Beauty Dies Where Litter Lies

August 15th is India's Independence Day. Things were really fun here. Apparently, most Indians celebrate by eating lots of food with their friends and family (pretty much July 4 sans fireworks). However, I got to enjoy some celebrations on campus, thanks to Khaiser, my peer tutor.

The vice chancellor of the university took Independence Day as an opportunity to give a political speech inspiring action and political knowledge. It was really interesting to hear the future-oriented tactics he used. In the U.S. it seems small scale Independence Day speeches focus on the history of the day and perhaps tie in a future-focused comment.


But, after the speech there were dances. There were dances by the children from the University School; there were dances from the kids from the university's slum. Actually, I took this as an occasion to be surprised once more at the readiness with which people use the term slum. Just an observation.

The dances and songs were followed by a performance by the environmental activist group. They were trying to get people to stop littering. (Nearly everyone in India litters. On more than one occasion, when I've asked for a bin, I've been instructed to toss it out the window.) So naturally, we donned picket signs and marched to shop com (the affectionate slang for shopping complex) and began to pick up trash.

At this point I was thinking that the students in Hyderabad really knew how to utilize national holidays to get things done. But where was the party?

The party, it turns out, was by a fire, on a giant boulder, past a winding path in the jungle, outside of peacock lake. Let's just say that English students are lots of fun in every culture, and that I can't hang out with Indian students without hearing some "my heart will go on", "summer of '69", and this time "twinkle twinkle little star." And, if ever there was a time to hear overly zealous interpretations of Monty Python skits, Independence Day would be the time.

Today's Meal: Fusion 9 pasta with intense chocolate birthday cake

Today's Deal: Boulder parties and peacock night hikes

Today's Reel: Khaiser, Kate, Cecilia, Sarah, and myself respectively with our signs and brooms

Grab Eleven Sickles and Hold Out Your Wandhand

I have now been to Bengaluru (aka Bangalore) and Mysore. In Bengalore, we went around and explored numerous Cafe Coffee Days as well as the interior life of Amelia's family. Incidentally, Amelia's family is awesome.

We went to a bar in Bengaluru called NASA. It was, you guessed it, space themed. It also played muzak versions of 1980s poprock. The hallways were like chambers in a space station. There was a space ambiance consisting of quotes from astronauts in black holes among the star lined walls.

We also went to the Hare Krishna temple, which is sweet. No pictures allowed.

From Bengaluru, we went to Mysore, which is famous for its silk production, among other things. The coolest thing we did here (apart from eating at an all too swanky restaurant) was go on a tiny tour of local goods. By this, I mean we got in a rickshaw with a teenage boy and followed him into houses. In the fist house, women were making incense. This is made with gunpowder and beeswax among other things. Here is a picture of a woman making incense.

And Another.
After that, we went to a house where men were making sandalwood/ginger cigarettes. They were wrapped in a leaf instead of paper. We're still debating whether it was a sandalwood or a tobacco leaf. Regardless, here is a picture of a cigarette roller.

We also saw people carving wood, inlaying wood, and metal working. We finally wound up at an oil shop. I bought some lotus oil to help with my yoga practice. We'll see if I become more focused. It's also supposed to cure headaches. It also smells good.

And of course, then the oil shopkeeper showed us his favorite silk shop. I was actually surprised at how reasonably priced all the saris were.

We also went to a market.

Vegetables on the ground.


And here is a cow at the market.

Also, I have now ridden on a knight bus, twice. Bunk beds and all.

Anyway.

Today's Meal- Swanky, delicious, Indian. At the Tiger Trail restaurant in Mysore.

Today's Deal- Walking around the palace

Today's Reel- The palace at Mysore at night

The Secret of the Side Knob

All of my classes have now started. What a brutal wake up call. Now, instead of leisurely sliding to breakfast in my pajamas, I'm awake at 5 am. This is just in time to hear the call to prayer from a nearby mosque. It's also just in time to make it to the first place of the day: yoga.

On the bike ride there, I've come to realize that there are a lot of early risers. This is not limited to people, although I see a lot of people walking or jogging for exercise. There are lots of morning glory animals. Primarily, the seventy five packs of dogs on campus run around or are napping in the road. Today I saw the biggest peacock I've ever seen (estimated 3 foot tail), and Jess and Chris (my yoga friends) saw a wild boar. There were also monkeys.

This is quite different from the rickshaw/taxi riding, relaxing, hookahing, hazy Hyderabad I've seen thus far. I like it though. And after late nights when 5 am seems too early, at least the praying people have to get up just a little earlier than I do.

Today's Meal- Yoga makes me want breakfast. I'm eating the toast and instant coffee.

Today's Deal- 6 am yoga--as my instructor said, grit your teeth. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Today's Reel- I took this at Shilparamam