Girish picked me up to take me to the bus station at 7am yesterday - I was so excited to get to Bangalore and meet Sasha that I was too impatient to wait for the AC bus to arrive at the station...So I had my first experience in a non A/C bus yesterday - and I must say I think I prefer it over the AC bus...Why? Well first off, it makes a stop halfway through so you can get out and stretch and use the potty (yeah!!!) and also b/c I was not FREEZING my bum off on the way to Bangalore...Only problem is that it take a bit longer to arrive at zee destination....

When I finally did arrive at the Bangalore Bus Station Sasha and her father were there waiting to pick me up - it was so sweet to see Sasha's face in the crowd of Indians on the street~

We straightaway headed to the hotel, which was absolute heaven! Her dad booked us a Suite at the St. Marks Hotel in Bangalore - let me just tell you how enormous, plush, cozy, and well rockin this place was...We had an entire living room area with a leather couch and two chairs, a table and a office area, a large TV (which we never turned on), a fridge and tons of goodies to eat...Our bedroom area was separated by the large oak entertainment center...And the Bed, it was the most comfortable King Size bed I've ever had the pleasure to lay my head - I was so excited by it I actually dove into the darn thing and gave myself a bit of a 'rug burn'....Bathroom was rockin with an indispensable supply of hot water and lots of luxurious toiletry items....

We enjoyed the day with her dad - ate lunch at the hotel, hung out and chatted forever, then made way to a snazzy restaurant/bar close by where we all enjoyed two cocktails...Sasha's dad walked us back to the hotel before he headed out to meet some of his friends - Sasha and I were both exhausted - we pretty quickly made our way to la la land - which I must say was quite possibly the best night's sleep I've had since arriving in India in August.

I was feeling pretty antsy when I got up - I am not a fan of Bangalore as it seems the only things to do are eat, drink and shop - didn't want to do much of any so I was really ready to get back to Mysore. We enjoyed a buffet breakfast at the hotel - and soon afterwards Sasha and I made our way to the Bus Station to head to Mysore. It was really quite cute to be around Sasha and her father and see how they interact - and to observe a father's worry for his daughter. From the time I arrived to Bangalore to the time we left, her father exhibited such worry over all kinds of things - I've not had a father for seventeen years - so I couldn't relate one bit to what I was seeing...For starters, they insisted on picking me up from the bus station so I wouldn't have to be there alone and take a rickshaw - how cute is that - I've spent over 9 months in India in the last two years, and most of that time has been alone! He insisted we take the hotel car to the bus station, and the AC bus home b/c it would be safer???? He made Sasha take Malaria pills before coming and gave me a hefty lecture b/c I hadn't....Over drinks last night he insisted Sasha take the ice out of her glass b/c they used filtered as opposed to bottled water....He told her to be sure and brush her teeth with bottled water....Could go on forever! At first I thought it was really cute because I haven't had anyone worry so much over me in a very very very very long time...My mother concerns about me but I've lived on my own since I was sixteen years old, we live in different states and see each other very infrequently...I'm just not used to someone worrying over every tiny little thing...I must admit it began to take its toll on me shortly after he started worrying about me. I thought it was really sweet, but I'm a very big girl, and I've done everything on my own for a VERY LONG TIME...Been many many years since someone really guided or directed me at all, let alone while I'm traveling...I kept catching myself saying, "yes I know!" over and over as he'd advise about what to do while in India and how the culture worked...Sasha's father really loves her, really concerns over her, and really wants to know she is ok - I am sure that he's a little extra worried bc this is her first trip to India, and he doesn't know me to boot...Hope he finds comfort in knowing Mysore is a really safe city in India...And hope he takes a big breath of fresh air when she makes in back to Florida safely!

I wanted to make sure we both used the bathroom at the station before we headed home as there are no stops on the AC bus. I went first and then waited for Sasha to return from the bathroom - that toilet wasn't that bad at all - but was interested to see Sasha's reaction - she came out with a look of disgust on her face and she went straight for her hand sanitizer....I expected as much....but can honestly say I am truly amazed at how well she has been absorbing everything around her - it took me a lot more time to adjust to India when I arrived last year b/c I had never really experienced anything like it before in my life (in terms of population, pollution, traffic, looks, everything....)

Sasha and I literally slept most of the way back to Mysore - something about buses that makes me fall asleep...Girish was waiting for us at the bus station when we arrived - he took us to my flat to unpack and relax a bit before heading into town so she could get money from the ATM, see a bit of Gokulam, enjoy her very first coconut, and register at the shala with Saraswati. When we arrived at the Shala Saraswati was so sweet - I introduced her to Sasha (had previously asked Saraswati if my friend who would soon be arriving could study with her for a week) - Saraswati remembered our previous conversation and said, "Yes, hello!" She explained Sasha's schedule - she will practice at 7am this Wednesday and Thursday, come right after the main shala's led class Friday, have this Saturday off, do led class with the main shala on Sunday, and come 7am next Monday through Wednesday....Sasha paid her fees and then we headed to Krishna tailors so I could pick up the hats I had ordered...

I began raining fiercely after we got home...We had to wait it out a bit before meeting up with Maureen for dinner at Casino Park - it was still raining when we left but I had Girish pick us up to avoid as much rain as possible. I felt badly for Sasha as we rode in the rickshaw to the restaurant bc she seemed pretty miserable - had a very unhappy look on her face as water splashed up on her arms and legs - tried to make light of the situation and explain that soon all this becomes so normal you don't even think about it....Aside from really crappy service we enjoyed a lovely dinner...Sasha experienced her first, "not possible Madame" tonight over dinner when she asked the server if he could put the sauce on the side...Maureen and I found it hysterical....And after a bout of laughing explained to her that you will hear that alot.

It's time for bed now - I must say I am stoked about practice tomorrow - really hated having to miss today - so want to get a good nights sleep so I am well rested for it in the AM....