12/15 Who ya gonna call?

Today I helped to monitor the first exam in Hindi.  I also take attendance which I love of course because I can familiarize my self with the names and pronunciations of the kids.  I‘m still a bit clumsy but as always they are so patient  After about an hour and half, everyone is basically finished.  The afternoon is spent prepping for the rest of the exams.  I take a little run around the ashram in the afternoon.  Someone plays flute outside the walls making me think of Krishna.  Two little boys pop their heads up and laugh as I sweat, huff and puff around the perimeter.  As mentioned it’s very hazy this time of year, but on clearer days you can faintly see hills to the south east.  This is where C.H.E.O. (Children Health Education Organization) is.  Siddarth was and still is involved with this project.  One of the teachers visited Siddarth the other day - I was shocked to learn that he was in his 50’s I would swear he looked like he was 30.  Siddarth says they don’t grey.  Interesting.  I will hopefully get to visit the project in January.  Tea is served around 4p (actually tea always seems to be served;) but this tends to be a nice time to convene on Siddarth’s veranda.  I break out the dried kiwis and chocolate covered pomegranates that Shawn showered me with the night before I left.  The kiwi’s were a hit!  After tea, Siddarth initiates a slightly heated debate about the current state of ecopolitics. I feel a little naïve and maybe too optimistic but enjoy the conversation.  More on his perspective later as it is pretty fascinating and unique.  The mosquitoes have started to show up and I panic for a brief moment.  Returning to my room, I frantically search for my purple bag (I have color coded bags for different things: i.e. purple- mosquitoes and sun, yellow -first aid, blue - vitamins and protein, green - toiletries, etc.;)) I slather on the organic spray that Christy gave me regardless of the fact that I’m taking anti malarial medication.  I notice however that the window to my room is for the third time open.  Returning to the veranda, I casually mention that there is a ghost in my room.  Siddarth and Mithali start with the questions.  Do you really believe in ghosts? Yes.   How many times was the window opened? Etc.   After dinner, Siddarth and Bhola promptly investigate.  However, securing the window is not enough.  Even though I tell them, I am not scared, it is agreed that Bhola will sleep in the adjacent room.  I really thought they were kidding.  Nope.  So in addition to my protective mosquito net, I now have a ghostbuster sleeping in the next room.  I am finding that people are genuinely concerned about you here and will do everything they can to make sure you are taken care of.  Even if it means dislocating to combat a mischievous ghost;)