Into the heart of Auroville

Over the next two days we do our best to participate in the Auoville experience. Wednesday morning Lori has an Ikebana lesson. Valeria Matsumoto is her teacher, originally from Italy but moved to Auroville with her Japanese husband. They met while they were both sailing around the world and life eventually took them to Auroville. He became a furniture-maker and she teaches Ikebana. One thing you can say about Auroville, it does draw some fascinating people.

While Lori has her class, I sit under Valeria's fan for an hour trying to cool down from our bike ride, then explore the "community" outside. Most buildings in Auroville are in communities, with names like 'Progress', 'Sincerity', 'Revelation' and 'Horizon'. Earth-brick experimental architecture abounds, so I give the camera a good workout.

That evening we catch a free performance of traditional Indian dance from Orissa at the Bharat Nivas Pavillion (complete with framed portraits of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother sitting at the edge of the stage).The dancer gives a short explanation before each dance, which helps us follow the stories they tell. For once I am able to follow a story through dance! My favorite is about a young Krishna acting naughty and being scolded by his mother, until she discovers her son's true nature (an incarnation of the god Vishnu). Our performer switches between the two characters in a very convincing way. Her fellow dancer, also her sister, also gives an outstanding performance (and we sneak a few blurry pictures).


Back at the gust house after dinner, we head to the roof terrace to check out the full moon. The bright moonlight inspires me to try some long-exposure photos, but I catch something unexpected in this shot...

(click the picture for a larger view to see a "ghost")