India Journal Continued

I could start writing now, and forever about injustices of the world, or the cold and wind, or simply... why the pressure in High School, but I won't. Instead I give you part ... three? Of my India story.

When I talked about the Banyan Tree, here it is.

November 14, 2009 8:05 am

    So much to tell. Well, last night they told us that because the 24-block across he little dirt road that leads to the infirmary and our 24-block that we will double up people. (Translation from past me speak: we where going to need to double up on rooms). A bunk bed was placed in our room, and I was asked to leave my nice bed by the window and move to the top bunk as I am the smallest. Actually I like clambering up onto it. The one problem, is that it is higher then most bunkbeds, and does not have a railing. 

11:17 am

    I am sitting in the dining hall, all hot and sweaty. I spent my morning like this: first I woke up when Padma, our new room mate came, then I took a bath, Indian style. This was very cold because I could not figure out the hot water heater. I needed to wash my hair as well. OK so Indian style is that you get a big bucket with water and then you have a little plastic pitcher thing and you use it to pour the water on yourself. God, you should have heard me screech when the cold liquid washed over me. So then I walked across the quiet ground between the sleeping quarters and the official buildings. Rocks and sandy dirt crunched under my feet and birds sang to each other. In the distance a rooster crowed. I slipped through the door into the vast space of Ananda Sabha, sat quietly though the rest of morning yoga, did my meditation and then went back to the 24-block. There I climbed on my bunk and then wrote a little, then helped get new people settled. After that I went to a delicious breakfast of papaya, idli, chutney, and porridge (yes, like oatmeal, for us Americans). Spencer, a 24 year old from Canada said a little chant, which stays in my mind. When the woman serving asked Spencer how many scoops of oats he wanted(....)

Sunday November 15, 2009 late night

    I had a very busy and tiring day today. Why? I went shopping in Bangalore city. It was sort of fun, but it was hot, polluting fumes burned my chest, and the five people, with the exception of one, wanted to shop, shop, SHOP! I mean seriously they spent sooooo long in this one store. Anyway I did get some nice stuff though. Two beautiful kurtas (Indian tops), a pair of leggings, a gorgeous purse, and three pairs of pants for my mom. On the way home we stopped at a little stand and got a typical Indian snack, sort of thing. Basically "they" take a fresh cocoanut, the kind from palm trees that are all green, not hairy and brown. Then they take a large knife and hack off part of the top. Next they stick a straw in, and you drink all the "water" inside. In my opinion it was not that good, but it is sooooo good for you. Also in the morning I got one journal (take note this is the first place I start to talk Indian English) from Ananda Galleria, the awesome store over here, at the ashram. Oh yes and I made friends with two girls from Texas who just moved to the Ashram. One is ten, the other is nine. I ate breakfast with Shrea, the nine year old, and dinner with both girls. They are very open and connected to Swamiji, also both are very knowledgeable about the Dhyanapeetum and Swamiji himself. One last thing before I go to bed. OK one: I found yet another Spanish speaker today, from Spain who agreed to help me. Two: Swamiji is coming tomorrow and the program starts!