Monkeys, bullfrogs, big, big spiders... and sweat!

Might I say that the weather only seems to get hotter and hotter, although I say that as long as I have drinkable water, I'm ok. The khadi salwar kameez I'm wearing is cooler than anything else I could wear-- or so they say. Today I napped in a family's room-- 3 women on the floor and two on the "beds"-- with one little fan circulating above. I woke up drenched in sweat, but hey, that's how it is. Luckily I'm not afraid of sweat, and the rest actually felt quite good otherwise, even w/ it being on a basic wooden piece of flat bed (I'm getting used to that).

Life in Sevagram is still good. I've made several friends at the ashram and find myself surrounded by them, or by interested tourists who go through the ashram daily, as it's guaranteed that I'll be just as interesting to them as Gandhi's hut and spinning wheel and spectacles. I find that when I sit by the tree, by the prayer ground, most everyone seems to flock toward me. Typically I'm writing in my journal, which makes people think I'm either a professional writer or a PhD student doing research. One lady, today, took my journal, looked through it, acted as though she was reading it and then got a very impressed look on her face and handed it back to me. I had to laugh inside-- I don't consider myself a very in-depth journaler, and what I wrote, really wasn't that great. Maybe she didn't understand English that well after all. Ha!

So, Swasti had warned me about the monkeys some time ago-- but today was the first time I'd seen them on the premises! It was when I was having lunch with a family instead of in the regular dining hall, and we heard a ruckus, looked outside, and there was one-- no, wait, 2-- now 4-- and more monkeys jumping like crazy from tree to tree, to the ground, and back up again. I was simply amazed-- monkeys outside of a zoo? Does that happen? (Sheltered American existence, I lead!) More and more appeared-- smaller ones, (much) larger ones, and might I say they are just TOO CUTE! Although Swasti said they might chase people, and when I asked if they were safe, all she said was "no." Oh, yes, that's wonderful! So I told her that if I leave and never come back, because I was eaten by the monkeys, then to have her let everyone know that it was a wonderful way to go-- very... exotic. So, I don't think I'll be making friends with the monkeys anytime soon... but I'll be watching them... I am apparently VERY easily entertained!!!!!

I have a roommate now, or should I say, I've had a roommate since my first night-- it's the biggest bullfrog I've ever seen in my life. He comes in sometime at night and takes refuge in my bathroom, then depending on what time I get up and open up the bathroom, he's either still there or he's already hopped away (to where, I have no idea). I was pretty adamant against this roommate situation at first (before I knew he was just a harmless bathroom-dwelling soul) but now I do believe we are good friends. As of last night there was the biggest spider I've ever seen in my life dwelling on a door in the room, luckily not too near to my door. I was a the point of taking my sandal to the hideous creature when I made a deal with it (out loud, but in English so maybe he didn't understand!!!) that I wouldn't kill him if he stayed far, far away from me. Yes, although I am currently living in the presence of Gandhian ashramites who follow Gandhian principles of ahimsa, I'd be willing to do away with the scary creature in a heartbeat. I woke up and he was gone, so we'll see what future nights bring. At least I'm protected by my mosquito net at night, although last night I realized that there is a hole in it, so what good is that really doing me??? HA! Oh well, life's all about the adventure, or something like it. I haven't been taken away by the mosquitoes yet, and I've not felt sick yet, so we're doing well, quite well.

Turns out that Swasti has backed out on going to Kerala, which actually is a relief to me because I wasn't wanting to hit up Kerala first, anyway. So, I'll be in the process of making some travel reservations soon, I think! Kolkata first, to volunteer with the Missionaries of Charity. Somebody told me about Air Deccan which is a very low-cost domestic Indian airline; they have a lot more city options than Spice Jet... I'm going to try to do some flying as well as some train-hopping... although because I'm going this way and that, most train rides would be at least 36 hours-- one would be 46-- but we'll see what happens. I can talk about plans all I want but really, there aren't any official ones right now, so I'm just sort of thinking out loud. Whoops!

Time to take off... well, I'll be visiting with the family first, who is so wonderful in letting me use their Internet since I'm nowhere near it otherwise... and then heading back to the ashram.

Sorry I can't write much more... sooooooooo much to say and reflect on but that'll have to happen once I'm in a place w/ more consistent Internet accessability!

Don't be strangers, y'all!!!