India Journal -- Part 2 -- Monday, December 31

Day 4 – Monday, December 31

We had designated today as our Christmas Day. We had decided against giving each other gifts, but we had drawn names to stuff each other’s stockings. However, those who had the name of someone in the states had already given them their stockings and only those who had the name of Jessica and Elliott as well as the ones they had, were giving stockings. The stockings were duly stuffed and given, albeit, it felt a little un-Christmas-like. But there was appreciation and most importantly, there were cinnamon rolls. (I forgot to mention that we had gone to the only “Western style” grocery in Vellore the night before to pick up a few things like cereal and oatmeal and things we’d need for cinnamon rolls, like confectioners sugar and margerine.) I couldn’t find the white flour, so I made them entirely with whole wheat which made them browner than usual but still pretty good. It was odd sitting around in a simple, concrete block room with ceiling fans whirring having Christmas stocking and cinnamon rolls. But really--what a treat to be in India. We really didn’t think much about Christmas in the traditional sense.

The stockings were hung by the "chimney" with care.

A request fulfilled!

The traditional Cinnamon Rolls

We decided to take a hike today up to the top of the “mountain” at the outskirts of Vellore, just within a 10 minute walk of where we were staying. Elliott warned that we should do it early in the morning, but of course, by the time we got around, it was more like 10:30-11. However, we decided to go ahead, donning our hats, bug stuff, long pants (much tall grass and girls have to wear them all the time anyway). Had to walk through the local rock quarry to head up a not well defined path. Very rocky and tall grass (Please keep away, cobras!) and huffing and puffing, but we made it to the top!

On the way to the mountain...

Through the rock quarry and gravel pit...

Views on the way to the top

Top of the world! (at least Vellore area)

He's made the daring climb many times!

Above are different views of Vellore spread out below...

Much sweat; lots of water. Then getting down a different way following painted arrows on rocks was just as hard pretty much. We got back and lay down or rinsed off (some got a shower) and drank MORE water.

Views of rice paddies above in different stages of maturity.Back to the apartment building where we are staying in the Daley's apartment
while they are home in Canada.

Then Eden was determined to do some shopping. She was going to go to the market area alone to look for a material booth and a tailor. Collapse was more on my mind, but I realized I needed to “make the most of this cultural experience,” so I said I would go with her. A spirit of motherly protectiveness might have also influenced me. So after a brief respite, we walked to the corner, dodging garbage, motorcycles, and stray tiny little puppies (awwww, but eeewwww!) to hail a rickshaw. She is determined, so we walk several blocks (?) until we find a large fabric store with a clerk sitting behind the counters every 5 feet. She does not take long to pick something, inquires about tailors, but in the end, we just go out to find one ourselves. We go into a shop that only tailors for men. So we keep walking and pretty soon find a ladies’ tailor. It is right next door to a tea booth where there is loud music and a man making tea in a fancy way. I would have had some, but everyone drinks out of the same tin cups, and I don’t see a major washing happening between drinks. (see video) There is no room inside the little tailor shop to wait, so I wait outside for the measuring and determining of style. It will be ready in a week.

Colorful powders for sale in the market.
They seem to be used to decorate people and perhaps other things as well.Walking along the busy streets...Colorful paper star lanterns were a popular item.

The tea man in action (It's a video, so be sure to click the play arrow:)

It’s had gotten dark by then, so we soon hailed a rickshow and set off for home where the man who helped in the kitchen had put a turkey (actually a rather skinny chicken compared to what we are used to) in the oven for us and we were augmenting it with mashed potatoes and vegetables for our Christmas dinner. Compared to what we are used to, it was a bit of slim pickings, but that was also kind of good for us. I think a scrabble game followed for some and probably reading for others.