July 24 - Maheguru

I woke up at 9 and went and woke up Garvinder and Raj to take me to Temple. We got on the tram at near 10am and took it to Parliament where we grabbed a train to Blackburn, then walked to the temple. We actually arrived at noon. I took off my shoes, but a scarf on my head, and walked down the line of offering. I put my money in the box and bowed like the guys told me and then walked back down and sat across the aisle from Garvinder (Raj went out and stood in back). They had a power point translating. There was the writing Hindi, English translation, and phonetic pronunciation of what was being sung/chanted. The music was really cool to listen to and the message was interesting to read. After about 10-15 minutes of sitting, “Groovy” took me out and we stood by Raj. After the prayer is over, we sat down and ate. It was, of course, good stuff. Then, we headed back out and got our shoes on and started our trek back. We made a quick stop at the grocery store on the way back and by the time we arrived back it was going on 5pm!

I was unpacking my things and cleaning up from the weekend when Steve from down the hall knocked on my door and handed me a bag “from reception.” I couldn’t get my head around it, but he said “reception” had sent it with him to give to me. I looked inside the bag and there was this cute box and inside the box was the koala and a body butter from body shop – the two things I had admired from a couple days before. My friend JM had gone back and gotten them from me. I’m not sure if it was an apology for putting us on the diverted bus or the fact that he wants a date (the boy is 20 years old!!), but either way, I was very surprised and pleased. 

Later in the evening I watched a movie called “Black”, which was a Bollywood production (without the singing and dancing), and based on the story of Helen Keller. It was really good. Really good. Go find it in your foreign film area if you can.