India is almost over

India is coming to a close too soon! I am so bummed-out about leaving. My Indian family has just been so great, they have really opened up and welcomed Sarah and I. Not only that, but the Indian culture has really grown on me. There are a lot of things that are really uncool, but things are changing so much with the times and its happening so quickly that we have literally been able to see these changes between the generations the more we talk to people and experience things. Day and night here are completely different. Day- women are dressed very conservatively Night- high fashion comes out. Just one small example, but its so weird bc. while girls should never travel alone anywhere, a group of 3 or 4 girls cant take a rickshaw at night, its so unsafe. But, during the day a woman traveling alone is perfectly acceptable. Women are really making leaps about putting their foot forward and are really gaining independence in the patriarchal society, but now there is a new regulation that a married has to have written permission from her husband to apply for transit visa's. I am loving my independent research project (focusing on female entrepreneurs and the balance they face between traditional and contemporary ways of thinking). Its really cool interviewing and talking with these women about the struggles they have faced. So many have male business partners- otherwise banks wont give them loans. Bullshit.. but whatever. I love walking down the street from my house. Its such a statement to be alone. Its so obvious that I am western but the fact that I am confident and independent really comes out from my posture. Women here tend to slouch and have their heads bent down, rarely making eye contact. There is a girl traveling with us who is north Indian, so she speaks Hindi.. a local told her it was obvious that she isnt from here bc. while she is wearing Indian clothes, she walks to straight and looks right at ppl when they are talking. The caste system is illegal here now, but you can see it still. Something like that dont go away overnight.. The wealthy are for sure are further with their ways of thinking and those women dress modern and carry themselves with more confidence. But they will still go along w an arranged marriage.. its interesting to see how they still hold onto some traditions and not others.

INIDA!!

Wow, India is so much fun.

It took about a week to get adjusted; a lot of organized chaos! Traffic is scary- but not as scary at the Dominican was, actually its fairly similar. I have an amazing host family- a mom (Nalini) 2 brothers (Nihar, 28 & Nikil, 23) , and a sister(Nisca, 16). Nalini is such a socialite, everyone knows her everywhere we go. The 1st week we were here her picture was in the paper for being at a particular party. She has taken us all around Bangalore- Nihar was only in town for the 1st week we were here because he works for Bank of America in London. But Sarah (my roomate from IHP) and I have been totally taken in by the family and we pretty much go anywhere with them. Nikil's gf is actually designing dresses for us before we leave, everyone is soooo sweet!

School has been fine, very boring at times, mostly when we have a prof. that we cant understand or hear, I dont know why but they speak verrrry softly here. It also sucks bc. ppl are very expressionless. On streets when we are like waiting for a bus, you know, you make eye contact w some1 and smile right? Nope. Ppl just stare at you and give mean looks. Even kids!!! I was having a top tailored and I was waiting near this school that just let out, all these kids I like smiled at and they glared at me!! .. I mean I dont think I had anything weird on my face! I was talking to Latesha about this, and it acutally is something she has noticed too. It really makes ppl very unapproachable. But once you actually start talking to them, like they are very open and nice, for the most part. Some of the women have been really rude twd me.. whateverrr.

Today I have a lot to get done for our case study projects, hopefully I can get a few other assignements done as well. Sunday Sarah and I are trying to go to Mysore!!!! It would be a 2hr bus ride there and back, but I am going to the travel agency today to see what I can get!!!