Song being listened to: "This land is your land"....a thought provoking song when listened to in India (more on that in my next post... probably... maybe not... I'll consider it)
Today was the day I finally moved out of the living room and into the largest room in Andi's apartment. This large room which was supposed to be my room from the star was covered in dust in a coat so think that it looked as if it had seen 20 years of Sahara sand storms since it's last cleaning (though it had actually been a couple of months). We have been trying to get the hostel's cleaning lady to do it since we got here 10 days ago ,but she never shows up.
April and I decided today on our day off would be the best time to take a crack at cleaning it ourselves. We made ourselves what I would like to call an "Indian mop": a squeegee with a cloth tided around it. With this tool of tomfoolery, we mopped for 3 hours producing bucket after bucket of soiled water dark enough to be mistaken for used motor oil.
After we cleaned I reluctantly moved my items into this room and arranged my bed. I say "reluctantly" not because the room was still dirty or uncomfortable, we did a thorough cleaning job and the room looked grand: I say reluctantly because it was so comfortable on the living room floor with my mat and books. It was almost the same exact arrangement as I had at home.
Months ago I decided to get rid of everything that I really didn't want or use in my room; which included most things that were cluttering it, including my bed. The two things that I kept dear to me were my mat and my books. I'd never felt so at home in my own room; now I feel at home wherever I can sleep on the floor and read a book.... which was the arrangement in Andi's living room (half of my bag I packed for India was filled with books.... a little over 20... almost 5 of which I've already read while I've been here and will send back with April along with any others I finish before she leaves).
But I am now sitting in my cot (as opposed to the floor) and feel at home in a different way. With so many unused cots and mats surrounding me, I feel nostalgic dejavu of my room I occupied with some friends at St. Stephens for 3 months: a room I named "Madeline" because it reminded me of that cartoon of the French girl in the catholic orphanage.... or something. I think I'm going to call this room "New Madeline"...... no. Scratch that. I think I'm going to call it.... "Matilda"
4 comments:
Thank you for your new thoughts...I thought you might include the story of your taylor guitar...maybe another blog. I love you Josiah. Mother Mary
I am impressed by your cleaning tool invention. That's all they are really, just rags on a stick. Somehow the swiffer people made out like bandits!! And I finally get it!! Madeleine=Mathilda!! I loved her books!!
So happy you're happy and I know April is in love with the people, the entire country really........She has had an amazing adventure I could only dream of. Hmmmmmmmmmm??? And I love the vitamin and school supply idea. That made me cry for some reason. I could just imagine their faces when you present it to them. So lovely a thought.......turned into action. That makes me happy.
And I know they will appreciate it more than most people who can sometimes take for granted the things they can just go over to Target and put on their ATM card. Makes you think about the frivolous things we buy.
Happy day to you all!!
Laura:)
Dear Sy,
I read this one too.
Anonymously,
~Me~
O' how I do like this one, I wanna know what books they was you brought
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