So long and thanks for all the fish*

For once, I finally managed to obtain a decent amount of sleep. When I went to bed last night, I had bags under my eyes big enough to cart home half of my purchases in! This afternoon, I look more human.

It’s a sad day for Anand and I today. Bill and Linda head back to the US at 8:30 pm tonight and we won’t see them again for quite a while. Anand commented that over the past few weeks, we have spent 16 hours a day together. It seems like they’ve always been here with us – laughing, shopping, eating, whining about lack of sleep, etc. It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but when it does, I am certain that the glimmer of Bangalore will be dimmed due to their absence.

We met for our final lunch together in the hotel restaurant. Earlier in the lobby, keeping with Diwali traditions of giving gifts, Linda provided me a 6 day supply of Tylenol PM. Now, instead of staring at the ceiling at 6am, I can ensure that I’ll get a good night sleep when I need it. Bill handed over his remaining Granola Bar supply with a comment that if I don’t use them, I’m to follow the tradition and leave the remainders with Anand on the 9th of November.

We can hear the fireworks (which are called crackers in India) shooting off all evening. A quick peek out the window provides a birds eye view of the action. Small pockets of fireworks are being shot into the air in what appears from a distance as a random display. The displays aren’t publicly organized, instead the fireworks are shot off by groups familes, friends, neighbours and corporations.

Tonight a Dandiya dance is taking place in the basement of the building. I tried to take pictures, but it was very dark and my flash wasn’t strong enough to make an impression. All of the pictures appeared as dark grey and black blobs on screen.

At the dance, I had a small mehndi design placed on the palm of my left hand. I could only stand to keep the mehndi on for 75 minutes, so I don’t know how long the design will last or how dark it will be in 1 to 2 days. Before I leave, I would like to have an additional mehndi design added to the front and back of my right hand.

* Source: Douglas Adams, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy trilogy (in 6 parts)

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