International Night - Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Hello again everyone!

Yesterday (Tuesday), we went to Phule Market where we were able to go shopping for souvenirs and saris (the traditional dress of the women). Sari shopping was especially fun because the customers sit on stools in the middle of a tiny shop, and the walls (and the floors by the end of the day) are covered in material for sari's and punjabi suits.

After we bought the material for our outfits, we then had to be measured to have the fabrics made into clothes. After lunch, we had a short time of relaxation after talking about WAGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) and the impact that it has on girls throughout the world with opportunities to make friends, attend camps, travel, and learn new things. After dinner, we watched a Bollywood (like Hollywood but in India) film on DVD.

After the flag ceremony and breakfast this morning (Wednesday), we all hopped into auto-rickshaws (similar to a taxi) and headed out to the National Institute of Naturopathy where learned about natural therapies and how they are capable of healing. It was surprising to hear about all of the things that can be treated with natural therapy. After lunch, we went to a meditation center and talked about Buddhist meditation. Over all, today was very much a day of relaxation. After dinner, we had and event called "International Night." This is a time where each group talks about where they are from usually through a skit, song or reading of facts. For this event dancers from a dance company here in India came and performed traditional dances for us. These dancers do not wear shoes, but they have between 60 and 120 small bells tied around their ankles. These bells enhance the elaborate footwork that is highlighted in this style of dance. After the program, the staff surprised the group with sparklers in honor of the 4th of July.

This is the store where we bought our sari fabrics.

Tomorrow the staff has a surprise planned for everyone. We don't know exactly what it is yet, but we think that it is some kind of scavenger hunt! We are all very excited for tomorrow to find out what the surprise is, and because we will be getting our saris and punjabi suits back from the tailor tomorrow and are excited to see how they have turned out!

Previously published by globegazette.com