Mission Accomplished

After dodging rickshaws, horse-drawn carriages, random cows, countless mopeds, one very angry dog I finally got money out of an ATM on my fifth attempt. I then moved on to determine my lodging in Mysore, after learning that an extended stay at the famed Green Hotel was not possible I rang Shiva (he helps yoga students find long-term apartments, a recommendation from Lizzie). He answered on the first ring and asked me to come by his home in 30 minutes – located two doors down from the Yoga Shala with a sign on it titled “Shiva’s House.” I sat down with him in his office and after 30 seconds of stroking his long beard he looked up and asked slowly “What exactly is it you want?” Hilarious. I could have been on a flying carpet with a genie. I informed him I needed Internet Access and wanted a room with a bathroom in it – shared accommodations, kitchen and TV were negotiable. He continued to reflect and finally picked up the phone to no answer. After a few minutes he showed me his house and said I could rent it if I wanted – full Internet Access, 3 rooms, kitchen, Indian toilet and hot water shower for 6,000 RN ($136) for a one month minimum. Or I could wait until tomorrow and look at the room he was trying to call to see if I prefer that one (apparently nicer accommodations). I said I would love his room but will wait until tomorrow to see the other room to decide. For $135 per month plus $2 per day for food I could live on less than $200 per month here – I think I live on $200 per day in San Francisco? And then I have to remind myself that half this country lives on less than $700 per year.

My dreams of sparse living changed when I signed up for yoga. I arrived at the Shala a bit earlier than the indicated 4:30 sign-up time and was led into the back office by the guard to be signed up by Patthabhi Jois himself. If I didn’t look at his face I could have been doing a deal with Tony Soprano. I pulled out my 26,900 RN ($610) in 500 RN notes and put them in his gold embroidered hands (diamonds bigger than any wife in Houston Texas had!). He informed me that tomorrow, Sunday, was a led class and I should arrive at 5 a.m. I can’t believe this man is 91 years old, he couldn’t pass for 60.