Money

I took out 5000 rupiya. It really was too easy. I hope I won't have to take out any more money otherwise I'll end up spending it on things I don't need or giving it away. I haven't been begged once. There is always some building going on in the compound. It's been around for over 50 years. I was told what the new block was going to be. The library is not complete. Anyway lots of workers around. I hope they are paid a little above the odds. But it doesn't work like that. They have regular jobs. Gilbert who took a job as a receptionist was a technician in an electronics firm. He wanted more time to study for a professional engineering/electronics diploma he used to get more money but the job here is more like a caretaker and he has time to study. Wimin are always beautiful so the wimin workers are beautiful. Really sweet I never know whether to acknowledge them or not. But since I namaste/namaskaram everyone they gets the salute as well, I tells you the wimin of south India are graceful even in their namaste.

In the Cafeteria we eat well. Simply you'd call it back home. Only dish I don't really take to is the bitter gourd curry. So after we finish. We wash our own plates and cutlery and then drop them into a large bucket of warm water. I am currently using a spoon and fingers half-way Indian, which is symbolically true. Anyway point being, mainly looks like teenage gels clean up after us, set the dishes, cutlery. I once came early to lunch and the little gel hadn't finished setting up. So she waves. Finishes last thing and opens the door before scurrying back to the parlour. I didn't mean to hassle her. If she were staff then she would have just told me to wait. But they are servants here so I guess she doesn't feel she has the choice.

It's very comfortable here, especially compared to the lifestyle of our workers/servants. I don't struggle with the simplicity and all the priests are aware of India's poverty. Every now and then someone suggests I should get a laptop or mobile. And I don't tink I need them. When I get my library card web access is free if limited to a few hours a day. There are computers available for general typing of essays/dissertation.

I have been unburdened by the grace of god, and thieving relatives and I mean the term in a caring way not a spooky way, of nothing worth having. Actually I am at home with everyone taking what they think is a fairish share of what belonged to my mother. I have worked through the desire to punish they all with acid attacks that would leave them horribly disfigured and mortally wounded but given that they'd die after one year and a day I'd only have got GBH not murder/manslaughter. So how's it going with that saint thing Dezie. Well obviously a few minor set-backs but I am on course again. I am now moving away to the saint who helps with the laying out of chairs before meetings to the saint who provides better biscuits for second breakfast/first tea. St Leonie of Caen is still probably going to have to be my master.

I tried to purchase some sandals earlier but the sandal seller wasn't around and his friend next door suggested trying in half an hour. They shouldn't cost more than a 300 rupiyah but I won't complain if I get no change from 500. The rest stays in my wallet. If someone mugs me then they are welcome to it. But this is south India so it's unlikely. Otherwise I hope not to spend any much more. Now of course if we get to Tamil Nadu and any Mar Toma site and I happen to see a Mar Toma Cross, with the dove the lotus and flowering empty cross very eastern rosicrucian well then I'll bung the lot and borrow if necessary to get something beautiful. But unless it's made of gold and belonged to Mar Toma I doubt it will go much beyond 20,000 rupiyah, and given the choice between a laptop and an icon/relic Mar Toma Cross. A no brainer as the amurkans would say. But then what on earth would I do with another icon.

Incidentally I am now an expert in East Syriac. Now in any conversation about the mystic poetry of Mar Ephrem I get to ask so which manuscript are you relying on (must master the slight quizzical expression) then when they fluster (eyebrow raises slowly) oh you are using translations (crestfallen disappointment kai su paide) and end with a comforting no no I am sure not everything is lost in translation. In fact now I know all the letters I wonder what Achan Geo can possibly teach me next Friday's class. That's another thing. I'd pay 100 rupiyah for anything in East Syriac but all they got is English and Malayalam/Telugu.

The new handbook is out. I can book my week at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry. It's best to book early they so hate it when they get hippies turning up for cheap accommodation while they experience the delights of the flesh pots of Pondicherry with no intention of studying Aurobindo's transincarnational yoga. Best not tell them about the french indian pastry sous-chef widow then hmmm. Perhaps tomorrow. If I get the sandals I should cease further commercialism for the day and get back to the library.

Got chaps 3-4 on the nature and history of Esis tomorrow and I should read a little more as I have nothing controversial, ridiculous to the point that it almost makes sense, to say. Though for now I have I hope managed the balance of eccentric foreigner and my enthusiasm and erudition, polite affable and humble manner make up for the counter-rational rambling. Plus although I am not technically in love except with God and he don't count, I again feel that I can be anything. I feel I can be a polyglot. Although I have never succeeded in mastering any language some argue including english, I now believe that I can take my mastery of East Syriac and become a polyglot. Well you don't mock my ambitions and vice versa.

Although it seems like nothing is going on I continue with daily tai chi under a falcon sky, (bigger than kestrels smaller than eagles prolly explains why we have so few pigeons). My tai chi is good but they really know how to kick back and coast on the air currents. Did spot a small scorpion in the bathroom and if Indiana Jones is right they're the ones to watch out for, so also provides justification for the new sandals. That and two pairs last longer than one. A former carmelite nun in the process of training to be a full-body masseuse with oils told me that one. Jai Ho!