Alas, we didn't get to see Swami Gyananandaji today, whom I lovingly think of as the Santa Claus saint. Swami Bhodichitanandaji had to work on his door to the kutir this morning and we got a late start. I had a great day with Swami Devabhaktanandaji and Swami Bhodichitanandaji, winding up beautiful mountain roads and exploring deserted forest roads and taking pictures of huge banyan trees and spiders. We even turned the siren and lights on once, just for fun.
We stopped by Swami Gyanananda's vacant kutir in the mountains and I got some good pix, one of me and Swamiji and some of a most gorgeous sunset. I was five minutes late for curfew last night and almost late again tonight. I spent most of the drive lying down on the bed in the back of the ambulance, it was very comfortable! Well, except when the roads got so bad they nearly bounced me off or the stretch that constantly switched back and forth and I had to hang on and all my weight was on my arms. It was a workout! I have to say, Swamiji's driving has improved immensely in the time I've been here. He drove through Dehradun like a native driver, and that’s saying a lot!
Mussoorie is a beautiful town at 6,000 feet. I got a picture of the elevation sign. I’ve never been that high up. I really wanted to see the Himalayas, but the weather and time didn’t allow. We got there right at sunset. It’s got great energy, even at night. The views are breathtaking.
Swami Devabhaktanandaji was very shy around me at first. I met him last year and briefly said Hi to him on the way to Swamiji’s kutir 4 or 5 days ago. He warmed up later and started telling me jokes and giving me travel destination advice and calling me Devibhakaji. He's so sweet and I love the playfulness between him and Swamiji. They've been friends for around 15 years.
I’ve been so blessed by the time I’ve spent with Swamiji. Ginaji tells me that I’m a blessing to him, as well. I do get that he enjoys my company and I think it gives him a chance to relate in a different way than he can with Indians. I got all teary tonight when I said goodbye, as I'm leaving tomorrow. I’m going to miss him and his ambulance.
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