India- Part One
India called me, it had been calling me for quite some time.
I arrived here with only 3 agendas to dance with children and share my creative practices, to learn Kalaripayattu and to travel. However so much more has come of this trip, more then I could ever have imagined.
My time in Bangalore has given me space to feel how I feel about my journey in life without tension or stress.
The constant murmur of life around me is full of noise from the hustle and bustle of people on the streets.
The bustling streets excite me, people at work, selling fruit and veg by the road side.
The blasting horn of the 2 mile long train getting louder and louder as it reaches the rail road cross near my home.
Mothers sieving earth, babies sitting staring into the distance, babies here wear two black marks one on their face, one of their 3rd eye the other on their right check, this is applied each day until they are 4 or 5. These dots represent protection, the ash is sacred and comes from the Hindu temples.
Women here, even if they do a tough job, like cleaning the offices or building the houses, always look so bright their sari's show off their eternal fire. The colours almost disguise their hardship.
As a western women, I've noticed that the poverty is easier to witness since they clothe themselves in such bright fabric.
You can spend as little or as much money here as you like. No one in India is going hungry to the extent that we are lead to think.
The whole of Bangalore knows about my loose motion and each day I have a community of people asking me, ' still loose motion?' I noticed myself feel discomfort, the lack of tact took me by surprise, then I embraced it.
Why the sudden change of heart Emma, I thought to myself. Because for them it's no bother to ask and as their genuinely concerned.
How amazing is that.!? I barely know these people and already they show concern over my welfare.
I've literally just stepped foot into the Raj family and already a community surrounds me.
How ever will I return the gratitude, how ever will I show my thanks for such abundant love, generosity and sincere friendship.??
Amith Raj from Amigos welcomed me to India with open arms. Both into his company and his family. This man has a great team behind him changing the form of Indian education in schools around Bangalore; St Anthony Claret, St.Lourdes, St Claret, Cambridge and Tagore Memorial School.
I am very lucky to be leading a creative workshops for Anthony Claret School and for Tagore Memorial School; this school is for children whom of which come from very pore families; education is free as well as one free meal a day, these families work 3 to 4 jobs to put food on the table. All in all both schools although worlds a apart show very similar energy, they laugh, they smile, they show such abundant excitement and enthusiasm for dance, that blows me away!! Their energy could light cities!!
In part I knew that coming to India would affirm the importance of family, education and the environment. How lucky I am to experience humility, tenderness and peace that this community has to offer. Not denying the complexities of culture and the view of a women's place. Nevertheless I found some grace in this culture of which I have never witnessed before.
I look forward to the unfolding chapters of this adventure and I will endeavor to share this very real yet magical adventure with you all.
I arrived here with only 3 agendas to dance with children and share my creative practices, to learn Kalaripayattu and to travel. However so much more has come of this trip, more then I could ever have imagined.
My time in Bangalore has given me space to feel how I feel about my journey in life without tension or stress.
The constant murmur of life around me is full of noise from the hustle and bustle of people on the streets.
The bustling streets excite me, people at work, selling fruit and veg by the road side.
The blasting horn of the 2 mile long train getting louder and louder as it reaches the rail road cross near my home.
Mothers sieving earth, babies sitting staring into the distance, babies here wear two black marks one on their face, one of their 3rd eye the other on their right check, this is applied each day until they are 4 or 5. These dots represent protection, the ash is sacred and comes from the Hindu temples.
Women here, even if they do a tough job, like cleaning the offices or building the houses, always look so bright their sari's show off their eternal fire. The colours almost disguise their hardship.
As a western women, I've noticed that the poverty is easier to witness since they clothe themselves in such bright fabric.
You can spend as little or as much money here as you like. No one in India is going hungry to the extent that we are lead to think.
The whole of Bangalore knows about my loose motion and each day I have a community of people asking me, ' still loose motion?' I noticed myself feel discomfort, the lack of tact took me by surprise, then I embraced it.
Why the sudden change of heart Emma, I thought to myself. Because for them it's no bother to ask and as their genuinely concerned.
How amazing is that.!? I barely know these people and already they show concern over my welfare.
I've literally just stepped foot into the Raj family and already a community surrounds me.
How ever will I return the gratitude, how ever will I show my thanks for such abundant love, generosity and sincere friendship.??
Amith Raj from Amigos welcomed me to India with open arms. Both into his company and his family. This man has a great team behind him changing the form of Indian education in schools around Bangalore; St Anthony Claret, St.Lourdes, St Claret, Cambridge and Tagore Memorial School.
I am very lucky to be leading a creative workshops for Anthony Claret School and for Tagore Memorial School; this school is for children whom of which come from very pore families; education is free as well as one free meal a day, these families work 3 to 4 jobs to put food on the table. All in all both schools although worlds a apart show very similar energy, they laugh, they smile, they show such abundant excitement and enthusiasm for dance, that blows me away!! Their energy could light cities!!
In part I knew that coming to India would affirm the importance of family, education and the environment. How lucky I am to experience humility, tenderness and peace that this community has to offer. Not denying the complexities of culture and the view of a women's place. Nevertheless I found some grace in this culture of which I have never witnessed before.
I look forward to the unfolding chapters of this adventure and I will endeavor to share this very real yet magical adventure with you all.
