Making space

When I first arrived to this room in Varanasi a little more than a week ago I thought it was very cute. I liked its color, the shelves, the sweet pillowcases. I set about to making it mine: unpacking my clothes and setting out the few precious things that help me to feel safe and at home.

Before I left I made a tiny travel altar out of a little box with a lid. Inside the box is a milagro for my heart, and an evil eye for protection, and the lid has la Virgen de Guadalupe surrounded by mother of pearl. I pack up my stones, worry dolls, talismans, and prayers in the box when I am traveling, and unpack them again when I arrive somewhere. Of course I've acquired many more things for my altars along the journey: a Kali mala of skulls from Nepal, a picture of Shiva, a stone from the shore of the Ganga, my own drawings, etc.

Sometimes I feel sad to leave the rooms where I've lived. Depending on how long I stay and the experiences I have in a place, my heart can attach fiercely to a space and to the idea of 'home'. But this time I feel glad to leave the room I thought so sweet when I arrived. Too many sweltering nights and sick days were spent here. I am ready to put them behind me and move on.

These last two are for my cousin Annie who knows how much I like watermelon...

watermelon in bed!