day off

It felt so great to have 2 days off in a row. Saturday is always off, and then Sunday was a moonday. My body really needed the break after all of those led classes. Started back in today and I felt great, really strong, I can feel a change in my practice.
My host Joseph, organizes Christmas present donations to the orphanages around here. Shelley and I went along to help deliver them yesterday. That was an eye-opening experience to say the least. We weren't sure if they even know what Christmas is, but they were so happy to receive presents.
We went way outside of town, about 20 km, Joseph on his motorcycle, Shelley and I in aforementioned autorickshaw. Way out in the middle of nowhere we drove off the road on a dirt path. Our driver was not thrilled. After many twists and turns, we end up at what looks like 2 run down chicken coops, and a pump. There were about 14 boys, ages 6-16. Very friendly and polite, and well dressed. Some of them spoke English. There were 2 women there as well, I guess their caretakers. Joseph had collected presents from the yoga community, based on age, they got cricket sticks, balls, some got watches, clothes, it was really sweet.
It was hard to imagine where they lived though, I guess in these 2 buildings. I didn't see a kitchen or a bathroom or anything like that. There was an outdoor pump for water.
As we were leaving Joseph said that if we shook hands with any of them, to make sure not to touch your face. I don't even want to know what might have happened.
We went to dinner at a restaurant called Shilpashri, it was downtown and had a rooftop. We went thinking we could see the palace which is lit up on Sunday nights. We couldn't really see it from the rooftop, but did stop by after dinner, it was spectacular. I'll go back and take some pics next week.