Thrissur
I went to a small village near Thrissur with Pramella Aunty, Ammu and Bobby to her brother’s house. It was very peaceful and calm, and was like a small village/town. It wasn’t as big as Cochin, but it was more conservative than Cochin. We went to a famous temple known Guruvayur Temple that was in Thrissur. It is one of the many places that the people from the pilgrimage go to during their trip. We weren’t able to go inside the temple because there were so many people there, but there were many sights to see outside of the temple such as three famous elephants that are shown on a famous Malayalam series, many people who were praying and offering gifts, and festive music. We also went to a temple in the village we were staying at. Since there was a festival going on, there were so many lights and festivities. One of the highlights of the festival was seeing 25 decorated elephants! I had never seen so many elephants in my life! I also had the chance to touch one, which was interesting. I expected the skin to be smooth, but actually it was rough and each hair felt hard like plastic! We also ate sugarcane, which is from a tall stalk about 8 to 10 feet tall. As I ate the sweet sugarcane, I was reminded that I had tasted it once before when I had first lived in India before the age of five.

A Rare Sighting
One evening as I went out for my usual run, I was struck by a beautiful sight. It was of a bright moon bordered by two beautiful stars. I read in the newspaper the next day that it was actually two planets, Venus and Jupiter, and that it is a rare occurrence!

Mumbai
Many of you might have known that one of the things that I was going to do while I was in India was visit my orphanage in Pune. About a month ago I booked a train ticket to Mumbai, which is only an hour from Pune. Pramella Aunty’s friend was going to assist me around Mumbai and Pune. The night before I was going to go, I was all done packing and was about to go to sleep, when Pramella Aunty called me downstairs. She showed me the TV which reported the terrorist attacks that were happening as we were watching. I was so shocked and astonished because it happened at the CST train station which was the exact place where I was supposed to get off the train and stay with Pramella Aunty’s friend. Although I wasn’t able to go to my orphanage, I felt very blessed that I was safe from the attacks. My slight disappointment was overshadowed by my gratitude for my wonderful experience in India and my extreme thankfulness for my safety and well-being. I send out prayers to all the families of those who died, and also those who were injured during the attacks.

Kanyakumari
I went with Pramella Aunty to Kanyakumari, which is located on the southern tip of India in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is known as the meeting point of three bodies of water: the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean. It is a very beautiful place and one of the main reasons that people visit there is to see the sunset and sunrise over the ocean. We were able to see the sunset, but the most glorious part was the sunrise. We were awakened by knocking on our door in our hotel at 5 AM! This knock was the call to get up for the sunrise. I was tired from traveling the day before, so I really wanted to sleep, but I got up reluctantly. I was thinking, why should I get up to see a sunrise this early? I can see a beautiful sunrise anywhere. My complaints were soon drowned out by the thousands of people heading toward the beach at 5 AM. I couldn’t believe it! It seemed like the whole place was up. There were Indian tourists, people on their pilgrimage, families with their children, shop keepers, and street vendors who were all waiting for the sunrise. This month, many men and boys were on their pilgrimage. Men, boys, and some women dress in black and make a trek to Subrimala Temple, a famous temple in Kerala and also make stops at other temples like Kanyakumari. There are only a few women because only girls younger than 10 and older than 55 are the only ones allowed to go on the pilgrimage. For 45 days during the pilgrimage, they only eat vegetarian food, the men are not allowed to touch the women and live in a separate facility, they wake up at 4:30 each morning, and are only allowed to eat after bathing. For part of the pilgrimage they have to walk 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) barefoot on rocks as part of the ritual on the way to the temple. After 45 days they put away the black cloth and prayer beads around their neck and go back to their daily lives. I saw thousands of boys and men bathing in the ocean for their ritual at 5 AM! It was an incredible sight and feeling to be united with so many people to witness the beauty of God’s creation. It seemed like it took so long for the sun to come up because so many people were waiting for it! Once it came up, my complaints soon faded away. It was a glorious sight! An interesting side note is that Pramella Aunty told me that the tsunami came to this place. The water covered the temple and statue, but it didn’t wash away at all. Only the people died who were on land and in the temple. I thought it was incredible that the architecture was that sound even though it was built so long ago! We also went to Kanyakumari Temple. It was a Hindu Temple, and I was lucky that I looked like a Hindu so I could see inside! It was so interesting. There were stone carvings on each wall in all the rooms and it was so big that I felt as if I would get lost. There were different statues and paintings or each of the gods along with candles in front of each god. There was also the smell of incense in each room. I’ve never been in such beautifully carved stone rooms. It reminded me of old movies I used to watch with my family like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom because of the mystery and allure of it.



Trivandrum
Next week went the capital of Kerala which is Trivandrum. We went to another temple known as Padmanapha Temple, it was bigger than the one in Kanyakumari! There was also a palace next to it in which kings used to live. Because of the pilgrimage, many people were waiting for 2-3 ours just to get into the temple. After waiting for awhile, we went in but couldn’t see very much because of the huge rush. Finally we got to the main room where the statue was. It was a statue of a famous god, Sree Ayyppian. About 2/3 of the room was entirely made of gold because the statue was so big it took up most of the room. I couldn’t believe it, I had never seen so much gold! Bobby later told me that she visited it 9 years ago, and no one had known that there was gold because it was covered with black so people thought it was stone. She went on to say that it was only four years ago when they were doing the yearly cleaning that people realized that there was gold underneath. When the British came the Indian people had to hide all the gold and jewels so they covered up this statue with a mixture of ashes and other materials that lasted more than 200 years. As for the rest of the things, many people known it is buried somewhere beneath the ground but no one knows exactly where. I thought that was so fascinating! Next we went to Veli Tourist Village. It had a nice beach and some interesting statues. It is used a lot for film shootings and music videos.


“Paka India”
Many people have referred to me as a “paka” Malyalee, which means true or genuine. While I was traveling to Kanyakumari and Trivandrum, I saw “paka” India because we passed through small villages and towns. In Cochin, I feel as if I don’t really see the real India because Kerala is such an educated state and there are few beggars. Tamil Nadu is quite the opposite. I felt as if I was truly experiencing India because it was so different. Men rode bicycles with coffee and tea on the back in metal containers chanting coffe-chaya, coffee-chaya in an Indian accent. People were sitting on the side of the road selling small things such as seashells, hairbands, and cheap jewelry. It was sad because that is their job. It made me even more sad to see young children as young as five years old working. They were carrying large bags of rocks on their backs which weighed more than them. With their unclean hair and disheveled appearance I couldn’t believe that they were only 5-7 years old. I thought about how at that age I went to school and played with toys. These kids don’t know the concept of fun because from the time they can walk they have to toil and labor for their survival. I also saw litter carelessly thrown along the road, small shops filled with snacks and colorful vegetables, shacks selling coffee and tea, dirt floating around as autos as autos and cars whiz by, and heard the loud and annoying honking of buses and cars. There were also Hindi, Tamil, and Malayali film ads plastered all over featuring women wearing barely any clothes. This contrasted with the ordinary women who wore churidars and saris. This “paka” India, I loved and hated it in the same breath. Yet all of these things unite to create the very tapestry of India.

Hindu Wedding
Last weekend I was able to go to a Hindu wedding, which was an interesting experience for me. It was in a small town near Thrissur, which is near Pramella Aunty’s childhood home. It wasn’t anything like what I expected, because each culture does it differently. The weddings differ not only based on religion, but also on the culture and location. This was a Malayalam Hindu wedding. The bride wore a colorful red and gold sari, complete with many gold bangles and chains. She also wore a crown of white flowers in her hair. The groom wore a mundu (piece of cloth worn like a skirt) and a garland of flowers around his neck. The bride and groom sat behind an altar which consisted of many candles and offerings. Out of all the things that I experienced on this day, the thing that surprised me the most was the informality of the wedding. Many people were on the stage with the bride and groom, there were about 30 of them. These were relatives of the bride and groom. There were many people who attended the wedding, but it was very informal with people coming and going as they wished. I was expecting a serious atmosphere, but it was quite the opposite with noise all around me. Pramella Aunty told me that she was related to all the people in the audience. That was surprising to me, because I don’t even know who my 2nd cousins are! Once again it shows the solidarity of the family unit, because not only close but also extended relatives are considered “part of the family”. Not only do they attend each others functions, they also visit each other on a regular basis. The most intriguing part of the wedding was when the bride and groom gave each other milk to drink which symbolizes bonding of the marriage. I compared it to the U.S. when the pastor tells the groom to kiss the bride! Afterwards we had a sadya feast, which is similar to the ornum feast. The food is served on a banana leaf with at least 10 different things to ഏറ്റ്.

Fort Kochi
I went with Pramella Aunty to Fort Kochi, which is a vibrant city located only a ferry ride away from Ernakulum. It is a rich part of Cochin, bursting with multicultural influences. Over time, the Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have influenced this city. Despite the different cultures ruling it for so long, it has only added to the charm of this city. First we went to Mattanchery, which is a part of Fort Kochi. We went to a Dutch Palace, which is one of the oldest oriental style Portuguese Palaces left. Though the palace looked un-extravagant on the outside, it was fascinating on the inside. There were old murals depicting the stories from the Ramayana, coins and artifacts from the 1600s, paintings of previous rulers, and more. Next we went to a Jewish synagogue. There used to be many Jewish families living here with booming businesses back in the 1900’s, but now there are only a few left. The Jewish synagogue was quite beautiful with colorful lanterns hanging from the ceiling which were from Belgium, painted tiles on the floor from China, and etched brass pillars. This synagogue is 400 years old! Then we walked through the street known as Jew Town Street. It was streaming with tourists from European countries. I had somewhat of a slight culture shock seeing white skin again! The street was filled with shops which contained beautiful rustic antiques and artifacts. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, it felt like I was stepping back into time and experiencing many cultures at once! Lastly we went to the beach which is surrounded by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. Since I love water, I was mesmerized by the beautiful sights as we strolled along the beach. The Chinese fishing nets are an appealing sight, which are left over from the majestic rule of Kublai Khan. The funniest and most bewildering part was when Pramella Aunty and I walked aboard a plank to look at the sunset without any comments from the fishermen. We walked off the plank and I overheard the same fishermen telling a European tourist that he had to pay 70 rupees ($1.50) to walk on the plank to see the sunset. It’s in these situations that I am glad to fit in! Lastly, our day ended with the sight of a beautiful sunset setting over the city known as “Queen of the Arabian Sea”.

Obama’s Win
Sorry for all those who supported McCain, but I couldn’t post this blog without mentioning Obama’s victorious win! I have reading up on politics more than ever since I’ve been in India. Honestly, I have never been interested in politics. I would rather spend my time reading Psychology articles and interesting facts that no one seems to know about (which I love to do!). I always felt as if politics were a world away from me, like it was something I couldn’t relate to or something that wasn’t relevant to me. It took for me to be in India to realize how important it is to be informed. Not only about politics, but also about other countries and global issues that affect people around the world; people that include you and me. It’s surprising how much the Indian culture is informed about the U.S. and other countries on a political level. It’s actually quite embarrassing that many Americans including me know less about our country than Indians do. That is one of the reasons why I took the initiative to be proactive and start being informed! Being in India has made me realize many things about the U.S. It has made me realize how much the U.S. is depended on by so many countries and how the U.S. is ignorant about many of those countries. It’s a sad reality that only worsens the stereotype of Americans. At the same time, it has made me realize that America has fundamentals and values that I respect and am proud of.

Barack Obama has captured not only my heart, but many hearts across the world with his charisma and calm demeanor. His multicultural background is something that many people like me can relate to. His win is monumental in the history of the U.S. because America has shown that it can overcome racial barriers by electing someone who is black; more so by overlooking his race and focusing on his tremendous potential and outstanding qualities. I write this not to flaunt my obvious inclination over Obama as president. I write this because Obama’s win presents a larger picture globally. Indian newspapers and televisions were buzzing with the victory of his win. Despite Obama’s negative stance on outsourcing, India and other countries have chosen to look past that fact and have now have full fledged respect for our country for the first time in history. It is a big change from when I came to India in August. Many people had negative connotations towards the U.S. because of our ignorance towards other countries, our consumer waste and spending habits, and the obvious racism that exists. Obama’s presidential run has gradually softened their hearts and now with his win has turned the negative stereotype of U.S. into a positive one. His win has not only changed U.S. history, but also the views towards the U.S. by other countries that now have high hopes for him. This monumental point in history has made me proud to call myself an American citizen. Finally we have a black leader who has the ability to unite racial and global divisions. Now that is a democracy that I am proud of.

Bangalore
This week I traveled to Bangalore to visit my friend Manu, who I met through Sarada Aunty. The bus ride was long, but the sights were amazing. Bus and train rides never seem long here because of the beautiful views. Bangalore is outside the state of Kerala in the state of Karnataka. The language that most people speak there is known as Kannada which I think is cool because it sounds like Canada J Bangalore is a growing metropolitan city which has a lot of high tech industries that draw people from all over the world to live. There was a holiday going on while I visited which is known as Diwali or Deepavali. The term Diwali is used in mostly in northern India while Deepavali is used in southern and eastern India. Diwali or Deepavali is popularly known as the “festival of lights” but also as “the new year of luck and wealth”. It is generally celebrated with festive fireworks, sharing of sweets, candles and lights, flowers, and worship. There were plenty of fireworks going on late into the night to celebrate and many candles lit outside of houses. During the Diwali celebrations, Manu and I went to Sri Sri Ravishankar’s ashrum which was outside the city. Sri Sri Ravishankar is another guru, who is widely known for his Art of Living programs all over the world. There was a pooja (prayer and worship) at the brightly lit temple, sharing of sweets, and fireworks after the pooja to celebrate Diwali.

Indian Pizza
In the U.S., I used to fantasize about eating Indian pizza… I didn’t know that it actually existed! Manu and I went to a place called Pizza Corner, which is similar to a Pizza Hut or Dominos. We were actually trying to find Dominos but couldn’t so we settled on this restaurant instead. The restaurant looked like a typical pizza hangout place in the U.S. I ordered punjabi chicken tikka pizza and Manu had jugabandi pizza (it had paneer in it, which is a type of cheese). Something that was different to me was the sizes. The sizes consisted of small, medium, and large. Manu convinced me that I should order the small sized pizza, which I thought would be too much for me. She also ordered the small, and I realized that the small sized pizza is actually Pizza Hut’s personal pan sized pizza in the U.S.! I used to order that in the U.S. and usually people would tease me because it was so small, saying that only kids eat that size. It wasn’t enough so we also ordered the paneer footizza (the name explains it). I liked the pizza, although I don’t think the quality was up to par. I’m sure if I had higher quality Indian Pizza, I would’ve liked it more. However, the pizza in the U.S. still tasted better to me (taco pizza yum!).

Atmosphere
There were many differences between Bangalore and Cochin. Bangalore’s climate was much different. It was surprisingly cool during the day with no humidity and downright cold at night! The way people dressed was also different. In Cochin, most people wear churidars and saris, while in Bangalore, people wore everything! I enjoyed the more casual and relaxed environment in Bangalore, no one seemed to care what you wore or what you were doing. I thought it was interesting that in Cochin, even though women dress more conservatively, there seems to be more sexual harassment. In Bangalore, even though women dress less conservatively, there didn’t seem to be any sexual harassment. Manu told me that in Rajasthan (a northern state in India) women wear short tops with no backs, and there are actually fewer rape cases there. I thought that was particularly interesting, especially the psychological factors.

While there were big malls and expensive designer stores there, I enjoyed going to shops along the street the most. I relished the bright multitudes of color displayed through flowers, vegetables, powders, and spices. I was suddenly struck with a feeling that I hadn’t felt before. For the first time I felt that this was my country, my home, my culture, and my people. This life, and this simplicity….I loved it all at once and thought is it more than this? Or is this all it is? I felt sadness because I wasn’t fully immersed in this culture, but happiness because I had this realization. It’s kind of like finding the last pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. It’s the first time since stepping off the airplane that I felt like I was in my home, a place where my roots began. Honestly, day to day living is a grind. But it’s those little moments of realization that make me love life for what it is.

Mehendi
This week Bobby (Pramella Aunty’s daughter) applied mehendi to my hand. For such a long time I have admired this spectacular part of Indian culture, and I have always wanted to learn how to apply it myself. Bobby showed me how to apply it, and I also bought a book with different designs. Although it will take time to learn how to perfect this art, I’m so excited to learn how to do it! Ammu volunteered to be my test subject J Mehendi is the Indian word for henna (we usually call it henna in the U.S.), and it also refers to the art of applying henna. It is used to create temporary tattoos in different shades of brown usually on the feet or hands of a woman. Traditionally, it was used for medicinal purposes, but today it is used to create designs, dye hair, and to color nails. The henna is actually an herb, and it is similar to the tea plant. The leaves are dried, ground into a fine powder, and then mixed with other things to create a paste or the body. Usually mehendi is used for woman’s hands and feet for decoration, however for special occasions men also apply mehendi.

Bindi
Another marvelous part of Indian culture is the use of the bindi. The bindi is a colorful marking worn by a woman on her forehead, right above the meeting point of the eyebrows. Most Indian women wear the bindi, whether they are young or old, modern or traditional. However in Northern India, only married women will wear it. The traditional bindi is red, but there are also colored ones to match different outfits. The color red is powerful, as it represents shakti, power, and energy. There is evidence that bindis have existed since the 4th century! According to the Hindu religion, the bindi marks the 6th chakra, which symbolizes power and balance. It also assists with the flow of energy. It is representative of the third eye, or the mind’s eye, which sees into the spiritual world. The bindi is a reminder to use and cultivate the spiritual vision and to see beyond physical appearances. It can be made with clay, sandalwood, or ashes, but there are a wide variety of colors and designs of stick-on bindis.

A Haunting Vision
Leeza and I went on the bus to Ernakulum and I saw a sight that sent shivers up my spine. Just the thought of it even now makes me filled with despair, desperation, and sadness. What I saw was a woman, probably in her mid-thirties, wearing a sari with the typical nose ring, necklace, and earrings. She looked as if she was a typical lower class woman who had enough money for necessities and food. She was bit chubby, as was the baby boy she was holding. The baby boy certainly looked as if he had enough to eat, and was also dressed appropriately. Then I saw the young girl with her. I wasn’t sure of her age, probably between the ages of 4 and 6. Her clothes were tattered and torn, just hanging off of her body. Her body was nothing but a skeleton, she was so thin and malnourished that it pained me and made me physically sick to look at her. The hunger I had in my stomach for lunch was replaced by a sickening pain. But this child I was looking at didn’t even look like a child; I thought I was looking at an animal. The look in her eyes spoke of a life beyond pain and despair, because there was no light in them. They were dead, to match her body which was also dying. It made me beyond distressed to think that I had seen homeless dogs and cats that were fed better than her in India. Leeza then leaned over and said to me, “I think that family is from North India because she’s wearing a different type of dress. They are probably beggars or laborers.” Leeza used to live in New Delhi which is part of North India, so she has seen many types of people living in extreme poverty. I am fortunate to stay in Kerala, where there is a high literacy rate and hardly any beggars. In fact, the only people who beg are usually the ones that are being forced to beg by groups like the beggars mafia (they force adults and children to beg and the head people get their money). [As a side note, there was a beggar who died here and they found over 1 lakh (2,000 dollars) in his bank account]. Therefore, people don’t really give money to beggars here because then they would be reinforcing groups like the beggars mafia. I then looked around the bus and saw that everyone was staring at this family. Leeza went on to say, “Here in Kerala everyone will look at them, not only because they are from North India, but also because no one in Kerala is malnourished like that.” What she said next chilled me to the bone. She said, “See the mother and baby boy? They are plump.” I nodded; they looked plump and healthy to me. Then she said, “In North India, they usually don’t want girls. So they will give all the food to the boy child and starve the girl child.” I asked in disbelief, “They want her to die? Will she die?” She said that she may not die, but just be malnourished. I could not bear myself to look at this child again, it made me sick. It made me even more sick to know that a mother could do this to her own child. I prayed for this small girl as I got off the bus, but nothing could take away the pain in my stomach. This is just one of the many injustices that women and children face in India. Each day, I am not only learning but also experiencing first hand what women have to face. Unearthing the causes for these types of injustices and finding solutions is a difficult task as women also perpetuate their subordinate status in society.

Art Exhibition
Last night I went to my first art exhibition in Kerala. It is called Gallery OED, and it is actually the same place where I attend my dance class each morning. This art gallery has new paintings on the walls every 2-3 weeks, and buyers can purchase the paintings from the artist. Each time there is an exhibition, the walls are painted to match the theme of the artist’s paintings. This exhibition was called “Through the Bioscope” by Madhusud Hanan. I had the pleasure of also meeting this artist! I didn’t really understand all of the paintings because a lot of them were abstract. I could see that each painting told a story, even if I wasn’t able to grasp the story. Each person has a different perception of what a painting means to them. From my perception, the paintings had a lot of machines in them. I mentioned this to the artist and he called them “silent” machines. Later, I went downstairs and viewed the artist’s short film which as titled “History is a Silent Film.” It was an older black and white film and there was no sound, but every once in awhile there were subtitles. It was a story about a man who fixed film projectors. While he was working he would fix the projectors, and then watch the films. Doing this reminded of his father who also fixed film projectors but disappeared from his life without any traces. He saw moments captured on this film, birds flying, a dancer dancing, a man walking. Through these moments he saw history, the war in India, dancers, the footsteps of a man he once knew. He realized that his father was alive on this film, and it pained him to remember this. I believe that everyone has a creative streak to them whether it be through writing, dancing, painting, and more. I admire people who perform in the arts, especially painting, because the genius lies in the abstract concepts that come deep within the depths of their mind. Only they can reach this depth, yet in a way I can oddly connect with this painting once I understand the meaning of it. I asked an artist who had an exhibition a few weeks ago where he got his creativity. He explained to me life itself was his inspiration and those events that occur. I was able to meet many interesting people at the exhibition because my dance teacher, Geetha was there and introduced me to journalists, artists,

and photographers. All in all it was a great night because I met some interesting people, ate great food, and explored a realm that was not familiar to me.

Other creative minds....

Kerala Classical Dance
This week there was 2 days break because the Muslims and Hindus were each celebrating their own holiday. For the Muslims, their holiday was Ramadan. It is celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. One month before, they fasted each day from sunrise to sunset. When their fast is broken, they celebrate with a 3 day festival known as “Eid” or “eid ul-Fitr” which means “the feast of the breaking/to break the fast.” It is a celebration of the month long struggle they endured (the fasting) in order to achieve a higher spiritual state. Since Pramella Aunty’s neighbors are Muslim, they brought us delicious birayani and chicken curry which they give to all their neighbors. Then, the Hindus also celebrated their holiday which is known as Durga Puja. For 10 days, they celebrate with ceremonies, rituals, fasts, feasts, songs, and dance in honor of the supreme mother goddess Durga. She is celebrated for her victory of good over evil. Since Pramella Aunty is Hindu, we went to a town hall to watch 2 nights of classical dancing. It was so beautiful! The dances are vibrant and expressive with hues of red, yellow, blue, and green. The dancers wear anklets studded with large bells so that it makes a sound each time they stomp their foot. They wear colorful dresses and beautiful jewelry which adds to the beauty of their dance. There is no audio recording for the music. There are men who sit on the side and play their drums. With each beat, the dancer simultaneously stomps her foot which makes a cool sound with the anklets she wears. Classical dances are the traditional dances of Kerala, therefore, there are a wide variety of them. Some of them are: Kathakali, Mohiniatam, Thiruvathirakalli, and Kolkkali. Classical dance is difficult to learn and often takes three years just to learn basic movements of this dance because it involves difficult eye and head movements. The interesting part of classical dance is that it tells a story. Local legends, traditional stories, age-old customs, cultural beliefs, and mythological stories find expression in these brilliant and colorful dances.

P.S. I TRIED to upload the video I took of the classical dance but it didn't work. If you know how to help me, let me know!!

International Friends
This week, I met up with my friends Nadia and Ancha at the Coca Tree. The Coca Tree is a small café that sells American food, Mexican Food, and Indian Food. It felt like I had stepped back into a coffee shop in America! Nadia is Australian, Ancha is German, and I’m Indian (obviously!), so we make a pretty interesting trio as we walk the streets of Cochin! We were meeting at the Coca Tree because they are both leaving soon, so I was a little sad to see them go!

Women in Kerala
I got ready for dance class one day, and put on long pants and a t-shirt like usual even though there is no air conditioning in the building where the class is held. I noticed a few of my clothes from the U.S. and put on the loosest shirt I had brought. It seemed tight by Indian standards! I felt an ache for the U.S. How I missed being able to wear anything! It was a privilege I took for granted. I missed being able to wear my own fashions and not having to worry about sexual harassment from men. Here, women only wear a long top with pants or shirts. This privilege to wear my choice of clothing was a freedom I hadn’t considered before. I could wear skirts or shorts without consistent leering and gazing by men-old men, young men, married men, policemen, bus conductors, even some women! The irony is that even with wearing the salwar kameez (long shirt and pants), men still continue their sexual harassment even though there is nothing to see. Not just with me, but with all the women around me. Not just any woman, but all women; whether they are poor, rich, educated, literate, ugly, beautiful, fat, thin, or even disabled. To hear women in this culture say that this type of harassment is “a part of life” as they shrug their shoulders is alarming for me. Even more alarming is to hear men’s perspectives on this. According to them sexual harassment and abuse do not occur in Kerala, and if it does, it’s only a minute portion of society. Then they turn it around and say that men are the ones who are being harassed and abused by the women! In all reality, statistics say otherwise. Every 51 minutes a woman is sexually harassed, and every 21 minutes a woman is molested in India. I told my Aunty and her daughter about what men told me their perspectives were about sexual harassment and abuse. They laughed and said, “That is how it is here. Even if a man is beating his wife, he will not say that he is abusing her, he will only say she did something wrong to deserve it!” They went on to say that there is more freedom here than in North India and that there is more sexual harassment and abuse there. I kept thinking how conservative and confining the culture for women in South India is, I can’t even imagine the difference in North India!

I wonder, how is the U.S. so different from India that things like staring, groping, lewd comments, etc. is considered common and silently accepted by women? Of course there is a patriarchal system here which is the root of the problem. The men don’t acknowledge this however; they say that men and women are equal here. I see the truth in their actions. As I stand united and divided, a woman with her heart in India, but her feet in the U.S., I wonder what does it take to make a change? The women of Kerala suffer deep cuts and live with lacerations on their heart due to sexual abuse and harassment. They are uncomfortable to discuss these issues. They have to ask themselves about their silenced role in perpetuating these problems. What would make women better and stronger persons in the Kerala society? Can women go beyond knee jerk responses to combat such violations? The psyches of Kerala women bleed with shame in surviving sexual abuse and harassment. Culture, tradition and even religion are used to justify the inactivity of women to initiate the combating of such violation against women. Educating and empowering each woman through information and knowledge about various aspects of sexual abuse while forgetting political and religious sensitivities is the key to combating their silenced role.

Things I Miss
This may seem odd to write about what I miss in the U.S. since I have the opportunity of a lifetime to be in India. However, I have come to realize that it’s ok to miss the luxuries and things in the U.S. because at the same time I am appreciating what I didn’t before. I miss the freedom not only to wear different clothes (especially when its hot out!) but also to do small things such as stretch out in a chair, cross my leg over the other, use a washing machine, have air conditioning, speaking English and having people understand me, to call up my parents and boyfriend on the phone at anytime (it’s 12 hours time difference there and also its expensive to call). I miss sending letters because it takes one month for a letter to reach the U.S., to wear my hair in any fashion (only braids and barrettes are the fashion here), eating chocolate J, understanding conversations between people (they speak Malayalam between each other), using high speed internet, and eating different types of food (only south Indian and north Indian food here). Although I have traveled extensively in Central America and have interacted with many different cultures since I was young, being in India has taught me a lot about living and adjusting to another culture. Ironically it is the culture I was born in so I thought it would be easier, but it is harder than I thought. The U.S. and India are different in every possible way in terms of social norms, dress, food, politics, and more. Every movement that I make and everything I say has to be well thought out before I can execute it. I have to think before I eat with my left hand (its offensive here) or sitting on the left side (left side is for drivers). I also have to act normal even when something may be offensive to me such as when people stare at (people staring at you is normal here), or if people tell me that I’ve gotten fat (they say fat when you gain weight). Even seeing things that I’m not used to seeing takes a while for the mind to adjust. I thought that I had adjusted with the culture quite smoothly, but I realized for the first time yesterday how odd it was that cows were roaming on the streets in the middle of a city even though I’ve seen them each day since I’ve been here. In order to truly understand another culture, it takes a total mind and body adjustment. Sometimes your body may adjust while your mind doesn’t, or your mind may adjust but your body doesn’t. It takes dedication and focus to adjust both of them. One has to be always observant about what is appropriate, what is considered offensive, what social norms are, etc. Though it is difficult to adjust to culture shock, the rewards of being immersed in another culture far outweighs the difficulties. Every time I’m in another country I realize the beauty of other cultures, and how ignorant we are in the U.S. not to appreciate what other cultures have to offer. My mouth is delighted with the taste of exotic food; my eyes are enchanted by the different designs and colors of clothing, and my mind is filled with the knowledge of foreign customs and traditions. It is truly an experience like no other.

Amma’s Ashrum
This weekend I traveled to Vallikkavu which is a remote coastal village in southern Kerala. It is the well known spot for Amma’s Ashrum. Amma is the word for mother and she is internationally known as “the hugging mother”; although her real name is Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. She is an integral part of the Indian culture, and although people didn’t understand my English when I said Amma’s ashrum, they all understood “the hugging mother”. The Amritapuri Ashrum is an international community which consists of more than 3,000 people who are permanent residents. They are monastic disciples and families from all over India, Europe, America, and more dedicating their lives to serving the world and following the teachings of Amma. For many other people it is also an international pilgrimage center for those seeking solace, inspiration, and inner peace for however long they wish. Thousands of people come to this ashrum to hug Amma, receive advice, and her boundless love. While Amma is at the ashrum she makes herself available day and night for those who are seeking her darshan (blessing), and to advise the disciples and volunteers who manage her humanitarian projects. She also leads the evening prayers and devotional singing, sits with residents for meditation, and holds sessions about her teachings. During the year she travels to different countries to simply hug people. Regardless of their race, religion, sex, beliefs, and status, Amma tenderly caresses anyone who comes to hear. In this simple yet powerful way Amma has transformed the lives of many, helping their hearts to blossom. In the past 37 years, Amma has hugged more than 27 million people from all parts of the globe. Recently she has addressed the Parliament of world’s Religions in Chicago, the United Nations in New York, and the Global Peace Initiative of Women Religious and Spiritual Leaders conducted at the UN in Geneva. There she was awarded with the 2007 Ghandi-King Award for nonviolence. Her extraordinary acts of love and self sacrifice have also inspired her to do countless humanitarian acts such as provide distaster relief for thetsunami, build free homes for those living in the slums, build orphanages, provide free food, medicine, and pension, sponsor weddings for the poor, provide free legal aid, build hospitals and universities, and build centers and temples for those devoted to her teachings.

Amma’s Teachings
Amma’s messages are universal and quite simple. She does not profess a particular religion, but says that her religion is love. She doesn’t ask anyone to believe in God or even to change their faith. She simply asks them to inquire into their own real nature and to believe in themselves. She is quoted as saying, “Love is our true essence. Love has no limitations of caste, religion, race, or nationality. We are all beads strung together on the same thread of love.” “In the end,” Amma says, “Love is the only medicine that can heal the wounds of the world; it is love that binds everything together. As this awareness draws within us, all disharmony will cease and abiding peace will reign.”

My Experience
I had never heard of the hugging mother before, yet I was intrigued to see why thousands of people were flocking to hug her from all parts of the world and giving her billions of dollars worth of offerings and money. Surprisingly, any money and gifts she is given, she gives it away to others. She instead uses for her ashrum and also for her many humanitarian projects. I had no idea what to expect, yet I consider myself to be a person who is open to new experiences. When I arrived at the ashrum, I saw pink buildings that consisted of the hospital, temple, shops, food centers, and also places to stay. I was impressed by this small community, which has a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. I was also taken back by the beauty and simplicity of it. Interestingly enough, it is the same place that Amma grew up during her childhood.

I met Lalitha aunty there, and she let me stay with her in a room on the Indian side. There is a “Western” part which is for the foreigners from America, Europe, etc., as well as an Indian part for those who are residents of India. The accommodations and food are different for the westerners and Indians because but they are free to eat what they would like and also mingle with each other. There is no segregation or discrimination in the community, and to validate my point I saw a transvestite and also some people who appeared to be mentally ill. All of them are accepted and considered part of the community.

I was floored when I walked into the large building where Amma was giving hugs because thousands of people were sitting, standing, and waiting just to hug Amma. Lalitha aunty told me that people wait from morning to night just for a hug. Fortunately for me, my aunty had connections with the people there and I was able to get a pass and hug Amma after an hour. After waiting in the line, I was eager and also nervous to meet Amma. Thoughts raced through my head such as what do I say, and how do I act? I had seen her picture but even though I was five feet away from her I couldn’t see her face because people were swarmed around her. Fortunately, my question was answered when people in white simply pushed me and told me to kneel in front of Amma. I kneeled and the people in white pushed me again and told me to hug her. I didn’t see her face because it all happened so fast but people translated and told her that I was born in India, adopted to an American family, and now residing in the U.S. While we were embracing each other, I couldn’t think of anything else but of how good she smelled. She smelled beautiful, like incense and flowers combined. I had no expectations and no inspiration to say any words; I was simply letting things happen in their natural flow. I heard Amma say something in Malayalam over and over again softly to me. Later, I interpreted that she was saying “pure, pure, pure”. After embracing me, she looked at me and simply laughed, it was a joyous laugh that was music to my ears. I finally got a glimpse of her face. She had white hairs mixed with her black hair, and a nose ring that dazzled in the light. Looking at her face, I had the feeling I was looking at a mother, a grandmother, and a child all in one person. I have never felt this way towards another human being before. She then gave me her darshan which was a small planton (banana), hard candy, and a small paper package. The paper package had powder in it which people spread in their hair, between their eyes, and in their hair to represent blessings. I can’t quite say what it was, but something changed in me that day. It led me to be more considerate and compassionate towards others, and to also re-evaluate my spiritual life. I finally understood why thousands of people want to see and hug Amma. Her simple embrace is worth more than money and any other material thing, because it opens up people’s hearts to peace and compassion within themselves and towards others. People see Amma in different ways. Some see her as a mother, others as a guru or a god. I now see her as someone is the epitome of what we should all strive to be, someone who is selflessly serving God and humanity.

If you are interested in reading more about her teachings you can visit her homepage at www.amritapuri.org . Also, she is visiting the U.S. after her birthday next week and of all places she is visiting Fairfield, Iowa! If you are able to I would encourage you to see or hug her just for the experience.

Application to Real Life

After returning from the trip, I opened up the newspaper and found an article that expresses in words the feelings that I felt from my experience. The article was titled "To Feel or Not" with a subheading "Are we just being used when we are kind and compassionate?" was by Usha Jesudasan. Here is a summary of the article. “My grandmother and mother have been wonderful role models as I journey down the path of ahimsa (ahimsa is another word for truth or love, it is also the practice of non-violence). My mother told me a story one day when I was frustrated. I felt frustrated because it seemed that my mother was being used and taken advantage of by others when she was being kind and compassionate. She said, “A holy man bathing in the river, noticed a drowning scorpion. He lifted it out but before he could put it down, the scorpion stung him. The man was in great pain, yet he carefully placed it on the ground. People laughed at his stupidity. “What did you achieve? You spared the scorpions life only to get yourself bitten.” The man replied, “I did what I had to, according to my nature: rescue it from drowning and give it life. The scorpion did what it had to do according to its nature: sting me.” Often we look the other way from a beggar or an appeal for help because we don’t like to be cheated. Our hearts want to respond, but we are unsure if our help will actually reach them or if they will truly benefit. Once when we stopped at a traffic light, a young boy ran up to our car waving a packet of colored wash cloths for the car. The person I was with shooed him away as I dug into my purse for some money. I was a little surprised by her ferociousness. The boy looked at me with soulful eyes. “Please buy a packet,” he said. “It’s for my books.” I know many children like him who sell flowers, car cloths, spinach and other things early in the morning before they go to school. Yes, they are a nuisance, they pester us at the wrong time, when we have no change or when we are stressed. Life is hard for them, but they go on hoping that today will be a better day…that they will sell one more packet or cloth than yesterday. Reaching out takes them a little nearer to the road of independence, economic stability, and personal dignity. Ahisma people are not just those with hearts, but are those with hearts that ask nothing in return.”

Kotayam
On the weekend I traveled to Kotayam by train. It took one hour to reach by train but I was so mesmerized by the beautiful sights that the time flew by! I stayed with a family who has a daughter who is also adopted like me; therefore we have a connection which surpasses normal friendships! I had a nice time while I was there, visiting churches and different universities. The highlight of the trip was going to Kumakaram, a popular tourist resort. The beauty of India is evident in this small town!


Kerala, the Queen of South India
Kerala, with its exotic beaches and scenic beauty that makes one in unparalleled captivity of emotions, is no doubt a holiday destination for thousands of tourists across the globe. Likewise, Kerala attracts hundreds of students from various universities and community colleges from different parts of the world primarily due to its unique status in educational affluence and rich culture. Keralites attempt to integrate different cultures. A vibrant collection of arts make a qualitative change in the lives of the Keralites. The industrial city of Cochin hosts a large number of exhibitions. The anthurium exhibitions are a full of hobby growers to turn commercial. It is full of vivid and artistic flowers, ecstasy for sure! This exhibition is organized by Ernakulum district Agri Horticultural Society. Anthuriums create a royal touch to weddings and festival season.


Onam Festival
September 2 is “atham” the Malayalam auspicious day for the Keralites. It marks the beginning of flower decorations which will last until Thiru Onam September 12. The flower decorations are known as “pookkalam”. It is one of the main features of the Onam festival. The flower decoration competitions are conducted in organizations like banks, industries, universities, and schools. “Athapookkalam” is a beautiful depiction of the artistic talents of women in Kerala. If you have ever dreamt of visiting Kerala in your life, let it be during September at this festival season. The confluence of the rivers and the moonlit nights, the boat ride beside the boundaries of Kochi city, and across the sea remains a dream that came true in my heart! Laying pookkalam was formerly a women’s domain. Women in traditional attire called a “mundu and “neriyathu” surround a variety of flowers on the designated spaces on the floor to lay “pookalam" (The picture with me in the white and pink outfit is of me in a mundu). These flower carpets are so wonderful. Of late, the men also join with women in this event. These pookkalams are breaking down the walls that segregated men and women leading to better understanding for a better society. Visitors from different countries learn through observation and participation the meaning of customs, traditions, habits, food preparations, general life, and the style of the Malayalees. All these are my persisting attractions!











Dancing and entertainment at Trikkakara Temple









The Onam festival is celebrated from September 11 to September 14, with each family in Kerala. September 11 is first Onam. September 12 is second Onam which is also known as Thiru Onam. September 13 is the third Onam. Then, September 14 is the final Onam. Thiru Onam, September 12, is the most important day in the festival season. Ornam festival is also known as the king’s festival. People believe that Mahabali, the famous and fabulous king who ruled Kerala, ensuring peace and prosperity to all, arrives back to his kingdom to visit his people on Thiru Ornam. People offer him Ona Sadya (feast) with rice and different types of vegetable curries. On the day Keralites eat their sadya in green banana leaves. There are several kinds of celebrations some of which include a flower show, dance music, and new movies to entertain people. Those who can afford new clothes buy them and wear them on Thiru Ornam. People also give clothes as gifts. Friends and relatives, sons and daughters arrive from different parts of the world. Elephants are decorated and exhibited at many temples. Trikkakara temple is a temple that is known for these celebrations. People are in ecstatic moods, one has to experience all these to save them in memory!






The Hindu Times
This week I was ecstatic when I opened up the newspaper and saw a picture of me with my dance class! The name of the paper is "The Hindu Metroplus Weekend. It is a regional newspaper for the city of Kochi encompasses lifestyle, food, music, fitness, events, and entertainment. There was an article in the middle of the newspaper and there was also a small feature on the front page! This article explains about how our dance teacher, Geetha, combines dance, yoga, and aerobics to create natya vyayama, a workout that involves the mind and body. I’m the one in the red shirt, and my friend Leeza is the one in the yellow shirt!

Janaseva Sisubhavan (children’s home)
I started volunteering at the children’s home, an orphanage for 2 days a week. Janaseva Sisubhavan, means children’s home, which is primarily sponsored by the public. I learned how to ride the bus to Janaseva Sisubhavan by myself which is an accomplishment that I’m proud of! I first went with Sarada Aunty, but the second time I was apprehensive about commuting and transferring buses to reach my destination. I was apprehensive because I did not know the regional language and I was also wary of the sexual harassment that can occur on the bus. When I arrived at the orphanage children were running towards me grabbing my clothes, trying to hold my hand, and wanting to be the one that had my attention. They were really adorable, and I wish that I had enough hands to hold them all. Deepa is the name of the woman who was nice enough to give me a tour of the orphanage. She speaks little English, and I speak little Malayalam, so we are perfectly ‘made for each other’, both learning from each other! There was also another volunteer I met who came from Australia. Nadia was traveling by herself and I was surprised that she traveled 1 hour from Fort Kochi where she lived to the orphanage. She was so excited to hear me speaking English, because no one could understand her Australian accent. Fortunately for me, people are able to understand most of my English at the functional level and I can also speak some functional Malayalam. However, she decided that she did not want to volunteer at Janaseva anymore because of the language barrier, one hour travel to reach the orphanage, and also because she felt that she would be of hindrance instead of help to those children. From this I learned that it is important to first understand another culture in its way and slowly adjust to such a culture to the optimum possible ways, instead of trying to make the culture adjust with newly inducted elements including persons like us. English language is not always inevitable to communicate and help others. Language of heart can facilitate communication especially among children. I must have more patience and tolerance to navigate through another culture. I am learning many things and I realized that observational learning is a powerful learning method.

Stories of the Children
There are many stories of how the children came to the orphanage. In most cases, the parents have abandoned them in various ways. Some are involved in the beggar’s mafia, which is a group of people who employ young children as beggars. The children have to earn so much money per day for the dons (head persons of the mafia), if they do not they are abused, tortured, or starved. Sometimes they are burned with acid in order to create sympathy in passerbys to earn more money for the dons. Some children are involved in the street circus which is a traveling act done on the streets in the city. The children are made to perform dangerous and deadly tricks in which the people in charge believe starvation is necessary in order to perform the tricks correctly. In other instances, child labor is involved in which a household hires a child for labor against their will, often starving, torturing, or abusing them. After hearing and reading these stories, I couldn’t help but feel anger towards the people who inflicted such pain on children. What kind of a heart a person has to inflict injury through cruelty to hurt a child? How can anyone harm those innocent children for monetary gain? How can any one make them starve to perform dangerous tricks which are enjoyed by others? It tore me apart to realize to what extent people can be cruel to children. Children are innocent and vulnerable to cruelty because they can not by themselves ensure protection. They deserve love and care, not torture and pain. Here is the story of Velmurukan, a child who was placed at the boys home at Janaseva Sisubhavan. Velmurukan was born in a small hut, a slum in Sithannur village in Tamilnadu. His parents died when he was a small child. From his early days onwards, he and his sister were under the custody of their grandmother and uncle (father’s brother), who did nothing but curse them, beat them, kick them and made them starve. His uncle, who was a drug addict and drunkard, always used to beat them brutally. One day Velmurukan’s uncle took him to Kerala, for selling him to Dharmaraj, the don of the beggar mafia. He was handed over to Dharmaraj, at Aluva Railway Station. After that he never saw his uncle. Dharmaraj took him to a group of beggars, where he found about 10 children of his age, and was asked to beg and give the money he collected to Dharamaraj. Velmurukan did not know what to do and wandered in search of his uncle in the streets of Aluva. Imagine the exhaustion of Velmurukan who could not locate his cruel uncle. He was also totally ignorant of the art of begging. Obviously, he did not get any money. At night Dharmaraj came fully drunk, and knowing that he had no money, dragged Velmururkan to the railway track, some distance away. He beat the boy and when the boy cried aloud, Dharmaraj forcefully closed his mouth and threatened to kill him if he dared to speak. Then he took a bottle, poured the liquid on the boy’s body, dragged him to the open cabin of a goods train, and lastly set fire on him. Velmurukan could not remember anything after that. When he regained consciousness, he was in the hospital bed. Mr. Jose Maveli, the director of Janaseva Sisubhavan, took the responsibility to treat him and later took him to the children’s home (taken from Janaseva Sisubhavan’s magazine, “Drops of Tears Turn to Blossoms”). For more information, check their website at http://www.janasevasisubhavan.net/

My Past
Coming to Janaseva, the children’s house, for the first time I had an emotional experience. It wasn’t the orphanage that I was at when I was adopted, yet the feelings were the same. It brought back past memories, and I had tears in my eyes when I saw those children. There were ten three year old children getting fed, and questions ran through my mind of my time spent in the orphanage in Pune. What did I look like at the age of three years? What kind of personality did I have? Was it difficult feeding me? I looked at the children, all of them were so innocent and exquisitely beautiful. I wondered how people could leave children that were so full of hope and light. I know that regardless of whether I am of any help to the children, being at the orphanage will be a personally fulfilling experience for me.

Location
In the Asian continent, I’m staying in Kerala which is a southern state. There are 17 districts in Kerala. I’m in the middle part of Kerala which is the Ernakulum district. In the district, Kochi is the fascinating city which is known as “Queen of the Arabian Sea”. For all who are reading my blog I would like to thank you for taking the time to read it and please feel free to comment!

Betrothel
On Saturday, Sarada Aunty and I went to a Christian betrothal, which is also known as an engagement. We drove 2 hours to get there; it was on the outskirts of Kerala where it is mostly village life by the water. It was really beautiful, yet life is very simple there. It was held in a very small church near the waterfront. Inside, there was a huge arch above the altar with intricate designs which was impressive. There were about 500 people that attended, yet the ceremony lasted only for 10 minutes! The service was in Malayalam, so I didn’t understand. Basically Sarada Aunty explained to me that the girl and the boy expressed their consent for their wedding in front of the priests and their relatives, witnessed by a large number of people at the church. The wedding was already scheduled for a week later. After the engagement, there was a sumptuous meal for everyone who attended which is paid for by the bride’s family. When the wedding occurs, the groom’s family has to pay for the meal. Many families of the lower income group in the Indian society usually go into debt paying for this, and also for the dowry (a large sum of money given to the groom before the wedding by the bride’s family) that the bride has to give. If the bride’s family does not give a dowry, then there will be no marriage. Many of the bride’s families are in an excessive amount of debt because of the dowry system. That is why many people in India want to have boys and not girls because the families believe that the boys will bring more money to the family than the girls. People really spend a large amount of money for occasions such as birthdays, engagements, weddings, etc. For them it is a way to celebrate with friends and family, but it often leaves many people in debt. The church was near this waterfront.

The Movie Awards
Then on Sunday night we went to the Jaihind film awards. It was an award show for selected Malayalam film stars, which consists of the actors/actresses/music directors/ singers in Kerala state. I went with Sarada Aunty and her friend Leela Aunty, from whom we got free VVIP passes from (that’s right, VVIP not VIP!). Leela Aunty is a well known journalist figure in Kerala. She is known for her fierce writing regarding women’s rights, and for also being the first woman journalist in Kerala. Her status earned us 3rd row seats. I admire her because not only is she bold and courageous in her writing, but also in her character. She is a cancer survivor. The doctors told her she only had 6 months to live, and she vowed that she would not die. It was especially powerful to see how much she is respected everywhere she goes which was apparent at the film awards ceremony. I really enjoyed the film award function that night. There were thousands of people, which added to my excitement. There was also incredible music, beautiful dances, and I was able to see famous people. Of course I didn’t know their level of fame, but it was still exciting! Here is a picture of me, Sarada Aunty, and Leela Aunty at the film awards.


Dance
I also started a dance class in the city which combines dance and yoga. The instructor is Mrs.Geetha Mammen. The women in the class are in their 30’s and 40’s. Many people tell me that women in this culture rarely exercise. So they are surprised to hear that I regularly exercise. I could tell, because when I ran outside, many people looked at me funny! I really enjoy the dance class because it trains me to focus on my mind and body. We concentrate on our breathing, stretching, and moving our bodies to the rhythm of the music. After the class I felt very energized and empowered! I go to the dance class with another girl whose name is Leeza, which is pronounced just like Lisa in the U.S. Even for her, this was her first time to attend an exercise class! I enjoy the interaction between us because she is close to my age. It is interesting to hear her perspectives on different issues especially when we compare the differences between the two cultures that both of us live in.

Harmony
What’s interesting about India is that it is has so many different cultures and religions that live in harmony. I walk among Muslims, Hindus, and Christians everyday. Most people in India know what religion or culture a person belongs to by their language, dress, or name. However, it is not so easy for me to differentiate between them. Not only that, but each state in India has a different language. Most people in India know at least 2 languages, if not 3. Most people can speak their state language and also English. Most of the states also have a different language. Here in Kerala, all people speak the language called Malayalam. I’ve learned some functional Malayalam which helps me with the basics. I’ve also learned how to write a little in this language. I was forced to because all the buses to get to the city are labeled in Malayalam! It’s harder than I thought, because instead of having different symbols for each letter, this language has different symbols for each syllable. For example, I have to ride a bus to Aluva everyday. There is a symbol for A, a symbol for Lu, and a symbol for Va.

Fun
This is a picture of Angel Ammama. This is Sarada Aunty’s mother in law. In Malayalam, Ammamma means grandmother, so that is what I always call her. She is one of the funniest people that I have ever met in my life! There is a reason why I call her Angel Amamma instead of just Ammama. One of the first few times I met her, I went into her room and saw a picture of her when she was about 19 years old with her husband (she is now 79 years old). I commented on her beauty, and she told me that she was the most beautiful person that she’s ever seen in her entire life! She went on to say that she was so beautiful that anyone who saw her fainted at the sight of her! Lastly, she ended by saying that she was an angel, and her husband was a god. I laughed so much! If I say that I don’t want any more food she looks at me and says eat, eat, eat more! I tell her I’m full, and she says drink, drink, drink. You are becoming a stick. Every time I see her she says to me, “You want food? I get you food, whatever you want I will get.” Then if I ask her to help me with something like locking the gate, she’ll say to me, “I am very old and very weak. I don’t know anything, I am going to die soon.” Even though she is physically and mentally in good shape for her age, she always says this. Her name means “happiness” in Malayalam, so I guess that fits because every time I see her she makes me laugh!

Family Life
This a picture of Umma, she is the housemaid for Sarada Aunty and her mother in law who also lives with her. She does the cooking and washing, and usually stays from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Most people in the U.S. would only consider a maid if they have extra money for one. Here in India, most people that are of middle class hire a maid. The people that are not educated even with primary school education usually are hired as housemaids. Pramila Aunty and Sarada Aunty said they hire the maids because if they do not employ them, they will not have a job. More over, the services of the house maids help the working women a lot in lessening their stress from multiple roles. They said that the maids are a little expensive, but the maids help them out by cooking and also in return they (the maids) are able to have salaried job and can take food home, if they want to, for their family. Otherwise if they are not employed, they do not have any option besides prostitution or being trafficked or surviving poverty. Also, they are helping stop the cycle of unemployment for the uneducated women. How blessed we are! Even I have to attest to complaining about going to work and not liking the job because of coworkers, not enough money, or even because I had to go to work when I could’ve gone shopping! The bottom line is we have many options for employment, even if we don’t have a college education. Here, it is very difficult to find a job for uneducated mothers. There is no welfare system for those living in poverty. I don’t think that many of us could imagine turning to prostitution as a way to put food on the table. So let us always be grateful not only for our jobs, but also our education. In this picture, Umma is cutting up vegetables for our lunch. Umma and Ammamma are very good friends.

Washing by Hand
The most important thing I learned how to do this week is wash my clothes by hand! Here in India, people wash their clothes with a special bar of soap or soap powder, and two buckets. Some families have washing machines. But expensive and colorful clothes are handwashed for preserving their good looks. They transfer the clothes from one bucket to another until they are sudsy and clean. It definitely takes some work, and once I got sore arms doing it!

Toilet and Shower
Also, the same goes for the toilet and shower. People don’t use toilet paper; instead they use a shower head spray to wash themselves after the bathroom. For showering, there is a tub of water in the bathroom with a cup in it to pour on you, but there’s no hot water! These things definitely took some getting used to, but it’s a great feeling knowing that I am conserving water by doing this and also that I can live without the technology. They believe that showering in cold water makes them healthier in the hot climate. Here’s a picture of me washing my clothes, you can tell it’s a hard task by the look on my face!

Mad traffic
I can’t believe the traffic here! I feel like an accident is about to happen just about every second! The forms of transportation include an auto-rickshaw (which is like a golf cart with a cover over it), cars, buses, or scooters. The scooters are definitely the most dangerous because they weave in and out of traffic paying no attention to cars or pedestrians. The problem is that there are few signs or stoplights, and no one is ever in the right lane! Reckless driving is allowed; in fact, you have to drive like that in order to stay alive!