Saturday July 21

Politics.  We aren't focused on that study, but the political parties and practices in India are complex and fascinating.  If you are studying religion in a nation where the majority are illiterate, you are studying politics and of course psychology and sociology too, along with much more.  Last night the professor was pointing a lot of realities out to me as asides.  I jump at the chance though to "get real" while still being polite. I learned a lot of important things from him.  He was tisk, tisk, tisking during the leader of the Guadawara's talk saying "He makes it seem all sweetness and light.  He's the only one here who is literate, he is telling all his followers how to vote".  That makes sense.  The religious centers are powerful institutions.  They are also vital, and you can see why urbanization and migration to the cities is overwhelming. The religious entities provide much needed physical, economic, social and emotional support.  The cities are the chance for economic and educational opportunities.  Health care is relatively available though not always accessed. NGO's are accessible for a variety of support.  

Cooking lesson, fun!

Golconda Fort was a blast!  It was the one free day of the month which we did not know.  It was also a Hindu holiday.  The full meal including the demise and preparation of the chicken was occurring on the spot.  Makes family hot dog roasts look a bit tame.  We felt like movie stars as everyone wanted their photo with us or wanted us to take their photo to show them.  Sunday is the family day out and it was fun to share this day.  

Golconda was a fort established in the 13th century and raised to glory in the 16th and 17th century.  worth a look up www.aptourism.in Some kids saw me and said they'd seen me at Mount Mercy School.  We had a good visit. 

We leave bright and early tomorrow for Madurai, by plane of course.  We don't know how the main highway is.  We do know that traveling the local streets mean lots of jostles and bumps.  We have had a few bounces so hard we've hit our heads on the shelf above our bus seats.  I talked to a guy this week who drives here and he was talking about his auto insurance and accidents. I asked him if he had an accident once a year.  He laughed and said at least one a month that is his fault or the other guys fault.  Women do drive here, but not in large numbers.  Makes my backing into Mary's car in our driveway last fall seem like nothing.  Okay, I will probably never get over it.

Best idea of the day came from group members who suggested we make a video game about walking through India.  Lizards, monkeys and bats could come whizzing at you, along with auto-rickshaws, taxis and buses.  May be a hit.

Had a nice dinner with our guide Sanjeeve and three women in our group.  Sanjeeve talked about his future arranged marriage, average salaries and way of life in India and many other things.  We appreciated his company and his candor.  We took two auto-rickshaws to the restaurant but decided to walk back.  Short walk, uneven pavement and many downed power lines or cables in our direct line. Probably wont take a walk or cross the street again without gratitude.  It keeps you on your toes though as opposed to relatively complacent in the same activities at home.

Until Madurai.