Yesterday the director of our program explained the meaning of "Namaste" to us. He described it in a multiple of ways. One is the rejection of scientific western differentiation; the coming together of the X and the Y axis into one (and I, who have just finished a Hinduism class, immediately started thinking about atman and how everything is one). The other is about the coming together of the East and the West...they meet in the middle, neither being consumed by the other.

Last night we saw a concert of Indian fusion music. Apparently, in India violins have 5 strings (maybe they add a C on to the bottom? I couldn't tell). Also, guitars are strung like sitars, with multiple pegs going down the side of the neck, and are held horizontally on the musicians lap. Altogether, it was a really unique, amazing sound...I think some people got a video of it, so I'll try to post it at some point.

Another good quote from yesterday: "Water is not water unless it comes in a bottle."

Tonight we move into the new guesthouse...which is significantly nicer than where we're living now. Although there's nothing wrong with where we're living now...at the same time, it might be nice to have a little bit of privacy in the bathroom and to not get the entire room soaking wet when you take a shower.

I've been looking at classes I want to take...everything seems so interesting! I'm thinking about taking one in English Children's Literature, Indian Philosophy, and maybe another history course.

OK, time to do the next registration activity!

India

So, I am officially here. After 24 hours of flying. 12 hour flights are not fun.

India is beautiful. And very different. Things you take for granted in the US you can't here. Like clean water, being able to flush paper down the toilet, and hot showers. Also, did I mention the chicken stands on the side of the road where you can go and pick out a live chicken for dinner? Talk about local meat! The food is great though...although I haven't been eating that much because I'm afraid I'm going to get the evil germ of death that apparently my whole family is home sick with right now.

We're living in a guest house that's actually pretty nice. There are suites that about 4 people share (2 bedrooms), with a common room and a bathroom. Our room also has a balcony, although the common room and balcony are both missing any furniture at all, making them not very useful. We're not staying here though...in a few days we're moving to a brand new building for the rest of the semester. We'll see what that one's like.

We went on a tour of the campus last night...it's huge! It took us more than an hour to walk around it. Granted, we went in a lot of the buildings...but still. It's much bigger than Oberlin. And the new guesthouse is even further away...so they're giving us bikes so that we can get to class in under an hour. And they buy us clothes, and a phone...and everything you could possibly need.

It's almost breakfast time and I should let someone else use the computer, but I am officially here and alive, and all that good stuff.

India? What?

Hey everyone!

So, in a couple of weeks (actually, a little less...eek!) I'm heading off into the wilds of India for the semester. I thought this blog would be the easiest way to keep in contact with everyone and tell you all how (and what) I'm doing. I'll try to update this fairly often, and I'll put up pictures, etc. (Of course, for those of you with Facebook, you'll probably see more pictures of me in India than you ever really wanted to).

Please write comments and let me know how you're doing as well! I'll miss you all!

Love,
Emily