Even better than a cup of hot water with a few drops of sugar drowned ants is the bucket showers I take each morning. It’s amazing how quickly a cold bucket shower can wake you up. It’s also quite meditative too: Filling the round filler cups with water from one of the two giant barrels in the bathroom and pouring the almost icy water down the top of my neck, letting it fall over me suddenly like a waterfall. I never thought two weeks ago I could do this and nearly returned to the city the moment I landed in this simple running water-free, insect-infested house surrounded only by open grassland and hills. But, it’s funny how you can get used to anything. I feel like I’ve gone back to some long-forgotten era of humanity. I’m learning about herbs, drying them and making pastes. I didn’t know what a mortar and pestle was until I had to grind up some fresh leaves to apply on a skin ailment. I’ve always wanted to go back in time and I suppose Asia, luckily still in some villages, is exactly this past with an oriental incense-infused hue and I’m starting to wonder how I’m going to be able to re-adjust to life in the West.
Yes, I’m coming to the United States in November after nearly one year in India and Southeast Asia and three months in France. I’m really looking forward to seeing my family and friends, but also nervous as usual and even more so because unlike Europe and Australia where there’s the lingering sense of familiarity, mighty Asia - as with so many other unsuspecting voyagers – has conquered me in many ways; down to my lifestyle and most steadfast habits and my personality, interests, so many things about me have changed – and not in a small way. So I hope all of you will still recognize me when I return: I will be the one wearing the mauve-coloured siphon Saree with long jet black hair braided with white jasmine mālā and a bright red bindi on my third eye, carrying a bundle of jungle vines without any shoes in the airport—so you can’t miss me!
Until then, I’ll go about my little life of traditional village chores and bucket showers, moving away to let the ants, lizards and snails stroll leisurely through the rooms of my humble lair. ~V
