Monday, August 23, 2010, Chennai
7:43 p.m. India time
I can't tell you how difficult-yet-delightful it is to type with a child's head on your lap. :)
Today was a lovely day. At last, we have a little relief from all the rain, and it's back to hot, muggy, sunny weather. The rain has had long-reaching consequences, however, as many houses in the lowlands of the city have been flooded. Aunty's cook and other domestic helpers had flooding and couldn't come to work today.
The ladies who help Aunty are very nice. Because they have good jobs, they are able to have a lot of modern conveniences, despite their "status" in life (working as domestic help.) Still, the housing they get is not as good as others who may have been born to more money or a higher social status. It's very complicated, and not necessarily something I fully understand, nor can I adequately explain it in this blog.
So I cleaned my room today, all by myself (oh, poor me.) However, that was at the end of the day, so I'll go back a bit to the beginning.
I couldn't sleep last night, as I was restless and had some poems in me, and so this morning I slept in a bit. Aunty and I were supposed to get up very early because Raja was going to go with Man Cub to the doctor to get hs blood test results. The guys got up at 6:30 a.m., but by the time they were ready to leave, Raja came in to tell me that Aunty had a migraine. Now, I don't get migraines, but my mom and several other people I care about do, and I know for a fact that they hurt a lot. Sometimes they make people throw up because the pain is so bad. So I was more than willing to let Aunty rest. I got up a bit later and messed around a bit on the computer. I had my morning coffee (I swear, I *never* drink this much coffee at home!), put on my clothes and make up, and Uncle went out to get some idli for breakfast. After breakfast, Aunty was feeling much better. The driver came (when Aunty goes out she hires a car) and we got in the car to go to Pothys, the last big clothing store on my list. First, though, we went to check on Raja and M.C.'s progress. Just as we got there, they were coming out. I noticed that M.C. was wearing my shoes. He must have been tired this morning!
Aunty and I had a very nice talk in the car, about how kids today (including her own) lack patience. :) I tried to explain that it's the fast pace of American culture and expectations and pressures to keep up the pace...I also told her that Raja is chronically early for everything; how he gets to movies one hour early, and how we were an hour early for my brother's wedding (the first ones there) and how the bride was an hour late! I told her that my family likes Raja very much, and how my sister-in-law refused to shake his hand goodbye when she first met him. She hugged him instead! I also told Aunty how lucky I was to have such wonderful sisters-in-law. I got very lucky.
Anyway, we went back home and Raja decided to come shopping with me and let Aunty care for MC. This was probably a good thing, as I did some Power Shopping today.
Before we went to shop, Raja and I stopped at a smaller temple, and gave our regards to Vishnu, the Preserver, who is one of the main gods of Hinduism (the other most commonly worshiped is Shiva.) I honor Vishnu most commonly in his incarnation as Krishna. (Hindu gods incarnate and reincarnate in many forms, called avatars, over time.) We offered him a flower garland that Raja bought from a woman outside. He also gave money to another beggar woman. He is a huge sucker. I mean, of course they are hungry and poor, but it is a very complex issue. He is just so compassionate and generous; he can't see a woman or baby in need and not want to do something. In fact he gave money to three beggars today (although I think it was really only two and he gave money to one of them twice.) I removed my shoes and went inside the temple. Raja had just left his shoes in the car. Upon entering, we stood in front of a rail where a priest was honoring the god, draping the flower offerings over the statue of Vishnu. We put some money offerings into the slot provided, and received some tulsi (Holy Basil.) We ate some and took the rest home for Aunty's puja cabinet. After this, we went through a door to gaze upon a statue of Vishnu reclining on a giant, multi-headed serpent on the milky ocean. Vishnu is described as being very handsome and strong, and having dark blue skin. After honoring Vishnu, we bought laddoos, which are the most delicious things ever. They are always better as prasad (food offered to and blessed by god) because blessed food always tastes better!
After leaving the temple, we went to Pothys, which has 6 floors. Seven, including the basement. I wanted to take pictures, but it was crowded (we forgot that today was a holiday) and there were guards everywhere, and I didn't want to look too conspicuous. I did take a few snapshots. We went to the Women's Readymades and saw some absolutely beautiful salwar suits. We then went to the kids section. Boys in India wear almost exclusively western clothes except on special occasions. I did see a little boy in a sherwani. He must have just come from temple or something. The kids' floor was absolutely crazy, adults and kids swarming everywhere. I can't imagine shopping there with children in tow.
After this, we went to the Men's section, then to the top floor for jewelry and sparklies. On our way down we paid for and picked up all of our packages, then went on down to the basement to look at scarves (About a *million* times cheaper than at the mall!) I lugged out all my bags (I can't tell you exactly what I bought, because it might ruin the surprises for some of my readers, but I promise I'll post pictures after I get home and lay everything out) and went outside to wait for our driver; it was hotter than ever! I saw a couple go by holding hands and clinging tightly to one another. I saw that the woman's hands were covered with intricate mehendi (henna tattoos) and wondered if maybe they were newlyweds. A man came by with these gorgeous peacock feather fans, and I wanted to buy one, but we were moving towards our car. The guy kept following me, lowering the price. LOL. I wish I had bought one. If I see them again, I will. They were really, really gorgeous.
We got into the car and headed to lunch. Indian food, of course. I had murgha tikka (tandoori chicken) and some chinese soup and fried rice and naan. Chinese/Indian fusion food is all the rage here. The food was delicious. In retrospect, we should have probably eaten veg, as we had gone to temple, but I'm a new Hindu, and he's a rebellious one, so I'm not sure who's to blame for this indiscretion. We ordered bottled water, but it wasn't a recognized brand so we joked that it was probably just tap water. We drank it anyway. I thought it was funny that they called chop suey "chopsy." Also, the silverware was a little sketchy, so we ate the Tamilian way, with our fingers! It's going to take me a while to get used to eating all "proper" again when I get home.
After eating all the yummy food I could handle, we were off to a handicrafts store Raja had told me about. He wanted me to look for other Durgas, but she's not very popular around here, so I couldn't find one. I am definitely going back to Spencer Plaza. I'm ready to bargain with the guys there to see how well they'll treat me. I did buy a whole bunch more gifts, and a little statue of Saraswati (the goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts) to put behind my desk. In some places in India, students bring their books and school supplies to be blessed by Saraswati at the start of the school year. I won't make my students do that, but it's certainly a nice thought! I am amassing quite a little collection of elephants. Some day I want to go to one of the Ganesha temples where a live elephant will bless you by laying its foot or trunk on you (and hopefully not squashing your head.)
After spending a total of 11,353 rupees ( a one-day record!) I was exhausted.
Luckily, I only have a few things left on my shopping list:
a few more specific gifts and books
some traditional embroidered/beaded slippers
Durga
one specific color of bangles I wasn't able to find
sweets (ohhhhhhh. Indian sweets.....soooooooo....gooood)
Two new, much larger suitcases!
Got home and all of my treasures were making a mess of my room! I had stuffed so much stuff under the bed that it was coming out the other side. I reorganized all of my stuff and put it away. Now the ladies will have an easier time cleaning the room. I played a little DSi (I actually finished the entire game, with over 5,000,000 points!) and ate a little dinner. Cuddled a bit with the MC, took a bath and sat down to write this. A couple hours later, and I'm finally ready to say "Good Night." Or actually, good morning! Most of you are likely at school by now or otherwise beginning your day. I am going to call my mom and hit the hay. I'll try for another photo post tomorrow.
Until then, be good!
All this time, I thought I was following your blog...then you made that comment over on SS and I realized I wasn't! Arrgh! I have some catching up to do! *laughs*
ReplyDeleteBe well, be blessed - sounds like the time of your life. ^_^