A perfect day

Last night the rains came in buckets! It was incredibly beautiful and I had a front row seat. Had to abort my trip out to dinner, but given how much I have been eating I am sure it will do my body no harm to miss meal.Very early this morning I walked a path along the Ganges that has several sandy beach point accesses. I passed a holy man(Sadu I think) that was having a beautiful interaction with a cow. It was the way he was petting and touching the cow-so gentle and loving. Then another Sadu passed me, stopped touched the ground at my feet and said I wish for you a long life. It feels very nice to be surrounded by such peace in a place that because of the Shiva festival feels somewhat like beach week with no females.One thing that has been difficult for me is proper cultural etiquette, for example when I received the blessing today I was not sure if I was supposed to give the holy man some money.There is only so much you can gain from the lonely planet tour book. I have tried asking a few questions here and there but find that my understanding is not so good. After spending some time at the river I went to the yoga class. Not what I am used to but a good class. Had some really great hummus and chapatis for lunch and visited a temple. The temple had many floors with different Gods and Goddesses on each one. Again some etiquette came into play again but I stayed in the moment the best I could. There were lots of people shuffling through.It is interesting some are very receptive to westerners others not so much.I make effort to always speak to women and children, however find it is best to avoid any eye contact with men. When I lay in my bed and look out one of my windows I can see the very top of the temple. I have been looking to purchase some prayer bead here and was determined to buy them from a woman and today succeeded.I have decided to head back to Haridvar tomorrow as the crowd seems to be thickening here and I don't want to take a chance in getting a return cab and missing my train on Wed. am.I am hot and tired-time to rest and recoup. Hopefully no rain and I will make it out to dinner.
Love,
Mary