Sundays tend to be days for reflection (& cramming...) and today I'm feeling particularly reflective as I realize how fun this past weekend was. Yes, India has its ups and downs, but it doesn't take much to remind me that I really like it here. Before I shut myself out from the world for a few days to finish these papers and study for midterms, I'm just gonna take a minute (and let it ride http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APw9ES0JpZo) to lay down some details of what I've been up to.
1. Met some crazy Europeans. I'm not kidding a whole big crowd of white people. How? I'll tell you. We were invited to this "international evening" at the hotel where we had orientation, but the details of the evening were not of any particular interest to us once we read "dinner served" on the invitation. Turns out there's a group of international students doing internships here, many of whom are from Europe. We went out with them on Friday night after dinner and had a good old time, I even practiced my German for the first time in way too long and, embarrassment notwithstanding, brought a little joy to the Germans.
2. Went to the rainforest. So I basically almost live in the rainforest, but on Saturday we went to a research station towards the top of the ghats in the wettest place in India, Agumbe. Some leeches feasted on my feet briefly and that scared me more than it should have, but even feeling really shaken up, I soaked in the serenity and lack of honking/city noises. On the way home I had a sort of micro-epiphany thinking about the leeches. I think whenever something seemingly horrifying or scary occurs, it's kind of like building up your immune system because if and when it ever happens again, you'll be able to conquer it like a champ. This wasn't just a "when in India" thought, but more of a life thought.
3. Ate at dollups. This is nothing extraordinary, I just really like Dollups, so I thought I'd mention it. We got two paneer dishes which didn't even seem excessive, at the time. Even better, our resident director walked in a few minutes after us and joined us for dinner (and paid! excursion money for the win.)
4. Rode home on the back of a motorcycle last night. Holla! This was a goal of mine once I got here and it may or may not have been the highlight of my weekend. There was a BBQ at our friend from the geopolitics department's house and some of my philosophy classmates were there, too. It was awesome to socialize with people outside the walls of the classroom and the old tapmi building (where I have most classes). I'm happy to be getting to know people and it's only going to make it weirder to leave, come December. Though I had always thought this to be true, I was told that the best way to understand Indian culture is to just "hang out." I couldn't agree more.
5. Visited a Sikh Gurdwara. The Sikhs in Manipal worship in a small room of a house turned Gurdwara while they wait for theirs to be built. We went to a service of sorts tonight and it was a very peaceful and spiritual experience. Though I didn't know what the words of the songs or prayers meant, I had a chance to sit silently listening to the music and sonorous words, providing the perfect time to let my mind wander. The best part was at the end, when they served us dinner! Homemade rice, paneer, garbanzo beans and some sweet rice dish, of course I can't remember the name, but it was all so delicious. We all enjoyed having a home-cooked meal, for once. Plus, as the woman who kept forcing more rice on our plates reminded us, "the boys made it!"
6. Became a dosa convert. okay, so I DO like dosa, but I don't really like potato, so now I order it plain and it's my new favorite snack. Plus for about 15 rupees, it's well worth it.
7. The rains are GONE. literally, from around april until two days ago, there was not a day without rain here, but now look at this forecast...amazing!
so I guess it's on this happy sunny note I end.
<3 julia
1. Met some crazy Europeans. I'm not kidding a whole big crowd of white people. How? I'll tell you. We were invited to this "international evening" at the hotel where we had orientation, but the details of the evening were not of any particular interest to us once we read "dinner served" on the invitation. Turns out there's a group of international students doing internships here, many of whom are from Europe. We went out with them on Friday night after dinner and had a good old time, I even practiced my German for the first time in way too long and, embarrassment notwithstanding, brought a little joy to the Germans.
2. Went to the rainforest. So I basically almost live in the rainforest, but on Saturday we went to a research station towards the top of the ghats in the wettest place in India, Agumbe. Some leeches feasted on my feet briefly and that scared me more than it should have, but even feeling really shaken up, I soaked in the serenity and lack of honking/city noises. On the way home I had a sort of micro-epiphany thinking about the leeches. I think whenever something seemingly horrifying or scary occurs, it's kind of like building up your immune system because if and when it ever happens again, you'll be able to conquer it like a champ. This wasn't just a "when in India" thought, but more of a life thought.
3. Ate at dollups. This is nothing extraordinary, I just really like Dollups, so I thought I'd mention it. We got two paneer dishes which didn't even seem excessive, at the time. Even better, our resident director walked in a few minutes after us and joined us for dinner (and paid! excursion money for the win.)
4. Rode home on the back of a motorcycle last night. Holla! This was a goal of mine once I got here and it may or may not have been the highlight of my weekend. There was a BBQ at our friend from the geopolitics department's house and some of my philosophy classmates were there, too. It was awesome to socialize with people outside the walls of the classroom and the old tapmi building (where I have most classes). I'm happy to be getting to know people and it's only going to make it weirder to leave, come December. Though I had always thought this to be true, I was told that the best way to understand Indian culture is to just "hang out." I couldn't agree more.
5. Visited a Sikh Gurdwara. The Sikhs in Manipal worship in a small room of a house turned Gurdwara while they wait for theirs to be built. We went to a service of sorts tonight and it was a very peaceful and spiritual experience. Though I didn't know what the words of the songs or prayers meant, I had a chance to sit silently listening to the music and sonorous words, providing the perfect time to let my mind wander. The best part was at the end, when they served us dinner! Homemade rice, paneer, garbanzo beans and some sweet rice dish, of course I can't remember the name, but it was all so delicious. We all enjoyed having a home-cooked meal, for once. Plus, as the woman who kept forcing more rice on our plates reminded us, "the boys made it!"
6. Became a dosa convert. okay, so I DO like dosa, but I don't really like potato, so now I order it plain and it's my new favorite snack. Plus for about 15 rupees, it's well worth it.
7. The rains are GONE. literally, from around april until two days ago, there was not a day without rain here, but now look at this forecast...amazing!
so I guess it's on this happy sunny note I end.
<3 julia
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