Monday, March 3, 2014

One Last Post, post-India

Our India group has been back in the U.S. now for a month, and it's doubtful that any of you who were reading this blog in its early days--when it was full of thoughts and photos from India, seen through my still-fresh eyes--are still following it.  So I think it's time for a final note, and a few more photos.

Our group has gathered a few times since our return.  We'll be sharing some of our thoughts at the daily chapel service on campus on Monday, April 7, should anyone wish to join us for live streaming (or an archived version) on the college website.  But a number of us got together at Prof. Meetu's house last Friday to learn how to put on the saris some had brought back, and to enjoy her vegetarian Indian cooking (she's here for a semester, teaching a course on the Psychology of India).  See photo below!


But I've been receiving a few photos of myself in India, taken by others, which I didn't have earlier.  One is of me at the mosque in Old Delhi (the historic Delhi), which our group explored one day.  I've developed a fondness for mosques wherever I find them, and enjoyed the more Asian/Central Asian architecture you see in the photo below (very different than classic Ottoman mosques in the Middle East).  Note the large, flat, square front of the mosque, said to be the largest in Asia.  Note also the deep blue of my Indian shirt--the kind of strong colors we often saw people wearing, and which I now miss here in the lingering winter of Minnesota.


I should also add a nice photo of Dana, who had organized our course and was holding all our activities together, with some assistance from me.  Here we are, perhaps resting a bit!


And I'll conclude with two more photos of our group.  One is at a famous old Mughal (Muslim) tomb in Delhi, said to be the fore-runner of the Taj Majal, which seems quite plausible when approaching it.


And here's a last photo, our farewell (and fancy) supper at the Barbecue Nation restaurant in Delhi, before our midnight bus ride to the airport to await our very early flight towards home.  I conclude this blog with delight at what I experienced in India, but also with some sadness, as this is likely the last time I will be traveling and living and learning with students in this way.  Thanks to all who've made the journey with me (and usually with Barbara as well).