A "Normal" Week

Hello all:

It has been a slow and steady week with more "regular" activities than special ones. I find that when I am down or homesick, I walk down to market, namaste people, smile and say "hello" to some children and "take my life in my hands" walking through traffic.



The weather has been dry and sunny. The photo is one of an approaching storm - we are right up with the thunder and lightening! I have continued with yoga and Ragu has moved on to other poses; though he always starts with sun salutations. I am trying an afternoon class (there are 19 new volunteers so the class may be quite crowded!).

Yesterday the women's group when to a 'mundan' or boy baby blessing ceremony. The baby had his head shaved in temple (which we did not see the previous day) and then the partying began. It went all night and then the day we were there. There was a band and dancing, food and drink (they carefully served us chai, Fanta orange, and some cookies and sweets we could eat!). The house was beautiful - white with elaborate tile, etc. It turns out to be the mother-in-laws house and our group member lives next door with her family (she is only 17). I enjoyed the dancing and being able to see the women in their own elements. I want to get permission before pubing photos...





I hiked part way up a new back route to McLeod - need boots and stick then I will go further. Sometimes it really is "where is the trail?" - as you can see from the photo. Also hiked up the "regular" way - tried to pretend I didn't see the monkeys and they didn't see me! Bought a singing bowl and spent an hour looking at Pashmina and other shawls. The shopkeepers pull everything out and pile them high. They give you chai and show their "credentials". Only at the end when you have several picked out does the price talk begin. Negociating can go on for quite a while and usually you end up spending less than half what they start at. I actually walked away with nothing on that go - I just wasn't "in love" with any of it - the Pashmina has quite a history but I actually like the silk/cotton mix or the Paisley better (the term Paisley comes from the swirls on the material that mimic the curved imprint of the side of the hand of the person "signing" the paper etc - from many centuries ago.

Other interesting facts: Our "drug stores" or convenience stores are called "daily needs stores". Other items are quite segregated by type (magazines are separate from personal hygiene items like toothpaste/shampoo etc). There are separate stores for shoes, ready-made clothing, tailors etc. Back ends of trucks have "BLOW HORN" on the back. Turn signals are used to let those behind you know they should pull ahead of you (never to show you are actually turning that I have seen).



The entire town is preparing for Diwali (Festival of Lights) which starts next Tuesday night the 28th. Houses, walls (inside and out) get new colors of paint. Weeds are dug up. The tailors are booked solid making clothing and the small pots for the lights have sold out - poof! Of course, Tuesday night will have the fireworks - for those in Seattle - think the kind you get on the Reservations! Big big bang.

This is a bit short and ordinary- it is good to see day-to-day life as the people do (at least a bit). I don't work anywhere near as hard - behind the house a group of men are breaking up huge boulders by hand (with hammer and chisle). They work all day - with few breaks - slow and steady. No drama, no complaints(at least none I can discover via tone of voice). It is work that needs doing and is getting done. The horses and mules carry their loads daily, the birds sing, the babies scream or laugh...children ask for chocolate. Women walk to and fro with loads on their heads or by their sides. Children are never left wanting a hug or comfort. The ordinary comes and goes quietly (or not so quietly) every day. Drama only seems to enter via emails or phone calls or through my head or through the Internet when I read about the upcoming election, etc. It does seem my "worries" are there - just hidden behind miles and a veneer made by the clothes I wear. I have brought myself to India - in five weeks I am seeing more clearly who I am - the traits I admire and that others seem to - as well as those I would rather leave behind.

I wake eager for the days work, most of the time; and still find myself thinking about Delhi - three weeks out - etc. I will catch myself in the moment and be grateful for having nothing "better" to do at that moment. How can I bring this home?