history of overlap and intermixing among the faiths. Where inter-religious tensions have only recently emerged, they are being fought by ads like this one, encouraging understanding and a peaceful working together.

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We encountered some interesting creatures during our walk through Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary -- including this HUGE neon-green spider that our guide assured us was

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Losing Our Way Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day I can hear her breathing. --------------------------------------------------------- Arundhati Roy (Indian author, advocate, activist)

S INDIA: Shantivanam Ashram; Trichy; Kumily; Amritapuri Ashram; Kollam; Varkala; Kottayam; Cochin

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