THE GREAT WIDE OPEN

A picture-story travel blog.

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As seen in #Nashville #TheOnlyPhotoITookInNashvilleThatMatters #taytay (at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)

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DAY 4/PART 2: Naras Mana & Kavapra Mana

Rice fields and moo cows. 

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DAY 4/PART 1: KODUNTHIRAPPILLY:

We left Palakkad and traveled to Kodunthirappilly, and ancient Tamil Brahmin settlement in Kerala, where we witness first hand Tamil Saamaveda culture still prevailing in Kerala. 

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OFFER TO THE GODDESS KAALI:

While visiting the Namboothiri household in Olappamanha we got to witness a ritualistic offer to the Goddess Kaali. In the ritual a Pujrai draws a representation of the goddess with fine powers ground down from local organic materials.  After the offering is complete the drawing is swept away and destroyed in order to release the goddess back to her domaine.  

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DAY 1 & 2: International Vedic Conference Our first two days were spent in The Gateway Hotel in Kozhikode, India where Caley was presenting a paper for the 6th International Vedic Conference.

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DAY 3: Traditional Namboothiri household We were invited to stay in a traditional Namboothiri household in Olappamanna Mana. Our hosts cooked us traditional Kerala cuisine and we were able to witness a Thaayambaka percussion performance as well as an offering to the goddess Kaali.

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DAY 1 & 2: International Vedic Conference Our first two days were spent in The Gateway Hotel in Kozhikode, India where Caley was presenting a paper for the 6th International Vedic Conference.

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The forecast for our first week. Looking to leaving this icy hell and entering this new sweaty hell!

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READY FOR TAKEOFF

Gearing up to leave on my first ever trip out of the country, to India non-the-less! Me and fellow adventurer Caley Smith will be spending 2 weeks in Kerala, on the southern coast of India. In an attempt of avoid bogging up facebook with hoards of photos and videos I will instead be documenting my stay here on good ol' tumblr.  So if you're interested make sure to follow me and wish me luck on my 18 hour flight overseas!