Bjuh is desert area and we were told that it gets really hot during the day and cold at night. Part of that statement is correct: it gets really hot during the day!Our first night in the guesthouse without a/c went really well until the electricity went out and so did the fans. In the sweltering heat of the night, fans are crucial. Hanna went back to sleep and I decided to go and sit by the large dining table in the semi open dining room.
I cannot explain with words how peaceful and wonderful those hours were. To my right was a large open window and the view revealed all kinds of amazing exotic vegetation. To my left was a walkway with pillars and a green garden with grass. Behind the garden wall was a palm tree grove. The early morning breeze brought in a slightly cooler air and I heard birds I have never heard 
before. I was so glad I could not go back to sleep.
before. I was so glad I could not go back to sleep.That morning, we met Kishore at the office and heard about his overnight excitement. They had a black cobra in their house and I found out that they are common around here. But don’t worry, “ they only come out when it is hot, like now.” (???) As it turned out, black cobras wouldn’t be our 
only concern. I found this wonderful specimen right outside our door. After dealing with the thought of black cobras, we headed out.
only concern. I found this wonderful specimen right outside our door. After dealing with the thought of black cobras, we headed out.Our day was really hectic and we visited 4 different producers. Everywhere we went, we were met with such incredible hospitality. After lunch, one of the producers offered us to use in one of
his guest houses.
his guest houses. I found myself resting in a white round house with a domed wooden roof. The walls are decorated with a spectacular artwork made of mud and mirrors, something typical for this area.
The last producer we visited works with natural dyes only and we saw the most amazing art work. Deep vats of fermenting indigos, iron water simply 
made of iron sitting in a tub of water, and so many other natural products were the basis for incredible colors achieved by the chemical reactions of natural ingredients.
made of iron sitting in a tub of water, and so many other natural products were the basis for incredible colors achieved by the chemical reactions of natural ingredients. We then headed back to the VRTI campus and a few times Hanna and I were wondering if the oncoming truck would be the last thing we saw. Words do not do justice to describe the driving here, but let me suffice by saying that passing in a blind curve, going up-hill is nothing. Passing when there is an oncoming truck is nothing.
On the way back, Kishore ordered the driver to stop and he bought a kilo of dates. Now, I know dates as this wonderful, sweet thing that I get to keep all to myself because nobody in my family really cares for it, but these was raw dates. While they all feasted on these dates, Hanna and I tried gracefully out of politeness to work our one little date down, just to be rewarded with a whole handful.
At the end of a long but very informative day, we enjoyed another typical Indian dinner. For the area we are in, a typical lunch and dinner includes chapattis, some form of vegetable mix and some form of starch mix, often potato. It has the consistency of a stew, in various thicknesses just depending on what it is. You break a piece of chapatti of (with your right hand only!!!) and use it to scoop up the stew. 
No utensils and the left hand stays away from the table! Towards the end, they will often serve you a portion of rice that you can pour the sauce like substance served earlier over. We were graciously given a spoon for this process, but Kishore and others don’t use a spoon. They somehow manage with just their hands, even when it gets very liquid after they also pour their curds (yogurt) over it. They drink buttermilk with every meal, but we stayed away from milk 
products out of safety. For an ultimate carnivore, I am amazed how much I really like the food here. Most of the time, I have no idea what I am eating, and that might be a good thing. That way I just simply enjoy it. Because of my allergies to mushrooms, I did make sure there aren’t any of those in the various foods and I found out that mushroom is a debated items amongst vegans. Some consider it not a proper vegan item, so it is in general omitted. Lucky me!
No utensils and the left hand stays away from the table! Towards the end, they will often serve you a portion of rice that you can pour the sauce like substance served earlier over. We were graciously given a spoon for this process, but Kishore and others don’t use a spoon. They somehow manage with just their hands, even when it gets very liquid after they also pour their curds (yogurt) over it. They drink buttermilk with every meal, but we stayed away from milk 
products out of safety. For an ultimate carnivore, I am amazed how much I really like the food here. Most of the time, I have no idea what I am eating, and that might be a good thing. That way I just simply enjoy it. Because of my allergies to mushrooms, I did make sure there aren’t any of those in the various foods and I found out that mushroom is a debated items amongst vegans. Some consider it not a proper vegan item, so it is in general omitted. Lucky me!That evening, Hanna and I explored the roof of our guest house and were rewarded by a beautiful view of the campus.
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