Greetings only a day later, since I have access, I want to say more about the trips I began to write about yesterday.

We took a very long bus ride to Quo Vadis, an inter-faith dialog center run by the Arcott Lutheran Church in a town where a major Hindu temple is located. In the past 20 years the temple has become a popular pilgrimage site, especially at the full moon when thousands come from all over India to visit the temple and walk around the mountain on which it is located. This and the rise of Hindu nationalism prompted the Lutheran church in the town and its synod to respond with a place and program to promote understanding between people of different faiths and with those who are seeking. The program includes informal conversations in their new cafe, a library, formal discussion programs, etc. They people there organized an amazing day and a half for us. After a formal welcome and a hot (in both senses) snack we were ushered on to bullock carts for a ride around the mountain: 14 kilometers. Then, lunch with Doug and Jane Koons (oles who were on the first global semester) who are here directing a project related to libraries for the nearly 100 schools sponsored by the Arcott Lutheran church. They live on the campus of a teacher training school and a weaving workshop that provides employment for "destitute women." Then, breathlessly, we were off to the temple where we were greeted by the head priest. You'll see a photo of me wearing a long, fragrant garland! After a quiet time at an ashram we returned to Quo Vadis for dinner, dialogue, and yet another dance performance. (Three days in a row we witnessed the pot dance: the dancer balances a pot on the head.) In the morning we saw the sun rise from a spot about half-way up the mountain. All in all, a wonderful experience. And, yet again filled with gifts which we could not have imagined when we left ECC at 5 a.m.

The rains have started so we are showered also by rain here on the lovely green ECC campus.

Know that we long to share dinner and conversation with each of you.