Rain and Fire

We are having pre-monsoon rainy afternoons. It is wonderful to have the air cleared from smoke for a while and for the temperatures to drop. It has been running 36-38 degrees Celsius many of the days this week. The wheat has been harvested and farmers are waiting for monsoon to plant rice and corn. The government forests are very dry and people with permits to graze their goats and sheep in sections of the forest have been burning off the layer of needles on the forest floor to ensure a better crop of grass for their animals. The hill behind us burned yesterday. I could hear the flames crackling from the balcony off our bedroom.

Monday was a 'holiday' and I was invited to a wedding feast. Due to communication problems, I arrived at 11:00 when the feast started at 1:00. I had an interesting time, however, sitting in a dark room (electricity was out in Kanyara as well as Dharamsala) talking with the brides mother, her sister, and the bride's auntie. Well we weren't really talking much but it was a good experience. The bride, Jassi, was married in Amritsar that day and would not return home. The feast was for her relatives. Anju came with me, helped me pick out a nose pin for Jassi, and then helped smooth the way to our leaving after an hour. The hospitality and friendliness I've experienced here is incredible.
Later in the afternoon, a new group of 15 volunteers (mostly about 20 years old) arrived. Things had been so quiet it rather felt like an invasion. We have gotten to know them as people during this past week, and, as one might expect, there are some pretty great young people, and, perhaps a couple who may not have been ready for travel to India. Brittany will be working with the women's group for 6 weeks. She's great. It makes it easier for me to return home.
Thursday David left and in the afternoon, Ronnie came in his taxi and took me up to Mcleodganj to Mr. Gupta's travel agency so that I could get a flight from her to New Delhi on 4, June. Fortunately Ronnie waited so he could take me back down the hill. There was a magnificent storm while I was in Mr. Gupta's office. I watched people close up their stalls and race for shelter, dogs crawl under the closed stalls, and a disconcerted bull march down the street annoyed by the hammering hail. David's flight was cancelled, so he had to take an all night taxi ride to New Delhi.....
Friday night Bonnie and Jerra, needing peace and quiet, rented rooms in a guest house in Mcleodganj. Sharmani and I went up also and we four had dinner, shopped a little, and Sharmani and I came home. That was my first evening out while actually in Dharamsala. Last night Anil, the director, invited us to his home to meet his wife, two daughters, and his father who are visiting for a month from Jaipur. An incredible family, great evening, and lots of fun and good conversation. We (Bonnie, Jerra, Sharmani, and I) had a wonderderful time, and again, the hospitality and genuine kindness couldn't be surpassed. We returned at 11:30 PM...curfew is 9:30 :)
The new group had a picnic today. We stayed and enjoyed a quiet late morning and afternoon!!!! Its storming now. I'm taking the day off. Going to read "Holy Cow."