Stuff: Including Clever Idea for Screening Windows and Raksha Bandhan
August 13, 2003
Haven't written since Saturday before we left for Mahabalipuram again and now it is already Wednesday. So I will slowly begin filling things in since then as best as I can remember...had no desire to write in my journal this past weekend...in addition, I have many many thoughts and comments which I am going to have to put down on paper...my not do that until I get to Kodai..don't know...right now I have a few days left in Chennai, and as usual, things always get left for the last minute...In addition, my sandals "broke" in half in Mahabalipuram over the weekend...my rubber soled Shoresh sandals, the sole on one of them just broke in half at the "bend" place. A local shoemaker glued them and sewed it together but said it won't last for more than a week...I had considered buying new ones before I left, but hated to spend the money. So now I will have to go look for new sandals here and hope I will find something suitable for my feet...the only other shoes I have here are my hiking boots! That's another thing I have to do now. Also have to go buy some CD's with Ravin, go see the banyan tree here, perhaps the beach as well and now , last night, finally got my glasses delivered, but as usual with this multi-focal stuff, there are problems...have had this hassle in Israel also and hope it can be worked out before I leave. The glasses themselves are really nice though and look great on my face....but the whole computer area seems to be convex, like I see everything as if it is round and sloping off at the edges...had trouble finding my plate at breakfast and trouble walking, but these things should sort themselves out...the big problem is that although my prescription basically did not change, I cannot read at all with these glasses so perhaps there was a mistake in making them. The guy asked me to try them for one day and tonight he will come back and check again...hope it will be OK.
Again, always pleasant to come back "home" after being away. Ravin had asked me to have a "heart to heart" with his parents about their pressuring him in his life choices, particularly his choice not to get married right now. THEY seem to think I can influence him, and HE seems to think I can influence them, and I come away thinking it is quite futile...but I do my best...perhaps something will change in this very complicated situation after this "strange stranger" has spent a few weeks with them...time will tell...but I certainly hope so for all of their sakes....
Back to the weekend now..will try to do my best and catch up...
Sunday, 11th August
Ravin got so "disturbed" at not seeing me writing all the time, as he has become used too it, that he decided to start an entry himself and wrote the following before getting tired (but then at least I was "shamed" into continuing for awhile):
"Left after dad's dialysis and the last massage of jane with Cicily-so that's a chapter closed now but am sure she will be back for a massage soon"
That's his contribution!
We've been here )Mahabalipurum-2nd time) for 2 days now and yesterday was the first time since I got to India that I really suffered from the heat-Ravin did as well-everyone here was just wilting. Really could have used AC yesterday. We went down for a walk on the beach yesterday after breakfast and it was already very hot. As it was unplanned, I did not wear my bathing suit nor put on sunscreen. I'm getting nice color anyway but yesterday the back of my neck even got slightly burnt. The sea here is the Bay of Bengal and open and rough, as the sea was in Gush Katif. I strolled as I enjoy always along the water's edge but the waves are quite unpredictable, with no apparent rhythm...they pound in very heavily and suddenly and soon was wet up to my underpants...I rolled up the pant's legs but it didn't really help. I would have enjoyed myself much more if I had my suit on as the pants became quite heavy when dripping with water. At some point the sun got very strong and we eventually headed back. We were really overheated-out too long in the sun which was, in a rarely seen here clear blue sky, quite oppressive. And I'm sure it was well above 36 degrees by then.
We've been doing lots of walking here but yesterday we were kind of limited due to the heat. Today seems better so far (false impression as the day progressed it became quite oppressive again...) I hope to get into the water this afternoon (never managed, we were unable to move from our room and later on the rooftop where we, and the other guests, were able to get some air to breathe)...Yesterday afternoon when we decided to attempt the beach again, I was all ready in my suit with something to sit on, water to drink etc., when 1/2 way up the beach Ravin started feeling unwell. so the rest of the day was devoted to pampering, worrying, healing and rest and relaxation. We both slept well last nite despite the heat and hope to enjoy the rest of this day today. I am starting to get restless only because that is me...and I guess it is time to be off on my own...the timing has been perfect however and these extra few days in Chennai are just perfect...there are a few more things I need to do with Ravin and next Sunday/Monday am off to Kodai. Looking forward to the cool of the mountains.
I know for sure that I am not a beach person. Have not been since childhood-although I clearly remember traveling with my mother and brothers for the long train haul from Bellerose I guess to Brighton Beach with bags full of clothing and towels and buying food Brighton Beach Ave before heading down for a day on the beach and then the long ride home. Don't know how my Mother did it with 3 small kids but she IS a beach person and guess it was worth it for her. And then all the years we lived by the shore later on, spending months on the beach with my friends-especially Arlene and turning cocoa brown by the end of the summer. This is when the sun was still considered "good for you". Today I know that this is definitely not my natural environment and enjoy it as much as possible but am not into really going to look for a good beach to spend more time on...I love listening to the soothing sound of the waves...one of the most beautiful musical sounds of nature, but enjoy it if I am lying on a blanket in the shade or in the cool of winter on a clear sunny day.
I think I am ready to begin my inward journey. I have been fortunate this time to be slowly and painlessly settled into India in the comfortable surroundings of home and now have the physical energies I need to continue.
I imagine Ravin is also beginning to feel the stress of a guest who he would of course wish to please at all times. It is not easy as we all know to worry about someone who is "your responsibility".
We walked around the whole town this morning-it is a simple town, cleaner than McLeod but smaller also. We went up the back roads and the people are friendly and happy and smile at you although up near the Temple (5000 years old) are of course the mandatory rows of shops, beggars, touts etc. Went out alone last night and again was approached much more often with "come see" than I am when I walk with Ravin. But I don't mind. I actually looked in a few shops and saw a nice bag which perhaps I will go back to buy today if the final price suits me...
Ravin has asked me to do him a favor and speak to his parents on his behalf and see if I can get them to stop pressing him re: marriage and of course his mother expects me to do the opposite. Hope I can appease both sides. Like Aaron... "Ohev Shalom V'Rodef Shalom"...Love peace and pursue it....If this is my reason for being sent here, so be it. Ravin has also decided to stop smoking (didn't stick to it for very long!!-today is Wed..smoking as usual) which would also be good for him. So many months of inactivity and stress and the smoking have not done his health any good. A change is definitely in order.
Up to the room now to rest on my swing. Haven't described it yet-great room for just a drop more than the dump we had last week-200 rups and they have hanging outside the room a rattan swing/chair shape kind of oval thing-like a sliced open egg shape and it is quite lovely as I love to swing on anything, swing, hammock, whatever.
There is also a very clever contraption here which would be a wonderfully cheap thing in Israel for people who move from one rented house to another and find themselves without screens. A kind of very lightweight plastic fabric made into screening material is cut to fit the window and the window frame INSIDE the room is lined with one side of velcro and the "screen" with the other velcro side. Then, when you want to open or close the window, you simply peel away the corner and then stick it back.. Quite clever.
During this stay we met lots of really nice people but will write about them in another entry when I write impressions etc. This week was a full moon festival called Raksha Bandhan which means bond of protection where each sister gives her brother a string to wrap around his wrist to tell of her love for him and the brother gives the sister money. Good thing Shai doesn't live in India...he'd be getting the raw end of a deal for sure...his arm would be covered with strings and he'd be out alot of money!!!
So there in Mahabalipuram there was music blasting quite late into the night and in early morning we were awakened to the same music plus live drum beating....the next day was also hot but by Tuesday morning, the day we left in the afternoon, the weather was nice again and I finally got down to the sea to bathe. Trouble was, the sea is not only rough, it has a terrific undertow and even going in up to my knees was quite frightening. Ravin stood on shore taking my picture, not coming near the water...and I frolicked for awhile and then sat to just rest. If the others days had not been so hot, it would have been quite nice to spend more time at the beach.
Aside from the tourists we met and many interesting conversations, Ravin also taught me an India card game which we played, and we mostly just lazied around. Came home yesterday afternoon and so now we are quite caught up...
A nice long entry will be forthcoming as soon as I can get my head together to it, as these type of entries are the ones I truly enjoy, but require more thought and time.
Haven't written since Saturday before we left for Mahabalipuram again and now it is already Wednesday. So I will slowly begin filling things in since then as best as I can remember...had no desire to write in my journal this past weekend...in addition, I have many many thoughts and comments which I am going to have to put down on paper...my not do that until I get to Kodai..don't know...right now I have a few days left in Chennai, and as usual, things always get left for the last minute...In addition, my sandals "broke" in half in Mahabalipuram over the weekend...my rubber soled Shoresh sandals, the sole on one of them just broke in half at the "bend" place. A local shoemaker glued them and sewed it together but said it won't last for more than a week...I had considered buying new ones before I left, but hated to spend the money. So now I will have to go look for new sandals here and hope I will find something suitable for my feet...the only other shoes I have here are my hiking boots! That's another thing I have to do now. Also have to go buy some CD's with Ravin, go see the banyan tree here, perhaps the beach as well and now , last night, finally got my glasses delivered, but as usual with this multi-focal stuff, there are problems...have had this hassle in Israel also and hope it can be worked out before I leave. The glasses themselves are really nice though and look great on my face....but the whole computer area seems to be convex, like I see everything as if it is round and sloping off at the edges...had trouble finding my plate at breakfast and trouble walking, but these things should sort themselves out...the big problem is that although my prescription basically did not change, I cannot read at all with these glasses so perhaps there was a mistake in making them. The guy asked me to try them for one day and tonight he will come back and check again...hope it will be OK.
Again, always pleasant to come back "home" after being away. Ravin had asked me to have a "heart to heart" with his parents about their pressuring him in his life choices, particularly his choice not to get married right now. THEY seem to think I can influence him, and HE seems to think I can influence them, and I come away thinking it is quite futile...but I do my best...perhaps something will change in this very complicated situation after this "strange stranger" has spent a few weeks with them...time will tell...but I certainly hope so for all of their sakes....
Back to the weekend now..will try to do my best and catch up...
Sunday, 11th August
Ravin got so "disturbed" at not seeing me writing all the time, as he has become used too it, that he decided to start an entry himself and wrote the following before getting tired (but then at least I was "shamed" into continuing for awhile):
"Left after dad's dialysis and the last massage of jane with Cicily-so that's a chapter closed now but am sure she will be back for a massage soon"
That's his contribution!
We've been here )Mahabalipurum-2nd time) for 2 days now and yesterday was the first time since I got to India that I really suffered from the heat-Ravin did as well-everyone here was just wilting. Really could have used AC yesterday. We went down for a walk on the beach yesterday after breakfast and it was already very hot. As it was unplanned, I did not wear my bathing suit nor put on sunscreen. I'm getting nice color anyway but yesterday the back of my neck even got slightly burnt. The sea here is the Bay of Bengal and open and rough, as the sea was in Gush Katif. I strolled as I enjoy always along the water's edge but the waves are quite unpredictable, with no apparent rhythm...they pound in very heavily and suddenly and soon was wet up to my underpants...I rolled up the pant's legs but it didn't really help. I would have enjoyed myself much more if I had my suit on as the pants became quite heavy when dripping with water. At some point the sun got very strong and we eventually headed back. We were really overheated-out too long in the sun which was, in a rarely seen here clear blue sky, quite oppressive. And I'm sure it was well above 36 degrees by then.
We've been doing lots of walking here but yesterday we were kind of limited due to the heat. Today seems better so far (false impression as the day progressed it became quite oppressive again...) I hope to get into the water this afternoon (never managed, we were unable to move from our room and later on the rooftop where we, and the other guests, were able to get some air to breathe)...Yesterday afternoon when we decided to attempt the beach again, I was all ready in my suit with something to sit on, water to drink etc., when 1/2 way up the beach Ravin started feeling unwell. so the rest of the day was devoted to pampering, worrying, healing and rest and relaxation. We both slept well last nite despite the heat and hope to enjoy the rest of this day today. I am starting to get restless only because that is me...and I guess it is time to be off on my own...the timing has been perfect however and these extra few days in Chennai are just perfect...there are a few more things I need to do with Ravin and next Sunday/Monday am off to Kodai. Looking forward to the cool of the mountains.
I know for sure that I am not a beach person. Have not been since childhood-although I clearly remember traveling with my mother and brothers for the long train haul from Bellerose I guess to Brighton Beach with bags full of clothing and towels and buying food Brighton Beach Ave before heading down for a day on the beach and then the long ride home. Don't know how my Mother did it with 3 small kids but she IS a beach person and guess it was worth it for her. And then all the years we lived by the shore later on, spending months on the beach with my friends-especially Arlene and turning cocoa brown by the end of the summer. This is when the sun was still considered "good for you". Today I know that this is definitely not my natural environment and enjoy it as much as possible but am not into really going to look for a good beach to spend more time on...I love listening to the soothing sound of the waves...one of the most beautiful musical sounds of nature, but enjoy it if I am lying on a blanket in the shade or in the cool of winter on a clear sunny day.
I think I am ready to begin my inward journey. I have been fortunate this time to be slowly and painlessly settled into India in the comfortable surroundings of home and now have the physical energies I need to continue.
I imagine Ravin is also beginning to feel the stress of a guest who he would of course wish to please at all times. It is not easy as we all know to worry about someone who is "your responsibility".
We walked around the whole town this morning-it is a simple town, cleaner than McLeod but smaller also. We went up the back roads and the people are friendly and happy and smile at you although up near the Temple (5000 years old) are of course the mandatory rows of shops, beggars, touts etc. Went out alone last night and again was approached much more often with "come see" than I am when I walk with Ravin. But I don't mind. I actually looked in a few shops and saw a nice bag which perhaps I will go back to buy today if the final price suits me...
Ravin has asked me to do him a favor and speak to his parents on his behalf and see if I can get them to stop pressing him re: marriage and of course his mother expects me to do the opposite. Hope I can appease both sides. Like Aaron... "Ohev Shalom V'Rodef Shalom"...Love peace and pursue it....If this is my reason for being sent here, so be it. Ravin has also decided to stop smoking (didn't stick to it for very long!!-today is Wed..smoking as usual) which would also be good for him. So many months of inactivity and stress and the smoking have not done his health any good. A change is definitely in order.
Up to the room now to rest on my swing. Haven't described it yet-great room for just a drop more than the dump we had last week-200 rups and they have hanging outside the room a rattan swing/chair shape kind of oval thing-like a sliced open egg shape and it is quite lovely as I love to swing on anything, swing, hammock, whatever.
There is also a very clever contraption here which would be a wonderfully cheap thing in Israel for people who move from one rented house to another and find themselves without screens. A kind of very lightweight plastic fabric made into screening material is cut to fit the window and the window frame INSIDE the room is lined with one side of velcro and the "screen" with the other velcro side. Then, when you want to open or close the window, you simply peel away the corner and then stick it back.. Quite clever.
During this stay we met lots of really nice people but will write about them in another entry when I write impressions etc. This week was a full moon festival called Raksha Bandhan which means bond of protection where each sister gives her brother a string to wrap around his wrist to tell of her love for him and the brother gives the sister money. Good thing Shai doesn't live in India...he'd be getting the raw end of a deal for sure...his arm would be covered with strings and he'd be out alot of money!!!
So there in Mahabalipuram there was music blasting quite late into the night and in early morning we were awakened to the same music plus live drum beating....the next day was also hot but by Tuesday morning, the day we left in the afternoon, the weather was nice again and I finally got down to the sea to bathe. Trouble was, the sea is not only rough, it has a terrific undertow and even going in up to my knees was quite frightening. Ravin stood on shore taking my picture, not coming near the water...and I frolicked for awhile and then sat to just rest. If the others days had not been so hot, it would have been quite nice to spend more time at the beach.
Aside from the tourists we met and many interesting conversations, Ravin also taught me an India card game which we played, and we mostly just lazied around. Came home yesterday afternoon and so now we are quite caught up...
A nice long entry will be forthcoming as soon as I can get my head together to it, as these type of entries are the ones I truly enjoy, but require more thought and time.
posted by Jane @ 6:29 PM
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