Oh, I forgot to mention that in my doctor visit yesterday, one of the first things he mentioned was that there are toxins in my system. I immediately thought to myself “he means my sleeping pills,” and sure enough, about ten minutes later, when asked about my sleep, I mention them and he told me to stop. All of that is a preface to the fact that I was awake,mor at least aware, way to often last night before my real awakening about 5:30. I don’t feel the usual funkiness when that happens, though, so that’s a good thing.
Do some laundry, shower, and am heading out to catch a rickshaw when the front desk man catches me. Kaita has called and says the alleyways are terribly flooded, so if I don’t want to be wading through water, we’d best call off yoga with Surendar. I totally agree, head back to the room to drop my backpack, and post to the blog until 8 am yoga in my hotel, which I have heretofore not attended.
The instructor leads a quiet Hatha yoga class, at a pace that really works well for me.There are 8 people in the class and it’s pouring outside. Throw in some thunder and lightning and I have a lovely grin on my face. At one point it is coming down so hard that it reminds me if the Thursday night downpour at the start of the boulder flood. I can tell that my muscles are starting to relax a bit, and the series of poses are doing a great job for my back and hips.
Yoga finished, a bit more on the blog, and an email to Kaita that we might need to postpone our visit to the restaurant and I head down to the restaurant for a leisurely breakfast. Afterward, I walk around the corner, all bits not covered by raincoat getting wet. Oslo meditation center seems to be closed – no one wants to go out in this weather! Back to the hotel, get the key to the yoga room, and do my own meditation. Will check out Osho on YouTube when I get home. A late lunch in our restaurant, pretty good, I must say, while reading the NYT and the Journal, and marvel at how steadily it’s still coming down. Weather like this makes you forget what it’s like to actually have the sun out!
I close the shades, turn off all the lights, and watch “The Theory of Everything.” Don’t know if I agree with Best Actor Oscar selection (a Michael Keaton fan), but it’s a compelling story, which of course leads me to do quite a bit of reading up on (as close as one can get to) the actual facts of the matter. To salute a friend’s passing: Fascinating.
Time for a stretch, another meditation session, and what’s this? The rain has stopped and I hear birds rejoicing! Just in time. I meet up with Kaita and hop in the rickshaw.
However, it’s stopped by a group of other drivers and a heated argument ensues. I say it’s the rickshaw mafia, but whoever it is, he tells us we have to get out. We’re aggravated at the horde, so we say we will walk, and head off down the road. Our destination is Bistro Nirvana, down the main road and then up a turnoff to a little area called Swiss Cottage. A small enclave, it’s pretty easy to find. The most varied menu we’ve seen thus far and a good vibe. And CHICKEN! I’m pretty darn happy. I guess we’re in a little den of iniquity, because they serve beer as well. And K heard that Mooji eats here a lot. No such luck tonight. Just before the meal arrives, Prashant does. We enjoy what we agree is the best meal yet, and I manage to somehow figure out when we can come back before I leave…quelle surprise. After dinner, all 3 of us climb on his scooter and enjoy a brief ride back in the cool night air. Here’s hoping weather is better tomorrow!