Full circle

I am back at the holy mountain of Arunachala in South India where Cathy and I spent a wonderful couple of weeks 3 months ago. It really is one of my 2 favourite places in India. Bangalore was a pleasant escape from the relentless heat of central India - a relatively cool 31 as the monsoon had arrived. It wasn't raining while I was there, but clouds kept the place cool. My primary point in going there was to visit my old tailor and have another waistcoat made. Nearly 30 years ago I was at Sai Baba's ashram trying to meditate - for about 2 weeks, every time I sat down near him all I could think of was a waistcoat. I visualised the silk cloth (khadi - the hand spun hand woven cloth the Gandhi used as a symbol in his agitation against the British. Khadi is now a subsidised industry) and the cut, style etc. Eventually I went to Bangalore, found the cloth and a tailor and had one made. That day I arranged to meet a friend from Melbourne who had been up north, and went to a particular hotel foyer. An American there admired my new waistcoat and I told him the story of how it came about: he thought that coincidental because his room mate at Sai Baba's ashram had had an interview with Sai Baba who told him "Wear a waistcoat - go and have one made". Then my friend from Melbourne walked in and the first thing he said was "How do you like my new waistcoat". Every time I've been to India I've had a new one made, so the new one will be ready in a week.
Although usually exremely hot, this place is also affected by the west coast monsoon and clouds have drifted across dropping the temperature.
I anticipate Cathy will write a blog of her adventures in Thailand shortly.