These are the most popular songs of the moment. I am going to assume so because they come on the radio all the time... Enjoy!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
We’ve been adopted, had a date with Gandhi, experienced segregation, and partied all Sunday long...
So the title may be a little controversial, but it really captures the nature of the past week... btw- I apologize for including so much in ONE post. Our persistent internet problems have really put me behind.
Last Saturday, Meli and I visited Rajghat (the final resting place of Gandhi), the Gandhi National Museum, and Lodi Garden (a garden that houses the tombs of past rulers). At Rajghat, the experience was surreal. It’s hard to explain what I felt in standing in front of Gandhi’s resting place. It was overwhelming feeling of melancholy mixed with inspiration. In silence, everyone bowed...it was as if our collective prayers fueled the flame that kindled over his remains and provided a portal for his energy and spirit to be timeless. I lifted a silent prayer in his name and bowed as I stepped away. This reflection process continued through our visit to the we Gandhi National Museum. It was not fancy by any definition, but it was filled with posters that highlighted his speeches, artifacts that he owned, and the clothing he wore on the day of his assassination. As P. Diddy put it, “what a life to take... but I know he’s still living his life, after death” (“I’ll be missing you” by P.Diddy). His energy and passion were felt at Rajghat and throughout the museum- there is no doubt his spirit remains.
This was followed by a visit to Lodi Garden. In brief, we saw couples sitting on benches, underneath trees, next to ponds, on the stairs... PDA everywhere! (for those who don’t know, PDA means public display of affection). The masjid (mosque) and tombs where gorgeous and I was amazed at how preserved they were despite the fact that people visit on a daily basis.
Fast forwarding through the week, items of note: we were without internet (allegedly someone stole a cable-I didn't buy the story lol), we finally figured out that the yellow and gray box that looks like a radio from the 70s is a generator, Laxmi’s cooking saved our lives, and I heard the familiar sounds of reggueton and hiphop coming from an adjacent neighborhood (perhaps a wedding or street party that, of course, we were not invited to).
Oh yes! So Meli and I were adopted by Dadaji (grandpa) and Dadiji (grandma)! Considering that our internet was out, we visited the local cafe which we expected to open at 10am (as advertised)... this wasn’t the case. While we waited for the shopkeeper, we were approached by an elderly man, Joe Dadaji, who said that we reminded him of his grandchildren. In conversation we explained that we were without internet and that we are in India working with Maitri. He immediately celebrated our volunteerism and offered his wi-fi. “You can use the internet and meet granny- I am sure she would love to meet you” he said. I looked to Melissa getting ready to accept the offer and then the shopkeeper arrived. We thanked Dadaji for his offer and promised to visit him later. After using the internet for an hour (charge is 60 rupees per hour or USD $1.30), we had some time to spare before we met the internet technician so we decided to visit the grandparents. :) Our visit was delightful. Dadaji was very curious about our origins, the nature of work, and he was amazed that two “little women” (he meant it in a loving way) would be so entrepreneurial. We got to know each other, exchanged contact information, and got our palms read over tea. Meli said I was glowing after this experience... I love viejitos (the elderly) and feeling like I have a little family away from home.
On Saturday, we visited the Red Fort in Chandhni Chowk (Old Delhi). Well, only the exterior. We would have entered the fort to get the full experience, but like most places here, there are two quotas: one for Indian Citizens and another for Foreigners (usually 200 or 300 rupees more than the rate for nationals). Considering that Meli and I didn’t want to pay 250 a pop, we decided to forgo this experience and visit the Red Fort again later with an Indian friend. :) The most exciting thing about this trip was the metro-- I have to say that it was better than the DC metro. They have a “women’s only” section which at first I was
leery about, but then understood the value of it when I noticed that women were much more sociable and relaxed when in the company of other women. During our ride we met two lovely young women who insisted that we squish and make room for everyone, a PhD student/university Professor examining feminism in India, and laughed coyly at a couple of men who after standing awkwardly in the women's car decided to walk to the back where the rest of the men gathered. 
Last but not least, on Sunday we returned to Aashriwad to celebrate the General’s birthday... without him! lol (That's how they do here... you ain't gotta be present to have your birthday celebrated) It was great! We socialized with the elderly, meet cute-little-miss Punam (Resham’s daughter), ate some cake, had a traditional south Indian lunch, and then rode home in a race car (it’s not really a race car, but every time the peyas drive, it feels as though we are in a fierce competition).
I have officially surrendered to India...
Namaste!
ps. our internet was finally fixed! :)
Last Saturday, Meli and I visited Rajghat (the final resting place of Gandhi), the Gandhi National Museum, and Lodi Garden (a garden that houses the tombs of past rulers). At Rajghat, the experience was surreal. It’s hard to explain what I felt in standing in front of Gandhi’s resting place. It was overwhelming feeling of melancholy mixed with inspiration. In silence, everyone bowed...it was as if our collective prayers fueled the flame that kindled over his remains and provided a portal for his energy and spirit to be timeless. I lifted a silent prayer in his name and bowed as I stepped away. This reflection process continued through our visit to the we Gandhi National Museum. It was not fancy by any definition, but it was filled with posters that highlighted his speeches, artifacts that he owned, and the clothing he wore on the day of his assassination. As P. Diddy put it, “what a life to take... but I know he’s still living his life, after death” (“I’ll be missing you” by P.Diddy). His energy and passion were felt at Rajghat and throughout the museum- there is no doubt his spirit remains. 
This was followed by a visit to Lodi Garden. In brief, we saw couples sitting on benches, underneath trees, next to ponds, on the stairs... PDA everywhere! (for those who don’t know, PDA means public display of affection). The masjid (mosque) and tombs where gorgeous and I was amazed at how preserved they were despite the fact that people visit on a daily basis.
Fast forwarding through the week, items of note: we were without internet (allegedly someone stole a cable-I didn't buy the story lol), we finally figured out that the yellow and gray box that looks like a radio from the 70s is a generator, Laxmi’s cooking saved our lives, and I heard the familiar sounds of reggueton and hiphop coming from an adjacent neighborhood (perhaps a wedding or street party that, of course, we were not invited to).
Oh yes! So Meli and I were adopted by Dadaji (grandpa) and Dadiji (grandma)! Considering that our internet was out, we visited the local cafe which we expected to open at 10am (as advertised)... this wasn’t the case. While we waited for the shopkeeper, we were approached by an elderly man, Joe Dadaji, who said that we reminded him of his grandchildren. In conversation we explained that we were without internet and that we are in India working with Maitri. He immediately celebrated our volunteerism and offered his wi-fi. “You can use the internet and meet granny- I am sure she would love to meet you” he said. I looked to Melissa getting ready to accept the offer and then the shopkeeper arrived. We thanked Dadaji for his offer and promised to visit him later. After using the internet for an hour (charge is 60 rupees per hour or USD $1.30), we had some time to spare before we met the internet technician so we decided to visit the grandparents. :) Our visit was delightful. Dadaji was very curious about our origins, the nature of work, and he was amazed that two “little women” (he meant it in a loving way) would be so entrepreneurial. We got to know each other, exchanged contact information, and got our palms read over tea. Meli said I was glowing after this experience... I love viejitos (the elderly) and feeling like I have a little family away from home.
On Saturday, we visited the Red Fort in Chandhni Chowk (Old Delhi). Well, only the exterior. We would have entered the fort to get the full experience, but like most places here, there are two quotas: one for Indian Citizens and another for Foreigners (usually 200 or 300 rupees more than the rate for nationals). Considering that Meli and I didn’t want to pay 250 a pop, we decided to forgo this experience and visit the Red Fort again later with an Indian friend. :) The most exciting thing about this trip was the metro-- I have to say that it was better than the DC metro. They have a “women’s only” section which at first I was
leery about, but then understood the value of it when I noticed that women were much more sociable and relaxed when in the company of other women. During our ride we met two lovely young women who insisted that we squish and make room for everyone, a PhD student/university Professor examining feminism in India, and laughed coyly at a couple of men who after standing awkwardly in the women's car decided to walk to the back where the rest of the men gathered. 
Last but not least, on Sunday we returned to Aashriwad to celebrate the General’s birthday... without him! lol (That's how they do here... you ain't gotta be present to have your birthday celebrated) It was great! We socialized with the elderly, meet cute-little-miss Punam (Resham’s daughter), ate some cake, had a traditional south Indian lunch, and then rode home in a race car (it’s not really a race car, but every time the peyas drive, it feels as though we are in a fierce competition).
I have officially surrendered to India...
Namaste!
ps. our internet was finally fixed! :)
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