Ghandi-Ji

The rest of the group arrived back in Delhi today after taking an all-night sleeper train from Varranassi. James walked into our room while I was skyping with Hondo, and I thought, who is this tall man?

Today is Ghandi's birthday, which is a national holiday--all the institutions (public and private) and businesses are closed, as it is illegal and a serious moral violation to conduct business today. As such, we're off from classes, which works out well for everyone who just got off a 12-hour train ride, and just wrapped up a very strenuous excursion.

I went over to Ravi's around midday so Katherine and I could get a cooking lesson from him. Julie and Lane (who also live there) joined us, recently showered. We learned to make a very simple but common curry gravy, to which anything can be added; we made it with peas and potatoes. Unfortunately, didn't get to do any of the actual cooking or prep. because this was an "intro lesson" in Ravi's words, and that will come next time. We also learned about making saag paneer, which is spinach puree (or kale, or swiss chard) with firm balls of cottage cheese; and roti, which is Hindi for bread, and usually designates the most simple form of Indian bread, made from whole-wheat flower and water. Afterwards, we ate everything and it was a nice meal.

Now I'm back at Sangeeta's. Going for a swim soon at the Pacific club sports complex (where I've been going). Afterwards, dinner in some form or another. Then tonight, Sangeeta and her other boarder Mena (the 40-something columnist from the Times of India) are taking James and I out to a kareoke bar, which should be a riot.