Spent the afternoon sweltering at a local auto repair shop. Lots of work to do involving bushings, bearings, greasing, replacing a water pump and the like. Mountain roads take a huge toll on a vehicle during a long trip. Here is the car in question behind a bus that also required a little attention.
So there was not a lot to do as half a dozen guys worked on various parts of the vehicle. Auto repair shops are very similar to hospitals in India. The patient/client has to go around and collect all the parts, in the case of cars that includes various oils, grease, metal parts, hoses etc, in the case of hospitals this includes syringes, IV solution, medicines etc and once the parts are assembled the various “specialists” use them in their various areas of expertise. There are always supply shops near to the repair shops/hospitals. One is given a list and mobile phone calls ensue between the center and the supplier on specifics. At least 3 trips to the supplier will be involved in either case. In our case with the car, Manoj-car owner and Rajesh-car driver who works for Manoj each had to make 2 trips and one of the parts still eludes us this evening. It should be procured by morning so the work can be finished up.
In the mean time, I sat at this place for 5 hours drinking tea, watching repairs (everything is done by hand- there is no computerized this and that diagnostic things etc) and getting to know 7 chickens that are resident in the far corner of the repair yard. There were 3 roosters and 4 hens. This is the same autobody shop last year that impressed me with it’s elaborate fish tank I posted a photo of on one of my other blogs.
I have to admit a fondness for chickens since my childhood. My grandmother had a small farm and kept chickens, cows, pigs and horses. It was one of my fondest memories to just sit and watch the animals do their animal things.
Chickens especially are very lively. And they aren’t really doing anything. They mull about and follow the top bird, one of the roosters who also doesn’t really seem to know what he is doing. Once in a while he puffs himself up and utters a loud crow and then goes back to leading the mulling about. Oh there’s so much I would like to say here metaphorically!
But here are some chicken photos for your enjoyment/consideration/appreciation.
Ah, Rhode Island Reds…in India!
I once likened my first Zen retreat to an auto repair garage. When I showed up at the retreat, I thought my life was just fine – looked good on the outside, seemed good on the inside. Only after lifting the hood, did I notice that the belts were frayed and that oil was splattered all over the engine compartment. The repairs have proven very expensive. Damned retreat!
Love your chicken story! See my blog at carolsucat.blogspot.com. We have banties and they’re a joy to behold!
Carol
Noble chickens, sublimely chicken-ing. looks beautiful out there. gassho