Uncle (landlord) has decided to make it his goal to find me a boyfriend. Here he is adding "BF for Kris" (his spelling) to his board of to-do lists. 

"Seema: bridegroom" is another item on the board. Seema is their cook. 

Uncle has been retired for a couple of years--guess matchmaking is one of his new hobbies...we'll see how it goes... haha

Happy Diwali!

Yesterday was Diwali, which is "like Christmas for us", to quote my boss. It is the biggest holiday of the year here, celebrating the triumph of good over evil, the new business year, the Goddess of Wealth's visit, and a festival of lights, among other things, from what I've understood. Not bad timing for getting to India :) Everyone decorates with lots of lights and flowers; visits their family and friends and takes one another sweets, nuts, and dried fruits; and lights off fireworks...LOTS of fireworks. I've wondered if this is what it sounds like to live in a war zone? Last night was definitely the peak but they've been going off for the past few days and apparently will continue on into the weekend. So loud. It's also customary to wear new clothes on the day, so since we had the day off work, I went shopping and got my first Indian outfit. This stuff is comfortable! Long, loose tops, scarves, and pants ranging from tights to super-baggy. Come the heat next summer, I am going to live in these cool, flowy clothes. 

Most people spend the day visiting relatives and friends, and at night everyone gathers with their family for "puja", or prayer. We went downstairs to our landlord's apartment, did the puja with them--full of tradition and ceremony--and then ordered Domino's! To paraphrase Gurcharan Das, in India Unbound, "India is rapidly becoming a capitalist society, while preserving its cultural heritage and way of life." 

From left to right: our landlord ("Uncle"), yours truly in her new Indian get-up, the landlord's son Anand, and my roommate Sue.

Obligatory cow pic. Thought it was about time. 

Uncle's mother, who is 91. She is sitting in front of the shrine prepared for puja.

Anand putting new flowers on his grandfather's photo.

Storefront decoration.

The Griswalds?

At a Diwali bazaar we went to over the weekend. 

Everyone gets blessed with a mark of red chalk-like substance on their forehead. 

More pics!

It's fun buying fresh produce out in the street. They use super-old balance scales, where they add metal weights to one side to figure out how much you've got.



I was surprised that Delhi has a subway system. Really nice. Note the pink sign hanging down from the ceiling, indicating the place to get on the "Ladies Only" cars. Boys are gross. :)



India Gate at night. It's in the middle of the city, dedicated to Indian soldiers who died in one of the world wars. Not sure which one, need to check the Wikipedia page.



The kids here are so adorable. "How are you?", they like to ask.



The balcony, my favorite place to sit. I feel like I'm in the jungle.

Ok, all for now. I have to go get my $2 one-hour massage. Did I mention she's coming to my apartment, so I don't even have to go anywhere? Sigh... :)

Words of wisdom for the day:

Blah Blah Blah

Enough talking. Pictures!


This is the street I live on. My apartment is just through the gates on the right.



Just a little something I saw on my way to work.



Saturday was a holiday, so a lot of women were getting henna done.



A street with lots of shops. This is what I mean when I say "overstimulation."



A temple.



Lol. Get it?

I got a phone! From the US, the number is +91 95602 76331. I can call you for super cheap and I think international texting isn't too bad no matter what plan you're on--but don't bill me for that statement! Text me if you want to talk! Kindly mind the 12.5 hour time difference from U.S. Pacific time :)

Banana Republic linen pants are my new jeans. Must order more.