Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Today was Indian business lesson day for me. First I tried to buy postage stamps to send postcards home. I followed someone up to the second floor through the round door and stood in line for awhile. When I finally reached the front, and said “stamps”, the woman pursed her lips disapprovingly and waved me away in Tamil. Finally someone directed me downstairs to an open doorway. Inside were 15 people sorting mail. Eventually one of them looked up and pointed next door to the postage window hidden behind the stairs. The lady took out a sheet of exactly the right stamps, but her supervisor refused to let her sell them to me without “the article”. Since I didn’t bring along a postcard, I left empty-handed.
Next I tried the ATM. Another long line and another tussle, this time with a machine. At least I finally got some money.
Everyone had a productive day at work. All the kids are eager to learn. Deanne taught three children to write their names. Karen got a gift from her students and a compliment from the staff. At SEAMs the children greeted us with their usual enthusiasm, and visible progress had been made on the construction. Yay, Kathy & Jim. Phyllis and I discovered that timing the SEAMs kids’ lessons increases their competitive edge.
After a brief stop at home to change and a stop at St. Joseph to pick up the sisters, we headed off to the highlight of the day: dinner with Steven’s parents and a chance to meet his wife Sheba, their new baby son and also his brother Steven’s wife and baby Robinson. Sheba is lovely. The baby slept contentedly in her arms as we stood around admiring him and taking photos with no flash. Sister Bala offered a prayer and a blessing for his well being. Then we left for Steven’s parents’ house. They are as warm and welcoming as he is. Cousin Robinson, 3 months old, is very cute. The dinner was amazing – wonderful south Indian cuisine, all lovingly home made and spiced for Western palates. Delicious biryani, fish, vegetable dishes including a great cabbage and coconut one, yogurt, breads, mango, and a fabulous rice pudding for dessert. Pleasantly full and very grateful for the delightful hospitality, we headed home through the warm night.
Ricca.
Quote of the day: What is there more kindly than the feeling between host and guest? Aeschylus.
The bonus quote is an Indian proverb: The first day a guest, the second day a guest, the third day a calamity.
No comments:
Post a Comment