waves...

i think in a previous life i was a fish or a seaside palm tree because there is something about the ocean that makes me feel so good, so alive. i knew as soon as i woke at 5:50 am on the train in margao, goa that i was once again near the sea just by the feel of the air. it felt like home. i arrived yesterday into goa after an amazing overnight train ride from mysore to margao. i was a little nervous about traveling on the train alone after having been warned by other westerners and indians about possible dangers. the train was thankfully mostly empty and i shared the compartment with a distinguished-looking indian man and a lovely family with a 9-month old gorgeous baby. it was such a luxury to be watching the sites and scenery fly by me as i lounged on the bench/bed seats by the window, not to mention the boys who came by with coffee and snacks every 10 minutes or so.
after collecting my heavy, gift-laden bags, i met a friendly man who offered to take me to palolem beach on the back of his motorcycle (for way too much money of course ;). i decided to accept a ride to the local bus station but once on the back of the bike, the warm wind in my face with the sky turning pink from the impending sunrise, i decided it was a great way to see some of goa and relaxed into the hour-long trip to the beach. the man took me to a 'friends' place, which consisted of some very-basic palm thatched huts steps away from the water. after dropping my bags, i couldn't resist the urge to walk in the sea and watch the sun come up over the hills while i washed away the remaining mysore city dust.
this morning i got up and went for my first run in over two months. i was barefoot and bare-bodied, wearing only shorts and a sports bra, enjoying every rhymthic step in the warm sand. after going a few lengths of the beach, i jumped onto my yoga mat facing the horizen and had one of the best self-practices. although the beach is far from deserted, staring out into the ocean seemed to energize my focus and concentration as i moved myself through the asanas. with a quick dip in the water and a bowl of organic fruit, musuli and curd (plus coffee - yum), i can't stop smiling. i feel healthy again and so thankful for my parents for bringing me into this world of abundance and beauty.