Mr. Joseph and His Excellent Enfield

I had an enjoyable breakfast this morning with Joseph, who is a seventeen year resident of Mysore. He came here from Sun Valley for four weeks, studied yoga with Pattabhi Jois, and stayed for the duration. He spent a number of years as Guruji's personal assistant when Guruji traveled, helping the yoga master navigate the complexities of airports, different cultures, bureaucracies, and tour difficulties. He's a fascinating fellow, who now has a guest house here in Mysore for yoga students. He may not know everyone, but it's darn close.

He has a 500cc Royal Enfield, single cylinder motorcycle. This is truly the big bike of southern India, as most of the motorbikes are 100cc in capacity. It makes a satisfying, Harley-like thump-thump. I got a tour of Gokulam, riding on the back.

(The picture at the top is actually another Enfield, a 350cc model, not Joseph's. But they look essentially the same.)

Headed downtown for lunch later.

Cheers.