Pakorda and Katak

It has been raining for the past few days. The rain has not only created a somber mood that makes us in even more anticipation of our day off, but also has caused me to catch a cold. We take off our shoes before entering any room, therefore I wear slippers and my feet have remained wet and cold for practically the past few days.

However, the sun came out today so we practiced yoga on the outdoor platform today. Having spent two full hours outside, now my allergies decided to sneak up on me. The combination of a cold and allergies took me down, and I skipped my asana class today and slept the best two hours since I've been here.

The highlight of the day was definitely the spinach pakorda we had for brunch. We were all so surprised that we were being served fried food, I ate three of them even though I wasn't hungry.

Generally the food here is good enough, though for me it is a strange combination of Indian and white food (sorry to offend anyone). There will always be some kind of daal or lentils/bean soup but then there will also be some boiled vegetables – vegetables with no spice or sauce?! Usually there is a heap of mixed greens and dressing available as well, but I never see the point of eating grass. And there will usually be some kind of carbohydrate – rice, noodles, or something I've learned new – millet. I look forward to brunch everyday because I load up on my childhood favorite peanut butter and jelly on wheat bread. Yummy yummy in my tummy. Other than the PB&J, to be honest, I put the food in my mouth because I need the nutrition. We eat only two times a day. So though I wake up at 5.30 am, my first meal is not until 10am. And boy is that brunch an important meal.

Tonight, after meditation/satsang, we had a former Padmashri (award winning) Katak dancer, Uma Sharma, perform for us. Upon hearing the first few notes, I remembered my dancing days. I really wished I had had the opportunity to learn a classical dance. Maybe someday I'll take lessons…..She was good, but she was old. Perhaps it was the drugs, but I was ready for Aarti and Prasad after her first dance.