This was the closing day of the Meher Pilgrim Retreat.  All pilgrims had to be out of their rooms by 9:30 AM.  Breakfast was the last meal.  But, the kitchen will not close down until after Friday, because there is the annual ‘workers’ lunch there.  We residents serve lunch to all the workers of the Trust.  It is a pleasure to serve them, as they work for us all year long.   The lunch will be in the Retreat Dining Hall.

When it was about time to get a rickshaw to go to the Retreat, I found none were available.  Not one! I called Roxanne, who lives near me.  Yes, she had a rickshaw coming at 8:30 AM.  I happily walked to her place. 

I woke without feeling exhaustion.  Those sleeping pills are working!  It will be such a relief to arrive in NY and be helpful without dragging my body.  After breakfast I got on the computer to do some work.  Just then my daughter, Rabia, called me.

Dhuni Day.  I took a rickshaw to the Retreat.  This is our last week.  We close Thursday for the summer.  When I got to the Reception Office I looked at how many had spent the night, over 60!  I had seven expected arrivals.

I woke early and did my workout.  I had taken a sleeping pill and felt better.  My exhaustion had been playing havoc with my sleeping pattern.  I next worked out in the garden for a while.  I then took a rickshaw to Virginia’s.  I picked up an extra gas cylinder I have there, and brought it back to my place, because yesterday, the gas cylinder Anne and I had ran out.  We use this gas for cooking.  It seems only on Thursdays are we allowed to get a refill on our gas cylinder.  So, I was very glad I had one at Virginia’s.  When I get back from the States, I will order a second cylinder and keep that one at Virginia’s.  

I was up the hill by 5:30 AM.  The double doors to Baba’s Samadhi were still closed.  So, I took the opportunity to stand at the open window and say the prayers.  Before my prayers were complete, there were a lot of “Avatar Meher Baba Ki Jais.”   The workers opened the doors and began to remove the garlands and the cloths that covered the lower portion of Baba’s marble.

I woke late—again.  After several cups of coffee, I was able to do part of my workout.  Then I spent the rest of the morning planting two more bouganvilleas.  We now only have three left to plant.  But, first we want to have the tata (matting) fixed on the rest of the side fence.  The holes are next to the fence, and the men may step on our new plants.

I worked in the garden until it was time to take our bus to the Trust.  I went to the phone company, and paid some money so my Internet service would still be on when I returned.  I also went into the bazaar and bought a large plastic tub. This will go in Foundy’s yard.  Sulu will keep it full of water, and Foundy can keep cool during the summer.

I took a rickshaw up to the Retreat.  There is only eight days left of the pilgrim season.  I looked at the number who slept at the Retreat on Tuesday night—50!  That would have been almost a full house at the old MPC.  A number were leaving, but I had eight expected arrivals for Wednesday.

I woke late and worked around the house.  The fence on the roadside is almost done.  It is looking good.  When we have Bougaville flowing over it, it will be so pretty.