Quiet, Morning Walk

This morning’s walk was lovely, and included a number of typically Indian moments.

 It was nicely cool out, about 70 degrees.  Several people sported sweaters or were wrapped up, a number wore knit hats.  Fires burning in trash piles lit the dark.

The “Tamil birds” were calling, as were the crows. 

The Hindu newspaper bicycle delivery boy sang as he rode his route.  There were milk packet delivery bicycles out as well.  Women drew kolams on freshly washed pavement in front of their houses; palm trees and Pongol pots were common themes.   The cows have had their horns painted  for Pongol – right one red, left one gold – and today they had a garland of flowers (marigold, jasmine?), a small conch shell, and a bell across their foreheads. 

Priests ministered to the inhabitants of street side shrines. The temple which has been open and loud the past few mornings was shut and silent.

We were centered for the day.