Great way to end the week

Well, it might have rained a bunch, but not bad enough to prevent us from going to Utan today. After the usual insane train ride, we caught the bus to Utan and found ourselves in the middle of several of the “fish women” we had so dearly been warned about. A little apprehensive about making any wrong face at the tub of fish with a wet fish rag dripping on my jeans leg, I took my place standing right by a group of 8. As the bus darted through the narrow streets filled with people and other obstacles, I hung on, not for dear life, but for fear of landing in the bowl of fish! I would surely be dead, or would I?

I carefully looked at the women’s faces. On my right were two older women, clearly affected by the rough life they had lived. To my left were two younger women, just getting started in the business. As they sat there chatting and laughing as young school girls I couldn’t help but to wonder what they would have wanted out of life. Surely not the end result I observed earlier to my right. They caught me looking at them and smiled the most beautiful smiles at me.

As one woman got off the bus, I was quickly offered a seat. “Offered” might not be the right word, more “told” to sit! Just like on the sleeper train, my legs do not fit in standard Indian busses and I had to sit sideways with my legs into the aisles. This raised enough interest and I was told to sit straight. I explained I did not fit and that caused enough new interest in this stranger, but only in the friendliest manner. These must have been different fish women than we were warned about. By the way, all this “chit chat” went on with none of us speaking one single word of the other’s language.

We reached the fabric producer and had the most wonderful afternoon. We talked much about the problems with the fabrics, were treated to another phenomenal Shameema dinner. She had again made chicken, but this time curry chicken and puri (poori), a deep fried chapatti.

After some more talks, we went to see the Global Pagoda, a monumental Buddhist meditation center. It is still under construction but enough of the construction is completed to get an idea about this project.
The entire area is built with no concrete, but carved out rocks that interlock. In the middle is an enormous area intended for thousands to gather and meditate. In the ceiling is a golden Dharma under (above) which are buried the physical remains of Buddha. It was a very beautiful sight.

We normally would take the bus and train back, a nearly 2 hour trip if all goes well. Shameema had once before mentioned a boat that supposedly was only 5 minutes from Malad West, were we live. The Global Pagoda was right by the docks and the weather was fair, so we decided to give it a try.

All the times we have gone to Utan, why in the world have we never gone by boat??!! It was indeed a 5 minute boat ride and from the time we left until we were in the apartment only took half an hour. We are hoping to visit with them one more time before we leave and, weather permitting; we are so taking the boat!

It was a wonderful day. We learned so much, got so much information verified and enjoyed the wonderful company of a really great family.