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"I
salute w/friendship all those who have developed w/efficiency this
place, whose contribution to this wonderful country is extreme.
The kindness and high sense of responsibility of the office, staff
and teachers was unbelievable. Personally I have travelled into
an "inner me" and rediscovered myself. I have relieved a part of
my past and I leave the centre physically and emotionally more prepared
to face future challenges, with what I've learned in this country
that I've learned to love. May the Gods protect Bharata mata and
its noble people, thats all I pray for" |
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Ruben
Capela, Portugal, 2 months in August 04 |
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"Three
weeks is not long enough to stay at Kalavedi - It has been so wonderful!
Classes are fun and Intense - we both feel like we have learned
so much despite the short stay. The staff has been so helpful and
accommodating. Rajesh and Atma thank you for all your plannng for
week ends and for continuing travel! I can't recommend this place
enough - It is the perfect "home base" for exploring Kerala and
it was wonderful to stay in a village that is not a tourist destination.
The food is so fresh and wonderful - when I travelled on weekends,
I just looked forward to coming back to Kalavedi's food. I can't
wait to return..." |
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Christina
Froeb and Chuck Wankel, USA, three weeks in August 04 |
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"2
month's .. Wow.. I dont have words to say.. How much being here
have been to my life.. I dont have words to say thank you for each
one from the centre.. But how can I not say anything, especially
to Swami my Yoga teacher .. with his simple words, how much he shown
to me, How easy it is to be happy...I feel proud about my yoga level
now. I wish all the best for the centre and hope You will carry
on with your Intense Yoga programme .. This programme can really
help and change the lifes of many people especially Western to understand
better their lifes. I hope I can come back and learn under Swami
again.." |
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Pedro
Lobo, Brazil, two months in July 04 |
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"I
came with empty hands to this place and I leave, my heart filled
with music, arts, the Indian culture.... It is unbelievable how
these 4 weeks changed my life, I found my way back to what I really
want to do, I did many steps on my personal way, towards the person
I really am. Many many thanks to all you wonderful teachers and
the people from the centre. I will always remember my time here
which changed my life forever. This is a very special school and
I could stay for so much longer, just to learn, learn and to learn..." |
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Yahel
Truffer, Switzerland, one month in June 04 |
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"Where
to begin…. Hmm! One month is most definitely not enough time here
at VKV. More reason to come I suppose. Being one of the native Malayalee's
(American born) to take classes here at VKV, I did have some initial
scepticism. Much of my family wondered, "why would you go spend
money at a place in Kerala, when you have a family in Kerala that
could do the same thing for free!" and the reality is that could
have never done as good a job as the folks here at VKV do. I came
here to refresh myself on mother tongue, but what I got in one months
time will last me a life time. I've always believed that the best
way to learn about a new culture is through their music, art, dance
and languages. These folks here at VKV do exactly this and only
so much more. Through my language classes, I learned so much about
my culture. And if you are one that believes that you can learn
much about a culture through their food, then VKV is your place!
The food here is amazing…I dare say the food here is better than
my mom's or grandma's, but it actually is. Big ups to Kurup and
the whole kitchen staff. Rajesh, thanks for the insightful political
discussions. You've forced me to look at myself and my country in
a whole new way. Atma , I definitely wont forget your laugh! Thanks
for all the help and wonderful discussions about being an American
Malayalee to eccentric Knanaya community. Your genuine nature and
wonderful sense of humour will be greatly missed. Last, but not
least, Subha. Where do I begin? Thank you for everything! I've learned
so much about myself through our lanuage classes and our memorable
conversations. Thank you for being patient with my "refreshing"
of Malayalam, but most of all, thanks for becoming a new friend.
In general, thanks to all the staff here at VKV for your enduring
smiles, generous hearts and your ability to make my one month here
at VKV a month that I will never forget. Be well I will see you
all in August 2005." |
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Cecile
Thomas, USA, one month in May 04 |
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"It
seems surreal that I had to travel all the way to South India to
study the north Indian language Hindi, but it's a choice I'll never
regret. In such a short time, I have learnt so much from VKV and
its another experience to add to a graving list of my love affair
with India. After spending four months in Mumbai, life here is a
welcome relief from the city, and VKV and all the people in it do
everything possible to make you feel at home. The classes were,
bahut achha, + whilst I renamed the martial art class - one hour
of torture! It was well worth doing. I can't wait to be let loose
in the nearest kitchen to try out all of Kurup's recipes, and I
hope his laugh will continue to consistently put a big smile on
your face. I will miss you, but leave with strength and happiness
from this fantastic experience, and hopefully get around a bit easier
with my new Hindi skills!" |
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Lisa
Mallett, U K, 3 weeks in April 04. |
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"
Thank you! Such an amazing little spot in India, that has allowed
me to become part of this community, will not be forgotton easily,
probably never. The staff:- What to say, you have made my stay here
as comfortable as it could be. Each of you has taught me something
about life, something about here, and something about myself. Thank
you for letting me get close, thanks for the laughs (which were
many!), and thank you for making this place be my home. Hari, You
r great, never stop the jokes, never stop the trouble, thanks for
being such an amazing person and a good friend. Atma - You have
made my stay here a very happy one! Your giggles and your great
sense of humour along with everything else, you are / will continue
making me smile whenever I may be. The teachers - I came here with
a craving to learn, not only the subjects but everything around
me. Thank you for teaching me, thank you for allowing me to take
a little of your amazing professions and make it a little part of
myself. Your enthusiastic teaching opened my eyes wide and made
me love that which you love. I'll never forget your teachings or
the wonderful giving, and caring people you are. I would say something
to each and every one of you but just stay with: thank you, you
are great! You have here in this little place all the riches one
could desire for, if riches could be counted in people. Just keep
it up. " |
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Helena
Saenz de Heredia, Spain, 6 weeks in April 04 |
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"We
have eaten more than ever before since we are travelling - that
says a lot about the quality of our cooking courses. Mr. Kurup taught
us how to cook our favourite South Indian dishes, it was fantastic!
We also enjoyed every Mohiniattam, Yoga and Wood Carving lesson
and all the teachers are amazing. Thanks to all the staff of VKV
for their great humour and helpfulness. You are a delightful place.
" |
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Nicole
and Bruno, Switzerland, 2 weeks in April 04. |
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"Between
amazing classes, great staff and interesting guests, I've thoroughly
enjoyed my stay here at VKV. All my teachers were fabulous and I
feel I 've really learned a lot in the 5 weeks. Wood Carving is
definitely the coolest place to hang out whether you are taking
the class or not, because Shaji is awesome. Getting to know the
staff was the other best part- joking with Dhanya, crazy stories
from Raju, learning about Cricket and Kavya from Hari, playing cards
with Atma n Shaj and also all the friends I have made here - I have
had a wonderful time meeting you, travelling with you and causing
trouble with you. " |
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Leah
Soffer, USA, 6 weeks in March 2004 |
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"Before
I came here, I couldn't believe my eyes while reading the guest
remarks in the VKV web site .. can all this be true, too many nice
words about a place .. cooked up???, but having spend one month
in this place, I feel bad and am embarrassed to have thought like
that. I will just join all those ex students and will say that my
experience here was beyond all my imaginations and what not.. I
don't have words for explaining this feeling. I will remember the
kindness of VKV always." |
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Beth
Walker - Australia, 1 month in March 2004. |
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"There
is no way to say how this place has truly touched me. My time here
has been so fulfilling and I am looking forwards to continuing my
studies with my extra ordinary teachers in 6 months time, especially
with Subhaji my Malayalam teacher. I have found peace here, finally,
and consider it a home and a family I can return to" |
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Julie
Marie Duhon, USA, 5 months, in February 2004 |
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