Last week I went swimming in the ocean off the Indian Subcontinent for the first time.

I was visiting friends at Serenity Beach just outside Auroville for a long holiday weekend (Ghandi's Birthday). After emerging from the warm South-Indian water, my friend V complimented my long, dripping wet hair. She told me I would look great with my hair dreaded, and she offered to lock my hair. Flattered, I gratefully accepted her gift!

V's 9-year mature dreadlocks are wrapped beautifully. She has a lot of experience with dreadlocks. The next weekend, I returned to Auroville. It took her 5 hours to lock my hair using the so-called "rip & twist" method. The following weekend, she spent a few more hours with a crochet hook to finish the task.