Today I felt a bit heavy as I trudged off for my evening power walk , I walked all the way to the BHU Campus but my steps where not that brisk today and there was a lot of traffic on the road on the way .I had to stop over and try and navigate through the bustling auto’s and electric rickshaws that litter the streets of the city , the festive season is upon us and shops are open in full swing with people selling sweat meats and colour full clothes . I meandared through the side walks and then picked up my pace as I moved through the campus areas this time taking another route . Needless to say that I managed to clock only 5.9 km today a couple of km less than usual . I did manage to take my juice break at my customary juice shop . I generally like to have orange mixed with pineapple that’s my favourite drink and I had worked up a sweat , so I sat on the cement bench near the juice shop and placed my order for two glasses .

I managed to strike a conversation with some of the locals of the area , and you guessed it the topic of conversation was politics .” Modi is good , he gives us national pride and pride to be an Hindu  . But Mulayam Singh is very strong in UP and so is Mayawati and her BSP party are also fair contenders , people like BJP in this area but that doesn’t mean that BJP will come to power again and again .” A large man with a mooch rambled on about state politics . I for one have no interest in politics and tried to say something that would make me look informed and learned on the subject ,” But the congress is over they are in bad shape loosing key leaders .” I tried to give my two bit .” Yes even Madhavrao has left the part , they have no leader and Priyanka has made a mess of UP .

 

I finished my glass thanked the two men and trudged back on the side walk to continue with my walking routine , finally taking an electric rickshaw home to my hotel room .  There where lights all around the Durga temple complex and prayers where on in full swing with flower sellers making a killing as devotees thronged the temple .

 

The streets have started to look familiar to me now that I have been walking for two weeks on a stretch and I can make my way back to my hotel and even find my local friends house with out a fuss .

 

Dinner as simple chicken spring rolls , tomato juice followed by biscuits and tea . I also manage a bowl of chicken soup today , just to treat myself . But the diet seems to be helping and I do feel lighter and faster ,