Fast agenda

[bethlakshmi]

So much has happened recently that I can't chat about it, I can only type fast, and keep the memories stored in my brain for journaling later.

This is a summary of the past few days:


Friday, Jan 8

• Did first class in Kannada - the first class begins with a ritual (pooja) that is the commitment between teacher and student.  Dr. Srivalli (Aparna's mom, aka Amma) walked me through it.  We studied for 1.5 hours solid and my mind was swimming
• Went to money changers to cash some Traveler's Checks into Rupees.  It was quite a fiasco as I had not brought my passport.  Eventually they came to the apartment to do the transaction, because we were so tight on time.
• I learned how to make photocopies (of passport) in India.  1 rupee per page - the day's exchange rate was 45.25 rupees per dollar, so 2-3 cents per copy.  Sweet! I should have all my copying done in India. :P
• Began trip to Chennai

Saturday, Jan 9

• Arrived at 3:45 in Chennai, slept late.  Finally sleeping like normal.
• Went jewelry shopping for dance jewelry.  It just blew me away.  Must write a lot about how special that was.
• Lunch in cafe on jewelry row.
• Had 2nd Kannada lesson - I'm not doing half bad.  Learned first few words - in English I learned "chew, dig" (same word), "hand", "crow" (like the bird), "number", and "post" (as in post office).
• Played Indian version of Taboo with the family.

Sunday, Jan 10

• Was up early, sewed, studied Kannada, and chatted with people as they got up.
• Bad news in the morning - the show Aparna was working on in Germany had an emergency with the dancers getting hurt.  She and Anil may have to leave (during my trip) to go to Germany and fix things.  I can see Aparna is juggling my trip, her families (hers and husband), and the crazy German people.  I'm pleased that she is trying hard to make my trip the best it can be and spend any time she has available with me.
• Went shopping at Spencer's Plaza, a huge mall, buying Kashmiri wool products.  That store is far too tempting!
• Lunch at food court in mall, had funky Indian ice cream.
• Accelerated plans for Trivandrum trip - will be going on Friday, returning to Bangalore Monday so that if Anil and Aparna go to Germany, I won't have missed it.
• Long drive back to Bangalore, finished trip not feeling well.

Monday, Jan 11

• Was up latish, had breakfast with Aparna and Amma.  Feeling much better.
• Went to blog, but no Internet.
• Went to spa instead, and got eyebrow threading (like waxing, but better), manicure and pedicure with fancy chocolate treatment.  Feet smelled like chocolate the rest of the day!  Whole thing = 530 rupees + 50 for tip (~12 dollars US).  Equivalent in US spa = $15 for threading, $50 for fancy pedicure, $20 for manicure = $85!  plus tip.  In US, the tip would be more like 15 than 10 - so $100.  Note to self - must hit spa again...
• Did dance class - not doing so well with that, out of practice.
• Visited Aparna's friend's house.
• Got plane tickets - hand delivered by plane ticket courier.