Week of December 14th thru 21st

Life at the Beach


Here is the beach we go to - about two blocks from the house we are staying in on Auckland's North Shore.

Below is the middle school we pass on the way to the beach.










More than a week has quickly passed by since my last blog. Bada Hari returned from Australia Saturday eve, and Sunday we enjoyed a pancake brunch cooked by Varsana, daughter of Rasayatra and Jhulan Yatra.

Next we went to the Temple where a Gita Jayanti festival was being held, and more than 200 people were gathered to chant the entire Bhagavad Gita together.

Then off to The Loft for the Krishna Fest. I was invited to give the class and Bada Hari led the kirtan and bhajans. The devotees take cooking seriously and they go all out to prepare delcious, wholesome meals and desserts. Check out the cool look of their signboard (below). They use this for their invitation cards too.



We've had the opportunity to visit devotee homes and businesses, The Loft, the school, and the temple, every day this week.



It was the kid's last week of school, so Gaura didn't want to miss a day of play. He is the oldest kid, so he has been the self-appointed playground coach. On Thursday, the last day before summer break, the older kids played rugby, and Gaura scored 14 goals. He was exhausted and very happy.



The Takapuna Library, our internet connection, home school resource, and more, is on The Strand, just up from the beach.






The beach from the Library, only one block, but who's counting.

So far, everywhere we've been we get to enjoy the ocean air. With all the wind and all the rain New Zealand gets, the air is very crisp and clean.




Monday and Wednesday evenings at The Loft Karana Karana teaches Hatha Yoga, and Tuesday and Thursday evening Gopesvari teaches Astanga Yoga. Bada Hari and I have been enjoying both of their classes (sorry no photos, we're always too preoccupied with our asanas). Between twenty five to fifty guests come each evening, and after a hard workout they are served a fantastic dinner and dessert. It's a great deal, $15 for both yoga and dinner, and student rate is only $12.


The people I meet here at The Loft are from all over the world. Some have been coming regularly for over a year, others are here for their first time.



The first day Gaura and I visited the school, when I was introduced to the teachers here, they all knew my book, The Prince and the Polestar, and said all the NZ Krsna kids know it too. They warmly encouraged me to write more books. I said yes, I have many books I want to produce, as soon as I find an illustrator.

That night I thought of the artist, Dina Bandhu das, who painted the beautiful paintings adorning the temple here. Why not ask him? He is an accomplished artist and illustrator. He and his wife, Karuna Manjari, know Bada Hari from the Ukraine, and they are living here at the Auckland farm.

This week I had the good fortune of meeting with Dina Bandhu several times, and we are making plans to produce children's books together. This is, so far, the highlight of my trip.

Tonight Bada Hari is singing evening kirtan and bhajans at the Temple. Tomorrow morning we head south to enjoy a couple days of hot mineral springs in Tapao, on the way to Otaki, where 100 devotees are gathering for a retreat for 10 days.

It doesn't appear that anyone misses out on Christmas here in Auckland, though it lacks a lot of the hype and consumerism of the US. Check out the cool life-size wooden solider.

...and in case any of you are wondering, an equivalent of Calendar Club does exist in New Zealand. If you are out working a mall
may you have a very successful season.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Enjoy the time with your family and friends.
I'm grateful to have you in my life and send
you my love and prayers.