What I really like about staying at the Chetak is I get up early, do what I do before leaving my room, then make it downstairs to the outdoor lobby where I’m the first person up and have the whole lobby to myself. I polish off a scrambled egg and toast and (yes) a cup of coffee. The coffee is actually pretty good. I FaceTime Bruce and Bear and begin posting my blog.

I forgot to mention I finished The Other Daughter yesterday during the harrowing drive from Mumbai to Pune. It was a good decoy to keep my mind on anything other than getting squeezed like a bug between two or three large goods carrying trucks as my driver weaved crazily in and out of them in the pouring rain. Did I mention the pot holes? There was a section of the expressway before heading up the hill where there were a million potholes about the size of a kids blowup swimming pool. It was really fun being in the car in the dark in the rain while my driver and all the other crazy drivers around us navigated through what I’ll now refer to as Pot Hole City.

I just finished my breakfast and cup of coffee and still no sign of life other than those who work here. The streets are coming alive, however, with the sound of vehicles honking at anyone and anything to get outta their way.

Yesterday.  This photo … Really? 

Pano of some poor housing I walked by yesterday. There are many houses in such poor state, and many much worse.  

Motor scooters parked outside the park near the Institute.
  

The sidewalks have improved quite a bit. This used to be a dangerous walking zone for ankles. It’s really quite beautiful now. 

When I went to practice this morning the decorations were being put up for the Guru Purnima celebrations to be held this evening, when spiritual teacher(s) are celebrated and honored. Tonight Geetaji will be conducting a pranayama class followed by a call and response recitation of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali in Sanskrit. Here are photos of some of the decorations.

  
This bottom photo is a statute of Ramamani Iyengar, Guruji’s wife who died when she was 46. The Institue was named after her – Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute. This is right inside the gate when you walk onto the property.

Along the way back from the Institute … School boy friends.

These boys were more than happy to wave for the photo. Btw, you can’t really see this, but the van is packed overflowing with boys. 

This is a typical site. There’s a lot of pollution so it’s a good idea to filter your air intake.

I am off now to get ready for tonight’s class and celebration. Happy Guru Purnima to those celebrating.
Blogged from iNdia with LOVE!