is rather amusing.
We practice. It means "ok."
it also is the common way to say, I am not certain, so "ok" that is where the classroom is, that is what the protest is about, that is what time we will get there, etc.
People in India move in circles - roads are constant traffic circles, the people talk in circles, the campus is set up as a big circle. So, in traditional Indian circle-ness, people refuse to make a decision and give you a straight answer.
"Is this class, Intro to Indian History and Society I in classroom 116?"
(look at the paper.. show it to a friend... head nod.)
"uh.... ok. thanks."
we don't know what it means at all.
but we practice.
Tyler had a man date - this apparently is pretty common here. Men and women walk around holding hands, a friendship gesture. Granted, he was stood up the first night, but he went last night. We practiced the head nod all night so he would be able to communicate. From what I heard, all went well, and the conversation went along smoothly.
We've made a small video. I'll post it (along with others) when our proxies go down and our internet lets us.
So, classes began again today (Wednesday)
and since we are just taking whatever classes we want for a week, I went to a history class.
The only problem is that she started with "what is history?" and reinforced what I had heard about Indian classes - they are easyyyyy
This is supposedly a graduate school - and no offense to anybody, anything - but I feel that everything I am learning in the classrooms here, I have already learned before. and for the past 12 years.
I don't think I will take this first impression too lightly, though, because even though it still feels like vacay, I know it is not and I must get credit. Good credit, at that.
On that note, I have broken a few rules, I believe.
I tend to sit on the left side of a classroom - I can see better, and feel more comfortable. Here, men sit on the left side, women on the right side of the classroom. It wasn't until yesterday when I realized that everyone continues to look at me funny because I have been sitting among all the men in the classroom. I'm sure I gave off a positively "I'm an ignorant American" vibe.
However, I do not like the rule, and I am not hurting anyone or anything, so I will continue to sit where I like.
According to Sumana, there is no real reason for this any longer, in modern India, just old fashioned ideals.
I get a lot of stares no matter what I am doing - from both male and female. Women are too shy/feel like they can't relate, men feel like they shouldn't.
So, I just get stared at and haven't made any Indian friends.
I learned a prayer today, in Kuchipudi class - of course, I just repeated the motions and words, but I plan on researching it and making it my own. I need, for myself, to really understand the underside of Indian beliefs and culture and what makes it so interconnected in so many ways.
That is why I am in India.
Not sitting in straight history classes or taking human rights classes - I need to be involved, a person in the society, to really learn here.
I will get there. I will learn the things I want to learn here.
I've been on a tour, and we aren't allowed off of campus right now.
But I already know that I love India enough to come back many, many more times in my lifetime and what I don't learn now is certainly going to be a goal throughout my entire life. What I am learning and what I will learn will now and forever be part of who I am, how I perceive the world and my surroundings, and how I live my life.
