Red is the Color...

There are the most interesting hair dye jobs in India!  Most are henna based and maybe that is what makes for the interesting color variations.  An almost carrot red is a common one, particularly on men with all white hair so it's like red on top with gray underneath.  So, there's no attempt to really show that it's a color job.  Sorry folks, no pictures...yet!  However, someone asked me the other day why I didn't color my hair!  About the only people with naturally gray hair are folks quite a bit older than me.  I had someone offer to henna my hair as well!

I'm encountering a different work ethic with some folks here.  Some of it is cultural but I realize that India doesn't have the market cornered with people who aren't committed to being of service in their job.  And why would it be any different in the ashram than anywhere else?  We're all people after all.  

The weather has really begun to change.  Yes, it's still warm during the day, ok, hot even, and humid but at night, it has gotten down to the 60's (F)  I noticed the trees in the hills are also changing colors.  

I sampled a new fruit for me the other day, sweet lemon.  It looks like a lemon on the outside but I would say it's a cross between a lemon, orange and grapefruit.  

Neither are selling sweet lemon!

Who knew that napkins would become a treat but they are.  They're rarely used here on site but when I venture out of the ashram, I have been offered them on occasion.  It is indeed those little things!

I taught the head cook here how to make apple sauce!  I haven't noticed it being served but one never knows.  

The ashram is under lots of renovation and reconstruction in preparation for the anniversary celebration of the founding in November!  So when people walk in the front, they will be greeted with fountains rather than benches and shrubs.  There is also major renovation going on in the mandir - the temple.  While I mentioned that the work ethic seems to be lacking for some, I am amazed by what the labourers do, from the woman who is sifting the sand with a large screen for the concrete to the cement that's made by hand and obviously laid by hand, along with the brickwork.  And then there's the man who puts the old cement and blocks into bags and transports it on his back/head to outside the ashram.  While I would love to take lots of pictures of this activity, it somehow feels intrusive to me.  But I did get a picture of the men laying some bricks the other day.  

Laying Bricks at Parmarth

I made it to a new place for me the other day--Laxman Jhula--it's about 2.4 km from here. Beautiful river scenery but the area, at least on this side is really touristy!  But fun to explore and find new places for eating.  

Looking towards Laxman Jhula

Buildings on the opposite side of Ganga at Laxman Jhula

Rapids on the Ganga

Close up of the rapids on Ganga

I met a new friend there, Nina, who had been staying at Parmarth but is onto her next destination.  She gifted me a Ganesha, "He is the supreme consciousness that pervades all and brings order in this universe."  To read more about Ganesha, click on this link: http://www.artofliving.org/wisdom/knowledge-sheets/symbolism-ganesha.  I think it's significant that a mouse is sharing my office!  

Ganesha

I saw a Domino's Pizza delivery motorcycle yesterday!  May have to call for a delivery.  

Today I met my friend Adrianna at Madras Cafe across Ganga for brunch.  We took the boat back--another first.  Really quick ride for Rs 10 = 15 cents!

Boat ride across Ganga

I passed my 2 month mark but who's counting?  I find myself going inward more and more each day not in a solitary way but as in recognizing the true divinity that is within each of us and of our ultimate interconnectedness.   Much love until the next time!

Real bull!