Yesterday I had a great 2 1/2 hour practice. My shoulder is getting stronger every day. I’m able to do most poses, some of them with modifications, and it’s so nice to be able to do long inversions again. Medical class is going well. I have my sequence memorized and can do most of the asanas without assistance, although in medical class, I’ve always got an assistant nearby. Yesterday, I was fortunate to have Stephanie by my side. Guruji was there to oversee the class, but he stayed on the platform and gave directions to his assistants from there.

To continue my Sunday sightseeing, after our chai stop, Nana took us to Parvati Hill where he left us to fend for ourselves.

The Parvati Temple on top of Parvati Hill, 2100′ above sea level, was built in the 17th century under Peshwa Dynasty rule. A Peshwa is the equivalent of a modern prime minister. Parvati Hill is the 2nd highest point and the Parvati Temple is the oldest heritage structure in Pune. There are 103 steps to the 5 temples on top of the hill. If you’re interested in more information, go here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parvati_Hill

These first pictures are of the trek up the long steps.

Above, ManYee with her spicy peanuts she bought at a vendor along the way. I actually ate some and lived to tell about it, & yes, they were very spicy!!
The trek wasn’t too strenuous, and the weather that day was perfect, contrary to the iPhone/iPad Weather App that seems to show we’re in a constant thunderstorm.

We came across a group of Indian fellows who were taking turns taking group photos. I told them I’d take their group photo if they’d take ours. So I took a few group photos of them, and when the time came for our group photo to be taken, all the guys ran to be in the picture with us! What the heck… The more the merrier, I say.

The two people in the background were unrelated and came from the other side of the arch to get in our photo too. Everybody wanted to be in the picture with us. The kid with the platter on his head followed us around the whole time begging us to buy his food, which we didn’t.

This Kurma (tortoise), above, was carved in the floor of one of the temples – the second time I’ve seen Kurma carved in the floor of a temple.

I took so many more beautiful pictures I will share in coming days.

Last night around 9pm we heard loud drumming. It got louder and louder, and the next thing we knew, there was a parade going past our building. It was pretty cool. You can’t see much, but I took this photo from my 9th floor bedroom window. What you can see in the photo is that cars still have the right of way, even when there’s a parade …

I know you’ll find this shocking … I skip the elevator and take the stairs to our 9th floor flat 🙂

Today is 9:30 am women’s class with Geetaji and 4pm open practice with grocery shopping for a few necessities in between.