Sadhana Forest Part 1

So we are now at a place called Sadhana Forest (http://sadhanaforest.org), which is a reforestation project that also does water conservation and community living. The minimum stay here is a month so we are here for a while. There are a lot of rules here, and I mean a lot. There is a rule on how to use the toilet, wash up dishes, having a shower, eating and serving food and brushing your teeth. This is because everything is made to conserve water and to try and create zero wastage. So hand washing stations are metal cups with a small hole in the bottom and you tip some water in and wash your hands in the trickle that comes from the hole. The toilets have separate holes where you pee and poo so that they can use them for compost, and every bit of water goes into the earth to water the surrounding trees. So initially this was a big shock and a lot of things to get used to, a simple toilet trip becomes a version of The Crystal Maze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwyiyO2Sp6Y), and when its dark it adds another level of difficulty. 

Fancy toilets that require a high level of problem solving

Another aspect of sadhana forest is the work. The day starts at 5.45 and you are expected to do 2 jobs, or what they call sevas, which last until midday. On top of that is a few community shifts a week to keep the community running. Some of the sevas include going to the forest to plant and maintain trees, and others are day to day maintenance like emptying toilets, cleaning and cooking.

Serving area and Technology area

The main hut- our communal area

There are about a hundred volunteers working here. Some are long term volunteers, who have been here months and years, but most are short-term volunteers who like us are only here for a month to get a bit of a taste of what this life is like. We are encouraged to be a close community, so we all eat together and have to serve food to others before ourselves. We also sleep in big dorms of between 50 and 60 , so not much privacy!
Jonno and I are both facing our own challenges by being here. For me, its living and sleeping pretty much outside, bugs and all, and not being able to have my comforts like my hair dryer and straighteners, perfume and make up. For Jonno it is the early mornings, the spirituality and what he calls 'floaty' bits. There is a lot of talk about feelings and hugging, so he can't get away from it! The good thing is that we both understand when each of us is struggling and we can vent to each other.

The food served here is vegan but there are some times we have to eat out for lunch/dinner, and no meals are compulsory but our contribution is mostly towards food. I don't think I could handle trying to be vegan for a whole month (that would mean no chai tea!!) but I am trying to do it being vegetarian (everyone at east Surrey hospital- the rumour I was vegetarian can be true for a bit!). Jonno on the other hand, the savage caveman that he is, couldn't do it. Two days after we arrived we went out for lunch with a group of people from sadhana. As we were all looking at the menu, some hardcore people choosing a vegan option and others of us allowing ourselves a treat of a milkshake or some cheese on our dosa, there was hushed tones and giggling coming from the corner of the table where Jonno and another girl who started the same day as us. They beckoned the waiter over and mouthed something to him. They were then presented with 2 bowls of tender, mouth watering chicken and watched half the table glare with envy as they devoured all of it, looking very pleased with themselves. Terrible! We also have been rebellious by still using shower gel and shampoo, and using toothpaste instead of the tooth powder provided which is basically dirt with a slight smell of mint. We have devised a system to hide our heinous crime by using a few bottles and trying to be as quiet as possible, we have not been outed yet so I think we are getting away with it. Some of the other volunteers/anarchists  have admitted to the same thing, so we are not the only ones!


We have met some really lovely and interesting people here. There are people from lots of different countries who all have different stories and reasons for being here. I feel we have the easy option as we are expected to speak English in the community, and have to watch many people struggling to express themselves in a second language. I can't begin to imagine if the tables were turned and somebody told us we had to communicate with everyone in French or German, my frustration level would be a lot higher!

The local area is called Auroville and is a separate society to the rest of India. Its ideals are that everyone from every background can live harmoniously and they use an exchange system rather than currency, and live in an eco friendly way. Jonno and I are yet to be convinced, seeing the surrounding villages still living in poverty makes it difficult not to be cynical. But I guess there is always time, we might change our minds yet.

The centre of Auroville

We also now have our own mode of transportation, a monster of a 50 cc moped covered with some beautiful rust patterns, which means we can get out a lot easier. While exploring the other day, heading down the open road, we came across some kind of road blockage. As we approached, there was a huge float covered with flowers, dancers  and we could hear loud music and fireworks. Thinking we had just come across a huge party we started walking beside the procession, wheeling the moped through. I then turned my head to look inside the float and realised there was the body of a man with his eyes sewn shut lying there, and people walking beside wailing. We were in the middle of a funeral. After this realisation we tried to get past quickly which was in no way easy as they had taken up the whole road. After getting past the crowd we jumped on the bike only to then have to ride James bond style between the fireworks that were strewn across the middle of the road and were going off at random times. Never a boring moment in India!

Jonno taming the beast

So we are now on day 5 of 31 in sadhana forest, getting into the flow of it but not always finding it easy, let's see what the rest of the month brings!

Planting my first tree!

Jonno getting involved in some mulching