First day in India!

Namaste, everyone!

Today we had a very eventful day. We visited the main beach of Mumbai on the Arabian Sea.  We walked along the beach and went through food stalls with Mumbai specialties. We went to a temple celebrating the god Shiva, who has a festival in his honor today, and this led us to one source of the Ganga (Ganges River). Locals were bathing in the sacred water. There were many small ceremonies going on the steps beside the water in tribute to loved ones who have passed away. Suzanne, Krishna (our in-country coordinator), Tom and Rae (the World Leadership faculty), and several students bathed as well. In a humid and hot 85 degrees, we then walked to a Jain temple. People who practice Jainism believe in no harm to any living thing. We saw people with their mouths covered with a cloth to prevent them from breathing in bugs. They also do not eat meat or any vegetables that come from below ground.

After lunch, (which was delish and spicy!), we went to visit Gandhi’s house, which has been converted to a museum. His library was extensive, filled with the books he had read in his lifetime. Tolstoy, Thoreau, Madame Curie, and some socialist readings were among them. We also saw a framed copy of letters to FDR and Hitler. While we were there, we happened to bump into Steven Spielberg (no joke—and a special shout out to Maya’s brother). We didn’t exactly talk with him or get his business card, but could he be researching for his next blockbuster? Who knows?

Soon after, we went to another market and bought saris, bindis and ankle bracelets. The market brought us to a barn full of sacred cows. We bought grass to feed them and it was quite amusing. We have great footage and pictures of the day but we’re still trying to figure out the technology on this end. We have included one of Ana’s photos, which is of the Ganga. Ok, headed off to bed. Stay tuned for our next post.

-Emma and Ana