Mixed up masala

A "Masala" is a mixture of spices, added to drinks, foods, ground up to make anything more flavorful. This past week has defiantly been a spicy one, to say the least. Thank God it's Friday, as I have the weekend to gear up for the Jewish Youth Retreat starting Sunday, and the Children Day Camp which directly follows...

Just Some of the mixed -up feelings: frustration and pride, as the Youth who are volunteering to help out with the camp and lead sessions have explored the library -- and left it a complete wreck. It's great seeing people get enthused about learning and sharing with others, discovering what interests them. The Half full plastic cups of chai, and the yahoo messenger left on all the computers is something I could live without.All in all though I am happy,because the community center is precisely there for these sorts of activities. And there is always someone willing to play ping-pong with me when I am done with work or need a small break.

Other feelings of the week? Stress, Excitement, Sadness. I am working hard to figure out how to renew my Visa so that I can be in India longer; I said good bye to a close friend who has moved on from India, and I am looking forward to visits from my Mom and from Friends, excited for a friend's wedding in Israel, and very sad to see the end of my stay in Bombay on the horizon. Where does the time go?

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little moments from my day off

I stopped by my favorite tailor, whose called simply Master,in his attached room behind the shop of Mr. Ganesh. Master is yet again delayed with finishing the clothes I'm having fixed -- another ripped Kurta, I seem to destroy them somehow quite quickly--and once again, nothing I've left there is ready. Maybe sometimes people here would rather you be happy " now", by telling you that something will be ready tomorrow, than make you sad that things wont be ready until.... never?

After that, I stepped into the cool oasis of the air conditioned ATM room of Citibank to withdraw some rupees. Thank god for airconditiong...

Also, equally refreshing, I picked up a freshly blended mango juice (Rs. 5) at a roadside stall. I couldn't resist it when I saw the drink-walla making it right there for other people, and so I got one, too, and drank it alongside the red BEST bus stand

and finally, I bought some spicy hot tomato flavored fried banana chips from an elderly gent selling snacks on the street heading down to office,and shared them with some others

later this afternoon I am going to go downtown, to a fresh salad buffet with a good girlfriend of mine, at ' Not Just jazz By The Bay' a cafe that overlooks the sea on Marine Drive. I'm looking forward to a nice & not spicy lunch, a little taste of home, before a full few weeks ahead!