Sorry for the week delay, I've been busy.

So I've gone into Kolkata 3 or 4 times since I last posted.  Kolkata is kind of like a mix between a Vietnam War movie and a zombie apocalypse.  There are no traffic rules or clearly marked sidewalks and around 5 million people with a population density of 63,000 people per square mile (compare to 4,541 people per square mile in Santa Barbara).  As you drive at maybe 20 mph max through the city the road is just a strip of asphalt between two walls of people on either side.  It gives the impression of a huge city where the government has lost control and the people are amassing into the streets.  The combination of the massive amount of people and the sheer lawlessness of it give it the impression of being the epicenter of a zombie apocalypse.  The Vietnam War movie element comes from the tropical scenery and the noise and confusion, the fireworks also add to the war zone ambiance.  Anyway when I got here Arupeshananda Maharaj told me that the world is wrong calling the US the land of the free, because India is really the land of the free, you can do whatever you want here.

 I really like going into the city, it's like a trip into someones subconscious, you never know what your going to see or how its going to make you feel.  But it's not something you want to do until you've spent some time settling in.  The amount of poverty, suffering, and decay happening here is shocking, and driving around you really get in the midst of it.  I'm starting to get used to it in one sense, but it's wearing me down in another.

Anyhow so far I've visited Narendrapur, Swamiji's House, Institute of Culture, Dakshineswar, Udbodhan, Balaram Mandir, Kathamrita Bhavan, Kankurgachi, Cossipore, and an apple repair shop.  My favorite place by far has been Dakshineswar, followed by Balaram Mandir, with Udbodhan pulling in at third.  I hope to get another trip to see some other centers planned in the next couple months, but we'll see what happens.

Sorry for the delay, I've been terrible about getting pictures taken, I can try to pull something together.

So this week went on as last week, Palash-Da is in Chennai and my health is better even though it seems like there's always some little thing wrong.  But I'm getting more used to the food and sitting on the floor and it looks like VC Maharaj is sending me into Kolkata this week with the VU Brahmacharis to visit some of the places associated with Ramakrishna's life.

So just know that everything is fine, and I'll close with some pictures.

Pet monkey of a truck driver who was delivering construction materials to the university.  He lives on the truck tied with a chain that slides on of those bars you can see at the top of the truck.  

Prakash Maharaj, hostel manager, at the bottom corner.

Trying some American pistachios. 

I forgot to send this out over the weekend but now I'm getting to it.

Basically nothing has changed, I got a cold and recovered, and now I'm just trying to take the random health problems in stride.

I plan on posting some more pictures of the VU property in the next few days.