India

I don’t know how to say this over the Internet in a gentlemanly manner or even in a way to keep myself from blushing. I just have to say it flat out, I just saw the most beautiful women in the world! I am always going on and on to my fellow volunteers  about how beautiful I think all the people of India are. So, when I walked in late to the dance concert that came to our complex everyone turned their heads and smiled. As I sat down the girls were saying stuff like, “Jake you’re gonna want your camera for this,” and “We might have found your future wife.” I laughed and giggled with them, but secretly I was actually nervous to see these girls. After the introduction of the band, the dancers guru welcomed out the first dancer. I was so amazed by her instantly. Loads of jewelry and bells that jiggled when she walked; her hair tied and covered in flowers; the clothes that shined like gold and rippled like a stream flowing over rocks. It was all just simply mesmerizing. My face would have been a big laugh for everyone around me, but luckily they were equally entranced.

The dancing was so impressive. Not only were the movements so perfectly timed, but the dance involved the whole body. The dances told stories and half of the effect was in their facial expressions. When the girl in the story was chased or something the dancers eyes got filled with fear and widened. The heavy eye make-up in contrast with the white of their eyes really emphasized this mood. Not only were the faces an important part, but the hand forms were as well. After the dances the girls showed us some of the hand forms, which was very much like sign language. Each different hand shape represented a different animal or object. The music really helped set the mood as well. The band was a guy on percussion and another guy who played a piano like instrument while singing. It was one of my favorite things I’ve done yet!

Before this amazing dance though I was lucky enough to see something that was very important to me as well as the whole country of India. Right after lunch I hopped in a rickshaw and drove to one of my heroes houses. Mahatma Gandhi’s museum was in his home and also included the place where he was shot. As most people know Gandhi freed India from British rule completely through peaceful protest. Though he did many other things this is the most known. In 1947 Gandhi was credited for freeing India giving him the title “The father of India.” This museum was so well put together and I walked around in silence soaking up the information as well as basking in disbelief. After hearing all the amazing things this man did you can’t help, but wonder,  “How could anyone kill this man.”  Actually, Gandhi makes you think, “How could anyone kill anybody.” Though he is gone his power and influence resonated all over the world.

I then walked into his bedroom and saw everything he left. Gandhi loved simplicity, all he left behind was utensils for eating, his glasses, his walking stick, and some stuff to write on. His room had nothing in it, but prayer beads and a bed. This is how he lived his life and I could not digest the fact of that. I then went out the door and walked along the same path he did on his way to prayer, where he got killed. As the walk got greener with flowers I could see the spot he fell in the distance. I could feel my heart pump as I sensed the horror that happened on the spot ahead. The monument of this fallen hero of course was beautiful and well kept. I couldn’t believe I was walking the same steps as “The Gandhi”; from where he lived to where he died, I was there. And though this was extremely sad, I was very happy to have this small connection with one of the most amazing people to walk this earth.

The beginning of the dance.

One of the many hand signs.

Both dancers.

Gandhi’s room and where he last was before he was killed.

Where Gandhi fell.

Here is a video I took of one of the dances-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E-ySbZ10PY