paper thongs and my massage virginity

i have tons of things to update you on first. but as this is fresh on my mind, and quite horrifying.. i will write it first.

my whole trip i have been looking forward to getting a massage. i thought it would be a cultural experience, safe... with a towel.

well boy was i wrong! i get in the room, which i had to share with jody and the lady asks me to take my clothes off. procedure. so i grab the towel that is near me and start walking to the bathroom. she grabs the towel and says no, here. (OH MY GOSH YOU HAVE TO B KIDDING ME!)
whether you know or not i am a very modest person. since after diapers i am the only person that has seen me fully naked. unless it was an accident that i am not aware of. maybe once when i was like 8 and it was my sister, but you know what i mean. lately, i am the only one.
so i try to tell her that i will keep my underwear on for this whole endeavor but she starts ripping my panties off! "i woman, you woman!" i just wanted to cry, but i laughed. and said no no no! she is literately pulling me clothes off, as i try to keep them on. she hands me this little paper thong that looks like a sumo wrestlers outfit. i say, can i go to the bathroom? she laughs, and says no. oh my goodness. GONG SHOW. so i modestly go to a corner and shimmy my new outfit on. i kept my bra on, she kept trying to take it off.. but i insisted.
so the massage starts. i am trying to enjoy it. but she just goes right for my chest. a) i am completely awkward, and b) it is extremely ticklish. c) i wonder has she cleaned this table since the last person? i dunno. anyways she is just getting right in there. i try to move so she understand i don't want it. all a sudden her breasts are in my face because she is rubbing my stomach so much! i am suffocating in this womans breasts. i just remember praying, "oh God, please help me." the rest of the massage was nice. my legs felt great, my stomach once she changed positions was good, and the back was great. then... she goes for my butt. she literately sticks her finger in my crack! SHOOOOT! i was trying so hard to embrace the situation..i just couldn't. i now feel a bit scarred. but i will be ok. it was just a gong show. and my body is mine. i have never had anyone try that hard to get me naked, and wont until i am married. haha. and after all that, she asks if jody and i want to shower together.. ARE YOU KIDDING ME! NO WAY! but.. the massage was mostly nice. mostly.

anyways, kotchi has been such a great time. we have watched some katakala dancing and make up application. it was the weirdest and most interesting form of theatre i have ever seen. the pictures will only explain. very enjoyable, very cultural. the make up was my favorite part. they used colored stones and coconut oil to make the paint. as well, as rice paste and paper to make 3-d masks. it was so awesome!!!

yesterday morning we woke up early for a back water tour. it was sooo beautiful!!! i have never had an optical feast as this one. my body felt so relaxed in nature. the boat was quaint, the people so friendly and the nature breath taking. we stopped at a cement plant, a rope plant and on a small island for lunch. they served us on banana leaves! we had rice adn some "salads" and sauces. it was quite enjoyable. after we took small boats through some of the canals. we were paired with 3 girls from london area, whom we have spent some more time with since. they were a hoot!!

after showers and some internet we went to our cooking class. the woman that ran this is just the cutest thing since sliced bread. she comes out with the electrical mosquito zapper and says, "I WILL KILL THEM!" i just burst into laughter. she gently strokes my chin, and smiles at me. i think i became her favorite. haha. the meal was phenomenal! we made chippati's, a cucumber curry, tuna, a vegetable daal and wow. i have never eaten like that before. it was amazing. a delight for my taste buds. after all of us that took the class enjoyed each others company and had a few good laughs about our adventures so far.

as we were going back to the hotel we decided to stop for some tea. our hotel manager joined us-he is just the most hilarious man ever! we go back to the hotel, play some guitar together, and sing songs. jody started harmonizing!! oh man. it was just the best thing ever!!! i will miss the princess inn. can you believe i stayed at a place called princess inn... oh my gosh. this country is changing me! hahah.

this morning we went to this cute tea house and had the best chocolate cake i have ever experienced. of course i had masala chai (i wish you could hear how the train men say this).

we are off tonight for another long train ride. i hope it goes better than the last. if not.. i am ready to plan another tshirt.... orjust say live the dream--our trip moto. haha.

xo, thanks for the prayers.