I started this blog for my family, but also for myself, to record my trip in India. When sitting down to blog though, I simply do not know how to put Delhi into words. Not just that, but I feel like I could write a book simply on the past two days. Instead of trying to record every moment in India, I would like to just describe brief moments in my day.
Laura and I returned from dinner tonight to settle into our hostel, and returned to a room filled with vibrant music reverberating off of the bare corners of our cozy room. We both fiddled with the window until we could look out upon an alleyway, filled by a massive red and yellow tent.
Of course, without hesitation I exclaimed, "Let's go!" and ran for my shoes and money belt; we eagerly headed out the door. We wandered through the alleyway and slowly approached the tent. Every corner of the giant colorful space was occupied by a person. At first we stood outside, gazing in through the sheer curtains, but a young man beckoned us in and we quickly found our way to two chairs next to the "dj booth", gazing upon a crowd of people.
The tent was divided by a walkway. On one side, the women sat. On the other side, the men. On the stage, three statues dressed in flowers towered above the crowd. A man stood in front of the crowd singing and dancing and speaking. The young boy who ushered us in tried to explain the event to us. Over the blaring music I had trouble understanding him but in my attempt, here is what I understood of the event:
Laura and I spent over an hour taking part in the festival; we clapped with them, and I attempted to sing. The brief glimpse into what the Indian culture has to offer swept my heart away.
If someone were to ask me if I believed in love at first sight - I would now respond yes. That is how I fell in love with India.
Laura and I returned from dinner tonight to settle into our hostel, and returned to a room filled with vibrant music reverberating off of the bare corners of our cozy room. We both fiddled with the window until we could look out upon an alleyway, filled by a massive red and yellow tent.
Of course, without hesitation I exclaimed, "Let's go!" and ran for my shoes and money belt; we eagerly headed out the door. We wandered through the alleyway and slowly approached the tent. Every corner of the giant colorful space was occupied by a person. At first we stood outside, gazing in through the sheer curtains, but a young man beckoned us in and we quickly found our way to two chairs next to the "dj booth", gazing upon a crowd of people.
The tent was divided by a walkway. On one side, the women sat. On the other side, the men. On the stage, three statues dressed in flowers towered above the crowd. A man stood in front of the crowd singing and dancing and speaking. The young boy who ushered us in tried to explain the event to us. Over the blaring music I had trouble understanding him but in my attempt, here is what I understood of the event:
The event was in sorts a spiritual festival. They sang for their lives - blessing and giving thanks for what they had, and for what was to come. The festival happened frequently and welcomed any and everyone. Sky krishna (the boy explaining this) described it to me by saying, "Do you know cards? How life is like cards? We bless the cards we have, and the cards that will come."
Laura and I spent over an hour taking part in the festival; we clapped with them, and I attempted to sing. The brief glimpse into what the Indian culture has to offer swept my heart away.
If someone were to ask me if I believed in love at first sight - I would now respond yes. That is how I fell in love with India.
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