Nisha and I had to prove that we are not “city girls,” so Brighu put us to work clearing a garden space for tomatoes. While we were working, Tripura brought us tea and then started showing me all the edible weeds. After she directed me to gather “itni sabji” for dinner (“sabji” meaning “vegetables,” and “itni” in this case meaning “a shit-ton”), Ranbir brought Rani the cow down to eat all the “sabji” I was supposed to be picking. Grrr.

We’ve also been discussing some ideas that the boys have for improving their property and the village in general. Brighu wants to put some big trash cans around town and also work with the schools to get kids involved in trash clean-up. Ranbir wants to build small guest cottages on an unused field above the house. I want to combine ideas and build the cottages with plastic waste. Brighu is skeptical and says I have to build something first to prove that (a) we can find enough plastic to do it (please! it’s EVERYWHERE) and (b) it works as a building material. So while I was digging, I also started gathering garbage. Filled one bottle easily, just on one bit of their land. I think we can do this.