On our first day of orientation here, a professor asked us why we had wanted to study in India. One of the girls replied that it was because she wanted to get away from the consumer culture. Our professor just laughed at her.
India is as much about consuming as America. There are markets and malls and shopping centers everywhere and everywhere there are people buying at them. From clothes to jewelry to flowers to rugs to shoes to more, India is selling.
And everything India is selling is beautiful. As soon as you believe that you've just seen the most beautiful sari ever, another Indian women walks past with more colors and more sequins. Even the black burkhas that the Muslim women have to wear come in pattened fabrics with gold and flowers.
Yes, India is definetly gaudy. Pun quite intended.
The gods worshipped in India, are everywhere as well. The god "Lakshmi" who is the goddess of wealth, is praised everywhere. Many businesses are named after her, if they don't then there is a picture of her to be found nearby. Krishna is also to be found on many street corners, as well as Sheva, the destroyer.
The mosque we visited yesterday was indeed impressive. I waited outside as women were not allowed in the prayer room. My male friend went inside and took my camera so that I could see later. I was not the only woman on the outside. An older woman in a burkha stood sadly at the metal grill and stared inside, not allowed to worship because of her sex.
India is as much about consuming as America. There are markets and malls and shopping centers everywhere and everywhere there are people buying at them. From clothes to jewelry to flowers to rugs to shoes to more, India is selling.
And everything India is selling is beautiful. As soon as you believe that you've just seen the most beautiful sari ever, another Indian women walks past with more colors and more sequins. Even the black burkhas that the Muslim women have to wear come in pattened fabrics with gold and flowers.
Yes, India is definetly gaudy. Pun quite intended.
The gods worshipped in India, are everywhere as well. The god "Lakshmi" who is the goddess of wealth, is praised everywhere. Many businesses are named after her, if they don't then there is a picture of her to be found nearby. Krishna is also to be found on many street corners, as well as Sheva, the destroyer.
The mosque we visited yesterday was indeed impressive. I waited outside as women were not allowed in the prayer room. My male friend went inside and took my camera so that I could see later. I was not the only woman on the outside. An older woman in a burkha stood sadly at the metal grill and stared inside, not allowed to worship because of her sex.
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