Clothing is different where I'm living these days. The culture is more modest, so men usually wear pants and a collared shirt. They get to wear what we like to call "western dress". Or if you're hard at work, you can sport the stylish and usually colorful 'lungi', which is basically a man skirt.
For us women, the transition is more of a stretch. Most married women here wear the beautiful sarees, but I've been told that white women really can't pull that off. For all the single ladies, we just generally have to wear pants and a longer shirt called a kurta. I have a had fun times trying to shop and find things I will actually like. All the kurtas generally have some element of bling. Sequins, rhinestone --anything goes if it adds a little 'pop' to the outfit. Many times I have liked a shirt except for a few key elements. Like the other day, I saw a cute shirt, but as I pulled it out to look at it, these orange aluminum foil-looking sun's are stuck on the front. Nice. It's like, designers make a cute shirt and then just go crazy with all these extras. Needless to say, my wardrobe is pretty small right now.
But I feel like I had a mini-success the other day. I found a shirt I liked except for these rows of red sequins. I thought, "I'll buy it, and cut them off!" And that is just what I did. It took me a good while, but now I have a shirt I like! Anyway, I took a few pictures-- just thought I'd share a little bit from my life in South Asia. It's the little things that count. :)
Here is the first pic. At the neck, there were 3 rows of sequins.
If you look closely, you can see where the stitching is left. :)
I've been able to walk around a little bit and take pictures of where I live. I hope to do this some more, but I figure I'll just post what I have for now. I got a new camera before coming, and I'm still learning the in's and out's-- hoping to get a skype lesson from that pro sister of mine.
oh, the cows...
this group of boys asked to have their picture taken
hard at work selling flowers.
cute little door
where i live! kinda sounds like Baton Rouge!
I'll update soon. I promise-- I want to go and shoot some pictures of my new place to put on here. Life is going well! For now, think on this. I'll post a paragraph that I'm stealing from another blog that I like.
"If God has something specific for you, you’ll know, I promise. But if He is setting a box of crayons down in front of you (a box of crayons called life) then by all means draw. He’s taught you right from wrong, good from bad, beautiful from profane, so draw. He will be with you, proud of you, cheering you on, so draw. He loves you, so draw in the inspiration of the knowledge of His love. Draw a purple horse, a red ocean, a nine-legged dog, it doesn’t matter. Lets stop being so afraid. Lets live, and show the world what it really means to be grateful we don’t live in a dysfunctional family." -- Donald Miller
To read the full blog, here is the link:
http://donmilleris.com/2010/04/29/does-god-have-a-specific-plan-for-your-life-probably-not/
After having been in South Asia for about 5 days now, energy is escaping me and my brain has been overloaded with the newness of everything around me. After some time to recuperate, I'll post about my adventure of getting here. For now, I'll post some pictures that somewhat capture what I have experienced these past few days.
Cows in the street!
India Gate-- a war memorial to those who fought in WW II.
A little friend that walked with us through Lodhi Gardens... below.
tree in Lodhi Gardens
Lodhi Gardens
Don't think this quite captures the business and noise of this street.
Narrow alleyways-- notice the power lines!
