Haré Krishna temple near Cali

An overnight bus brings me to Cali, the second largest city in Colombia (pop. 3m). I have signed up with a volunteer position through workaway.org to volunteer building a Haré Krishna temple. I am chaperoned back to the temple by a man in orange, the typical attire of the Haré Krishna devotees. I know nothing of  this religion except that they seem like they like to sing and dance through the streets of Dublin and they are vegetarian, or was that vegan?

First impressions of this HK community, is that it is much more peaceful and less polluted than in Bogota or Medellin. The accommodation is basic and I share a bunk bed with a devotee. I soon learn that the simplicity of life does not stop there: the shower/ high-tap-on-the-wall emits cold water, mosquito nets are a luxury. 

The HK community lives around the temple. There are about four families and they all participate in the daily chores. Local kids also come by regularly to practice the HK music and praying. 

The daily schedule (not yet fully adopted by me) starts at 4am with prayers and meditation for three hours followed by breakfast. The food here is simple but prepared with such love by Goa and the ingredients all fresh and local. The cuisine is based on Indian cooking (rice, falafel, humus) and using the local staple of plantains nearly in every meal. I work after breakfast for four hours, helping to paint and renovate the small temple here. There is another prayer session at 12:00 until 13:00. Lunch is served at 13:00 and then i get the afternoon off. Another prayer session starts at 17:00 until 18:00. Dinner is at 18:00 and then everyone makes their way to bed before 21:00. It certainly imposes structure on my life. 

Tomorrow there is to be a fiesta (party)! I am assured there will be no rumba or even salsa. The downside of this party is that no one will eat until 18:00 tomorrow. When in a HK temple, do what the HKs do.