Lists, Numbers, and the Alphabet

I love lists. Here's a list--which I love--about things which I love about India. Got it? Ok, go!

10 Things I Love About India:

1. Being called "sister" or "akka" by just about everybody. Except the students at New Hope English Medium School, who call me "teacher" or "madam," which is odd but also nice. Within this community, I am constantly hearing people address each other in Telugu as sister, brother, auntie, uncle, boy, girl, or sir. Every conversation seems to come with its personal address, and I like that. It feels homey, a reminder that we are all connected.

2. The tradition of eating a meal together at any event or gathering. It's so family-style and bonding. Going to someone's house without eating with them would be a great insult. Luckily, there's no need for anyone to get insulted because of number 3...

3. The spicy, complex, aromatic, rich curries. And chapatti. And lemon rice. And coconut rice. And the exotic fresh fruits. Basically all Indian food is incredible.

4. Chai. Ginger, cardamom, tea, and water buffalo milk. Enough said.

5. The striking contrast in colors. The countryside is lush and electric green, while the villages have a layer of grey dust over everything, creating a dirty slate tone for a backdrop to daily life. I love the way the women's clothing pops out against these solid backgrounds, brilliant spots of pattern and color, no two outfits alike, always gorgeous and bright.

6. How everyone claps and plays percussion instruments in church, even if they're terrible at it. Joyful noise.

7. The way little children play outside with sticks and rocks and dirt. Because they don't have video games or even toys, they come up with some impressively inventive and fun games.

8. The collective sense of humor. Not a day goes by when I'm not caught up in a series of roughly-translated Telugu jokes or observing a circle of people laughing at/with each other. Often they're so funny I can understand what's being said (through body language and the few Telugu phrases I can pick out), and I giggle along in spite of the language barrier. I'm glad they love to laugh.

9. Beauty. So many people in this place are shockingly beautiful. I'm talking stop-in-the-village-streets-to-stare-for-a-minute beautiful. I catch myself staring more often than I should. Old people, young people, children. Their faces captivate and haunt me. Sad eyes and brilliant smiles. Delicate features and graceful figures. Most of all, I love their smiles, and I love coaxing those smiles out of the ones who seem solemn.

10. Rooftop quiet time. There is nothing like sitting on the rooftop of the house with a cup of tea, my Bible, and a journal to pray and watch the village go by. Early in the morning, the mist rises over the cotton fields and the sounds of the children sweeping drift up rhythmically like a percussive song. In the evening, the sun sets oh-so-slowly beyond the village, over the distant cement factory, turning palm trees into silhouettes against the magenta and blood orange sky.

I could go on forever, but I know you all have lives to live and other things to read on the good old interwebs. Later perhaps I'll tell you about some of the funny things the kids do and say to get us laughing on a regular basis.

Plus now I've got to go study for the "exam" my students are giving me on my Telugu numbers and letters. I am almost able to count to 100 now, but my letters are atrocious. There are 52 Telugu characters that all resemble ancient, beautiful, impossibly complex hieroglyphics.    

Unfortunately, my little "teachers" may beat me with a stick if I fail my "exam," so pray for me to get at least a B-minus to save myself some bruises and pain. ;)

Waamooo!