Pondicherry is a town 3 hours south of Chennai.
This evening as I was riding my bike through this part French and part Indian town I found myself at a temple festival. I was mostly allured by the elephant that was "giving blessings." If you fed it it tapped your head. A little boy brought two green apples and the elephant snuffed them with his snout and brought it to it's mouth and ate them..then tapped the little one. The boy and I both smiled. As I was leaving this local temple bizarre I bought some jasmine flowers for my hair b/c I've seen locals wear them and I too wanted to smell lovely while living in this very damp and hot atmosphere. I wasn't sure how to place it in my hair...a woman noticed and silently walked over to me from her family. She motioned that she could do it. I turned around and through the corner of my eye I witnessed her remove a bobby-pin from her hair and place it in mine to properly hold up my flowers. I was so moved by her generosity. I felt myself begin to well up. I thanked her with a small bow and smile and walked over to my bike. As I was unlocking my bike a young man said, "You look like a beautiful Indian woman." I smiled. I certainly smelled like one. :) In three days I leave for Trivandrum for my two week retreat. Sending hugs and love.
