![\"20130830-121209.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/obyoga.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/20130830-121209.jpg\")
<\/a>This is the view of the kitchen sink area. They don’t have running water. Yes, I know, there’s a sink, but the water doesn’t come out of the faucet. They carry their water up to their flat in large stainless steel pots.<\/p>\nEarlier in the day, I took a walk with Kathleen, and captured some photos of the community coming together to decorate and prepare for the celebrations that were to take place in the evening.<\/p>\n<\/a>This is the shrine in the corner of the kitchen. You can also see it in the aerial view, above.<\/p>\n<\/a>And here are their stainless steel plates, cookware and containers.<\/p>\n<\/a>Dinner, below, consisted of rice, chapati, deep fried battered onions, bean sprouts, dal and baby eggplant. The baby eggplant (in small dish on far left) was out of this world – spicy & flavorful. Everything was absolutely delicious!<\/p>\n<\/a>Here, Nirmala is cutting a lime for us to squeeze on our eggplant.<\/p>\n<\/a>Here’s a closeup of the tool she was using. Yikes! Watch your fingers (& toes)!<\/p>\n<\/a>Below, Nana, Sharon and I enjoying our meal. Indians eat very late, and the ladies were waiting for Nana’s youngest son, Raosaheb, to get home from work. A typical dinner time in Nana’s home would normally be around 9:30pm. I believe this is customary, as the Indians take a long break in the middle of the day. Many times, businesses (including banks) are closed a couple hours in the early afternoon.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Below, the oldest son, Balasaheb (married to Archana).<\/p>\n<\/a>Below, Nirmala, and below that is Nirmala and Archana – not only great cooks, but they’re beautiful too.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Dinner was fabulous, and I made a pretty good dent in mine.<\/p>\n<\/a>Dessert was good, too.<\/p>\n<\/a>Group photo.<\/p>\n<\/a>What an honor for Nana to welcome us into his home and share his family, food and culture with us. We are truly blessed.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Later, there would be a competition for teams of men who create pyramids to try to break the pot in the middle, which has a religious significance.<\/p>\n<\/a>Bling for the celebrations.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n