Naturalistic Observations

Thievery Corporation - Until the Morning (Thievery Corporation Remix)

So I haven't written in some time, and perhaps that means my mind has made it back to equilibrium in my new home. Writing helps me figure out how I'm feeling, and every day is a tidal incoming and outgoing of emotional waves. That said, things are really starting to look brighter and I'm watching time slip through my fingers like sand. I want to go home and see people, but I know that it's going to be the same old same old routine: school, work, getting intoxicated on weekends, repeat. As the days pass, I come to feel that I'm going to miss the unpredictability of this place so much. So, so much. Honestly, I think re-assimilation back into American culture is going to be more emotionally taxing than it was acculturating to Indian lifestyle.

I've made a new friend from England who is also teaching here, it's her third week. She's experiencing similar frustrations with teaching as I was when I first got here. I hadn't noticed how comfortable I've become with the locals until we went shopping last night. I was haggling with our autos, bargaining for our clothes, and joking with the shopkeepers in Tamil! If you say one word in their language, most of them will be so pleased that they'll discount your items. Working at the school with the students every day and interacting with the girls at the orphanage has really taught me how to communicate through the language barrier. I know the key phrases in English that they know, and there's this new connection I didn't have with the local people before. I don't know when it happened, but I'm just so much more comfortable now. There's nothing more helpful than that little bit of communication. They are so honored when you know some of their language, it means you respect them enough to immerse yourself in it. My friend, Hannah, and I are planning an excursion around Tamilnadu Pradesh  next weekend. 3-Hour bus to Pondicherry, stay the night and half of Saturday. 3-Hour bus to Thanjavur, spend half the day, 3-Hour bus to Madurai and spend Saturday night and all of Sunday there. Overnight train back to Chennai Sunday night. Each bus ride costs around $2, and the train might cost $12 for sleeper cabin. We'll be staying at an ashram in Pondy and a friend's place in Madurai. Let me tell you, if there's ever a country that you want to see for cheap, India's the place to go. It really helps to know people though.

So Kerry and I had a nice discussion about things that matter most to Indians. Through debate and careful consideration, we decided that these factors matter most when you are interacting with someone, making a friend, choosing a mate, etc. They're all interconnected in some way, like I've been discussing with some people in my online discussion course for the internship the topic of desirable skin color. In India, lighter skin is more beautiful. We aren't sure if it reflects financial status, lighter-skinned Indians may be related to more royal ancestors. Others suggest it's a globalization factor, that they want to look "more white." Either way, it is what it is.

1. Religion
2. Caste
3. Money
4. Beauty/Skin Color
5. Marriage

So, for example, an Indian person would rather marry an ugly light-skinned person than a beautiful dark-skinned person. But, if the dark-skinned person had a lot of money, then they would pick the dark-skinned person. However, if the light-skinned person who had less money but is of a higher caste over the dark-skinned, they'd pick higher caste over more money. IF AND ONLY IF they were of the right religion. 

At least, this is solely based on naturalistic observation and widespread generalization. The influence of globalization in this country is fascinating. Times are a-changing and people, at least in the metropolitan areas, are letting go of their traditional values although many still hold. I did a reading on globalization for my online course, and my views of it have dramatically changed. The author defined globalization as, "a set of social processes that appear to transform our present social condition of weakening nationality into one globality." If we're using this definition, globalization could be a great thing! If people stopped viewing themselves according to different nationalities, and as one human race, wouldn't that bring a huge step closer to coexistence? Many cultures, such as India at the moment, can globalize on a superficial level but maintain deeper cultural values and traditions. There's so many pros and cons, but I think the human race is going to have to work together for peace. Will we lose all of our diversity when the world globalizes? Is peace worth losing our tribal cultures? Does one globality require losing tribal cultures? Just some interesting thoughts.

Alright enough of this batchit (talk). Paka, chalo! (It's cooked. Time to go!)