Bollywood/Bhangra 101...

     So I've realized lately that I've been doing a TERRIBLE job of keeping y'all up to date on activities and routines that compose my life here in Pune. WELL FEAR NOT! I have realized this week that I can successfully balance course work for 5 classes (which this week meant writing 4 papers, making a presentation, and keeping up on readings!) as well as make time for activities (like Bollywood/Bhangra dance class and violin!!!), which means there really should be no reason at all for me to slack on my blogs. Let's begin the catch-up process....now! Readyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy? GO! In a series of posts which I will try to keep short, but sweet for certain, I will do my best to clue you in to at least one aspect of my Pune life.

     The topic today: Bhangra/Bollywood Dance Class. Yes, that's right. For some craaaaazy reason I have decided to really step out of my element here and take on the challenge of dancing...with two left feet. Have I mentioned how clumsy I am lately? Probably much too clumsy to have the coordination required for dancing (and certainly too clumsy to walk on sidewalks as my newly smashed toe would probably tell you), but I am still attempting to give it a shot and absolutely love it so far! Although I have already managed to earn myself a nick-name in just 2 one-hour long classes..."Housewife". The reasoning? I apparently looked as if I were daintily hanging up freshly-pressed laundry for one of the dance steps..."who knew I could make it look so good??!" was obviously my first thought. Anyway, if you're curious to know what I'll be learning, the clip below shows what typical Bhangra dance looks like. We have only begun the Bollywood part of our dance, but it is already looking pretty sweet. The song we are doing our dance to, from a Bollywood hit-Om Shanti Om, is sooooooooo fun! (you can catch it below the Bhangra clip...enjoy!!)

Bhangra!

Dhoom Taana-from Om Shanti Om

Dream.love.Discover,
Dachelle

I Don't Mean to Sound Corny, but....

I can no longer hide my love of street corn! Since my first encounter with it this past weekend on an adventure to the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, I have NOT been able to stop thinking about its deliciousness....If you have never had corn made on the side of the street, I highly recommend it!!! The hot, fresh from the embers, dipped in lime juice, covered in seasonings experience is one that should not be missed!***

(It was love at first bite)

***Recommendation: To avoid any of the mishaps that may come from street-food, don't be afraid to ask the corn-carter to peel you a fresh ear and stick it on the grill for you....it makes for a much more enjoyable corn eating experience!

Ganapati and the Process of Getting Better...

     With the passing of Sunday, we have finally said good-bye to the beloved Ganapati...AFTER A 10 DAY LONG CELEBRATION IN HIS HONOR!! Ganapati, Ganesh, Ganesha, is one of the most beloved Gods of Pune. The son of Shiva and Parvarti, Ganesh is worshiped as the God of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune (he is what I'd like to call "the people's God" as his devotees go to him for everything ranging from good wishes on a quick property sell to hoping a loved one gets well soon). His favorite color, by the way, is red. :)  For over 10 days (actually since our arrival in the city), the streets of Pune have been lined with stages, all which were waiting for September 1st when Ganesh Chaturthi would begin. During this time families gather, people celebrate in the streets (with skits, music, lights, and videos on stages), and the city is an extremely lively and interesting place (more-so than usual if you can believe it!). Celebrators of the festival often keep a Ganapati in their home (or the home of a family member) for a certain number of days, making offerings, saying poojas (prayers), eating tons of sweets, and gathering together to give thanks. The number of days you keep the Ganesh idol in your home all depends on tradition (once you begin celebrating Ganapati you must always keep him in your home for the same number of days. Some keep him for 1.5, 5, or all 10 days). Although I was too sick this past weekend to enjoy the final festivities, I still caught a glimpse of what was going on thanks to the non-stop news coverage of the Ganapati Immersion, which causes roads to close and celebrations to take place all through the night finally concluding the next morning! Here are some pics of my Ganapati experience:

(Ganapatis in homes. Each family designs their own set up for their Ganapati. The first photo, a Ganapati made from real gold and silver, belonged to a friend of my host mom (their set up was beautiful). The second, is from the first day of our Ganesh celebration where we saw our first pooja (prayer) and ate declicious curry and a special sweet called Modak (similar to a dumpling made with rice flower, steamed, and filled with sweet coconut and cinnamon in the middle...YUM!). The third photo earns the place as my favorite of the Ganapati set ups as this elaborate family-made setting even contained a running waterfall (taken on the special day of celebration when his two married sisters come to pay him a visit)

(A special pooja performed by 6 holy men. They sang a long chant (in an almost conversation-like way going back and forth between sides), asking Ganapati for many things, including peace. After the pooja we got the special treat of listening to prayer-songs for Ganapati performed by my host mom's friend, her two sisters, mother, and several relatives that together form a family band. Their singing and instrument-playing (including tabla!) was so cheerful and certainly a wonderful experience.)

(Just a casual Sunday night outing to see the Ganapatis around the city...ON MOTORCYCLES!!! Thanks for the rides Sam and Abishek!)

(After joking around about wanting to go up on the stage to dance to the really loud Indian techno playing, we were asked if we would do the honors of going up on stage to give thanks to Ganapati....in return I received..... (see photo below for answer!!)...Oh the perks of clearly being Westerners!)

(A COCONUT!!!!!!!! Which Didi (host mom) is going to use to teach me to make my favorite sweet-Karanji, a fried pastry stuffed with coconut!)

(Amy and I out on the town!)

(Celebrations in the streets! I can't recall a night during the festival that I couldn't hear the drummers)

(Scoping out the Ganapati scene)

( We were totally out past curfew....but that's ok! We had permission from Baba and Didi that we could stay out with their nephew and his friend a little late that night!!!)

On Sunday we bid farewell to Ganapati until next year. While my friends were out enjoying the celebration in the streets of Pune, I was unfortunately sick and spent the day "making the gargles" and seeing the celebration on TV, which still made for a great day!

(Home remedies for swollen tonsils: 1 part warm water, 1 spoonful of salt, and a dash of turmeric...for flavor, and to take the edge off of the extremely salty water. Definitely an improvement on my mom's turmeric-less recipe...sorry mom!!)

(News coverage of the Immersion, the final day/night/next morning of the celebration!)

Thankfully I am feeling better just in time for a weekend trip to the Ajanta and Ellora caves!!! Can't wait to post on my Buddhist Art Temple adventures!!

dream.love.discover,

Dachelle <3

Namaskar!

     Majha naav Dachelle aahee! 

     This semester I will be studying in Pune, India with The Alliance for Global Education. My semester will consist of learning about Contemporary India through a class with the same name as well as courses in Environmental Perspectives, Democracy in Modern India, Social Justice, Nation Gender and Caste Through Film as well as an participating in an Internship/Directed Research Project/or making a Documentary Film.
     I chose to come to India as a Political Science major from Saint Michael's College in order to pursue my interest in developing countries/ sustainable development. I also thought this would be an exciting time to study in a country with such a rich traditional history, as there are many celebrations and festivals that occur during the fall semester, and am especially curious to see how India is holding on to its traditional values as it seeks to Westernize and develop to better acclimate to our emerging, globalizing world.

     I am currently embarking on my third week in India and second full week in Pune. After arriving in Mumbai, it seems that these past few weeks have been a whirlwind, but I will do my best to catch up on what has been going on since my arrival on Monday, August 22, 2011.

After a mini road trip to New Jersey (led by 2 adults, 2 GPS's, a map, AND typed directions) I left the United States from Newark airport for a 14-hour flight to Mumbai.

     After an overnight in the city, we embarked on a two hour drive to Durshet, equidistant to Mumbai and Pune, where we would spend the next 3 days at Nature Trails (an outdoor adventure sports site) for our India orientation! Driving in India is a very interesting experience, sometimes described as "Democracy in Action", drivers have no shame in honking their horns, squeezing up tight beside you, and facing two-wheeler drivers weaving in and out of the non-existent lanes.

(Just your average, everyday, 9 car lane in Mumbai)

(One of the most surprising things I have found about India so far is the contradictory beauty that seems to be everywhere. In a country that still faces so much poverty-as you can see the slum in the background of this photo- India still holds onto a life and beauty that has amazed me-like all of the greenery and gorgeous, picturesque mountain scenery we passed on our way to Durshet)

(Our arrival at Nature Trails-Durshet- a wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai and Pune) (India day 2)

(Girls' Orientation Bungalow. Namaskar Room 5!!!)

(We were extremely lucky to have hot showers, Western toilets-which are actually a much bigger luxury in India than you would think!, and early morning Chai-one of my absolutely favorite things!)

Durshet, like most of my time in India thus far, was not without its adventures. We spent our three days learning the ins-and outs- of Indian culture as well as exploring the area, taking in great views while seeing roaming cows, tribal villages, and a temple nearby.

(Holy Cow!!)

(After a short walk on the Nature Trails site, we found this beautiful scene. Shortly after, I left my shoes behind, and decided to walk barefoot through all of the mud.)

(Orientation Day 2. India Day 3. Hiking to see a tribal village!)

After completing our hike up the mountain, we arrived at the Tribal Village!

(The women of the villages were hard at work gathering water and doing laundry)

(After taking our bus through the narrowest of village streets and a short walk, we visited our first temple for the God Ganesh [see also: Ganesha, Ganapati]. We were asked to remove our shoes and enter, then learned the story behind this temple's founding from its keeper.)

     After 3 days in Durshet, we were finally acclimated to Indian time (although it seems like you can use jet-lag as an excuse for exhaustion around here for a while!) and ready to get to Pune. We arrived on Friday, August 26th at the Alliance Center Bungalow on the Fergusson College campus in the afternoon, met our Indian buddies, had lunch, and were given a mini-tour of the city (mostly FC Road, which we will become well-acquainted with as the semester progresses). Friday evening, we met our host families, got settled in, shopped on Saturday (and Sunday in my case!!), and geared up for the first week of classes. Since our arrival, we have spent a lot of time jumping into the culture & food of Maharashtra and absorbing the many places to see in the city. 

What else have I been doing? Check out the photos below!

(Arrival at the Alliance Bungalow!)

(Exploring the city: On the streets of Pune)

(A trip to a temple for Ganapati. We have been in celebration for the Ganapati festival since September 1. The festivities end this Sunday. Look for a post on Ganapati Chaturthi either this week or next!!)

(Exploring the Pataleshwar Cave Temple in Pune)

(Checking out the street markets)

(Eating DELICIOUS food! My favorite lunch so far? Stuffed Parathas from FC Road!)

(Getting "cultured" at an introduction to Expressive Culture. As part of our program of study we can also chose to take classes in an area of expressive culture. In the photo above, we are listening to a Tabla player, but can take painting, pottery, voice, violin, tabla, yoga, or various forms of dance. As a group, we will be taking Bhangra, a traditional folk-style of dance in India!!!)

Well, that's [thankfully] all for now. Look for more posts coming soon!
dream.love.discover,

Dachelle