Just an Average SKIRT

So sore from Yoga today, not sure if I will be able to go tomorrow.  I’m not sure if I will be able to go for the rest of my time in Dsala for that matter…just another confirmation that training for triathlons does not necessarily translate to other activities.  I basically got my ass handed to me by Yogi Sividas, even with doing all the modifications with the poses I am having a hard time recalling when I have been more sore than I am right this instant.

Moving on….  Every day is a big day here.  From sunrise to sunset we are on the go - I don’t want to miss a thing.  I gave my massage appointment to Gaye last night since her back was really hurting and I rescheduled for 10am this morning.  I had a very leisurely morning at First Cup with the girls; Louise, Carol and Becky.  The massage was Aryuvedic, it was quite vigorous and warming.  Certainly a bit racy by American standards but strictly therapeutic.  He used these intense healing oils and definitely got some stuff moving.

Afterward, I went to pay the balance on my purses and in lieu of the correct change my friend gave me a change purse as a gift.  He would not allow me to pay 40 rupees over the cost (less than $1 US).  He wanted to be even and not owe me.  These people are so giving, trusting and fair.  Yesterday when I purchased the gorgeous handmade bags I was short, instead of coming back with the money and leaving the purses there he insisted that I take the bags and come back the next day to square up.  ‘I trust you’, he said ‘you come back later and pay me, whenever, it’s ok, I trust you’.

This reminded me of a very opposite experience I had at Whole Foods in Boulder.  It was about a year ago.  After ringing up my groceries (no more than $60) I realized I had forgotten my wallet.  My first reaction was to look around, surely someone would help me.  Instead of eye contact I notice everyone in line looking down at the ground or up at the sky or out the window…looking anywhere but at me.  I know not to expect anything from people but if it was me behind the woman who forgot her wallet I would have paid for her groceries, I would have helped her with no hesitation. Trusting that she would square up with me later.   That is just the way I was raised, my mom would have done the same thing.  Instead, I stood there embarrassed as I had to ask for everything be put back and my order be cleared out.  I walked out of the store with a heavy heart, another strike for humanity and simple kindness in America.  I remember calling my husband and was very sad about my experience.  I can’t believe that not only would no one help me, no one would even look at me.  I said ‘I’ve just lost some faith honey, I’ve lost some faith in humanity’.

So as I walked out of the shop today in Dsala with my gifted change purse and the pure energy from the shopkeeper’s endearing embrace I started to weep.  Not for any other reason than my restoration of belief and faith in humanity.  There is a woman in our group who has been beating vendors down on price, for me, I just want to support them.  With gifts averaging $3-$5 US, it doesn’t make sense to me to get a better deal.  Not when all they have is their vendor table and a downturn in tourism.

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 9:09 am and is filed under Triathlon. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.