I was hoping that this post would be the one where I could actually show pictures, but unfortunately my camera has still not joined me. It is in Bangalore, but FedEx still has it, they are probably taking pictures of boxes even as I write this. There is apparently something they need from me before it can clear customs, but I have no idea what it is. I'll have to call them tomorrow, hopefully I can post pictures soon!
I'd love to be able to say that I did all sorts of amazingly interesting things this weekend, but I hate to lie... This weekend was Holi, which is the festival of colors. It is a celebration of the beginning of spring and from what I could figure out it is somewhat like the madness that can go on with Mardi Gras. Basically people get drunk and start throwing different colors on each other. A couple guys from the office had planned on taking me out and about on Saturday, but we ended up just staying close the to the apartment as they were afraid of running into crazed mobs who would throw paint on us. I figured that if they wanted to stay away from the celebration, I did too. Especially after reading in the paper that often the colors people are throwing will have toxins in them...
So on Saturday Rohit and Ravi came and got me and we just went to a coffee shop and then to a jazz club type restaurant up the street from my apartment. It was at least further up the street than I had gone before, so I do at least feel like I did something this weekend... I guess it is just as well that I don't go anywhere memorable when I don't have a camera. For all of you who are scandalized that I haven't managed to go out and explore the wonders of the country I am visiting, I challenge you to come take a look at these streets and wander out into them by yourself. Its a totally different world...
The big news in Bangalore at the moment has to do with dogs. There are dogs EVERYWHERE in this city. While I've only seen 3 cows so far (2 on Saturday in the same place) I see dogs every time I open my eyes. (Not in my apartment obviously, but there are 2 living just outside the building). A couple years ago there was a big push to get rid of the dogs, but animal rights people got involved so the decision was made to capture dogs, give them a shot that would sterilize them, and then release them back to the streets. In theory, over time the population would begin to decline. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be working. A couple days ago a 4 year old boy died after he was mauled by 15 dogs. Now the city is planning on rounding up and killing all the dogs in the next month. You can imagine the arguments this is causing. I haven't seen any agressive dogs, but I don't exactly want to meet one either...
On a lighter note, the paper also had a story today about a village of 600 people here in India that has 33 pairs of twins! The village is obviously being studied by all sorts of geneticists as in a population of that size even 2 sets of twins would be rare. As the Godmother of twins I found that story to be very interesting...
But of course I'm sure everyone back in the States is talking about the upcoming Cricket World Cup! Only 9 days to go! Here in India it is about as exciting as the Quidditch World Cup. (For any muggles out there, imagine the excitement in Europe for the Football/Soccer World Cup). India has not won in 26 years, but expectations are high that this year's team could go all the way. The matches are taking place in the West Indies, so it will all be going on between 9pm and 3am India time. There are worries that there will be power outages during this time as so many tvs are turned on at a time when there is not usually much need for power. I tried to watch a few minutes of a Cricket match the other day but I just don't get it. I can't even begin to imagine how crazy this country would go if they were to win!
Hopefully I'll have my camera tomorrow, and then I promise to post pictures of my apartment. It isn't by any means what I would call a "luxury" apartment, but its not too bad. It is kind of lonely to be in a four bedroom apartment all alone, but since there is only one TV I can't say I would really want to share it!
I hope everyone had a good weekend and has a wonderful week! Enjoy your ability to take a hot shower and brush your teeth with tap water... I'll never take either of those for granted again!
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