I'm no doctor, but I know what sucks...

Tanlines mean uneven sun exposure, swelling means soft tissue damage, red streak on the inside pinky-toe means it's broken.

I am officially tired of bucket baths. I still enjoy the novelty, I just don't trust them. Yesterday Vivian was bucket-bathing when she slipped off her stool, landing on her tailbone. She is fine, but was amazed at the pain the 6" drop caused. I stepped out of a cracked bucket, didn't quite clear it, and heard the bucket crack further. Yeah, that's what I heard. The bucket really was more cracked, and after walking it off for a few hours I admitted that the toe was as well. It's not the first time I've broken a toe, but it has been about 30 years since this has happened. I'm doing well going slow in sandals, but I have only one week to get ready for shoes. I attended the led primary class today, with only slight modifications like Janu Sirsasana-C and every jumpback. We have a final bit of minor travel before we end here, and had just finished finalizing reservations and train tickets when the toe thing happened. And we were supposed to climb Chamundi Hill, the 1000-step beacon in the south of Mysore today. That will wait, but our Tamil Nadu trip to Tiruvannamalai will include a 8 1/2 mile walk around the holy mountain Arunanchala. You can google those to see pics, or wait until we get back! This is one of the most sacred sites in India. (they all say that) There are ashrams, caves, temples, shrines, lingams, and much more fun to see as we join thousands of pilgrims observing giripradakshina, or going around the mountain, which is the personification of Siva himself! All ills are said to be cured, even insanity and past sins, so it's gotta be good for my toe. All I must do is catch a rickshaw, take two trains, arrange a ride 100km south, and check into the hotel before something else happens. If it does, I'll be off to another temple.

aeryk