Day somewhere in the mid to late 20's

I will begin with today and get back to yesterday. The power was out in Poona so I could not write.

We have one week left and a list to accomplish one of which was redoing my nose and Emma doing hers. We asked around and Emma found a place. After trying 3 Internet cafes with long waits we decided to go for it tout de suit and grabbed a rickshaw. It was a beautiful Jeweller's we went to and though of great so far so good.

We scoured for the perfect gold piece and finally choose, paid and were escorted to the ground floor where the piercer was set up. As we exited the elevator there was a line before this man in a wash basin torching the gold of people, I am not sure if it is ceremonial or if what. I looked back at Emma and said ,"I am just glad that this is not the guy piercing us". OUF spoke to soon. Sitting on the edge of a wash basin, with a pair of pliers, nails longer than mine and a smile to match I had my nose pierced by "a professional" I can say with out a doubt that he was better than the twit who did my last one. I felt nothing but a slight pinch, he pushed the earring through with his finger up my nose, then took the plyer pulled it the rest of the way, cut and retook the pliers folded it and voila, done and perfect. Emma was after. Traumatized and humbled at the beauty and safety of everything Indian we went home to discover that the earrings were switched and I had Emma's and she got mine. DAMN.

Onward- I speak often of the beauty and safety of India and I must break my habit of walking in the streets here when I go back to Montreal as they will hit me and leave me for dead. Confound.

Yesterday I had an experience I was not looking to have but knew it was only a matter time to occur. There are many, many, many street dogs here and they are docile during the day and at night you hear the yelping and fighting that comes with the struggle to survive. The days they lay everywhere with no concern and no one bothering them. I was walking with Omaha down the street and had that feeling of being observed. I turned my head to see a dog watching me, he was trying to find a way across the street as he had been watching me for some time. I grunted, as he made his way over, he was injured by a fight, or some other means and was sniffing my hand and me and this dog was a dog I know I could have gotten down on the ground with and had wonderful re pore, this dog had gentile engraved on his heart and soul and I could only walk away and leave him. Omaha asked if I had had anything would I have given it? I don't know so I am glad I did not have to make the choice.

In my 3 days with out my core group I have branched out and enjoyed company of another nature. We went for dinner last night and all spoke of our experiences here and our lives there. I am glad to have had this time to meet others and apply different skills.

I assume that finding money on the street is rare in India and as you know I have already found 10rs in a rickshaw and 2 nights ago I found 1rs on the ground. Auspicious don't you agree.

Salutations