So this might be turning into more of a food journal than a travel journal, but food has been such a a wonderful sensory overload. Simultaneously though, I need to stop eating for taste and resume eating to be satiated. Yesterday evening we went to a South India restaurant. It is kinda funny to realize how much I know about India already. I didn't think of myself as knowing a lot, but I find myself explaining to my classmates what Odissi dance is (a kind of classical dance), or explaining what a idili, masala dosa and sambar is (south Indian steamed rice cake, Indian crepe with potatoes and a tomato based dipping sauce). The meal ended with a wonderful "pan,"-- a green leaf stuffed with coconut and spices clasped with a clove and looked like a quickfire challenge from Top Chef. Wow was an explosion in my mouth. The coconut with infused with a light sugary syrup, whole cloves, cardamom, coriander, and I am sure a myriad of other spices. We were instructed to just place the whole thing in our mouths, chew and then swallow. It was quite intense, first of all because it was so much for our mouths to handle at one, and then secondly because with every few bites we would clamp down on a clove and release a wave of intense flavor. Hours after the meal I was still getting "flashes" of the taste tingling my tongue.
Yesterday, the day itself was pretty relaxed. We went over some guidelines and Indian manners. I think not showing my feet to anyone will be a challenge for me. Sitting down in positions in which my feet don't show get uncomfortable and tiresome quickly. We did start to learn Hindi though which was surprisingly exciting. It is neat to see something you learn immediately applicable. I can already sound out newspaper headlines, signs and billboards. Though I have to admit that many of the letters still sound exactly the same to me. I know I am going backwards in time, but yesterday morning we decided to get up early and go to yoga at the Ashram, probably because most of us had already been awake for awhile by the time 6:30am rolled around due to jet lag. However there was no yoga class to be had so we took a nice stroll around the ashram gardens instead. The Ashram really reminds me of kibbutz in Israel. People come, they volunteer their time to do chores, food and housing is given, classes are provided, and the area is just surrounded with beautiful gardens and playgrounds.
I know it sounds so cliche, but there is something so delicious about the smell of India, the spices seem to just linger in the air. I know Delhi is full of pollution and is dirty, and I half expected it to smell like New York does, but I guess the spices mask it so well. We have been warned multiple times now NOT to try the street food. This has been a very difficult concept for me and other fellow foodies to accept, since street food is often my favorite food. We decided to try and be good for a month and see how our stomaches adjust, then to re-evaluate whether to break the rules or not. While I am really appreciating SIT securing us for orientation, I feel strange that I have seen so little of India and spent so much time in a room sitting down. I know this will change soon and they really encourage us to get our and explore, I suppose I just feel anxious to do so. I kinda wish there were more guys in our group as well, just because there seems to be so much limited to females without the accompaniment of male friends, like going out anywhere. We only have 5 guys in our group, and I am sure they will be in high demand throughout this journey.
I have found a fellow New Mexican who has also been learning Sign language! Also the assistant academic director expressed interest in me teaching him sign language and how to edit films! Two things I am just so excited to pass on. I am now considering making a documentary film on Indian food practices for my independent study....though my ideas for my ISP seem to change momentarily, there are simply too many things I am deeply fascinated by.
This morning me and my roommate went for a nice walk around the Ashram, I'll post photos soon. We found some nice shrines where women were bathing and adorning the center stones. We also found what looked like the children section or the school where I found a labyrinth to walk, some cool sculptures, and some pet geese and bunnies! I have to say that the bathroom situation will continue to be a difficulty for me...the idea of cleaning myself with my hands is just really difficult, I suppose I'll figure it out, maybe I'll figure out a way around it (so far I have succeeded). Today we are going shopping this afternoon for some clothes. I have to say I am really excited to get some new clothes since I have been wearing the same shirt for three days now. I decided to get a cell phone, just for emergencies, since the bombings did just happen I thought it would be good to have it available. Also being a Female, there is a lot of issues of traveling safely that I feel a cellphone will help facilitate.
I suppose that is all for now, so many observations I want to share them all. Updates will probably slow down when I start to get settled into a rhythm, but as of now things are still new and exciting. Much love always
~Tara
No comments:
Post a Comment