Indian Apparel, Sikh Temples and McDonalds McVeggie’s
Hello from New Delhi! As I have promise I would continue to keep you all updated. I’m sure once I reach Sooch tomorrow afternoon, my internet will be significantly slower making it much more difficult to update. However, dedication is a major quality I possess…so I will make it happen- even if I have to trek to a top of a far away mountain to get a signal (kidding mom, don’t worry….)
So, my first morning in New Delhi I woke up at around 6:30 to the sounds of horns, banging, babies crying and kids running to school. It was wonderful! (Part of what I miss about Kenya is the constant goings and comings….have to admit I don’t miss the Muslim prayer calls at 5 am. I am actually surprised I haven’t heard any while I have been here.) ANYWAY! I walked out and drank coffee (far better than Starbucks….much more sugar) and read the newspaper with Manjeet. Along with my coffee, the young house maid Manjeet’s family has living with them, brought me five cookies. Yes, a pre-breakfast snack. I swear I’m going to come back obese!
After this I found Manjeet, his wife and his daughter (12th grade) all curled up hanging out on her bed. Of course, being the family person I am, allowed myself to jump in. They laughed and told me they loved how fun I was. Apparently they had thoughts of sending me to a hotel but since I had fit in so well they wanted me to stay – shoo. We then had breakfast – egg sandwiches with green scallions and onions. I had four. Yes, four. They kept coming and coming and coming. Oy vey. Finally when I thought my nose couldn’t run anymore and I couldn’t feel my mouth- I refused the fifth.
I took a hot (yes!) shower – it is interesting to know their showers are IN their bathroom. You can literally go to the restroom, brush your teeth and shower all in the same area. I threw some clothes on and Paramjeet (the mom) and I hopped in the car to do some shopping. Yosef (the driver) drove us to this HUGE market. We jumped out of the car and starting walking. People are selling you things left and right. Motorbikes have horns that are so loud we both just laughed at how easy it would be to become deaf or road kill at any second. She definitely pulled the “mom move” and grabbed my hand to help me around many times. Probably a good thing. I’m not adjusted to driving or looking for cars on the opposite side of the road. We found a place to find some Indian “suits” for myself. (Baggy tops and bottoms with scarves – what they all wear.) She hassled with the guy and after about an hour of searching hundreds of fabrics we narrowed it down to two premade suits and two bags of fabric. She is going to have someone at Sooch village make the other two. It was fascinating to see all the different patterns and types of suits. I’m a plain jane – I didn’t want lots of bedazzled, sparkly things. No way, Jose. I ended up with a dark green, dark purple, royal blue and uhh some other melody of fabrics. Pretty cool!
We left there and heading towards the city center. She wanted to take me to a shoe store to buy me shoes. Rude, I liked my black plastic flip-flops. (Kidding, it was very nice of her) Anyway- I ended up with some Indian flip flops which are pretty awesome looking. We walked around a bit more and ended up at McDonalds to eat lunch. As I’m sure you all know, beef and pork are not seen in this country. So, everything was veggie and chicken. I asked Paramjeet what the best thing was and she said the “McVeggie” so, there I went. It was actually delicious! Probably very unhealthy but it was some sort of fried…something. Delish!
From there we found Yosef and went on a historical tour. We left New Delish and went to Old Delish (apparently where all the British buildings are and most Muslim’s live.) There is a place called Red Fort, which is where the Moguls invaded India in who knows when. It was MASSIVE! Probably 3 or 4…maybe 5 city blocks wide. It was closed because of the national holiday on the 26th- but it was amazing!
She then took me to her Sikh temple. I didn’t know what the heck I was doing. We washed out feet in water…put scarves on our heads, and walked in (mind you she just said “follow me”). We bowed down then walked around, bowed down again, and continued this three of four times. There were two men on microphones saying prayers- I believe. There was another man with a large feathery broom that would sweep the air every so often. At the very end you walk down some stairs and bow to this room with this blanket and some other stuff in it (I promise I’m not arrogant – just clueless). Anyway, you leave and a man hands you a clump of this brown rice looking stuff. My “mom” took it and told me I didn’t have to eat it. You exit – get your shoes and that is it. Not only was I one of very few women – but the only white person in there. Crazy. I am going to ask Manjeet about it was all at another time – I’m just curious about it all.
We left there – ran back to the crazy market – got my suits and headed home. We curled back in the daughter’s bed and had another snack. Samoas – YUM! Basically a fried wonton with curry and potatoes in it. Dad, it would make your head sweat. They were spicy…!
I tried to read for a little and of course I feel sound asleep (I know Austin, I know J). Not narcoleptic this time – just jetlagged. At around 8 I woke up and went into the TV room with the son and daughter and watch some Indian sitcom. VERY dramatic., lots of make up and the cinematic effects involved making the picture go black and white. I got a good laugh. We had a late dinner – Lentils and Chapatti and I hit the sack. It was a crazy but amazing first day.
I am writing this in present time and have had a really relaxing morning. Just been reading and hanging out with the family like every American Saturday morning. So, get this. The daughter is in 12th grade and has already taken accounting! I can’t get over it. I tried to read her schoolbook and I have no idea what it is talking about. (Yes, it is in English)
Tomorrow I will be leaving on a two-hour plane ride with Paramjeet to Ranchi - then a 20-minute drive to my home for the next few months – Sooch Village. I’m getting excited to finally be there.
Much love to you all – hope you are doing well. Keep in touch!
Katelyn
