Wednesday, December 9, 2009

delhi continued

Ah, back in Delhi. It's the city of dirt, dust, and dirty old men. But it is nice to be back, believe it or not. It was hard at first - I found myself being moody and annoyed at everyone for having stories that I can't relate to... but now I've come to terms with that, and it's much better.

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.

2 comments:

  1. Hi Galen, love the cobbler story. You must be familiar with Baddha Konasana, the Cobbler Pose. :-)

    I 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

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  2. 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!!
    Can't wait to see you! Ma

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