Let’s pause the book rumination to update you on our India trip. Well, it’s going great! We slept under stars in a desert, petted tens of cows patrolling the city of Jaisalmer, and flew to Mumbai, where we ate our cheapest lunch yet for 0.15$.

We also saw Dune II in the cinema! (I loved it so much I should keep it brief, unless I want this blog to become dedicated to Dune). To our surprise, when Feyd-Rautha was walking through the dark corridors of Giedi Prime, the screen froze. It actually always does in Indian cinemas—since they mostly play Bollywood films, which are constructed to have two distinct acts to fit a small break in the middle, Dune II got the same treatment. Also, the cinema seemed like a 5-star hotel—chandeliers, golden, polished floors, and at least 4 different stands serving not only popcorn but sushi, Indian food, and the like. Craziness.

Our next stop, and the trip’s highlight, was our stay in Kerala. The Airbnb description read: “you’ll be exalted by the presence of S., who is a guru, a philosopher, a spiritual leader, and a saint.” S. turned out to be all those things, and an awesome guy to match. I spent many productive afternoons in Kerala’s jungle, sitting in a pagoda overlooking a river and writing to my heart’s content.

In the next travel blog, we’re going to Nepal! : )