On top of the world

Namaste, once again, from India. I figured it was time to do some blogging seeing as i haven't posted anything in like 4 months.... so yeah, where to begin? The circus tour came to its official close in the end of march, only a mere 2 weeks or so ago, though it feels much longer. We ended on a very high note with a very talented group of performers and a kick-ass show. Our last show was in a beautiful temple up in the mountains where thousands of ancient Shiva lingams (phallic ritual objects) have been unearthed and the villagers do fire puga under the moonlight seemingly every night, including right before our show. A beautiful ending to a dream come true.

Since the end of the tour I’ve been traveling on my own in India (and briefly in Nepal), which came as a bit of shock after being on the road in a bus with 13+ circus freaks for so many months. I have returned up to the Dharamsala area in Himachal Pradesh which is one of the first places I visited when I arrived in October and where I immediately felt at home. It is also home to the Dalai Lama and thousands of Tibetan refugees and hence has been very affected by the recent uprising in Tibet. There are graphic pictures hanging all over town depicting the brutality that the monks in Lhasa have suffered. There is an ongoing hunger strike and candlelight vigil happening every night. The outrage of what is happening can easily overwhelm one with feelings of rage and sadness, yet the Tibetans here still smile and laugh and confront this ugliness with dignity and strength. I’ve been proud to hear that SF is leading the charge within the international community in support of a Free Tibet. It has also made me feel like I am still somehow so closely connected to you all, though so far away.

As for my days, I am actually staying a little ways further up the hill from the main town and deeper in the forest. It is amazingly beautiful here with stunning views of the snow-capped Himalayas (as u can see!). I am on a personal spiritual retreat of sorts, waking up early to do yoga and meditation, taking long hikes in the mountains, studying more about Hinduism and Buddhism, and doing my best to limit my vices (kinda tough in the land of high-quality, cheap charras!). So far so good. Tomorrow I start a course on the Buddhist perspective of death and dying, and will probably continue to take courses at the various Tibetan monestaries and schools in the area in addition to exploring the various Tantric yoga classes available.

Well, I could go on but I’ve had enough of the less-than-inspiring ambiance of the internet café. Much love and luck to you all and, again, it’s always nice to hear from you if you have a chance to write. Oh yeah and if you send me yr address I promise to mail you a postcard :-)

Where to go in Goa?

So myself and the rest of the circus gang will be going to Goa in about a month to stay for a couple of weeks through the New Year. I was wondering if anyone who has traveled to or lived there could recommend an area to stay in or any specific places to rent. There will be about 20 to 25 of us at that point and we were thinking it would be cool to rent a house or bungalows or something but hotels will work too. we hope to find or make some nice parties but also to have space and peace to work on circus stuff.
would be great to meet up with any friends who might be there too so drop a line :)

Namaste from India

Wow, i can't believe i've been in India for over a month now... i really don't know where the time went. sorry to all who may have been wondering what's been happening with me and how the circus tour is going. it's seriously been a whirlwind since the moment i stepped onto the plane to Delhi and my internet access is limited. Delhi has got to be one of the most chaotic places i have ever been.... countless people, animals, and cars doing all sorts of random things all at once everywhere. the pollution is really intense and i was sick the first couple weeks with a sinus/respitory infection. but things cleared up once we got the basic supplies for the circus together and traveled east to the dry lands of Rajastan to do shows and then up north to the Himalayas to the town where the Dalai Lama lives near Dharmsala to soak up some fresh air and work on new circus material. People who'd traveled to India before warned me that the rules and concepts of reality that i'm familiar with wouldn't necessarily apply here and for the most part i've found that to be true... at times it's been very challenging to travel, live, and pull off a traveling circus tour here but it's also been super exciting and chock-full of utterly surreal and beautiful moments. every day is truly a new day, and now as i get more adjusted to life here i can start to see and appreciate the nuances. already i feel the magick of India opening up and guiding me.
as for the circus, overall the tour is going great. we've been working almost every day creating and rehearsing new material and doing shows in schools and villages. It's been exhausting at times but ultimately all the positive energy and excitement that the circus generates helps to keep me inspired.
i do miss my san francisco tribe dearly as well as those friends scattered in other distant lands.... so please please drop me a line and let me know how you're doing! mskfire@gmail.com

my love to u all!!!!!

Picnic Time?!?!?

Hello everyone~
I'm running late and pretty beat after last night's festivities, but i'm gonnna head out to Dolores Park now.... please join me to eat some food, soak up some sun, and say "adios" for the last time!
XO
K

Dreamtime Art Opening Tonight!

Hello Friends!
Hope to see you tonight at the Dreamtime Circus Art Auction Opening! Come out and support our efforts to bring free circus shows to villages and cities all over India and enjoy the many tantalizing treats we have lined up for you, including....

donated artwork by some of the Bay Area's most talented and innovative artists
sound and visual alchemy by Dog of Tears and Sandy Ding
Dreamtime Circus performances (sideshow, fire, clowns, and more!)
storytelling by Onkel Woland
refreshments generously donated by Triptych

TODAY! August 12th from 5-9pm at Triptych located at 1155 Folsom St.

See u there :)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))