Women's Mela & Closer to Civilization

Well, this weekend was full of people! A number of teachers and some students went to the Women's Mela (Festival) at Kempty Bazaar about an hour away. There, vendors sold toys, trinkets, jewelry, and food, while the women sang, dance, and showed their village culture. I was pleasantly surprised to see our friends from both Khass Kudoan and Sarab Talla there!

(N aka "Igley Dosa", M, Christina, and Meenu)

(Vandana, S, N, M, and Jeanne)

This was our three students' first real chance at filming for the documentary. We were able to get some brief interviews and record the singing and dancing. It was the first really hot day locally!

Here is just a glimpse of the amount of people that showed up:

(maybe 70% of the audience)

(some of the people on the side)

The camera was really heavy, with the wide angle lens and big battery installed, and S was a real trooper! M used her journalism skills in managing the audio and interviewing people -- she wants to be a journalist. N was great as the co-producer! Of course, our other co-producer/advisor was there too -- Sanjeev; he was filming for his former employer, the non-profit organization SIDH which founded this particular mela.

(S handling the 10-lb camera) (Sanjeev doing his favorite, the 360)

It was so cool to see Grandma from Sarab Talla and Sanjeev's cool relative from Khass Kudoan, hand-in-hand dancing. And we got to meet the new bride from Khass Kudoan! (see the previous blog entry.) Rita -- grandma's daughter -- and her pals where there too.

(Grandma in the blue handkerchief, and cool relative in the black sweater)

(new bride from Khass Kudoan!!!)
(4 attempts to smile - Rita on right)

Closer to Civilization -- My "New" Apartment

On to personal news, I finally caved in requested to move after living by myself at the top of the hill for 2 months. This week, I moved closer to campus, where there are a cluster of homes. The walk home from school is only 10 minutes now, compared to 20 before, and I stay on the paved road the entire time. I kind of miss walking in the forest on the dirt trails and having the beautiful views of the mountains on both sides of me. But I'm not complaining, it's nice to hear human voices again.

Here is a tour of my new apartment!

(the building)

(my kitchen)

(my bedroom)

(my dining room, and further, bathroom) (my living room) (my spare bedroom)

(my balcony)

(view from living room)

Here are some of my neighbors (yay, neighbors!):