Last Night

Last night was by far hands down one of the most miserable night of my life.

  I am sorry if there has been so much complaining of late, but India is truly a country that eats you alive and shits you out anew.  Currently we are all sick or weak or exhausted or dehydrated.  But while I have had some bad nights here in the past, this one without a doubt takes the cake.

It started off great.  I was on the mend, and would argue still am, and we met at Hotel Haifa for a classical dance performance of Kathak, which was truly beautiful!  The dance involves a complex series of gestures and movements all to the rhythms of the tabla (Indian drum), sitar, and harmonium (that which lays the base of rhythm).  Following the 45 minute performance and its riot of color, movement, symbol, and vibrancy, we ate a small meal together at the hotel.  By 9.30 I was exhausted and headed home off to bed.  I slept soundly for 3 to 4 hours, until suddenly I violently awoke.  It was not another case of grumbling bowels or overwhelming nausea.  Instead the electricity had gone out and with it my FAN.

I was instantaneously lying in a pool of my own sweat, the heat like jell- or marshmallow fluff in the air.  Literally gasping for air I tried every switch possible, hoping the turn back on the fan.  It would not work until...... I am not sure if it is even working right now.

My room was like a sauna.  A sauna filled with old gym clothes, the smell of damp, the feeling of damp revolting.  I tried to read to while away the hours, until at around 3.30 I settled on a movie.  That movie "Away we Go" was a great 2 hours well spent.  By the time 5.00 hit there was no chance of going to sleep again-- Banaras had begun to wake up and right outside my window a huge dog fight ensued.

It was the worst worst worst night ever. period. and i hope never to relive it.


"What can't be cured must be endured," but it really makes you start questioning things doesn't it :)