Cricket World Cup Champions!

The last few days have been a transition out of my first week daze and into a real understanding of what my next few months are going to look like. After two more days of exploring Old City’s garment district, being woken up by the 5am call to prayer that echoed throughout the city, and experimenting with the impossible public transportation system, I finally moved in with my host family! The Sharma family consists two elderly parents, two sons (19 and 30), a daughter-in-law, a precious 3 year-old, and Anna, the family dog. They are all extremely warm and welcoming, and I couldn't feel more comfortable in their house. Mrs. Sharma-ji, the mother of the house who speaks less English than I do Hindi, is the sweetest woman and loves that I have been spending the evenings watching and helping her make dinner. The food is delicious- mostly chapati, dahl, sabzi (vegetables), and curd. On my first night I was feeling sick so they insisted that I drink watered down curd and salt.. definitely the opposite of what sounded appetizing, but it was my first night with them so, I took a deep breath and gulped. I have to admit, I felt much better in the morning!


The older son and his wife (the parents of Angel, the three year old) speak English very well and have taken to bringing me along with them to different places at night. Two nights ago I went to my first Indian celebration! With my party kurta on, I hopped in the packed car to head to a retirement party—a very big eventhere. There was more food, color, and music than anyone could imagine. I was very touched that the family wanted to bring me along and they happily introduced me to everyone. It was a beautiful celebration and the man of honor was sitting on a small stage dressed in the traditional Rajasthani dress to take pictures with all of the guests. I was surprised to find out that we were leaving after only about half an hour when everyone had gotten so dressed up! All day excitement had been building up for the night's India v. Pakistan match in the Cricket World Cup (semi-finals)! When we got back the 8 hour game was nearing its final hour so I stayed up and watched the Indian victory and the utter explosion of fireworks, huge crowds, and cheering thereafter.. so exciting! People stormed the streets with paint and fireworks, everyone more excited that they beat Pakistan than the fact the were going to the finals.


The next night we celebrated Angel's 3rd birthday with a small family party at a special outdoor restaurant. Angel spent the night running around the table with excitement and we even had special, spur of the moment, entertainment performed by a group of British tourists (65 yrs plus) who were letting loose to some Rhianna and Justin Bieber. I returned back to the house completely stuffed with food only to find that, wait... ice cream for dessert round two!


As if two nights of celebrations weren't enough, last night was the final match of the World Cup against Sri Lanka. FSD (Foundation for Sustainable Development) hosted a dinner and game watching party for all of the families and organizations at another outdoor venue (very popular in the summer). It was really fun to meet all of the other families and see how excited everyone was about the game. After a nerve wracking few hours, India won!!! Apparently the last World Cup they won was 24 years ago, so people went wild to make up for it! Driving home on the back of the family moped we doged fireworks in the street and the hoards of people shrieking with excitement. At home, we even set off a few of our own fireworks on the street to celebrate wahoo! 


I was glad to have the day off from work and parties today (sunday!) and to have some time to relax at home, wash some clothes, and find my way to an internet cafe. I think I'll spend the rest of the day perusing the isles of a little Ayurvedic medicine store and drinking some fresh squeezed sugarcane juice (summer specialty) on the side of the road... accha (sounds good)!