Friday Night in Tiru

It was a Friday night in Tiru.

I was sitting out the front of the chai shop.

It was around 7:30 p.m.

The street was alive.

Friday nights were always busy, so were Saturdays and Sundays.

I could hear Sohil’s drums in the distance, tapping out rhythms, hoping to sell a few.

Some people were sipping chai and chatting quietly.

Others were walking toward Ramana ashram, first-timers, long-timers, foreigners.

Everybody. Everything.

I looked around and smiled.

Then I thought about what I’d usually be doing on a Friday night back in Melbourne.

Beers with mates.

Maybe at a bar on Chapel Street.

Then heading to a club.

Out all night… into the morning.

I laughed.

And now… I’m doing this.

Life’s funny like that.

Who knew?