Didn’t feel like going back to yoga today, after the high I had yesterday. Got up at 6:30, Allynn made me coffee and I got out by 7:00. The little boy was in class today. When I got there I had to wait about 10 minutes for a spot. It was a good spot, 2 spaces from the door but the rugs were overlapping down the middle of the space which created an odd lump beneath my mat – but the good news was that the window right in front of me, covered with a curtain, was open one inch, bringing in fresh air. I got into the groove of the yoga and all went well.
At breakfast I had an odd experience. As soon as I got to my favorite cafe, I noticed a table of attractive women, all wearing saris, looking at me and laughing.
How odd, I thought. Maybe I met them when Allynn was doing balloons one time. Maybe they do laughing yoga- who knows – then it occurred to me that I read somewhere that some guys in India like to cross dress. This would explain their outlandish behavior. Indian women are rather shy and reserved, not at all like these characters. I had my sketch pad out and was just starting to draw them when they all stood up and came over to see what I was doing . I was laughing by now as I was surrounded by this group of flamboyant drag queens. That was the only explanation! I showed them my sketches, and asked them to pose for a photo. -which they seemed happy to do. And I gave them one of my costume post cards with my Webb site- who knows- we may be kindred spirits.
Onto the beauty parlor. The lady there offered me some tea and said she could not get the color hair dye I’d requested. I was kind of relieved. I said how about a pedicure and a facial. So I had both of those ($10) and went to lunch with Allynn down the street at the lady’s home restaurant where we had the cooking class yesterday. It’s called Rishis. There we met a Russian couple (a yoga teacher and his student) from Moscow who are advanced Ashtanga practioners.
We enjoyed their stories about Putin. Seems that Ashtanga has made it to Moscow. They have both been to Mysore several times.
Next stop was the spice market. We got a rickshaw there, for the fun of it.
It is such a challenge to try to capture the energy and colors in photos. We bought some papayas, oil, and incense. Then home to our hotel for dinner in our upstairs kitchen- peanut butter on bread and watermelon. Then blog writing.
My friend told me those transvestites are a third sex and they are worshiped here. While my hairdresser said they are beggars and avoid them. Who knows which way the wind blows. And to all a good night.
Love, Annie