Monday was a fine day. The kids were engaged most of the time and there were two new “teachers” helping. We think maybe Pinkie (one of the “teachers” normally in our room) got sacked! After lunch, we walked to the Hauz Kaus market for an ice cream and to get money from the ATM. Then we printed and completed our absentee ballots and walked back to the market to mail them. We put both in a big envelope and it only cost about $1.20 (although it will take about 10 days to get there). (Hopefully, those of you who are politically like us will get out and vote.) We mostly hung around and read and did some planning for school until dinner.
We did a “project” with the kids today – colored a striped fish, cut it out, and pasted it on construction paper. It went fairly well. Unfortunately, we did not get any photos of the finished products before they disappeared into backpacks, etc.
For all the married ladies: today is Karva Chauth, the most important fast observed by the women of North India. A woman keeps this fast for the well being of her husband. Since being a widow here is such a hardship, it is in her best interest that her husband remains alive! So, on this day, the women buy bangles, apply henna to their hands and wear their fine outfits. Once the moon rises, they do a pooja for their husband’s safety and long life, and finally break their fast after first feeding their husbands. Now this all sounds very sexist; however, in talking to the ladies, we found out that their husbands give them gifts on this day and that’s really why they fast. At 4:00 PM today, the women living in the apartments gathered in each of the center squares for a ceremony where they passed around a plate with a lit oil lamp, some sweet and salty bread, etc while they chanted prayers to the goddess known as Gaur Mata. Then, everyone went inside – to wait for the moon to rise.
We left the festivities and went for a walk exiting on the opposite side of the apartment complex than is our usual route. Across the street is another large park. A little farther were some of the venues from the Commonwealth Games, but, as it was beginning to get dark, we left investigating them for another day.
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| Our project is a success. |
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| The ladies praying and passing trays |
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| Bangles. Check. Henna. Check. Fine outfit. Check. iPhone ???? |
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