I realized that I now have 4 journals going at once..all designated for either emotions, IHP classes, field notes or country-specific lectures. Looks like they're filling up fast, and with this blog and over 3 months left to go I may have to compile and condense everything into a book or something when I get back. I don't want to forget anything!
I feel even more connected with the world and current events, as my homestay father is a retired news journalist who wrote the scripts for TV news reporters for many years. He's literally a history book.. and Apu and Ashu (siblings) are little spawns of his vast knowledge. I've learned so much from all of them already. Last night I got a brief overview of the history of India, the foundation and development of Hinduism, the progressive rise in gas prices here in India (this weekend in Trivandrum has pretty much been shut down for the protests that have gotten fairly violent..we even got our whole day of classes and site visit cancelled on Monday to be sure that everything's calmed down!). I talked to Ashu a lot about marriages, and her traditions as an upperclass Hindu adult. Our dinner conversation was woven with health and nutrition topics ranging from obesity to fast food to the macronutrient content of common Indian cuisine- thanks to my Mom's public health knowlege! All of this talk happened over a dinner that included fish curry (a little strong due to the full sardines.. I'll have to get used to it- according to hostdad), a dish with lentils coconut and spinach, and a tomato onion and chilli pepper curry. YUMM
We got to sleep in this morning which was such a treat...6:30 wake up calls and 12-hour days this entire week drained me. This weekend will be fun and relaxing though, last night we met Ama's brother who brought along his black lab, and a box of beagle puppies (which was such a tease since we couldn't pet them as they hadn't gotten shots yet).
Here's a video of some traditional Kerala food! the Puttu is the coconut/rice cylindar-shaped patties that are steamed in a metal or bambu mold and slid out to be accompanied by mild curries usually for breakfast. The array of colorful cubes of gelatin are a traditional street food of Kerala, the most popular having fruit and cashews. Check it out!
I feel even more connected with the world and current events, as my homestay father is a retired news journalist who wrote the scripts for TV news reporters for many years. He's literally a history book.. and Apu and Ashu (siblings) are little spawns of his vast knowledge. I've learned so much from all of them already. Last night I got a brief overview of the history of India, the foundation and development of Hinduism, the progressive rise in gas prices here in India (this weekend in Trivandrum has pretty much been shut down for the protests that have gotten fairly violent..we even got our whole day of classes and site visit cancelled on Monday to be sure that everything's calmed down!). I talked to Ashu a lot about marriages, and her traditions as an upperclass Hindu adult. Our dinner conversation was woven with health and nutrition topics ranging from obesity to fast food to the macronutrient content of common Indian cuisine- thanks to my Mom's public health knowlege! All of this talk happened over a dinner that included fish curry (a little strong due to the full sardines.. I'll have to get used to it- according to hostdad), a dish with lentils coconut and spinach, and a tomato onion and chilli pepper curry. YUMM
We got to sleep in this morning which was such a treat...6:30 wake up calls and 12-hour days this entire week drained me. This weekend will be fun and relaxing though, last night we met Ama's brother who brought along his black lab, and a box of beagle puppies (which was such a tease since we couldn't pet them as they hadn't gotten shots yet).
Here's a video of some traditional Kerala food! the Puttu is the coconut/rice cylindar-shaped patties that are steamed in a metal or bambu mold and slid out to be accompanied by mild curries usually for breakfast. The array of colorful cubes of gelatin are a traditional street food of Kerala, the most popular having fruit and cashews. Check it out!
Sounds like that family is ideal! Have you heard from anyone else on the trip and how their experience is going? Make sure to start another journal to keep all the recipes you are making for us over Xmas break! Miss you!
ReplyDeleteBeth, this all just keeps getting better & better. I'm starting to wonder if it's for real or all made up like the "too cool to be true" 1969 NASA moon landing that some thought to be a charade shot on a Hollywood sound stage! Are you really in India, or just holed up in the Philadelphia Airport imagining & blogging about all these wonderful experiences?
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