Graduation day… I love the people here. The students made a reservation for the entire class and took me out to lunch today. We ate at the Noodle Bar, which is a Chinese buffet. We ‘Americanize’ our Chinese food; they ‘Indianize’ theirs. It was very good. After lunch they presented me with a gift card to Sukho Thai. A full glorious hour in a Thai Foot Spa. Another woman brought me homemade brownies. They are amazingly hospitable. The center ordered a beautiful cake that said, “May all your trades be green”. Reshma and Kapil were kind enough to tell me how to pronounce the names during graduation. It’s a really good thing; I would have mutilated every one.
After class one of my students, Chethna invited me to go to Bandra where she lives. She took me to a place called Cottons that sells Indian clothing. The fabrics were beautiful. I tried on various things and she evaluated them for style. We drove through Bandra and stopped by the Arabian Sea. The beaches aren’t really safe so I just listened to the waves from a distance. Next she had her driver take me through town where she pointed out all of the movie stars’ homes. I didn’t know any of them, but it was still fun.
We stopped in Mount Mary, a Roman Catholic church located in West Bandra. This huge structure stands on a hill overlooking the Arabian Sea. Wooden benches are evenly spaced on each side of the center isle, filling the incredibly large sanctuary. An oversized statue of the Virgin Mary stands at the front. Intricate paintings cover the large walls.
Mount Mary is one of the most visited places in the city. Many of the faithful attest to the miraculous powers of St. Mary. They pray to Virgin Mary, expressing their gratitude or requesting favors. An assortment of candles shaped like houses, children, hands, feet and various other parts of the body are sold by street vendors out front. The suffering choose a candle that corresponds to their ailment and light it in Church, with the hope that Mother Mary will consider their appeals for healing (or a house or children).
As we approached the altar, we removed our shoes. This is a common and very sensible practice all over India, especially considering the condition of streets and what might be on ones shoes. Chethna kneeled to pray while I waited (I didn’t want to be hypocritical since I don’t pray to Mary).
Next we went to some of the street vendors where I bought 4 more pairs of sandals. Chethna did all of the negotiating. Each time the price began around 500 rupees. She fired back at them in rapid Hindi and she appeared to be extremely agitated. I could tell she had accused them of trying to take advantage of me because I am American. The men were shamed and trying desperately to defend themselves while attempting to renegotiate her 200 rupee counter-offer. She fired back again and again. The final price for most of them was 200 rupees ($4). She didn’t budge.
We met Mehan, Chethna’s husband for dinner at the racecourse. I had been to Olive, but not Tote on the Turf. Knowing I was open to trying Indian food, they ordered for all three of us. It was absolutely delicious. I didn’t melt, so it was either mild or I’m getting used to the spices. As we were leaving, a man was meticulously preparing an assortment of spices rolled into a mint leaf. The Indian people chew spices after dinner to stimulate digestion and freshen breath.
It was a really fun night. Chethna is an amazing woman. She was the first Indian to win an international award in jewelry design. She designs diamond pieces. She reminds me a lot of Priya, both are beautiful, strong, intelligent women. I feel very blessed to know them.
After class one of my students, Chethna invited me to go to Bandra where she lives. She took me to a place called Cottons that sells Indian clothing. The fabrics were beautiful. I tried on various things and she evaluated them for style. We drove through Bandra and stopped by the Arabian Sea. The beaches aren’t really safe so I just listened to the waves from a distance. Next she had her driver take me through town where she pointed out all of the movie stars’ homes. I didn’t know any of them, but it was still fun.
We stopped in Mount Mary, a Roman Catholic church located in West Bandra. This huge structure stands on a hill overlooking the Arabian Sea. Wooden benches are evenly spaced on each side of the center isle, filling the incredibly large sanctuary. An oversized statue of the Virgin Mary stands at the front. Intricate paintings cover the large walls.
Mount Mary is one of the most visited places in the city. Many of the faithful attest to the miraculous powers of St. Mary. They pray to Virgin Mary, expressing their gratitude or requesting favors. An assortment of candles shaped like houses, children, hands, feet and various other parts of the body are sold by street vendors out front. The suffering choose a candle that corresponds to their ailment and light it in Church, with the hope that Mother Mary will consider their appeals for healing (or a house or children).
As we approached the altar, we removed our shoes. This is a common and very sensible practice all over India, especially considering the condition of streets and what might be on ones shoes. Chethna kneeled to pray while I waited (I didn’t want to be hypocritical since I don’t pray to Mary).
Next we went to some of the street vendors where I bought 4 more pairs of sandals. Chethna did all of the negotiating. Each time the price began around 500 rupees. She fired back at them in rapid Hindi and she appeared to be extremely agitated. I could tell she had accused them of trying to take advantage of me because I am American. The men were shamed and trying desperately to defend themselves while attempting to renegotiate her 200 rupee counter-offer. She fired back again and again. The final price for most of them was 200 rupees ($4). She didn’t budge.
We met Mehan, Chethna’s husband for dinner at the racecourse. I had been to Olive, but not Tote on the Turf. Knowing I was open to trying Indian food, they ordered for all three of us. It was absolutely delicious. I didn’t melt, so it was either mild or I’m getting used to the spices. As we were leaving, a man was meticulously preparing an assortment of spices rolled into a mint leaf. The Indian people chew spices after dinner to stimulate digestion and freshen breath.
It was a really fun night. Chethna is an amazing woman. She was the first Indian to win an international award in jewelry design. She designs diamond pieces. She reminds me a lot of Priya, both are beautiful, strong, intelligent women. I feel very blessed to know them.
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