Yo-Yos and MAGIC

The internet has been swinging almost like a yo-yo---it’s up, it’s down but it’s definitely not all around. The last few days have been interesting. Both the classes and the practice sessions have been fabulous. Geeta is in what could be called a jovial mood and Mr. Iyengar clearly likes teaching Patricia Walden and Lois Steinberg during practice as the rest of us watch. Prashant’s teachings are steady as a rock. I am looking forward to sharing what I’ve learned with you all in February.

My Sunday trip to the swimming pool included me easily procuring rides everywhere I went (given there was a four day rickshaw strike) and a real magic show. This Baba, a handsome old man bearded with Muslim hat and missing teeth, has been trying to capture my attention each time I’ve been to the pool the last several weeks. I finally succumbed to his pleas for attention and I am so glad that I did--this guy knows magic. First the ole ball under the cup trick---first it’s there, and then it’s not. Remarkable, but not mind blowing. The next trick was slightly more impressive. He put a ring inside a folded handkerchief---made me feel the ring inside the fold several times—then laid the folded handkerchief over a stick, waved his hand or something, removed the handkerchief and Walla! The ring was ON the stick. I was holding both ends of the stick the entire time and there were no gaps in the ring. One step up on the Amazing Ladder. The trick that really got me? There was a flower bed behind where we were sitting. He says in his babbled English, “you like rose, jasmine (or in his case “zazmeen”), champa, and some other unintelligible flower names that I don’t know. You pick” I chose champa. He told me to rub the back of my hands together and smell. Really when I say this: there is a strong smell of champa that lasted for over an hour. Now I’m convinced of two things: this guy is the real thing and magic happens. I hope he’s there this coming Sunday. I want to see it all again.

In a more tangible line of experience, my roommates and I splurged last night to go to the nearby Italian restaurant. So much for me giving up wheat, at least while that restaurant is nearby. I may have developed an addiction to the ravioli and steamed broccoli. If I never eat Indian food again, it will be too soon. I think I might have to fire the cook today. Ramblings. Anyway, as we walked home along the main boulevard a tiny little puppy ran by us and into the very trafficy street as we watched in horror. All of a sudden another dog sees the situation, runs into the street himself, barks at the puppy and corrals him back to the sidewalk and literally stands there barking at the puppy as if to say “oh no you don’t”. The dog continued to block the street from the puppy, who was by this time cowering past the sidewalk. Now this is education and I suppose why one never sees adult dogs in India ignoring traffic. Or they’d all be dead for certain.

I will continue to blog as the internet allows me to.