Serving and Spiralling Love

After saying good bye to our grandfather we started walking to our next destination. The road seemed longer today and by lunch time as we were about to collapse we heard a sweet voice welcoming us. Arti called us in to her house, she had the most radiant smile. She pointed us to a room especially made for pilgrims and the very first meal that we got today was bundi and jalebi (Indian sweet made from chickpea flour). Looking at our food we remembered all our dessert lovers and with a big smile ate it all. We were so tired that we couldn’t move an inch, so with our stomachs full we slept straight for an hour. In my half-baked sleep I heard someone saying, don’t talk so loudly, they are very tired, let them sleep and take proper rest. 

Once we came back to our senses we saw Arti making food for us. We joined her in making some rotis (Indian flat bread) and later shared a meal with them. Arti teaches English in her village school. Her parents are in this profession for over 30 years. Interestingly this family serves jalebi and bundi to everyone who passes by their shop be it a pilgrim, a customer, a child or an animal passing by. We spent almost three hours with them and we saw constant people knocking their door but they kept finding space to serve everyone walking by with a big smile. 

Arti in her conversation shared how we should even meditate while we were doing the pilgrimage. She shared about different meditation courses that she has been through and now she is looking forward to a 10 day Vipassana course. There was so much to connect; it felt as if we were meeting our sister living in another village. 

With more intimate conversations we had special ginger tea made by uncle. Aunty shared how she worked hard so that both her daughters could study well and find better opportunities for their life ahead. 

While waving goodbye, Arti asked us if she could give us a bike ride till the next village. Because we are walking this time we said we will keep that offer for the next time. 

What a joy it was to connect to the family serving and spiralling love:)

Garudeshwar to Vagach via Boriyad