The Tenth Day

10.24.12

I didn't have much time to write today, this day being the last and big day of Dasain so...tomorrow it's a bus to KTM and then a flight to Delhi where in a day or two I'll be enroute to Jaipur. If there is an internet cafe in my vicinity I might write again here, but there is good in disconnecting.  Right?

 

10.23.2012

In this possibly the ninth day of Dasain children play games and this morning Maya cleaned all the items in her light blue kitchen temple and then replaced them, then lit oil, three incense sticks, sprinkled water on all brass containers including surprisingly a smooth stone I had painted when I painted the room while in my state of ecstasy, and then gave me a tikka, and then placed marigold flowers on my head.

And we saw a most amazing breakfast and lunch rush, one never seen here and Laxman estimated he had to tell at least twenty travelers there was no room at the inn.  Amir chills in the dining room, draped with a yellow striped wool blanket and no shoes.  He didn’t stay in room eight last night, asthma he said, perhaps a bit of claustrophobia.  I remember having problems breathing there with the constant rain and mold.  Two months, in the monsoon season.  Did I leave that room any better?

My mind wishes to play games with me, this instinct telling me there is a sense of urgency, of anticipation among the travelers, even Amir, in his bliss there is always something needed.  Feeling lazy can easily be misconstrued when during your whole life you work and then you have nothing to do.  I think contentment may be more suitable, but doing nothing.  It’s not lazy. 

The children continue to play on the steps, Laxman and Maya haven’t stopped cooking for almost twelve hours.  Ama and Baba come over and now that it is dark Ama is making fried roti circles over a fire in the lower garden.  The batter contains wheat, ghee, a little bit of sugar and water.  I sat and held my flashlight over the skillet as she poured a rope of batter with her hand and using a stick turned it over until it was golden brown.  I ate more than I should have but with a painful stomach the last two days this grease may have helped me deal with whatever bothered me.  I think I know and I did have more of it with the dal bhat and I feel fine.