I Just Killed a Lizard

Another reminder that I'm in India.  I just sat down at my desk and found that I had inadvertently smushed a baby lizard at some point, I'm guessing today, under a a small stack of paperwork that's sitting on my desk.  Poor thing.  I guess we're now inextricably intertwined.  We also have a mouse that I think resides in here as well.  

I realize that I need to start taking more pictures.  That probably means I need to get out of my office more or take pictures of things that I walk by every day.  

My health has been improving day by day.  And I've also made some decisions to get ahead of the usual cycle that I go through with this type of sickness so rather than let myself drag it out and then take action, I got on top of it this time.  Yay, me!  It really has made the rounds of the ashram though.

Last Saturday at this time, there was a huge Lord Krishna celebration going on in the ashram for about 4 hours. Here is a picture of one of the Rishikumars dressed up as Lord Krishna and a couple of others from the ashram dressed as a couple of his wives, I believe.  I used to know more about Hinduism than I remember now.  Time to study up on the finer points!

On the way back from purchasing material a week or so ago, Pooja, one of the people who takes care of me, showed me the back way to the ashram.  It was so pleasant--nice and quiet and not the hustle and bustle that usually represents the market.  

Since it had been a month from the time I acquired my Indian sim card for my phone, it was time to update the charges.  I went back to the market store where I had purchased it but the owner was back in his home town as his father had died.  Being the oldest son, he needed to return and take care of the arrangements, etc.  But I discovered that I can pay for whatever I need for my phone online!  It's really amazing to think that you can just choose whatever services you want and it immediately gets added to your phone.  As I've mentioned, the coverage is so inexpensive.  And so many people have cell phones but more than half of the country has no or limited access to toilets.  This is one of the major initiatives that Swamiji has embraced for several years.  

One of my favorite foods thus far is kofta!  They're really yummy.  They look like meatballs but are made from chickpeas and served with gravy.  More, please!!!  

I'm a happy camper.  I got my other cabinet for my room.  Now I can hang some of my clothes!!! So what if it only took about 3 weeks?!  I can now totally unpack.  

I've realized that it seems like the whole world ends up in Rishikesh, sooner or later.  I've met people from all over the world here.  When are you arriving?!  

One of my new outfits that cost me $3 to have sewn!