a trip to Canning

I went out to the prevention unit today. i love, love love going there. (it's also kind of stressful because it takes almost 2 1/2 hrs from door to door!)

i love the train ride. yes, its long - but its also beautiful. headphones + a window seat = amazing. i love the view as we travel out of town. the crowds and dirt, tall buildings gradually melt away into trees, ponds, little shacks and farm animals, green rice patties as far as you can see.

its almost as if i can feel myself breathing more deeply - soaking up the green and quiet space as i ride out of town (conversely, i have to say i really don't like the ride back into town. slowly the beauty and space give way to crowds, cars, buildings etc - i can almost feel myself tensing back up - preparing for the crowds and noise).

i love the ladies out at canning. they're so excited to see us every time we come. they're younger than the other ladies - so there's just more of an atmosphere of fun and play. today they kept asking me to dance - so i did a little dance for them. we chatted, and i tried to show them different exercises (which didn't go over great).

starting Wednesday evening there is a huge multi-day hindu festival. (actually, we've been building up to it for awhile, all over the city fancy temples are being built, crowds are swelling, and everyone is shopping). so everyone is in especially festive moods too :)

and now that i've mentioned this festival - i'll also say some extra prayers for peace (and sanity) would be appreciated. the "normal" crowds have been bothering me quite a bit lately - add to that the madness of a holiday season and it's almost more than i can take (sometimes it IS more than i can take). there are temples being built all over the city (some of them really cool and elaborate) - which makes traffic even worse than normal...and this festival will be celebrated with lots of music (played over loudspeakers) and programs. lots of beating drums and clanging bells. and while i plan to hide away in my flat til its over - there's just no escaping the noise...generally its a bit of a rough time to be in the city.