Lord Hanuman and Mahatma Gandhi in San Rafael Farmers’ Market

Went to the San Rafael weekly Farmers’ Market on 17 Jul 08 (Thurs). They had blocked off one road completely for the market. Just like the “Haat” which we have back at home. Vegetables stalls, fruit stalls etc lined up for everyone and anyone. You also have other miscellaneous items like stones, artificial necklaces, shirts, pants pictures etc. Here you get items really cheap. We also had Chinese acupuncture experts treating their patients. Massaging was going on in one place.

The whole atmosphere was festive. Children were enjoying themselves in some games. The only difference as compared to India was that there were two or three Bands playing music and the place was not congested. Plenty of eatables were available. There was a Sardarji who had set up an Indian fast food stall also. We went to a Malabar store, slightly away from the Market, selling Indian groceries and picked up some Idli Rava and some coconut powder for a Bollywood Party which we are having at home tomorrow!

Sai is calling his American friends and they are going to have Idlis and Bondas along with a Bollywood Film on the DVD! It is indeed amazing. Our Indian thinking has really penetrated the hearts and minds of the Californians. I am sure that this must be the same story in the rest of the US also .The World has really shrunk in size in this digital age.

In one of the stalls set up by the Tibetans they were selling Lord Hanuman’s pictures. There were pictures of Durga and other Goddesses .The US Department had put up a stall for World peace and there was a poster containing a photograph of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King!!

We went to a Thai restaurant and had some "PadThai”,somewhat like noodles but more tasty; and some “yellow curry” , a lot of vegetables cooked in coconut milk and some rice .While we were driving back from the Farmer’s market through the Freeway it was just becoming dark .

The mountains on the side of the Freeway with fog hovering over them looked awesome ,majestic and beautiful and made me wonder about the mystery of Creation and as to how the Lord runs the Universe so meticulously and with such beauty and harmony.