South Africa: land of wildebeest and lions, a territory blanketed by mountains, dry grasslands and incredible coastlines, a place retaining 11 official languages and whose history has been forever marked by Aparteid, has opened its arms to one more American looking for some peace of mind and a new way to look at life. For those of you who may be confused in regard to why I made the jump from India to South Africa, here’s your briefing. My mother (born in America to parents from Massachusetts and Mississippi) spent her childhood through University in South Africa. There she grew up with her five other siblings, the last two of which were born in South Africa, in the small city of Pretoria where their father worked as a veterinarian and mother as a housewife and artist. ... read more

This week marked the end of classes and the completion of reports and presentations. We celebrated our new found freedom by drinking sweet lassis (a sweet yogurt drink) and spending time out in the streets of the Pink City with local Jaipurians. Instead of writing, I've posted a video that was taken by friend and former MSIDer Renee at her NGO internship site this past fall. I get a kick out of it every time i watch it, so maybe you will too. The public education system is a concerning issue in Rajasthan (and in most parts of India) especially when it comes to schools in the rural areas. Though the issue is quite complex, one of the problems is that the teachers themselves are not from the villages, but instead are placed there by the ... read more

Holi (referred to as Phagwa in Bhojpuri), also called the Festival of Colours, is a popular Hindu spring festival observed in India, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad, the UK,and Nepal. In West Bengal of India and Bangladesh, it is known as Dolyatra (Doljatra) or Boshonto Utsav ("spring festival"). The main day, Holi, also known as Dhulheti, Dhulandi or Dhulendi, is celebrated by people throwing coloured powder and coloured water at each other. Bonfires are lit the day before, also known as Holika Dahan (death of Holika) or Chhoti Holi (little Holi). The bonfires are lit in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlad had when Demoness Holika, sister of Hiranyakashipu, carried him into the fire. Holika was burnt but Prahlad, a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu, escaped without any injuries due to his unshakable devotion. Holika Dahan ... read more

In the U.S., we normally consider it rude to ask someone how much they paid for something. In America, we often hesitate to question certain things especially when it has to do with money. Our social etiquette does differ significantly from the cultural norms I have experienced here in India, which has led me to wonder how the social etiquette I have grown up with has affected they way I relate to others. In general, when it comes to certain topics particularly of religion, race, and ethnicity, and even politics, I think we have a harder time voicing our genuine curiosities than we may think. Why do I think this? For whatever reason, maybe because we think we’re prodding more than we should, or are afraid that we might offend someone, or, (possibly the most likely ... read more

Now that I've been here almost four and a half months and failed to keep a good account of the last two of them, I think I'd prefer to start documenting random stories and thoughts instead of trying to create a comprehensive overview of what goes on here. so here goes: An example of how the way in which universal habits are performed in different cultures is fundamental in shaping the memories we gain from them, as well as the perspective we continue to carry in their regard: Since I began living with my host family in September, I have observed that the parents face a constant struggle of getting their kids to bathe. When I lived with them for six weeks starting in September, I would wake up each morning to howling and wailing coming ... read more