Above – Having fun with Nana in the rickshaw.

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Below – View from the rickshaw on the drive to the BIG Ganesha after the hike to the cave temples.

This young girl was sitting at the entrance selling flowers and coconuts for offerings to Ganesha.

A peek of Ganesha from the bottom of the hill.

Part of the stairway up.

We made it. He’s a beauty!!

This sitting area looks out at the hill we hiked up to see the caves earlier.

Ganesha selfie.

Looking up from a couple different angles.

This nice garden was on Ganesha’s backside.

Before leaving.

A view from the rickshaw on the way to a Sai Baba temple. We went to another Sai Baba temple on the way back from Alandi.

This archway along the driveway to the temple is beautiful.

Ron – Another one for you. I paid 2 Rs to use this toilet. I had a dilemma here, or maybe I was facing the wrong way, but the water spicket was on the right. Don’t worry, I got it worked out.

Kids playing in an adjacent lot.

This building was off limits. It may be living quarters.

This artwork was painted on the tiles outside the building you saw above.

Here are a couple close-ups of the fence going around the building.

It started to rain so Nana put his hankie on his head.

The grounds around the building were so green and beautiful. We weren’t allowed to take pictures in the temple, but the inside was gorgeous.

Here’s another painted entryway. It was getting dirty and muddy because of the rain.

The market outside the temple.

Spices – I bought some cardamom and cinnamon sticks here.

Jill with the vendor next to the spice vendor.

Here’s a photo I took of the vendors down the street. Jill and I were taking shelter from the rain waiting for Nana to bring the rickshaw around.

These people were also taking shelter.

Look, there’s The Sheikh again. It looks like he really was expecting a flood.

On the way back to the flat.

A look back at BIG Ganesha.

“GO SLOW,” whatever that means. This is the Pune version of a speed limit sign.

This man pulled up next to us while we were waiting at a red light. He was soaked and very happy to have his photo taken.

Our final Sunday outing with Nana was such a fun day even though it was raining and the road was very very bumpy. We stayed dry for the most part and enjoyed the entire experience.

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My last day here is fast approaching. I’ve begun packing and assessing the luggage space situation. I vowed to not buy much here this time around, but somehow I have an abundance of items I need to squeeze into my suitcase – gifts for the kids, India-style snack foods to share when I get home and a few “other items.” Don’t even ask …

This afternoon Abhi and Raya gave another Q&A session and talk, reminiscing and telling stories about their mentorship with Guruji. It was priceless.

Tomorrow morning I get to sleep in because the final women’s class of the month doesn’t start until 9:30 am. After class I take my final trip to Ayurjoti and then back to the Institute for 4pm practice.

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Blogged on Amma’s iPhone and MacBook from iNdia with LOVE!