This week has been and will be my most difficult week here in Mysore. By Saturday, I would have said goodbye to at least 20 maybe 25 close friends. It's like the changing of the seasons. Most of the people I have started with have either left or will be leaving by the end of the week. Many are going to Goa to be with Sharath. Those of us who will still be here expect the shala to be relatively quiet. Everyday, I seem to be having a goodbye breakfast, lunch or dinner. Kevin who lives here told me that most of his November friends are gone and his expecting his December friends to arrive soon. I wish I could say that too. There are a lot of new faces and I've met a few of them. It's not the same though.
Last Monday, I started my first Kanada class. Shobha introduced me to my Kanada teacher last week. It's been difficult focusing and practicing my Kanada because I've had a very busy social life. It will definitely slow down next when everybody leaves so I hope to focus more. Vijayalakshmi(my teacher) is a beautiful young lady with long black hair. She has taught me some useful words and phrases. I just need to memorize and practice them more. She lives across the street from the Lion's school and sells food to the children. When she does that, I try to speak to the children. They enjoy talking to me and they make me feel like a celebrity. I always ask them,"Enu beku?"(What do you want?) or "Nima heseru enu?"(What is you name?) I love the smile of their faces when I say it correctly. Rima has given me a hard time about my learning Kanada. She feels that I should be learning Sanskrit because it is the mother of all Indian languages. I think learning Kanada is more practical so I'm sticking with it.
I haven't seen much of Vincent, Rhonda and Phil this week. They've been practicing every day for the fundraiser tonight at Tina's. The money will be given to a non-profit organization which care for disabled children in Mysore. Vincent official "Diva" of Mysore and Phil are going to do a drag show. They will be backed up by Rhonda and Mabel. Vincent said he already knows the reaction of the audience because his done it before. There is no doubt in my mind it's going to be good. Vincent leaves for Goa on Saturday too and heads back to LA after two weeks. This will be his farewell performance.