Yesterday was another fun and exciting day. As mentioned earlier, I finally have internet connection. I have found that you need to exude patience when connecting to the internet, though. Although if you are an early riser (as I am), you are much more successful!
After a day of interesting lectures at Shri Ram College of Commerce, we visited the market where local crafts are sold. Lots of beautiful woodworking, jewelry, scarves and other items were available for sale. Our Indian buddies were ever so helpful in negotiating prices, and also helped explain to us the historical significance of many of the crafts that were offered for sale. In the middle of the complex there were musicians playing and women dressed in authentic costumes dancing for passers-by.
We rode the underground Metro to the market. That in itself was quite the experience. When we got on the train, there were not many people aboard. By the time we exited the train it was packed body to body. We are starting to get used to "the gaze" from the locals. We look very different from the natives, and people definitely notice. Ashley especially draws a lot of attention (she has very blonde hair).
As we were leaving the market, several of us got our hair "braided". We picked out colors of embroidery floss, and the women wrapped a section of our hair in the colors. It ended up looking similar to a braid with colors.
After we departed the Metro, we took rickshaws back to the University Guest House where we are staying. It's quite interesting riding in a bicycle-powered vehicle in amongst thousands of motorcycles, cars, buses, trucks. There are many close calls, but we have not yet witnessed any accidents. The drivers all blow their horns, but more in a respectful way such as to say "Here I am, I am going to pass you" rather than the American version of "Get out of my way or I will ram you".
We were told during a lecture yesterday that Indians believe that they should treat their guests as Gods. They are definitely showing us that in their accomodations. We are very pampered and protected here by our buddies. I feel very safe going places with them as they are constantly looking out for our best interest. As an example, if you comment on a pretty scarf someone is wearing they will offer to give it to you. Also, every time we are in line somewhere, our Indian buddies be sure that one of them is in the front of the line to show us what to do, and the others are dispersed throughout the line and one at the back to be sure we are all safe and protected. It's quite a wonderful relationship we have already built with these previous strangers that we now call friends.
I'm having a great time in India, but am looking forward to a few things at home: My family, my soft bed, black coffee, and Diet Coke, amongst many other things ;-)
Until tomorrow-
Heidi
After a day of interesting lectures at Shri Ram College of Commerce, we visited the market where local crafts are sold. Lots of beautiful woodworking, jewelry, scarves and other items were available for sale. Our Indian buddies were ever so helpful in negotiating prices, and also helped explain to us the historical significance of many of the crafts that were offered for sale. In the middle of the complex there were musicians playing and women dressed in authentic costumes dancing for passers-by.
We rode the underground Metro to the market. That in itself was quite the experience. When we got on the train, there were not many people aboard. By the time we exited the train it was packed body to body. We are starting to get used to "the gaze" from the locals. We look very different from the natives, and people definitely notice. Ashley especially draws a lot of attention (she has very blonde hair).
As we were leaving the market, several of us got our hair "braided". We picked out colors of embroidery floss, and the women wrapped a section of our hair in the colors. It ended up looking similar to a braid with colors.
After we departed the Metro, we took rickshaws back to the University Guest House where we are staying. It's quite interesting riding in a bicycle-powered vehicle in amongst thousands of motorcycles, cars, buses, trucks. There are many close calls, but we have not yet witnessed any accidents. The drivers all blow their horns, but more in a respectful way such as to say "Here I am, I am going to pass you" rather than the American version of "Get out of my way or I will ram you".
We were told during a lecture yesterday that Indians believe that they should treat their guests as Gods. They are definitely showing us that in their accomodations. We are very pampered and protected here by our buddies. I feel very safe going places with them as they are constantly looking out for our best interest. As an example, if you comment on a pretty scarf someone is wearing they will offer to give it to you. Also, every time we are in line somewhere, our Indian buddies be sure that one of them is in the front of the line to show us what to do, and the others are dispersed throughout the line and one at the back to be sure we are all safe and protected. It's quite a wonderful relationship we have already built with these previous strangers that we now call friends.
I'm having a great time in India, but am looking forward to a few things at home: My family, my soft bed, black coffee, and Diet Coke, amongst many other things ;-)
Until tomorrow-
Heidi
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