“We are cocktail.” Sudip mentions “People call cocktail to us.”
I laugh. It must be our skin colour difference I assume.
“When a girl is taller than the boy: cocktail couple.” He adds “You have longer hair so you are the girl. You are taller. We are cocktail.”

You write your dairy, a text message, or anything else personal. Nepal has an automated narrator service. It is one (or several) of the many children around, looking over your shoulder and practicing their English with your private message.

We pass the communal irrigation well. The water 4 meters deep looks dark. A stunning creates shines from the surface. A toad the size of a sailor’s guns, as muscular too. I’ve never seen anything like it. Mesmerised, I stared into the pit.
A sudden interruption, a rock equal in size to the toad itself was launched by one of the young boys.
Splash!
The turmoil settles. The toad pops back to the surface – upside down. The sound of three struggling heavy gasps ache my heart. For a brief moment there is utter silence. I look back up and the kids are laughing.
I should note that Nepal has an abundance of wildlife. Their repopulation of (endangered) species has practically been too successful. Human casualties from wild animals have risen drastically recent years. However, I suppose the first human is yet to be killed by a toad.

The pressure cooker is making a puffing sound. “Sounds like a train” I mention to Aron.
Seven of us in the kitchen and as usual the conversation topic is food. Maya the youngest (42) of three Nepalese sisters that run this guesthouse notices the sound. “Sound like train.”
“I just told Aron that.” I replied
“Yes, sound like train. I know sound of train. I never see train, only in film.”

26/06/13
Auroville