What a day! I was on construction today. It's weird to think that it will be my last time working construction. I bought some paintings from a place in the colony called the Bindu School of Art. It is an art school where the leprosy affected paint and paint. There were hundreds to choose from and all the money goes directly to the colony. It's incredible to see the talent of these people, most of whom have lost their fingers. They paint souly from their imagination and maybe a few books they have seen in their life. Incredible.

The sun was blistering hot today and as i was literally pouring my sweat into the foundation that I was dumping cement into, I heard a commotion down a little side street near by. There was screaming in Tamil and dogs started barking in warning. Victor, the foreman, came running over saying there was a snake in a families house. Within a minute a snake charmer was there on a scooter and in the house rumbling around. He came out and many neighbors, including us, watched as he held a 6 foot snake in his hands. He told us it was a poisonous snake but that blowing in it's mouth caused it to be lethargic. He kept blowing in the snakes open mouth and asked if we wanted to hold it. I'm embarrassed to admit I was super nervous at first, but Courtney held it with her work gloves on. Then I had to. I took my gloves off though for the full experience. I even kissed it! Aggghhhh!!! My brother Mike would be so proud :)

After construction I came home and made cute little butterfly crafts with the kids. After another superb dinner I went to the girls room to help with homework. Once Suvetras math had stumped me with a headache, the girls all crowded around me and decorated my face with bindi paint. I can't even explain what a sweet memory that I will be keeping with me for the rest of my life. They were all buzzing around, their quick Tamil chatter echoing off the bare blue cement walls. They kept dotting, then wiping, and dotting with a new color. Any time I would open my eyes one of them would say "no auntie, trust trust. you will be lovelyer." It was beautiful, and I felt stunning when they were through.

It was hard to say goodnight to them tonight. I think it is getting harder and harder the closer I get to leaving.