GANPATI

Follow up to the last post: My pratical exam, "taken" by Nayan Dada (the Indians say the teacher takes the exam and the student gives it...) went very well and I got an EXCELLENT. Well, everyone at school seems to be so impressed with me that I practice everyday but I guess they don't realize that it's basically because I have nothing else to do and it is my entire purpose in life right now... Jesse and I decided to go away for the weekend but of course did not plan ahead so we got last minute bus tickets to a hill station called Lonavla about 2 hours away. We left Saturday morning and the ride there was nice, we got out of the city and got some green in our eyes (Israeli expression) but once we arrived in Lonavla which was highly recommended we realized that there were no hotels outside of town. The town was typical and not too impressive. At least the room was decent, the bed was softer than out bed at home, and it was dark (as opposed to our place in Bombay which never gets completely dark). We also managed to escape the Bombay noise - but of course, the sawing seems to folow us everywhere, or maybe India is just one big construction site ?? Sunday we went to the Karla Cave(s). It was a nice hike, green and mostly quiet until we got half way up which is apparently where the rickshaws reach and then we joined many Indians also on their own weekend retreats. We spent a couple hours exploring the not so large site. Went back into town for a HUGE Indian meal after which I fell into a deep sleep while my stomach worked hard to digest for about 2 hours. In Lonavla there is a Yoga Center that hosts people for week long courses, Ihope to go back maybe at some point. Jesse has a gig this weekend so we could not stay this time. Anyway, I guess the highlight of our short trip was playing pingpong in the hotel lobby. I got whooped but at least I had a good time playing! We were back by Monday afternoon, in the thick of Bombay smog. The Ganpati festival is winding up tonight. We've had lots of drums and fireworks and dancing in the streets for 11 days. Today we were told not to try to go anywhere since the streets will be completely jammed. Jesse had to go to Bandra for a rehearsal so I guess he won't be back until the traffic lets up late tonight. Last night we went with Nayan and Jyoti to an informal outdoor concert to entertain the audience but more importantly the large Ganesh idol placed in the park. I learned from Jyoti that Hindus who are devotees of Ganesh make a promise to bring him into their homes every year for an odd number of days (1,3,5,7,9,11). When they bring him home they have to turn the statue they bought into an idol by some special ceremony. Then they can go ahead and worship and at the end of the prescribed time, immese him in the ocean. Jyoti has also started teaching me sitar! She's great. Well, happy Ganpati to you all and Shannah Tova. I'm counting down till Liat gets here: exactly 7 days!! And 2 weeks until Vipassana...

One more to go

I just finished up my first year Indian music theory exam and my Abnormal Psych exam. Both went well and a lot of pressure has been released. Jesse is in Chennai until tomorrow. He's making all of his rent money in one night. I have my practical exam on Wedensday. It's actually kind of cool to be held responsible for what I'm learning. Oh, I went to a great concert last night in honor of Ustad Amir Khan, one of the greatest Hindustani singers. The performers were Rashid Khan (Vocal) and Hariprasad Chaurasia (Flute). It was quality! And in between they had a very well made short film about Ustad Amir Khan with black and white photos and recording from back in the day. Really special... Not to mention the way I got there: on the back of Tali's, an australian tabla student, Honda Motorcycle. I was so proud to be riding across Mumbai - 2 western women on a bike! On the way back we rode past a lot of drumming and celebrating and Ganeshes, apparently it's Ganesh-ratri or something. I'm telling you, this city is one big pratyahata nada (the Indian word for non-musical sound or NOISE). Outside our window they have been destroying a concrete building every morning at 9:15 sharp. We no longer need an alarm clock. It's not a very big building so hopefully by the time Liat gets here (2.5 weeks!) they'll be done with that. But there's definitely enough banging and sawing noises around the neighborhood for everyone to enjoy year round. And for every pratyahata nada in my life, there is just as much madhura nada (pleasing musical sound!). Love to all. Y

I woke up this morning, hardly opened my eyes, and jesse was already sitting at his tabla tapping away. So I left the apartment as fast as possible - sometimes it's just too much to handle, especially early in the morning.
My test is in two weeks. Jesse will be out of town that weekend for a gig so at least I'll have something to keep me busy. My friend Kavita moved out of her apartment and is staying at her parent's for a few weeks until she moves to London. So that was fun while it lasted... I've been at the internet for 2 hours just surfing and trying to stumble upon something that will magically tell me my future. But once again I will walk away as confused as ever.
Have a nice week.

new new news

I know, I've been so lazy about this blog lately. I'll give it my best shot now...
So we live in an apartment building called "Beverly Hills"! I would probably be happier with a name like RamaKrishna House but this place is all new and I guess they want to give the impression of the good old American dream. We live on the first floor. The apartment is very spacious and there is a strong breeze running through the house all day and night. Sometimes it's too much and we have to shut the windows. We have a nice big bedroom and a private bathroom. Other ammenities: washing machine, one strange but working gas stove thing, water filter, cable TV, small red fridge, furniture. Most of it is all nice and new. We have two roommates: 1) Amit (nickname Mario), a 24 yr old Indian working downtown in the administration of a construction company. Work hrs 7 am to 9pm. Nice guy, a bit messy, has no taste is music, goes to the most expensive hangout places in Mumbai. 2) Nils, a 24 yr old German/Mexican/Swedish international kid who works for his father's pharmeceutical company. Work hrs 10 am to 6 pm. He goes to the gym every evening for his daily 2-3 hour workout. Funny guy, has a new girlfriend we are trying to get the dirt on, he was our connection to the apartment so we are very grateful, we watch Seinfeld together. As you can see, we have the place to ourselves most of the time. Usually one of us goes to practice at school (10 min. away) or on other outings so one of us can practice at home. It's a nice arrangement. At the moment w still have only one key between the two of us so that's a drag sometimes. Anyway, there is also a gym and pool in the complex with all new equipment. I'm proud to say that the eliptical machine has become a friend of mine but I haven't tried swimming yet. The weather is so unpredictable that I'm not sure I want to go in. Anyway, when I work out in my sports bra I feel like it's innappropriate, how will I feel in a bathing suit??
I have been going to private hour lessons twice a week with my teacher, Krishna, who is so patient and nice. Now I'm moving forward at a good pace and I am nearly finished with the material of the first year curriculum. Now I have to prepare for the exam! Hmmm?!? I guess it will be a good way to get the stuff really ingrained in my thick brain. But Krishna will keep moving into second year material as well so that's good. She introduced me to her daughter, Kavita, who lives nearby my house and we really hit if off. She's 24 and also a musician, songwriter like me. Her husband is Nikhil and he's in the merchant navy. They just spent 3 months together on his ship. Now they are making plans to study for a year in London so that Nikhil won't have to work on the ships anymore but rather in the office. Anyway, I really like these people. Kavita has offered to give me music pointers like how to use my new hindustani knowledge in western music. They threw a great party on saturday night and I got really drunk. It was funny. Jesse and I went over for dinner the other night and we had some really yummy pasta that Kavita made with rosemary and other spices. They own the apartment and it's all renovated and nice, they hardly ever leave the house. So I'll go over there tonight probably.
Ok, I think that is sufficient for now...!!
Any questions?
Kisses,
Yonat

Back in Bombay

Yes...we are back here, after 4 months (?) and it feels like we never left. We're staying in a small hotel room waiting for the apartment we found to be vacant. Actually, it's one bedroom in an apartment with 2 other roomates. Well, I'll update all the details about the place one we actually move in there. So far it's still hot and it hasn't poured since I've gotten here yet. But I do feel a difference since there is more of a breeze and the evenings are a bit cooler. I went back to school today and already got a new Raga to work on! That's the best news so far. We're going back to all the old restaurants and oredering all the same dishes that we know and love. I'm looking forward to having a kitchen so I can have cereal for breakfast and salad for dinner. Otherwise I'll put all that weight back on! Ok, time for guitar practice. Kisses to all!

being alone, being with friends

I'm still staying at Ruthi's house and since she got back, she is making me feel even more at home than I did when she was gone. What a lady! Not only that, this woman has connections in the music business that I can only dream of and she's gonna use them for me! Ya huh...! So that's really exciting but I'm pretty much just taking it easy here, practicing guitar and stuff as usual. Meeting friends once in a while. Passing out my CD whenever possible. The philipino cleaning guy, Charlie, loves it so I've gotta make him a copy too. ha. Plans for this coming week are to visit Jerusalem, send out my press kit, and fly back to my baby in Bombay next Friday. Shabbat Shalom!

Eretz Yisrael

The first thing I must say is that I am SOOO disappointed in the far too few pictures we took while Jesse was in Israel. What a shame!!! Oh well, we've got the memories, we just can't share them visually.
This past month in Israel was incredible for me. I have spent 10 years of my life living here but with Jesse, I was experiencing it all for the first time all over. I was so anxious when we first arrived because I wanted to show him EVERYTHING in a week and a half. We travelled for that first week and a half and then I convinced him to stay longer with me... :) I was not ready to go back to India at that point and apparently neither was he. Well, it's really hard to sum up this trip but I will try to touch on some highlights.
We stayed with my friends Ron and Efrat near the kinneret (sea of galilee) and relaxed for a few days. Jesse and Ron hit it off and played tabla hours on end just as I had expected.
We went to Tel Aviv and Jesse met my dad. And also, as expected, they got along great. My dad broke the ice by doing some good old fashion jazz name-dropping while we ate falafel. Then we went back to his place and burned half of his CDs into Jesse's computer. Later they actually played a couple blues tunes together(ish) at a jam session and that was just krrrrazzzy :)
We went to Jerusalem and saw all the sights in the old city. Oddly, it was the ONLY place we took pictures the whole time. That first day in Jerusalem was really emotional for me. I hadn't been to the Kotel (Western Wall) in a few years and it was powerful. We also explored the Church of the Holy Seplechure and shopped in the Muslim market. By the end of the day we were drained.
We went to my friend Ori's wedding where I had a little reunion with all my kibbutz buddies. I sang for the bride and groom and Jesse drank a lot. It was a good time. Next day we went up to the kibbutz and I got to show Jesse the place, go swimming in the pool, eat in the dining hall, and go for a scenic drive...(with a very memorable view ;) That was the point when I decided to stay in Israel a month in order to cash in on some money from the army that is coming my way.
We came back to Tel Aviv and spent the next two weeks here practicing, meeting friends, hearing music, and going to the beach, and tearing up the city in a much too literal sense. We also took one more day trip to Jerusalem with my friend Yoav and went in some amazing water tunnels from hundreds of years ago.
This past week we spent in my friend Moran's mom's apartment with her 16 yr old brother. (I'm sitting in his room right now typing this). We got tickets from her dad, David Broza, to his show with Mayumana (the Israeli version of Stomp).
I have been giving out my CD to all my friends and today David called and told me he wants to sit down and talk about how to move this thing forward...!!!!! Jesse is not here with me to celebrate but just hearing those kind of words from David means so much to me. So we will see where that goes. Last night I dreamt that I met with some music agent and he handed me a check for $20,000. Maybe it was a premonition?!? :)
I'll be in Israel until the 14th of July. It feels a bit less like home without Jesse but it's nice to have some quality time with myself.
Love and misses,
Shalom!