I was helping make a garden here at the international pavilion, and I was digging a trench in the hard soil, and really WORKIN! It was so fun. I even got blisters on my hands! Jessica and this volunteer Sam had an intense political discussion. Sam went to UCSC for 2 years, and has spent the past two years roaming Israel. He has no faith in our government. Jessica wants to be a lawyer, and work to make the government better. I am somewhere in the middle- I think that we can choose where to put our energy and money, and I choose to put mine into local, sustainable communities!
Anyway- with all of us helping, we finished a whole bed! And also filled these tubes with new concrete that we made from sand right here, syrofoam and mixer and water!
Then I went to the beach with Henry and richie, and we stopped at the music store. We played drums for a little bit; they both are really into getting drums. Then we went to the beach, and were walking along, and I asked Henry if he was going to swim and he was like, "Hell yes!"and then we saw a dude pooping on the beach! Then as we walked, we saw more and more piles of poop along the shore.
Apparently, it is the thing for locals to do.
No one ended up swimming!
Then 3 of our girls- Sarah, Caitlin, and Anshika ran to us, and they had some beautiful shells. Henry and Richie and I drank coconut water out of fresh young coconuts. Then I had chai with Sarah at the beach cafe, and she asked me if I could see myself living in a place like this... and at that moment, in the warm air, right on the beach, with yummy chai, I thought "definitely yes!". Then we colored cards with Anshika's sharpies, and then headed home.
On the way home, I bought some really cute clothes from a shop from Kashmir, which is in the north of India, in the mountains. They come here during their cold season. I chatted with the shop owners; they were super nice, and gave me a good price. :)
Then Richie and I -and Henry with Anshika on the back of his bike- stopped at a produce stand to get food to make for the group tomorrow night. (Yay, cooking! We all miss it!!)
Then we rode home; but the thing is, Auroville gets REALLY dark at night. Like, scary dark. And we had two measly headlamps between all of us; so, we talked in British accents and sang "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" from the Lion King. Well, Anshika and I did. Then Henry sped up, because I think he was getting annoyed with our loud singing and British accents!
Whatever, Henry. ;)
It is so warm out tonight; last night we had a huge bonfire here at the International Pavilion. It was really mellow, really great.
At the music store today there was this mini guitar; I am considering buying it, because at the end of our trip we will have a ten-day trip to the mountains, during which we will do a "solo", and spend time alone fasting in the woods for a day. I think a guitar might be really nice to have.... it was 2000 rupees, which is around $40. Do you think I should get it???
Anyway, peace, over and out.
