Today was an awesome day. So good, that I could literally end the blog here, with no further justification, and go to bed quite content. However,some of you inquiring minds(hi, mom) may actually want details. Class was great this morning. I am really starting to get into my religion and violence class. Ivory Lyons is really fantastic at disscussion-based learning, and since our class is so tiny and opinionated, it really makes for some nerdy fun time. He has a real talent for making you reexamine what you already know. He discussed the way in which hymn and songs can play into the idea of religion as a military body, but I was surprised when one of the hymns he chose as an example was "A Mighty Fortress is our God"- basically, the Lutheran national anthem. I have heard this song since I was baby, and always thought of it as comforting, not violent, but, after that class I cant help but notice it's innately militaristic qualities. I guess part of learning isn't just digesting new material, but also rethinking what you already know.
After class a group of us went over to lalvagh park, one of the most beautiful places I have been here. The park is a lush, tropical forest/ garden that surrounds a very austere stone hill which has an amazing view of the city. Such a unique, but tranquil place.
Some of the girls in our group decided to do henna the temple at the top of the hill, and while we were waiting we met some Russian tourist. There is something about being a minority in another country that gives you an instant right to conversation with anyone white. After getting some ice cream and wandering for a few hours, all five of us piled in a ricksaw to hit Mahatma Gandhi- MG road, on of the premier crafts places in the city.
Bartering with a shop owner is like talking to a creeper at a dive bar. Upon seeing you, he has a pretty good idea of how far you are willing to go, but then proceeds to spend the next twenty minutes trying to talk you into something a little further. I had so many silk scarves shoved into my face today it was a wonder someone wasn't strangled with one. Regardless though, Indian craft stores are wonderful things to browse in, and I did find some really beautiful deals for myself and friends. We even went into a swanky, swanky ass gold store.
You have never been in a jewelry store until you have been in an Indian one. The solution to America's debt crisis literally is wrapped around the throat ears and fingers of any wealthy Indian bride. Everything was beautiful, but a lot of it was just a lot. I spent a ton of money today on knick nacks, but even still there are really, really poor people sitting on the front steps. It's hard to see such poverty directly next to such decadence, and while it is a contrast I am obviously uncomfortable with, I am at even more of a loss about what to actually do about it.
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