and after the rains, the water was upon the earth

Today was a day of bringing a series of disparate but related elements of the School's development to fruition and so I got to the end of the day feeling pretty satisfied with what we'd achieved. Along the way, the man from the State Bank of India brought my deposit book (how quaint!), cheque book, and ATM card to the office, so I'm now cashed up and cash accessible (those who know me know that I like to have what I call "walking around" money, just in case none of the cards I carry can be used for a purchase) and it's a good feeling.

I had hoped to get a haircut prior to my next visit to the photographer (for some more passport sized photos, as well as some portrait shots for the School promotion) and went up to the nearby International Hotel where the Olee Men's and Women's Beauty Salon is located (on the recommendation of Ajith and Raju). After 15 minutes of waiting one of the hairdressers politely informed me that I needed to come back at 6.30pm (it was just after 5.00pm when I arrived). Back to the office and more follow up combined with the "light" monsoon rains of October that bucketed down for several hours thereafter and I didn't make it back to Olee - perhaps Monday (tomorrow is a holiday, Mahanavami, so it's not going to happen tomorrow).

Raju kindly gave me a lift home and I invited him for us to wait out the rain before he headed home, so we shared a cup of tea and some light conversation before he decided it was time to brave the elements. Knowing the Imperial is open for business again, I decided in turn to head over for some chappathi and tomato fry to go with the chilli gobi that I had left over from last night. I got the food I wanted, but had to negotiate the flowing water that had resulted from the earlier rains as per the photo in the top of the blog (as you can see, others, including an auto rickshaw and a motorbike were keen to navigate the space between the entrance to the apartment complex and the bus parked outside.

Dinner finished and the dishes done, I'm watching Miami Vice (the Colin Farrell/Jamie Foxx version) while I type this evening's blog. It's getting to the drag 'em down, shoot 'em up par tnow so I might leave my blogging at this for tonight.