Hot Springs With Waterfalls

Got up this morning for hot spring with 1st and 4th uncle. We went to Do Ke by Yi Lan. With the new tunnel expressway, it takes only 45 minutes to get there. The room I was in was semi outdoor set up. IT costed 500-600 yuan for each room. The pool landscape was set up like a pond and the whole area was lined with rocks and bushes including a mini waterfall where the hot spring water was coming out of. Then there was a mini waterfall where the excess hot spring was flowing out through. The pool was large enough for 4 to 5 people to lay comfortably. I really enjoyed this. I could live like this every day.

We went a restaurant in Yi Lan for food and it was delicious. My favorite was the spicy tofu stew. The we went to a dried fruit shop and 4th aunty in law bought me many things to take home with me as gifts to the family.

Then we stopped by camp sites because my uncles were planning camping trips for the summer. Things that were important to them, access to the river and toilet. The river so the grandkids can play. The toilet because who doesn't care for a nice clean toilet.

I dreamed this morning that I went home and handed out the gifts. It must be time to go home. I should look into a ticket home and book a date for my return.

Bring a Guy, He'll Finish Everything Off

4th and 3rd aunty wanted to go to Guan Yin Shan for a hike along with A Bu La the puppy. I figured it would not be rigorous so I didn't dress for anything aside from a stroll. I ended up taking my turtle neck off and hiked in my camisole. Everyone starred at me because everyone was in windbreakers and I had on a spaghetti string top. Before we even started, 4th aunty wanted to eat noodles at a truck stand. I think it is a bad idea to hike with food undigested in your stomach, but I didn't say anything to comment on it. A Bu La must have had digested intestinal stuff going on because he farted the whole time. They were so loud that no one would know it really came from a 3 pound 3 month old Palamerian puppy.

I then went with Chen Chen and his girlfriend to hang out at SiLin night market. They were so quick in rushing to pay for me that I lost every time. It would be equivalent to a western gun draw. I'd probably would have died over and over again because I drew my guns too slow. His girlfriend told me I was too slow and when I've had enough practice and can beat her then I can pay. Well, we shopped my accessory fetish. The other thing we did the whole night was eat. It was good to have Chen Chen there. It's always good to have a guy there when you are eating from one stall to another. You want a bit of everything but you don't have the stomach room for everything, you bring a guy, he'll help to finish off the food.

Mister Donut a Japanese run chain is the hot spot in Taipei. I really don't get it but the lines are long. Maybe it's just the latest fashionable thing, maybe soon they will realize that it really doesn't taste good at all.

We All Knew She Would Fall

I went to the salon for my appointment on time. The hair dresser was not ready. I ended up sitting and waiting for her to get herself ready. I watched how she was training her daughter to inherit her business while the younger brother was allowed to watch TV and he especially liked horror films. I can't stand horror films, I get can't sleep or stand the dark or traveling at all. So I can't watch horror films. I always tell my friends I can watch it but they are responsible to picking my calls when I can't sleep or is afraid to go to the bathroom at night or do anything at night. I really don't think it's worth the work involved.

Through the salon mirrors we could see a grandma approach on the road. Everyone had attention on her because somehow we could all see she was going to take a fall for no particular reason and she did. She turned out to be the hair dresser's mom.

After the grandma left, my 3rd aunty in law and the hair dresser all talked about the troubles and distress of having a family and in laws and extended families. They both recommend that I do not walk that path and the reason I don't understand what they are really stressing about is because I am single. Well my hair turned out beautiful. The last time I had it done was in Guan Zhou and that was beautiful styled. I really like having my hair done. But if it is not going to be interestingly beautiful to me I'd rather not have it done and totally just keep it as is until I locate someone who I can find satisfaction in doing my hair. You know, it's like when you spend money then make it worthwhile why settle for unsatisfying results.

Afterwards I decided to go to Eastern Section of Taipei and have hotpot. I arrived at 1pm and they closed at 2:30pm. I decided today I would have two salads. They have delicious salads. I had mine with wasabe dressing. It was just right.

Then I went shopping along the Eastern Section. I really enjoy checking out the creativity in the products from functional needs to artistic creativity. I like how there is room for a variety of anything goes. There is room for lots of creativity. The trouble of this can be that anything goes and you can get some horrific looking stuff.

I then wanted to sit in one of the lounge shops. They are beautifully done with interesting fashionable furniture. However they were all cocktail and wine places and here it's not smoke free. So I ended up not stepping into a nice place because of the smoking.

Guan Wu

I had very little rest because I stayed up to watch movies with my cousins after the party. It was the party after the party. I had to get up at 6am to go for another outing and this time was with 3rd uncle, his wife and 4th aunty to Guan Wu. I slept the whole way. I didn't know I was being a party pooper. They were really exited about this outing and really wanted my participation in the car but I was passed out and when they tired to wake me up I was like dying or something and they found me to be offensive. Also my 4th aunty kept physically grabbing my arm every time we passed by a tree or something she was very excited of because she doesn't get out much. I was unhappy about that and told her I didn't like being grabbed. I had no idea I was being rude and a poor guest. I was just exhausted and needed to sleep in the car so I can be awake and functional when we arrived.

I finally woke up when we arrived and there was snow caps on trees. It was beautiful. The snow wasn't thick because most of it melted by now, there is just a nice layer of powered icing on top of trees. It was beautiful.

4th aunty wore her so called tennis shoes with 2 inch heels and she complained of sore feet and inability to hike. Well, I think it was the shoes, it was really heels disguised as tennis shoes, a once fashionable thing to somebody. It really did not equip her with trail hiking. We walked on a very pristine trail.

I really missed nature. As much as I love Taiwan and the fun and convenience of Taipei city, I love nature. I love easy access to nature and I love to hike. I love the smell of pine needles and soil and the scent of wild flowers.

We had simple but abundant lunch at the restaurant. Then we went into a tea room to over look the scenic mountain and sea of clouds blanketing the ridges. It's so beautiful this way. I love to just drink tea and look out into nature and just breath. I am perfectly happy to just park myself somewhere and just do that.

3rd Uncle talked about younger years. He said my mom used to collect coins in a can and one day he broke the can to buy wan gwei because a neighbor would always tease him about how he's too poor to buy it. He basically took my mom's savings and spent it on that. The most memorial part was this, he got an unforgettable beating from his dad afterwards.

The drive out of the park everyone fell asleep including the driver, I noticed this and opened my eyes real wide. Then all of a sudden he slammed on the break when a car raced by him and cut him off. It was a good thing it was the breaks he stepped on and not the gas. He asked me if I missed driving and I said I'd be up for driving any time. He was going to pull over except that one near incident really got his adrenalin rushed up and he woke up. It was better this way because then all the people in the car would be too nervous to have me drive and I would end up with many back seat drivers.

Along the ride I got to notice the aboriginals who live in their house and they would have a portrait of Jesus hanging in their walls. It occurred to me that most of the aboriginals were converted into Christianity. I think my father's ancestors were responsible for that. They were early Presbyterian missionaries of Taiwan and established churches all over Taiwan.

Xue Ba

3rd uncle in law picked me up in his 6 seater Toyota hatchback. I sat in the very last row. I'm actually most comfortable there. Most people don't like to sit in the last row because they somehow feel left out. But I like it because this way I don't have to turn my head around to talk to anyone or to see them. I could see everyone from the back and I can speak loud without a problem. Plus usually it's empty and so I have space to lay down and stretch out. We were out for an outing to central east Taiwan to a national park called Xue Ba.

On the way there we stopped by a rest stop. The rest stops in Taiwan is posh. I love it. The food is good and there are great snacks. I think Taiwan aside from Japan is a great snack country. I haven't been to Korea so I can't figure them in. The rest stop is very comfortable and luxurious in my opinion. The gift snack shop is one of the best attractions. In Taiwan, there is a custom that you don't show up to anyone's house empty handed. So from the packaging to actual product of snack hand goods are pretty good.

Both the 3rd and 4th uncle in laws had good sense of humor and I laughed the entire way. We arrived in the park and walked around the visitors center. The weather there was misty and foggy so we decided it would be best to just hang out at the visitor center. In this center we stepped into the movie room to watch the film on the park trails, mountain peaks, wildlife and fauna. This park alone houses 60 percent of the worlds butterfly species.

I would like to backpack and camp in the national parks in Taiwan. This would have to be a separate trip with all my gear with me. I would just have a great time hiking and looking at butterflies, birds, flowers, trees. Taiwan has one of the vast varieties of butterflies in the world. Plus backpacking isn't that hot of sport here. There are enough people who do it but not enough to ruin the pristine wildlife. I am looking forward to spotting a live phoenix tail butterfly myself.

I remember when I was very young, I went on a butterfly outing with extended families and we caught butterflies in nets. Well, I put my butterflies in a bag somehow and forgot about them. So the suffocated and died. I was very sad when I remembered and found all of them dead. I was very little. What do I know? Not knowing many things and being very forgetful is a toddler child trait. I totally forgot to release them after ooo-ah...... I still feel terrible about it.

After walking around the outskirts of the visitor's center we went walking down a tofu street, another tourist attraction. Our goal was to just snack a bit because it wasn't lunch or dinner but snack time. And we had planned to soak in the nearby hot spring. But,.....we ended up eating the whole way. I had mochi, cake, spicy stewed tofu, fried tofu, and out of this world fruits, etc... I can't remember, I lost track after awhile. I was stuffed.

We went to a hot spring resort hoping to just soak and not stay over night.
When they arrived they found out that it cost 3,000 yuan to stay over night in this resort for basic setup. 3rd aunty's children had given them this place as a weekend resort getaway and they had a great time. How did it go. Well, they found it the studio setup for the place was 3,000 yuan and they only had 2,500 yuan of cash, they were short. They had to go into town and search for an ATM. They ended up having instant noodles for dinner because they didn't have enough money for dinner. They're at this posh resort and they didn't have money for dinner. Fortunately the instant noodles in Taiwan are really delicious. I'd eat it every day if it wasn't bad for you with msg and preservatives and load of sodium and fat to give a triple bypass. Well, they called their kids on this entire escapade and the kids talked it over and said they'd pitch in and set them up with the top suite at 6,000 yuan if they'd be willing to allow themselves to get pampered. It was funny.

This place is known for herbal bath. And herbal bath here in Taiwan means Chinese Medicine Herbal bath. It's not like rose petals with mint or something. No, it's like brown or black in color and smells like Traditional Chinese Medicine. The bath tub for the hotspring in the basic cheapest room was small and only enough for 2 people to squat in. It was 500 per room for the hour. The tub itself really lacked comfort in all our opinions. It was hot spring peak season time and there was no room for negotiations because business was booming. We decided to not soak there. I can't remember why. I think partly it was too expensive for an hour soak and the basic set up was not as good for the price we were given or something. I don't really know exactly. I just know the negotiations took awhile.

On the ride back the conversations in the car was on the stories of my parents. In summery, my mother to everyone is everyone's mom and my father is a generous and fun person. We went to SiLin district for dinner and at YiYuan where 3rd uncle and his wife and 2nd aunty and her husband joined us. Then we went over to 4th aunty's place for tea and talks were attempted for an all aunties sleep over. But that didn't happen, my mom was out of the picture back in US. So Chan Chan decided to call my mom and pretend he was a police officer who was charging her with not being present at a party. It was hilarious. I think it was like 6:30am in US.

Arcade With the Aunties

Today I went with 3rd and 4th aunty to the area of Jin Shan to soak in hot spring. We took a hike at a coastal trail and both of the aunties were panting. I love the nature and I do love hiking on beautiful trails. The coast was beautiful in this part of Taiwan. I can see why Taiwan was called Formosa.

Since 3rd aunty didn't have anything to eat she was hungry so we stopped to eat after the hike. Since we ate we had to walk off the food before soaking. Well, we went into this area of shops that was touristy and we had more food. We were suppose to walk of the food and instead we ate more food. Hmm... how does it work again?

Finally made it to the hot spring and it was 150 yuan to soak for an hour but I only soaked for 30 minutes somehow. Well, I felt soaked! Anyways, what a deal!

Continuing onward on girls day out we went to SiLin Night Market for food and shopping. We ended up not doing any shopping. We just ate and then hung out at the game area and played in the arcade. We had a lot of fun investing coins into machines and played games. The one we got the most kick out of was the basket ball toss. We teamed up to make shots into the basket with the allowed time. We really didn't do very well but had a ton of fun in the process.

We left the night market at 8pm. This was very early because the night market is just starting to run then. It really goes into hot full speed at 10pm at night. But the aunties were tired and wanted to go home. But...but...but... the evening has just started. Oh well,....

Buffets are Dangerous

Went to a shop on San He Ye Si area with 3rd and 4th Aunty. We spent all our time in one shop and all of us had a fun girl time together trying on different clothes. Lunch was no good. I felt with such experiences, it's such a waste of stomach space and digestion energy.

I went to visit some friends and met up with the rest of the group in Dong Qu, Eastern Section a popular hang out area for college students and young professionals. We at a Ruo He all you can eat vegetarian Hot Pot Buffet. Such places are dangerous. The hot pot item selections was good enough then there is appetizer, entree, fruits, dessert, drinks on top of all of that. And there are multi selction of soup stocks for your pot of hot pot. You can have three different ones in one pot.

Yi Chien gave me her YoYo card which is a MRT and bus card that you can top off. It's quite convenient that way you don't have to stand in front of the ticket line every time you want to go somewhere.

I called various people in US and checked in with them to catch up. It was nice of people to offer me a place to stay since I will be homeless when I return. I gave up the apartment in Berkeley when I left. I just didn't want to have anything to worry about when I was away. Did that person pay rent. Is the apartment still intact. Was the PG&E bill paid, etc...

Still Hung Up on Sweat Pants Sweat Shirts

Today 4th Aunty and I took the bus to Long Men Si, an old temple. We stopped by a local vendor and had fresh sugar cane juice and hot and crispy and juicy cabbage buns. It was so simple and so delicious. Then it was more shopping at the underground mall and local nearby shops. Everything 4th aunty went for were all sweat pants or shirt related. She wouldn't let me buy anything outside of that and I didn't want to buy any of those things. It was interesting to go through this so I didn't buy anything. I guess that's fine, save money since I really don't have any.

Chen Chen's girlfriend came over for dinner and we cooked together. Dinner wasn't that interesting somehow but everyone politely ate bits here and there. After sending his girlfriend off, he and I went to local Blockbusters and rented movies and watched till wee hours. There is this silent understanding and agreement that we would watch together all three of us so we'd wait until Chan Chan got back and usually this means some time after 11pm is when we start to hang out together. It's cool by me. I really enjoy their company.

DIY Crafts Store Shopping

4th Aunty took me to a bead shop. I was in craft heaven. I love doing things like this. I spent a lot of money getting crystal beads of sorts to make beads. I had warned her that I can spend all day in places like this that she would get bored and that she should just leave me there. But she really wanted to accompany me so she stayed with me for hours as I check everything out in great detail. This entire area has DIY beading crafts supply.

After DIY beads district, we went to DIY knitting and fabric accessory district. I was in fun heaven. I spent a lot of time in this area going from store to store checking out different types of supplies.

For dinner we were invited to 2nd uncle's place for dinner. I chatted with his son Wei Xiang for a long time about my travels. He said he admired my life and my abilities. Wow! What a nice change. I've been attacked by my 4th aunty on my lifestyle and here is someone else who says the opposite. I guess when you have a large extended family, everyone has an opinion and they are hardly agreeable.

Dinner was delicious. I really like the soup, it had a stock that had body to it. I felt all healed just by drinking it. 2nd aunty in law is a great cook too. I learned in the past few years she studies Wai Dan Gong, a kind of qigong and had trainings in dreams that improved her skill in body. He encouraged her to study Traditional Chinese Medicine to develop the art of healing. Now she unofficial does treatments and healing for friends and neighbors.

Tablespoon Size Tea Cup

Got up at 8am with for a day of hot spring with 1st uncle and 4th uncle. Oh, I went to bed at 3:30am hung out with my cousins Chen Chen and Chan Chan. As tired as I am, I still think it's all worth the fatigue. I can manage and work around it. During the car ride I put my head on my 1st aunty in law's shoulders and rested. She's really sweet and held my hand and hugged me the whole way. I felt quiet nurtured.

I soaked for a long time, taking my time. I have knots and pains in my body and the soaking was really good. Then we attempted to have lunch in 4 separate restaurants but they were all booked with weddings, it must have been an auspicious day for weddings. We ended up having take out from a local place by the apartment. After lunch, guess what we did? We sat around had tea and talked. Topics of conversation ranged from childhood to ghost stories. It was fun.

The tea culture of Taiwan is everyone is poured a tablespoon size of tea in a cup that is about a tablespoon size. It's small so it's one sipper. Plus the caffeine is strong. How is it done, drink one pour another and this goes on and on for hours. There is no rush, and tea is served boiling hot and sipped. When tea is cooled a bit it is dumped and a hot one is poured into your cup. It is often accompanied by lots of snacks like preserved fruits, seeds, nuts, etc.... goodies. And of course, you talk and talk for hours.

A Walk Back in Childhood Lane

We all went out to a vegetarian buffet restaurant at Chang Cun for 350yuan per person. The food was delicious and it was fun to have extended relatives here. It was nice to see more family members I haven't seen in years now all have kids.

Afterward lunch all the uncles and aunties took me to Shen Keng, Deep Tunnel for famous grilled stinky tofu on a stick. It was a fun tourist street full of goodies to eat. Everyone had fun and ate classic Popsicle, cotton candy, and lots of everything else I can't seem to name. For a brief time, all of us including uncles and aunties returned to childhood. I really had fun.

Well, it's not like anyone of us were hungry after the buffet lunch but it was fun to go play and walk and snack every few steps. I was stuffed. I think I can just not eat for a few days and be okay. But I'm in Taiwan, how often am I in Taiwan. It takes me a month in Taipei just to eat the things I want once.

When I returned I saw Chen Chen passed out tired on his brother's bed. I think it's been hard for him to sleep on the floor while I sleep on his bed. But he insists that I sleep on his bed. I really enjoy his company.

Cousins Reunion by the Riverbank over Fireworks

Woke up late again because I went to bed late again. I went with my 4th Aunty to the local open stall market to buy ingredients for hot pot. When we finished we go a call from 3rd aunty to go to her house for lunch because she already finished preparing and she made hot pot. I just hung out with relatives for the rest of the day and waited for my brother Mike and his wife Shelley and their son Dustin and his cousin Bao Bao to show up from Kao Shong southern Taiwan. They took the new train and it only takes something like two hours to get to Taipei.

I haven't seen Bao Bao for a few years, he looks all grown up. After dinner at a local restaurant 4th uncle took Dustin to a buy firework so we can light them off by the river. The only time firework is legal is during new years. New Years is really a month away but we really want to set off fireworks. I love the butterfly one. It's one of my favorite. It spins and flutters as it sparks off fire. There nothing like fireworks to turn everyone into tiny little kids again. It was a cousins reunion by the riverbank over fireworks and totally fun.

Afterward everyone left my 4th aunty interrogated me on my lifestyle. She wanted to know why I don't live with my parents and why I don't have a fat savings accounts or capital assets. I was not at all prepared for this. I was in shock at the aggressiveness from her. In Asia it is a custom and no question that children of parents live with their parents even after marriage along with grandchildren. It is like a form of shame if your children don't live with you. But in America if you still live with your parents after college it's frowned upon. Difference in cultural values and lifestyle.

Jin Hai Chan Si

I woke up this morning and was really really tired still and really really want to cancel the 8am appointment with my 4th uncle to go to the flower market and then Jin Hai Chan Si, Golden Sea Chan Monastery in Jin Shan, Gold Mountain about a 45 minute drive outside of Taipei by the coast. I decided to honor the appointment and got into the minivan and just shut my mouth and closed my eyes and rested. There were plenty of people in the car to chat with each other to keep each other company. I put on my ear plugs so I can power nap while people chatted. It's good to have long hair, it covers the ear plugs in my ear so people won't find me rude to be in a company of others and plug up my ears.

I had fun at the flower market. I love flowers, all the colors, texture, beauty etc... It just makes me happy to be surrounded by flowers. One of the things I love about traveling is to see the different kinds of plants, trees, flowers, herbs, fruits, vegetable on the native land. It's all just so beautiful to me.

We made it in time to the Monastery for lunch. The monastery is a branch of Ven. Master Guan Qing's monastery also known as The Fruit Master. The abbot who recently passed away was Ven. Master Chuan Bin whom I felt really close to even though we only met a few times. I just feel a close connection with him. He became a monk in his fifties and live to his eighties. He was a trained martial artist before he became a Buddhist monk. During the time of his passing I was not informed of the event. However I did dream of him. He came to see me and asked me if I had any questions. I was happy to see him and had questions but somehow they could not be worded in my tongue. He then turned and walked away and that was his parting of good bye with me.

We brought flowers and florists to arrange flowers as offerings. There was no room for me to help out. I was not recognized as a capable florist and I played off that too since I was very tired and one of the women was angry the whole time. Infact her anger made her top over one of her arrangements in the hall when she put it on the alter. So she had to start over and over as it topped over and over because she arranged the flowers in anger and jealousy and pettiness. Her original arrangement was too tall and not in balance like her pride and ego. Then as she went on in redoing her arrangement every time it toppled over after completion she lost more height and fluff. When she finally succeeded in her arrangement the last time, the whole arrangement was half the size she originally started, however it was the right size for the space she was working in and it was structurally stable. It looked a lot more humbling, so maybe she also had a transformation within and was more humbled. Because of the toppling of arrangements, we ended up leaving 3 hours later than we had planned.

It was raining on the ride back. I thought about the angry florist how easy it is to surround yourself with people who will validate your drama. It seems comforting but it's just a masking of fear and continual denial of what really isn't working and is destructive.

Glad the Dog Didn't Have a Say in it!

Weather today-rain. I went with 2nd Aunty and 3rd Aunty and her puppy called A Bu La to shopping in underground mall. We met at the metro station and then took the metro and exited at the underground mall. Ah.. the convenience of a city.

Shopping was fun, I bought 3 skirts and 3 pairs of shoes. It was a successful shopping mission. It was interesting shopping with them because we all have different taste, they wouldn't let me buy things out of their taste. I could only get things when we all agreed on it. Glad the dog didn't have a say. That's how it is with large extended family. There is tons of support and love and in your face in your business and everyone has an opinion. Well, for all that its worth, it's still worth the hassle.

4th Aunty was at a 10 day retreat where a Tibetan Rinpoche lectured and she was there as a volunteer support staff. She decided to cut her retreat short by 9 days and returned to be with me. She really didn't have to but she wanted to. I was not there to disrupt her schedule at all.

We were invited by my 3rd uncle to go have dinner at his place. His wife really makes the best food but somehow dinner was not spectacular tonight. She was missing out on her pilates class and she was not happy that she had to skip her class to host everyone by the request of her husband. Hum... complicated. She left part way for her pilates class. His daughter flew in and then flew out in a dash only slowed down enough to say hi to me.

Conversations were interesting today. I guess my mom has been complaining about how I dress and how I need a make over. Well, as a solo traveler, the last thing I want to do is dress up or lug a luggage. I had to defend myself against all the uncles and aunties' attack.

Also went to a group gathering started by my uncles in one of his apartments now turned into a vihara for small group Buddhist practice. Really with all the relatives we have, we make up a monastery all on our own. It was nice to see the group gathering this way. I think this is a very wholesome thing. But I really wasn't all that interested because I'm on vacation and I really didn't care to be there other than to support their efforts and be of good spirit through it all and be polite. I was so tired, I actually fell asleep meditating.

In the evenings I get to hang out with my two cousins who get in around 11pm after school, work, and girlfriends. So we hang out and watch TV till 1am or later.

Dead Corps All Gutted

Went to bed at 1am in the morning. I got up this morning by phone calls trying to reach me. Everyone wanted to get me out of the bed to start the day. I was so tired, my eyes were so tired, I really could have slept more and I really wanted to. But my 3rd Aunty came over and fixed breakfast for me so I had to get up.

We went to 2nd Aunty's place and I met my cousin, her second son, Hong Ji's second daughter. My 2nd Aunty takes care for her elderly Mother in law in the house. Her husband is the first son and in Chinese customs, if you are able to you take care of your parents in their old age. Senior homes or communities are frowned upon, families take care of families at their homes. I learned my 2nd Aunty is now a vegetarian and has been for 4 years. It has changed her complexion and she looks younger and beautiful. She recited two sutra texts daily: Earth Store Sutra and Medicine Master Sutra.

After watching my cousin Hong Ji interact with his mom, I commented how both our families are alike. My 2nd uncle in law corrected and said,"alike, no! Exactly!" Exactly because all the sisters are exactly alike. It was funny. How are they alike? For one, forgetting where they left their keys. Brings the cell phone but doesn't turn it on. Leaves their wallet somewhere at the store. I think I can go on and on.

I learned Hong Ji has been with his wife since high school. But they got married much later because somehow back then my 2nd aunty did not approve of their relationship. Well, it turns out this daughter in law is closest to her. It's like night and day now. Hong Ji constantly reminds her of those days and all she can do is laugh and apologize that was then this is now and now is better.

On the topic of relationships 3rd Aunty talked about her son Chuan Feng's relationship. He was quite a popular guy and when he went away to the military his girlfriend of a few years left him. He was so heartbroken that it worried everyone. Now he has another girlfriend who is 5 years older than him. Somehow females being older is still not so common and is a big deal. But they are happy and this is more important to her than the age difference, she'd rather see her son happily alive then not.

My 3rd Aunty then took me to a Taoist event at an elementary play ground. It's some kind of ceremony. There are lots of tables with things on it. It took up the entire playground and field. There were plenty of dead corps of pigs with inside cavity all gutted out. This really grossed me out. It's what made me be a vegetarian was such sights of whole dead corps of animals. The liquid from the dead pig was sweating out from the heat and it smelled really bad. I wanted to throw up. I asked to be picked up by Chen Chen and then had to lay for two hours to recover from the whole experience.

I woke up from my nap and met Chan Chan's girlfriend. She has the same sweet and cute smile like him. They have been together for the past 5 years. I think it's different here, you meet someone and stay with the person for the rest of your life. The whole shopping and disposable attitude culture is not as prevalent here. It's nice this way I think.

I then went to My 2nd uncle's place for tea. He's taken a liking to old school back to days of tea and Chinese calligraphy. He has always been a beautiful handwriting now he has gotten into tea and has a tea bar and redecorated his place into qing dynasty era including his attire. Both his daughters have left the home life and are now Buddhist nuns in Chung Tai Monastery. His son Wei Xiang is a day time soap script writer and his fiance is also doing the same thing. Infact they both work on the same scripts out of home.

Conversations about my trips to four holy mountains in China was the topic over tea. Everyone wanted to know what I experienced. I actually didn't know what to say. I feel like I already have a teacher I didn't go looking for a teacher. The actual physical journey was enough. There were no super sci-fi stuff like in the movies or something like that. I grew a lot as a person and learned a lot about myself.

Went to the night market in Shan Chung called San He Ye Si. I couldn't buy anything because my 4th uncle in law was more than ready to pay for it. So I will have to pick a different time to shop on my own and get things that way. It was very kind of him to want to pay for everything.

"We Were Expecting You to Arrive Last Year!"

Barely slept on the plane. I was on Thai Air to Taipei via Bangkok. I like this airline. Pretty tired from all the ride. I was happy to hear Jay Cho on the radio station on the plane.

After exiting the plane right before customs there was an ATM machine and I tried to withdrawal money and I couldn't. I think I totally ran out of money. So, it was time to be in Taiwan. Glad I'm in Taiwan. I have 100 yuan on me and I hoped this was enough to take a bus to somewhere.

So happy to be in Taiwan. Feels like home. I love Taiwan. I boarded a Grey Hound Bus at the airport to go into the city of Taipei. It only took half an hour and 50 yuan. I smiled the whole way on the bus because the bus driver was speaking in distinct Taiwanese Mandarin and he was having fun with delivering an announcement persona over the airwaves.

I was still in my Sarawa when a local woman asked me if I was from mainland China. I was so dusty and grungy and well, not in fashion. I have been traveling nonstop from Pondicherry for the past 24 hours via Thailand to finally arrive in Taipei. I burst out laughing from the humor of it all or I was just extremely tired, and hungry and happy. It was like I was inhaling helium or something. I think this is one of the symptoms when people fast. Now I know why people fast in seclusion.

I somehow decided to get off Xing Tian Gong to go on bus #226 to get off at the elementary school and walk to my relative's house. But I got off on the wrong side of the elementary school and got disoriented and walked far and away from my destination. I was lost. I had no option but to call my cousin Chen Chen to pick my up. I borrowed the cell phone of a vendor to do so. People are really nice and friendly here.

It was so nice to see Chen Chen. I've missed him. He is 24 years old this year and is done with college and is waiting to enlist in the military. It's a mandatory civil service for all men here. He picked me up in his 150cc scooter. I love riding on the scooter with the wind in my hair.

Chen Chen asked me what I wanted to do. The first thing I wanted to do was to take a hot shower. I did. I took two. Then I did all my laundry in the washing machine. 3rd Aunty came over and took me out to lunch. It was 3pm when I was done with laundry and shower. We went to a local food stall called Miao Yin, a noodle shop. I love these mom and pop shops that serves like 10 things and is tiny and a hole in the wall kind of place but has the best food. I love noodles. But most of all in Taiwan at noodle shops, I love the side dishes. Usually there is a special in-house chilli sauce and pickled vegetables at each table. Then there is always fresh veggie greens and a big pot of stewed tofu, gluten etc.. goodies in soy sauce and spices. It's a distinct Taiwanese flavor. I also love fresh young ginger sliced to go with any dish along with fresh cilantro. I sure have missed of of this. I was stuffed at $2.

Did I mention that none of my relatives knew I was coming. I didn't have time to tell them I was coming since I bought my ticket and then got on the plane. So it was a big surprise to them all. Actually according to my relatives, they have been waiting for me to show up since November of last year. Oops! It was really my mom's wish that I end my trip and show up then. But I kept on going. It's like the old days when there was no mail, phone, or vehicle and the only means of transportation was on foot. "Oh we were expecting you to arrive last year and wondered when exactly you'd arrive, so you've finally arrived?" or something like that.

I went over to 3rd Aunty's place and met her new 3 month old Palmamerian puppy. Reminds me of my dog Yoyo. I miss Yoyo he was the best dog anyone could have, ever. I think everyone thinks their dog's the best dog. Kind of like brand new parents with their infant babies and just can't stop talking about how cute the baby poop is and insists it doesn't stink at all.

I then visited my 4th uncle and his family and they poured me tea and served it with dried fruit cured with sugar and other flavorings. I like it. It's quite traditional flavor.

Then I made it back up to 4th floor where I am based out of and my 4th uncle in law was waiting for me. He's as sweet as ever. He poured me Gao Shan Cha, High Mountain Tea. He has the best high mountain tea here. I'm in tea heaven.

The family made a bed for me to sleep on. I would have been satisfied with the wooden floor. I think Chen Chen gave up his bed for me to sleep on. That was sweet of him. His brother Chan Chan is all grown up too. The last time I saw him he was still cuddle-able. Now, I think his girlfriend would probably mind, too bad.

For midnight snack I went out for Fried Stinky tofu topped with kimchi and drenched with light soy sauce at a local push cart vending stall. The traditional kimichi with Fried Stinky Tofu is often served with pickled cabbage with chilli. I'm so used to it that I don't smell the stink everyone complains about.

Beautiful Mandalas in Front of Door Steps

I went to have South Indian Thali with Yoomi. It was terrible. As it goes on this whole journey, when the food goes bad, it's really time to move on. The walk was a nice stroll. I visited rooms for $100 a night and it was vacant.

One of the things I noticed about this part of India is the integration of color, art, creativity in Spirituality. I see color mandalas everywhere like this either in flowers or right outside the front door on the street fresh every morning beautifully done with colored sand and colored flour.

Don't Get Side Tracked and End Up in Moscow or Something

I woke up with my entire body aching. I sat and meditated for an hour and the aches went away. But the fatigue from the aching all night didn't, so all I wanted to do was meditate for the rest of the day. However I do have an appointment with Puri to go on the heritage walk.

I was too tired to take in any food. It's odd this way. I need the energy to use for the day and I need the energy from food to use. However I need to use up the energy I had in order to produce more energy to use. The cycle rate is a day for this process and I only have a day left here. I so decided to use what is left of my energy sparingly to tour. It's like you have 60 miles to go and there is less than half a gallon of gas in your car. And you know if you pull over to a rest stop you know you aren't gonna make it to your destination in time because you are just too tired. But if you don't pull over you might just run out of gas and stop all together. Well, I was banking on lucky stars to pull me through.

I checked my emails at Mark's and Rev. Heng Sure reminded me to not get side tracked in Bangkok and somehow end up in Moscow or something. Well, I really want to go to Russia but I am totally out of cash to do so. My financial supply is like my energy supply right now. Actually I have been stretching it somehow for the last 3 months. It's quite amazing how I've lasted this long.

This type of architecture is common in this area, painted in colorful bright colors, decorated with French-Indian motifs.

Grateful for Good Past Affinities

I had a fresh coconut cut to drink the juice. I was thirsty from the walk. I'm not a fan of coconut for some reason. But I know it's good to have to hydrate in this heat. Plus it was fresh and that means it's safe to drink.


The country ride to Chennai looks like this. And the rest stop looks like this with little huts and rickshaws. I was so blessed to be able to squeeze into the car with Moussin and his family who are heading to the airport for Kerala. Everyone tells me to visit Kerala. Maybe ones of these later trips I will.

Who is Moussin? I don't know. But within the 24hours I met him he set me up with housing I desperately needed and then this ride north to Chennai that I desperately needed. Grateful, truely grateful for good past affinities.

I arrived at the airport at 5:30pm and my flight was not for another 7 hours. I didn't mind the wait. I preferred to have been dropped off at the airport then having to fetch my own ride and connections in the dark at night all by myself in India.

I chatted with an Australian man who was flying back home to Brisbane via Malaysia. He bought a Sitar for his son. Then I watched more people at the airport as if I was watching a movie. I like people watching.

I am looking forward to a real shower, a hot one, and a real towel to use. I think I'll have to take consecutive showers to satisfy or just feel really scrubbed clean. I don't think I've been really clean since I left US. That's like many, many months now. I guess this is how it was in the old days or lots of part of countries in the world now too.

Ah... hot shower! Ah... hot springs! It was all I could think of at the airport. When I checked in, the guy at the counter asked me why I was so happy to leave. I must have had a big grin on my face.

Bow to Greater Plans

After checking out of the Guest House, I decided to splurge and hop onto a rickshaw for 30 rupees to drop me off at Shuddham along with my packs. I parked my stuff at Yoomi and Mark's place. I went to BookBox myself to help out with a bit of translation work and fortunately I had a 10am appointment at the travel agency so I didn't stay long to translate. Honestly, I think I do enough of this kind of volunteer work back a home and I really don't feel like doing any of it right now. It makes me feel like I am not in India but back a home and I feel it's premature for me to be back a home. They are still working on connecting me with housing.

At the travel agency, everyone was great and nice and most of all very helpful. I was able to locate a flight out of Chennai via Bangkok to Taipei for $430. I put in all the rupees I had and saved 300 rupees for the ride to airport and then put the rest onto a credit card. I fly 00:15 AM January 15. I land in Taipei after 11am the same day. This was the best arrangement after many visits to various agencies including Bangkok, Ahmedabad, Pondy. It's interesting how things work out. This was the best flight arrangement to be on that was why I could not purchase a ticket in Bangkok nor in Ahmedabad because it really wasn't the best arrangement for me. But I didn't know that then. Oh how many times on this trip have I had to bow to the fact that my logical plans loose to greater plans that I was not awake to.

Afterwards I went back to BookBox and did one hour of work and then stopped for lunch. My kind of work schedule. I went to Yoomi's for lunch. Their friend Moussin from Morocco who also lives half of the time here in Pondy and half in Berkeley brought take outs from Suguru's. It was delicious I had Tondori Paneer. I really think Paneer is like firm tofu. It turns out he just got himself into his friend's two bedroom apartment with AC washer etc... But he is goinig to Kerala Sunday and gave me the keys to stay as long as I wanted. Gee... how did I luck out on this. I had no housing now I do and it's better than any housing options I could have found for myself. However since I just bought my ticket for Sunday night flight I will only be able to stay for one more night which is tonight. The place is nice and is above a gym. Well, I will miss eating and chill'n here but I can eat and chill in Taiwan! Mark was sweet to offer to locate a ride to Chennai airport. That's really nice and I really appreciate all the great however short time I've spent here.

After dropping off my packs at the apartment I went back to Mark's and met Puri their friend who is also working on restoration of French Architectural buildings here. I was connected with a heritage walk for tomorrow to check out French Architecture with students on a guided walk. I do love art and love architecture. I even once thought of getting into architectural history.

Shuddham

I stepped into the the Shuddham building to meet up with Yoomi and Mark. They poured me a cup of French Stawberry tea while we chatted in their studio. I checked out the bandages on their body and Yoomi's limp as she walked. I learned of their car accident in Bangalore a month ago. They were there for their friend's wedding. They were on a scooter when a bus hit them from the back and Yoomi's foot got stuck in the bus's bumper and the scooter too got stuck underneath the bus along with Mark's leg. So the bus dragged Yoomi, Mark and their scooter while all the passengers on the screamed at the bus driver to stop the bus. When the bus finally stopped the driver switched out of the driver seat and the official bus driver jumped into the seat. Mark lost flesh not just skin. He was heavily medicated and not mobile. He has to go into the hospital to change bandages daily to keep the open flesh from infections. The daily challenge is having to make it to and from the hospital. The rest of the time he is in bed battling the pain. Yoomi can now finally walk with a limp. Well, I am so glad they are alive what a brush with death.

Mark and Yoomi are both very beautiful people. They live part of the year out of San Francisco and the rest of the time in Pondicherry. When they are here they volunteer here at Shuddham and is also involved in restoration project of historical French architectural buildings in the area. Yoomi introduced me to a literacy project at an office nearby with BookBox and asked me if I was interested in translation projects in trade for possible housing options. BookBox is working in increasing literacy in India through internet storytelling for children. Here is info on Shuddham an NPO with environment as their focus and empowering women. http://shuddham.wordpress.com/

Yoomi took me to her friend Surag's travel agency and helped me sort out flights to Taiwan. I have to return tomorrow because it was already closing time and so I have make another trip tomorrow.

Then Yoomi took me to Suguru's for Dosai and other South Indian dishes. They were all very delicious. I wonder if I should stay here longer just to eat. Hum.... tempting and dangerous. But must solve the whole housing problem first.

I walked along the beach at night to find my way back to the hotel. It was crowded, lots of people are out walking on this beautiful night with warm summer breeze. I pretty much did people watch all along the beach as I walked.

In the room there are large images of Sri Arvind and Ama on the wall. Honestly it really requires adjustment on my end to have their images in the room where I change clothes and sleep. It just doesn't feel respectful on my end to have them in the room.

Didn't Even Know I was on a Mini Date

Auchil woke me up this morning because I did hear the alarm clock right next to my ear but she did and I was glad she did. I really would have slept through it. I was also glad to be smart enough to go to sleep in what I would wear today because I could just roll out of bed and be all dressed too. She hugged me and had me write to keep up he inspirations and support.

The pre-arranged rickshaw insisted the rate for the ride was at 30rupees and not 20rupees. Or it was 20ruppees like it was agreed upon but he decided to up it. Well, it was 5am in the morning and I am glad to not have to be out in the street in the dark to flag my own rickshaw and risk getting myself into danger and also the risk of no ride to the airport that early in the morning. So for the safety and convenience I paid 150rupees total for the entire 17 minute ride to the airport.

At the airport I had to drink my 1L of water because it was not allowed on the plane dur to security reasons. So I drank the whole thing and I had plenty of time to pee it out before the boarding since I was so early. I thought with the 150rupees the driver was charging me and with him telling me it was far justifying why he was charging me so much, I ended up at the airport way early than I needed to.

I got onto Spice Jet which was a nice airline. I had the whole row to myself. I sat did my meditation and recitation with ear plugs on. But I was too tired and I fell asleep and stretched out on the seats. And because I drank too much water, I had to get up to pee very frequently. Good thing I wasn't far from the toilet. I got to see the sun rise over the puffy clouds, it was beautiful, fire red and orange.

I decided to lean over to a neighbor and ask how to get to Pondicherry. Another man and his wife over heard this decided to take me under their arms and hand hold me through the entire aftermath of locating ride to Pondy. The wife was so sweet. She like a good mother, told me all the no's and was ready to send me off on my own. I must have looked really lost and fragile because she decided to change her mind and ended up arranging everything for me. She flagged a rickshaw for me and told the driver to make sure to do the following: locate a seat on the right bus for me. I am to be on the right bus and I am to have a seat. Until then I cannot pay him the beautiful sum of 120 rupees, a tourist price.

I got onto a bus and sat by the window in the last row by the door. In India all window and doors are open at all times. It was so hot that I didn't mind. I put a shaw over my head and slept the whole time. It costed me 52 rupees for the entire 4 hour ride to Pondy. While on the bus I saw the trains go by and there were carts with no seats and it was full of people hanging out the door. Wow! Glad I wasn't on that train.

I made it to Pondicherry bus station. From here I took a rickshaw for 20 rupees to drop me off at Park Guest House by the beach. IT was only 2 minutes away. But I didn't know that ahead of time. Well the Park Guest House was nice. There was a yoga retreat this weekend and the place was full. The reception didn't want to let me have a room and then decided he would only if I promise to pack out of there in the morning because they are full and most of the people for the retreat is already in town. I got the room for 600rupees. The room was a nice and it had a queen size bed and AC. Oh the AC! Love the AC. It is so hot and humid here. I am foot steps from the beach. The place is really clean here. Because I was so tired I took a two hour nap in the AC. Fatigue and hunger, hummmm...... fatigue wins and so I slept first and ate later. I didn't have my first meal for the day until dinner time.

I walked around to hunt for other living options. I got to know the French quarters very well. Around 4:30pm I came across an internet cafe and checked my mail and got a response from Yoomi. I borrowed Shakti's phone to call, he was a passerby. He also ended up giving me a ride all over town. That was very risky of me to just hop on. He ended up buying me juice and samosa. I didn't realize what I had gotten myself into, I was like on a mini date and I had no idea. He did however drop me off like he promised at Yoomi's and that was good. It really wasn't far from my place but I didn't have a map and didn't speak the language.

Last Goodbyes to My Sisters in India

We had tickets to watch a dance performance tonight by a famous Indian dance choreographer. I wasn't sure if I was up for it so I thought I'd let myself think about it while the group waited to gather together to leave together. Just a few days ago I was in below zero weather. Now in very hot Gujarat I am feel acclimated. I am now cold at night and having to put on my winter coat just to stay warm as if I was Indian experience Indian winter.

While we waited to all gather I gave all the girls around a tarot reading. It was fun and everyone enjoyed the exchange of experiences of palm reading, astrological reading etc.... One surprise for me was sweet Achil's sadness. She told me things that were like right out of Bollywood films without a fairytale ending.

I ended up choosing to go to the dance performance and all of us girls squeezed onto two rickshaws on laps and all. It was a chilly night at the open air amphitheatre. The performances were beautifully done. It was a great evening. We were hungry afterwards and Lakshme and Heena went to get pizza for everyone. Pizza is the closest to western food here for the volunteers and a taste of what feel a bit like home is a big deal. We stayed up till 1am.

I told all the girls that we should do our good byes now instead of 4am in the morning when I am set to leave for the airport. We got into a circle and did prayers. Everyone was so sweet in sharing their thoughts about me and how they will remember me and how I have influenced their life.

Heena,"Your laugh, the light you bring, the good chi you add to the room by just being helps everyone."

Snehal,"You seem at peace with yourself it must be the meditation and prayer you do everyday. Hope we can all be like you more at peace. You are a very unique spirit."


Murin,"Your friendliness, warm openness really helped me feel at home and welcomed and situated."

Payal,"The gift you share with us by being light hearted, not too affected by stuff around; nurture, warmed, sensitivity."

Laxmi, "I really feel that you are this huge ball of energy and thank you for sharing that energy with us."

Auchil,"You inspire me with your encouragement and support."

I shared with them the story of doing service everyday and it is easy to burn out and loose hope and that each of them inspire me with their efforts. I also explained what a Bodhisattva is and validated how they are each doing the work of a Bodhisattva.

Kite Delivery to Boarding School For the Vision and Hearing Impaired

On the way over in the car ride I had good chats with Laura and Bology. People are very curious why I am doing what I am doing. This surprises me every time because people who I have come across on this trip has actually showed interest in hearing what I have to say. You know it's like people to say, "Hi, how are you?!" in passing and when you've answered they've already stepped far enough away that they can't hear you. So since we were in the long car ride out of town I talked and talked. I told them that I think my logic can be really screw me up and I think this trip was about trusting another system at work. Plus it has been about experience kindness where ever I go and this has allowed me to open my heart and let go fears.

We decided to buy ice cream for everyone at the school. That is a lot of scoops of ice cream. Upon arrival I saw two boys walking leaving the school walking in a pair as if they can see. It was a sight for me to see. We entered the gray cement building where the boarding school is held. I climbed the stairs and passed through walls of chipping paint, dust everywhere, and aroma of urine and mugginess filled the air. The entire lighting of the building is gloomy, dark, and gray. I guess in a blind school there is no need for lighting. But really I disagree, I think it is important to feel light through the body.


The kids were finishing up on lunch. We made it just in time with ice cream for dessert. It was a great idea and I am glad Laura thought of it. Ice cream is not in the budget at all here due to lack of funding. It was great to see students and staff all enjoying the ice cream. I think it's hard to not become a kid again when you are eating ice cream.

I saw two ladies sitting on the floor preparing dinner right after lunch.



The girls sat separately in the kitchen.

The school staff located a guitar for Bology to play and sing to the school. It was such a treat for them to hear English songs. He sang all Pearl Jam hits. The kids listened with their whole body. Laura held Bology's video camera and filmed it all. It's amazing what gifts of joy a guitar can do. That was amazing giving.


The kids may not be able to see with their flesh eyes but they can seem to see with their other senses. They seem be able to manage not running into me when I can't seem to manage not running into them. One boy was seeing with his hands. He really was soulful. He'd really pass as a Blues artist. Some students also have added conditions of mental disabilities. It was sad for me to see. One boy was asked to perform for us. He could imitate any radio broad cast. He was beat bopping with his lips.

The kids were all very excited to receive the kites. One boy treasured his kite so much he wanted to stash it in a safe place into his silver tin treasure box. However the kite was bigger than his box. He managed to find a plastic cover to put it away in for safe keeping.

The entire experience here has been amazing for me and emotional too. I wanted on this trip to India to go to the slums and be with the lowest caste and I did here. I wanted to go to orphanages and disabled schools and I did here. I wanted to see birth and I did with the one and half month old twin at the slums. I wanted to see death and I did in Delhi on the taxi on the way to the bus agency. A man was dead in the gutter and no one paid any attention to it. He just laid there dead.

Kite Delivery to Boarding School Kids

Laura woke Linda up for her flight because she was still asleep and she woke all of us up to say our goodbyes. Linda cried over the gifts we got her. We held hands and said our prayers and sent her off. It was still night outside and the sun has yet to rise. We then all dove back into bed while Laura played music the whole time. It was difficult for me to fall back asleep this way. I just rested in bed.

My sisters here all inquired about my daily meditation, practice, and recitation. They said they watch me do it every morning and night in bed and they were curious what it was I doing and why I do it regularly regardless how late at night it is and how early it is. I hadn't noticed that they all had noticed all this time. They wanted to hear what it was I recited so I recited a bit of Surangama Mantra for them to hear.

Today I delivered the kites we had been making this entire week. We first went to a boarding school for orphans and otherwise homeless kids run by Manav Sadna. It felt like Christmas and Santa Claus came to deliver presents.

Volunteering at Seva Cafe

For the evening we went to Seva Cafe to volunteer because they were short on volunteers. I was put on dish washing assembly. This is the entry level post, everyone must start from here before given more responsibility. This is the first step in the ladder. Then you will be trusted with putting yummy spreads on bread to be toasted. Yes, that’s the protocal unless you are Guri from Charity Focus known for her cooking and can come in and revamp the menu and run the place then you don’t have to start at dish washing station.

Well, I was limping and had trouble standing from car accident injuries that it was great I could lean on the sink while I did the dishes. I tried to hand mop the floor instead so I could actually just not stand but Laxmi insisted that it wasn’t my job to do so. I’m thinking like which step of the ladder is the floor mopping on? She said because for the longest time she resisted moping the floor and everywhere she went she would some how always end up getting stuck mopping the floor. Now she sees it as a practice because she doesn’t want to do it she has to in order to over come it. So moved and impressed by this beautiful spirit, I left her alone to mop.

We had dinner there and it was delicious. Bology from MIT who is on his way to his sister’s wedding down south found out about Seva Cafe online and stopped by Ahmedabad especially for this experience. He brought his acoustic guitar and played any request that was Pearl Jam related. This made all the Australian native volunteers very happy. The energy was at an all time high.

Afterwards Linda and I got onto a rickshaw and went to a night market bazar to do shopping. Shopping makes Linda happy and Linda has not been happy since the train ride. Linda wanted to be in a nice Hotel and no longer wanted to rough it in any dorm bed and she wants clean new white sheets with running hot water and to sleep on a real bed and use a real towel. So we went shopping and she got lots of gifts for her friends and family. A local woman told us we as females should not be out later than 10pm that it was dangerous for us even if there was more than one of us. She also told us to only pay 30% of the given price. Linda had me haggle for her. The trick is you have to be willing to walk away and if they don’t call you back then you have to take that too. Well, there are plenty of stall who are selling the same thing so if this one doesn’t then go to the next one.

Kite Festival in Ahmedabad

I walked to locate the ATM that was 2 minutes away but ended up walking for 30 minutes. I missed it totally. I didn’t mind the walk, it’s a good warm up. I asked two girls on their way to a computer class at Manav Sadhna to show me where the ATM was and they took me to Bank of India but they didn’t have ATMs there. I was directed to Bank of Bombay instead and had to cross the bridge. They guy was nice to draw me a map of which I had trouble relating to. People I passed by smiled at me and starred at me. I felt quite comfortable through it all. I followed the map the best I could and I didn’t see the Bank of Bombay ATM after the bridge but I did come across Bank of India ATM by accident, by getting lost. Sometimes you have to get lost to get to where you need to go in the end. Well, at least in my case.

I went to Manav Sadhna and saw the Gramshree project happening on the grounds. These women from the slums are working on quilts, bags, clothing articles to sell under Gramshree Project. All the money goes to the women and then they get to save the proceeds in a bank account. You can check it out on http://www.gramshree.org/

I walked the grounds a bit and just watched what a day at the Gandhi Ashram and Manav Sadhna was like. There were people working on maintaining the grounds.

Then I stopped by and watched children from the boarding school enjoy music from the volunteer guitarist.
Then I went into the office and the kite assembly was in mass production everything was made from scratch and designed by volunteers to get it in time for the Kite festival. On the kite a verse on saying no to intoxicants and addictions were printed as part of the design. These kites are made for distribution for students at the school and also at the vision and hearing impaired boarding school. The kite festival is about kites flown in the air and the string is made of fiber glass so that each kite flier can cut off another kite off the air. It’s a kite fighting competition. The first thing I thought of when I heard it was, “what are the casualties and the injuries involved in all of this with humans and birds.”

Nirali has a group formed to pass out flyers that educated people about not using fiber glass to save the birds and also a phone number people can call to report injured bird that need to be picked up for medical care. It’s really her heart and soul and her project. She is the it in the project. There really isn’t much of a group helping her in her crusade to save the birds.