We are staying at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, where we stayed when we first arrived in Delhi. It's amazing to be in the same place because everything is so different. I feel like I actually see the ashram now; the surrounding community and the layout of the rooms are recognizable. It's interesting. I'm staying in a room with my dear friend Isabelle, which is lovely because it's freezing and we have a pile of wool blankets and FLEECE LINED SLEEPING BAGS to sleep in. I wasn't able to sleep in when in Darjeeling, but now that I'm back in Delhi I can sleep and relax. That's probably because I don't have a paper to finish. Everything is coming to a close.
Yesterday my friends I went to Jan Path Market to buy christmas gifts and I had a great experience getting my Indian shoes fixed. A shoemaker tracked me down through the market and informed me that my shoe was broken (which... it was). So, Isabelle and I sat down with this old man as he fixed my leather shoe. He sat cross-legged, holding my show between his feet, and sewing the leather together. He looked very animal-like, and was incredibly adorable and endearing. He then told me that I needed rubber soles. I was convinced he just wanted money, so I said "No, No, ji." But, like a true salesmen, he did it anyway. He just resoled my shoes. He said "Give me whatever you want." So I paid him a good amount (because he was a great man), and he gave Izzy and I chai! It was amazing to watch him work--a true crafstmen. We sat there for about an hour and were able to see the whole community of the street wandering by, the chai-wallah and the peacock feather-wallah. It was fascinating.
I just realized I'm leaving a day earlier than I thought which is kind of funny. I leave on Sunday and not on Monday! What?! Meaning I arrive in America a day sooner than I thought, and get to eat some salad a day sooner than I thought!! Salad, I am looking forward to the vegetables and the fruit.
See you all soon, I will write again soon, I hope.
Hi Galen, love the cobbler story. You must be familiar with Baddha Konasana, the Cobbler Pose. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have what I hope is a small favor to ask, but please, promise that that you will attempt to procure this item only if it is very easy and convenient - otherwise, no worries! I have been trying to get my hands on a spice called "hing" in Hindi, or "asafoetida" in English. It's commonly used in Indian cooking, and very hard to find in Maine.
If you happen to be in a market where there are spices, I would love it if you could bring me back a little bottle of it. It's a powder I believe, and aside from its culinary use it has antimicrobial properties. Evidently it also smells like ass and is known to be an antiflatulent. :-)
Many thanks in advance!
Love,
Julie
Gus can't wait to taste, I mean, see your new shoe job! And if you do find that hing Julie's after, get some for Sam!!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see you! Ma