Sun, 22nd

My first full night of sleep. And it was real good too... Many other firsts yesterday- first trip outside the college guest area; first Indian meal, first bumbling attempts at Tamil (at least I can say sorry- mannikanum); first yoga practice in the early morning mist.

It is beautiful and strange here. The customes have an interesting gender bias to them- of course all customs do- but these seem especially unique. Another unique custom is use of hands; left is for washing yourself after using the bathroom and right is for eating and other clean activities. In this way you always greet people and touch others with your right (clean) hand. I ate with my hand yesterday and it was guite fun- and more intimate i felt. Something about hand-to-mouth...