Let Them Eat Cake

We went to a birthday party this afternoon of a friend of ours. And they have this tradition at any special event such as weddings or birthdays where they take turns feeding each other cake. I think its some sort of sign of friendship or love. Anyway, it is always slightly awkward and never fails to crack me up. ;-)

Its Raining...Rain...Halleluia

Rainy season is here once again. Last raining season we didn't get much rain, so this year we are enjoying it in full force. I sorta roll my eyes a bit at the fact that people here seem to freak out about the rain. All bets are off. Its ok to break appointments, stop work and otherwise just quit life for awhile. But- they have a good point. You DO get wet alot. Roads are muddy. Its humid. I don't blame people really for wanting a break from it.

But personally, I love the rain. On rainy days, its seems to be more ok to be disheveled. Messy hair is more understandable. Smudgy make up is just a given. If things don't quit work out or fit just right, you can say- Hey, its raining! ;-)

A Picture Speaks A Thousand Words

Home Stay

There is this little thing in language learning called a "home stay" The idea is to totally immerse yourself into language and culture so that you can learn the language quicker. I have been wanting to do one for a long time but it just never worked out. So, this weekend, I asked our language helper, Hope, if I could stay with her and her family Her family raises water buffalo for a living. She was told to treat me like a family member, NOT a guest. So, she put me right to work. I chopped veggies, helped prepare dinner, stoked the fire, kneaded dough, and milked water buffalo.

I enjoyed working along side Hope and her family. They mainly live and sleep on the top of their house because its the coolest part. There is a nice little breeze up top.I slept out on a cot with all the ladies of the house. As I laid there, underneath the light of the moon, I thought about how simple life could be. I don't actually need as much as I think I do.

Because of all the manual labor, my weary body quickly drifted off to sleep. Within a few minutes, I awoke to someone shaking my shoulders. It was Hope's mother. She wanted me to drink something. She handed me a tall lukewarm glass of....buffalo milk. It actually turned out to be not too bad. ;-)

I Am But A Poor Foreign Girl

I am having some trouble getting registered at the foreigner's office here in town. The man in the office is nice enough but refusing to be cooperative. In the States, it would be like trying to to get your license renewed and being denied...just for no particular reason.... My noble Hindi tutor went to the office today to try to talk the government guy into it. But kowee faida parta nahe ta...(it was of no benefit).

So, tomorrow we will go together to the office- Hindi tutor and I. I will sit and drink chai. I will try to look as angelic as possible. I am going to pull the "I am but a poor lowly girl foreign girl, oh please help me chacha (uncle)" routine. Those of you who read, if you would just pray that I would find favor tomorrow.

People From The Street

This week I have consistantly not slept well. I only get about 3-5 hours of sleep every night. So, I have sorta settled into a general mood of grumpiness. Its amazing how quickly my own sin and selfishness is revealed during times such as this.



However, the people who live along our little road always keep it in perspective for me. They hardly have any earthly possessions. A recent rain storm has ruined what little they do have.. But there they are- cleaning, eating, playing with their kids. Never grumpy. Or too busy to say hello. They are always kind. The whiteness of their teeth contrasted with their dark skin makes their smiles radiate.



As I walked home today, a little hunched over lady greeted me. I hadn't seen her in awhile. She asked me where I had been. 'I went to America to see my family', I said. We talked a little...about family, about the rain. She gave me a smile and a bobble of her head as we parted ways.



One young mother is a recent addition to the street. Her and her family live at a nearby construction site. "what is your name"? I ask. "Hindu" she says. "HINDU? You're names Hindu, really??" I respond. She says 'NO my name is ENDU'. We share a laugh.



As I approach my aparment building, kids sitting on a pile of rubble call out my name. "Hello Cathy. Hello Cathy" I respond "you learned my name, how clever you are'! That was the only encouragement they needed to start screaming CATHYCATHYCATHYCATHY. "ok..ok" I say as I walk away.



So, there they are. Just people living their lives as normal in my little corner of the world. I read recently that this area has one of highest concentrations of poverty, more than all the African nations combined.



Somehow my lack of sleep doesn't really matter and the grumpiness seems trivial. The people from the street reminded me of some good lessons- Never be too busy for a hello. Smile. Be kind. Stop and talk about the rain. Learn people's names.

The Rainy Drive

The rainy season has hit which turned a 2 1/2 hour journey into about 4 today. I am still a bit jet laggy so I was in and out of consciousness during our trek. But in my awake moments I experienced- our driver being on the wrong side of the road to avoid an overturned vehicle, a horse getting a bath, and us driving through what looked like a lake. The amazing thing is I just kept sleeping.... unimpressed by it all. I think maybe I am use to this place.

Oddly Familiar

I am back in India after having a great visit back home. When I was Texas, I was amazed at how oddly familiar everything seemed. I can't really sum up my time back home other than to say I got lots of hugs, encouragement and Mexican food.

As I got off the plane in the capital city, again....that odd familiarity. I look forward to heading to my second home tomorrow.