Happy Birthday!

Here's a video of my birthday party at my language helper's house.

The Season of Festivals

Eid ul-Fitr

Eid Mubarak! Which is followed by a warm embrace is what you will observe today. It is Eid ul-Fitr, the last day of Ramadan or Ramzaan as it is known in South Asia. Everywhere you look you will see Muslim people in new clothes greeting each other and visiting each others’ houses. It is not only for Muslims, but others will visit their friends on this day and enjoy a massive feast. It is also a day to give zakat, offerings to the poor. For a month now Muslims have been fasting from sunrise to sunset asking for forgiveness. Last night was Laylat al-Qadr, the night of power when the Prophet Mohammed received the Holy Qur’an.

For more information on this season, please check out these links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_ul-Fitr

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan

The Nine Nights: Navratri

Navratri, meaning nine nights, is the Hindu festival of worship and dance of the Shakti/Devi, or Mother Goddess. During these nine nights the nine different forms of the Mother Goddess are worshiped. Depending on the location the different forms vary. Where I am, the celebration begins with the Durga Puja. Durga, as known as Kali, is known to be fierce and powerful. Her name means “the inaccessible or invincible one”. She is the consort of Shiva. To see an image of the Mother Goddess, check out this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durga. This year Navrati runs September 20-28.

For more information on this festival, please see the link below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navratri

Dussehra

The Navratri leads up to the festival of Dussehra. To understand Dussehra one should be familiar with the epic poem The Ramayana.

This epic poem tells the story of Lord Ram and his wife Sita. It is the story which portrays the perfect marriage and ideal brotherhood. Lord Ram and his wife Sita are exiled to the forest. During the exile, Sita is kidnapped by the demon-king Ravana and taken to Lanka. In a fierce battle, Lord Ram defeats and kills Ravana. Dussehra commemorates Lord Ram’s victory over Ravana. On this day, images of Ravana are burnt is a bonfire sort of ritual. This year Dussehra is September 28^th.

For more information, see the sites below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vijayadashami

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramayana

Diwali

The time between Dussehra and Diwali is considered to be the most auspicious time of the year. Diwali marks the return of Lord Ram and Sita to their home, Ayodhya. It is commemorated by lighting diyas, small clay oil lamps, which symbolize the victory of good over evil. This is why Diwali is known as the Festival of Lights. The lamps are also said to attract the Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Diwali is known as a time of prosperity and is a season of gift giving. This year Diwali is October 17^th.

For more info, see the site below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali

Independence Day

Today we are celebrating India's 63 years of independence. Especially compared to yesterday, Krishna's birthday, it has been a very quiet day. It seems that they celebrate independence in much the same way as they achieved it...peaceful.

I did learn the reason that I've seen so many kites this week has been because of Independence Day. The kite symbolizes independence and freedom. Today the sky was full of kites. It was a beautiful site. I did also learned that only boys fly kites here. I must say there is some irony in this fact and how it reflects the culture.

All the shops were closed. Only restaurants were open. Honestly, most of the nationals stayed in and enjoyed a day of rest. It was mainly the expats that were out and about.

Here are two links for you to read more information if the history of how India gained its independence.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_independence_movement

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(India)

Happy Birthday Lord Krishna!

That's what everyone was saying yesterday as they decorated their houses and set off fireworks. There were parades through different neighborhoods where images of Krishna were carried through the streets. People lined up to worship Krishna. Pujas (worship) were being given in temples and in tents set up for the occasion. It made for some fun sights to see and a lot of new experiences to take place.

Lord Krishna is an incarnation or avatar of Lord Vishnu. Vishnu is part of the Hindu Trinity and is the lord of sustaining life. Most women and young girls love Krishna. He is easily recognized as his skin is blue. There are many stories of his love for the milkmaid Radha. Women long to be loved as Krishna loved Radha. Krishna is known for being mischievous and flirty.

They call this day Krishna Janmashtami.

For more information check out this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishna_Janmashtami

Raksha Bandhan: Brother’s Day

Yesterday (Wednesday) was the day that the relationship between brothers and sisters are honored and celebrated. Sisters travel long distances just to honor their brother(s) by tying the Rakhi on their wrist. The Rakhi is a band of threads that symbolizes the unique and strong bond between brothers and sisters.

In return, the brother(s) are to present gifts to their sisters. This made me think of those men in my life who are like my brothers.

The obvious one is my brother-in-law, Ryan. He’s just a great guy. I’m glad he’s a part of my family. I love the way he loves my sister. He’s thoughtful and creative. His girls just adore him.

The closest thing I have to a brother is my friend Dale. Our relationship is very much like a brother and sister. We have a unique understanding of each other but we also pick on each other and fight like siblings. His poor wife has to always sit between us to make sure we behave.

Then there are my other brothers who have shown me great respect and care throughout the years. I am honored to call them my friends….Chris F., Darren C., John E., Paul HP., Wes C., Aaron G., Cini, Sagar, Michael F., Travis J., Andy K., James W., Ben B., Chris R., Chris C., David T., Carlos M., Jeff A., just to name a few.

For a girl who doesn’t have any biological brothers, God made sure to give me men in my life to fill that role. Being in a culture where a women’s identity/reputation comes from the men in her family and extended family, I must say I miss having my brothers around to defend my reputation and offer protection and covering. I am thankful for all of you and especially the ones who are in country with me. Your presence (or absence) is not taken for granted.

Happy Raksha Bandhan!

For more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raksha_Bandhan

FYI: The swastika is a symbol of unity used in South Asia long before Hitler distorted it's meaning.

Monsoon Season

The monsoon season should have come early to mid-July but we aren’t having a proper monsoon. During the monsoon it doesn’t necessarily rain all the time but it should rain for several hours just about every day. This, of course, causes havoc in the city. Streets are flooded and the sewers back up into the streets. It’s quite messy and adventurous. It does make it difficult to get around, but it is necessary for the crops (and it cools the temperature down, yeah!). If we don’t have a good monsoon the crops will not do well. In some years this has led to farmers killing themselves. The season should extend into September, so please pray that we get the heavy monsoon we need. In this case, it truly is better late than never.

Shifting Houses

Shifting houses here makes moving in the States seem like a vacation. Finding the right place is worse than trying to find a needle in a hay stack. It starts with finding a property dealer which one usually does through word of mouth. Then one must be very specific in describing what one wants and does not want. The tricking thing at the beginning of this process is one does not know the things that need to be considered.

Who knew I would need to specify that I wanted a flat with all the rooms contained together without having to walk outside to go to a different room? Who knew I needed to specify that I wanted the kitchen inside or the bathroom inside? One also needs to specify if they want all the rooms adjoining (meaning you have to walk through one bedroom to get to the next, etc) or separate (which they refer to as side-by-side) and private. I must also specify what type of toilet, western or squatty (I knew that one). One should also clarify that one does not want the kitchen to be connected to the bedroom. I have seen so many strange layouts which I’m not sure I can’t even describe. One must see it to believe it.

Then there’s the budget. The property dealer needs to know the budget. There’s a debate on whether you tell him your minimum or your maximum. My experience says you tell him your mid-range.

Then you go and look for hours at places. The first several are always crap. Places you would never consider. Then they take you to places out of your budget. Along the way you say what you like and don’t like about the places. You have to ask the right questions…does the place have enough voltage to run an A/C? Inverter (like a generator)? Who pumps the water and when? How often are the water tanks cleaned? Do you share a tank or does each flat have their own? Does the landlord live on property or where? Is the water and electricity included? Is the water and/or electricity on a separate meter? Is it government water and/or electricity or private? If there is no water, will the landlord arrange for water to be brought in? If possible, you want to try to speak to other tenants to see how often they go without electricity and/or water. One needs to know how much water they need to store just in case. One should also ask about security and the gate and who has keys, etc. Can one get receipts for payments made (not always possible here). Those are the basic questions. Not things I asked back home for sure. I had helpful people make me a list of these things.

Once you do this with several property dealers there might be one or two places you might consider. One must act quick because places go really fast. To secure a flat, one must pay equal to one month’s rent. Before or upon moving in one must pay the first month’s rent and pay the property dealer one month’s rent for finding the place. Your first month you have to pay three months rent. The security deposit will be returned if one month notice is given before moving out.

I think the hardest part is being rejected because the assumptions people make about me because I’m a single woman. Some people won’t rent to me because they don’t want my clients on their property. That means exactly what you think it means. It is assumed by some that I am a prostitute. Why else would a single woman being living without her family? In the process of seeing houses I always either take a man friend with me or call one and have the man friend talk to the landlord and/or property dealer. It helps for them to know that I have a man who can vouch for my character.

This takes a lot of time and energy. If you are working around your work schedule and language lessons it will take a while. Alas, I’m still in the midst of this process. I saw 10 or 12 places Monday. Only 2 were worth looking at. One is for rent until it sales which means if I took it I would have one month to move whenever it eventually sells. That could be in a month, 3 months, 6 months, who knows. The other place is ok. It’s got one western toilet and one squatty. It wouldn’t be easy to find someone to room with me with a squatty. Probably won’t take it. Tuesday I didn’t get to see many places because the landlords didn’t want to rent to a single woman. Of the few I did get to see only one was livable but it is above a men’s salon. It’s wouldn’t be appropriate or safe for me to stay there. Saturday I have another appointment. I have a male friend coming with me. I will also carry my work contract with me if they have any questions about my employment.

The good part (sort of) is it has given me lots of Hindi practice. Of course, there’s the frustration of not always being able to communicate well. A little English and some very poor and broken Hindi can go a long way. It also hinders the process some.

Kite Season

I guess it must be kite season. Everywhere I look I see little boys flying homemade kites. It’s so much fun to see the joy in their faces and hear their laughter. It reminds me of the scenes described in Kite Runner. The flurry of colors as they swoop and dive and rise again. The thrill as one kite gets close to another. Suspense fills your soul waiting to see who will cut who. Then the intrigue of the chase of the fallen kite. It’s quite a show.

Books

My friend Fonda is always posting about the books she is reading and those waiting on her night stand to be read. In honor of her, I've made a list of books that I've been reading or have read since coming here.

May You Be the Mother of a Hundred Sons by Elisabeth Bumiller

I am currently reading this one. I am enjoying the wide perspective it gives on women in India. Bumiller is a journalist who spent three years living and interviewing women here. She encounters all sorts of women from the village to Bollywood. I appreciate the various issues she highlights.

Kite Runner vs. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

I find Hosseini’s writing elegant yet simple. He has a gift for capturing the heart and soul of his characters and expounding on the implications of the characters’ context. Kite Runner was intense and several times I had to take a break in order to properly wrestle with the gravity of the events as they unfolded. I’m glad I returned each time and saw the characters through to the end.

I was compelled to read his second novel. I found it even more impressive. How did a man capture the soul of these women? It is beautiful and moving. I felt like I gained friends and lost them throughout the story. Somehow these women who are only characters in a book became real and a part of my life.

Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez

Not sure why or how I ended up reading 3 books in a row set in Afghanistan. I am always interested in how and why people go to different parts of the world. It was intriguing to hear this women’s story and how she used her gift of cosmetology to change the lives of women in Kabul. In the process, it was insightful to see how these women changed her life.

Having just moved to another country to practice my vocation, I could relate to much of the beginning of the story as she made the decision to come and the roller coaster ride of entry. It was encouraging to see how things unfolded for her and the good things that came with time.

City of Djinns by William Dalrymple

This book is a travel journey of a writer living and working in Delhi.

I first started this book when I arrived. I was captivated as it opened in the area I was staying. Different chapters interested me more than others. It depended on my experience in the city thus far. It was a slow read. As I finished it, I was amused that the last chapter found the author back in my neighborhood at the time of the pilgrimage which was going on at the same time I finished the book. It was fitting that I could read the book over time and as it followed the seasons.

I was impressed enough with his insights and knowledge of the city and culture that I purchased his other book The Age of Kali.

Holy Cow by Sarah MacDonald

I heard a lot about this book before coming. I appreciate hearing people’s stories. This book is the story of a news reporter living in India. There’s a lot in this book that made me laugh simply because it is so true. But there are other parts which I found insulting to the culture. Everyone encounters India differently depending on where they are coming from. I think this is a great book to read after you have your own encounter with India.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Finally, I am reading Harry Potter. I absolutely love it! Why didn’t I read them in the first place?

The Story of My Experiments with Truth by M.K. Ghandi

After my visit to the Ghandi Smriti I was inspired to pick up this book and start reading it even though I bought it on my second trip to India in 2005. It's about time I read it.

Longing for Love by Michael Frost

Found this on my roommate’s shelf. It looks at the relationship between our spirituality and sexuality. I haven’t read much but I find this topic very intriguing. The society I now live in has very different views on sexuality and gender roles which greatly affect my daily life. It affects the clothes I wear, the people I interact with, and the places I go. It has even made it difficult for me to find a place to live (see post: Shifting Houses). I find myself asking how the spirituality of the different groups here affects the sexuality and gender roles in each group. It makes me question how this issue is lived out and addressed back home and how that has influenced my perspective on this relationship.