Diwali & Sarab Talla 2

It's been two weeks since the last post. I feel like my weekly adventures are continuing, but are not quite so novel anymore, which is good. Things are starting to make sense. And some things are starting to make less sense. These blogs will probably be posted less often now because there's less to report and because my camera is starting to break down.

Last weekend, Chris, Kyle, and I took a hike down to the sulfur springs. There wasn't much sulfur, but the hike was good. It was like the good ol' days, hanging out like the first few weeks of school. Here are some pictures from the hike and of the men in black. Kyle's mom, thanks for constantly reading everyone's blog. Chris' mom, I heard that you've started to surf the internet too. Cool.

(The laundry people called the Dobi's live here. This is all of Woodstock's laundry hanging out to dry.)

(at a village)

(At the sulfur springs. Would you like to float in an inner tube on the sulfur springs?)

(This was an attempt to capture the situation in the rickshaw. 7 people in the back, and 3 in the front. See the hat at the bottom, that's a person squeezed into a tiny space between all of our knees.)

Yesterday, Friday 9 November, was Diwali, which is the "Festival of Lights" and the equivalent of the American xmas in terms of the celebration. All the family members get together, eat food, give presents, put up lights, and set fireworks. This is the big holiday of the year for the hindus in northern India. The actual explanation is something about a king who was a reincarnation of a god, who was exiled for 14 years. When he came back, everyone celebrated. Diwali is a time to start anew and also a sign of the coming of winter and the end of harvest season when people can celebrate the newly collected crops and relax a little bit. Christians and Muslims don't celebrate Diwali, but a few might, like the non-Christians celebrate Christmas in America. Why not join the party?!

My ayah Sheepchandi (spelling) invited Radha & Lorenz & their family and me over to her place to celebrate. Sheepchandia cooks, cleans, and does laundry for me. She is cool. One thing that was another reality check was that her family only has a bedroom and kitchen, totalling about the size of my kitchen. I have a huge living room that I don't even use. That was really weird to see because both of our places are provided by Woodstock, but I am a teacher and they are considered employees. But that is what a lot of India lives like, and I think their place was probably considered pretty good. The result of tight living is a tight family.

A lot of my world view, assumptions, and values are being reworked here, in India. But another funny story is that in a previous note that Sheepchandi had written for me (see the post about the mouse/rat), she addressed me as Chini Mam. I thought she was really trying to say Jeanne Mam. But here is the flow chart. Radha who is half Indian/half Austrian by blood is from Austria and speaks with a German accent --> She also has Sheepchandi as an ayah and translates for me --> Radha pronounces my name "Jchini" with her accent --> Sheepchandi then interprets that as Chini --> Chini means Chinese in hindi (and sugar) so it all makes sense. I am Chini Mam.

(Sheepchandi's family, Radha's family, and me!)

Today, 5 students, John M., and I took a 3-hour ride back to Sarab Talla!!! I was so excited to see everyone again. We distributed some pictures, and then chatted with our friends. We got to see Grandpa too, and talked to him about women's rights and various other things. But this trip was during the daytime, and everyone had to get back to working and farming. That is the serious life, where people actually have to devote daylight to survival work.

(everyone looking at pictures)

(me, Grandpa, and his daughter)

(the new guest house for visitors)

It was so good to see them all again!!!