Skateboard Corporate Media Takeover

A World Apart - India & Nepal

So In 2009 I joined a group called the Sustainable Global Leadership Alliance (SGLA)

They offered a leadership training program in Sustainability, which included traveling for a month in India

Seven weekends of intensive workshops prior to departure, and many bonding experiences . . .

This group will forever remain in my heart, as I am sure many of you have had experiences of being around kindred souls, this was one of those rare groups.

We all got to know each other and learned about the dire nature of the world situation, and what is possible to do to change it, by setting an example, and changing what is inside. This is the most effective way to influence the world outside . . .

 We first spent a day in Singapore, which is a really interesting place. We visited the internationally renowned botanical gardens, and I got kicked out of a mosque for trying to sit and meditate there . . .  

    We got love for the desert plants . . .

 Singapore botanical gardens has a Bonsai garden. . .

 They even have an Orchid garden, with most of the different species in the world . . .

Next, we flew to Chennai in India

Chennai is huge and filthy, as it is one of the major economic hubs of India. The airport was crazy at first, because there were thousands of people waiting there for people to arrive. 

There are many beautiful things in this city also, the greatest for me was the shimmer in the eyes of the local street children, so down-trodden, but full of life and light.

 The countryside is so beautiful. . . it makes one wonder why we all insist on living in crowded cities. . .

I met this man at the top of a mountain called Arunachala.

 'Jodhi' which means fire in Hindi. He holds the space at the top, and lights the whole mountain top on fire for ten days in December with oil that pilgrims bring him in offering to the God Shiva.  This is his only job. . .

 These two were very kind. We shared many Chai teas and conversations. I love them, except for the fact that they tricked me into selling them my camera, and that explains why I do not have more pictures from India. . .

Tricky tricky merchants in Tiruvanamalai

We finally made it to Nepal, and Joe created a rainbow from the top of a mountain surrounded by other mountains. . .