I’ve been struggling the last few days during our third of six weeks in this small, southwestern coastal village in Kerala, because I’m missing the western standards of cleanliness I’m accustomed to with the added ugliness of garbage littering the sides of roads and beaches.

It’s not like I didn’t know India was this way.  I’d already been here, same area, but was immersed in an Ayurvedic healing spa at the westernized Carnoustie Ayurveda and Wellness Resort.

Carnoustie is not a real representation of India.

I have felt such guilt blogging about these recent struggles, because the Indian people are so wonderful!  I don’t want to be part of a negative view of India, or perpetuate it.

So what lessons can I learn as I process these struggles to move forward with a positive outlook?

Gratitude!

The homestay villa we are staying in offers us fantastic internet!

The villa is cosy with rustic architecture. It is also private, offering us a quiet place to chill-out with solitude because we’re basically the only guests here!

The property is clean with a short walk to the beach.

I’m grateful for Clement, the homestay’s helper, for keeping the property clean!

The homestay family is lovely! Their son Davis, is super friendly as he enjoys talking to us to practice his fluency in English while taking IELTS – International English Language Testing System.

I’m grateful our laundry washed here at the homestay hangs to dry in the sun!

I’m grateful to see healthy children in the villages, who seem authentically happy, cared for and loved!

I’m grateful for the smiles and laugher from locals who smile back at me while staring at my blond hair!

India truly has so much beauty to see, so much color and vibrancy.  So many bright smiles of authentically nice people. Beautiful women with long black hair, dressed in exotic saris of bright pinks and oranges! Lush, emerald green forests with numerous birds singing all sorts of melodious tunes! Ants!  Lots of ants – teeny tiny wee little ants to big, bright-red ants! How about yellow bananas and green jackfruits! And frothy sea waves against a vast blue sea!!!

Exhale…..relax….and let it be……with love

S, <3