Getting cultured in India, Pop Cultured

Documentation, reviews, and write-ups are what this week consisted of so instead of writing about cool adventures I had, this week can be cultural happenings and daily living!

Every morning I walk out my front gate I never know what the day has in store for me. Next door is a hostel, a boarding school, with about 20 boys who live there age 7-18. They know when I leave for work and they know when I get home so I am greeted with “Hello, Madam!” “How are you?!” as they giggle and give me the cheesiest grins. Only a few of them speak English well enough to actually chat and I’ve already used up my Hindi database. It’s kind of a nice routine seeing familiar faces along the way as I walk to work, each at their perspective road side stands. I pass the same group of boys along the way who’s at first, harsh, skeptic stares have turned into friendly, laughing smiles.

Work opens up with a prayer every morning. The prayer is in song form with a leader and everyone echoes after. I kind of stumble my way through the copying, having absolutely no idea what I’m saying. Then we head outside for the national anthem because it’s a law that it’s not allowed to be sung under a roof.  Everyone stands with straight arms at their side and clenched fists while singing. I always picture myself in the Rose Garden singing the national anthem at this point and I get slightly excited and want to start cheering when it’s over, that might be awkward.....

You might think so much singing is weird and unusual, not over here! Im elementrary school we were all too embarrassed to even say the Pledge of Allegiance, maybe that was just me ;) Here, there is constantly song and dance. Everyone can sing (and does) and everyone dances, in the streets, in the office, during parades or when they’re bored. This is all apart of the culture and industry. Most all the Bollywood films have break out song scenes. We call these musicals, they call them everyday films. I quote a friend who says, “If I know a film doesn’t have singing and dancing in it, I won’t go see it.” This is true for both guys and girls! It’s MY dream! I have my films, favourite actors, dancers and singers now. You should probably check them out, right now! Salman Khan, a 52 year old body builder build, who sings and dances.. say what!? YOU BET! Favorite film Aashiqui 2 (a beautiful love story) and music from Gunday and Yo Yo Honey Singh.

Salman Khan. Most famous actor in India and I can tell why!

WATCH THIS^ My favorite song from Gunday! You better be dancing right now!

When I’m not traveling on the weekends I do yoga, read in the sun, do laundry (by hand, with a bucket, in my bathroom, and dry it by the sun), search new vacation spots, dance and eat great food! Food is a huge part of the culture in that at lunch, everyone has the naan and shares around their curries. Multiple times during the week we also go into the market to eat sweets and treats. One evening I probably tried 10 different kinds.  They are all so delicious!

Fresh pineapples all aorund

Pulled over on the side of the highway for this. A field of mouth freshnners!

I’m going onto week six of being here in Rajasthan and I still don’t believe I’m here most of the time. I sit on my rooftop terrace either in the blazing hot sun or warm, evening air, watching the sunset over the desert mountains, watching the dogs play in the streets, cows wandering by, aqua and lime green parrots fly by or families of monkeys swinging in the trees and have to remind myself this is all real. I’m still amazed when I see American zoo animals sauntering around. My favorite quote so far form a friend, “Free country. Free animals!” How true that is. Until next time. ~Anna

"There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars." -Jack Kerouac