An Evening Walk

Vanakkam!

Things around Rising Star have been a touch slow this last week as we waited patiently (ok, incredibly impatiently) for the kids to arrive.  So a few nights ago,  Callie, Dane, Carl, and I decided to go on an evening walk because the weather had cooled down a bit (actually, it was still incredibly hot but I think I've acclimated a bit).   We started off exploring some of the areas of the Rising Star campus that we hadn't seen yet.

We saw this crazy incredible termite mound, as well as some lackluster enthusiasm from Carl.

We saw an incredibly beautiful area of campus that has rows of coconut trees and a volleyball net.

Then, we went out into Thottanaval, the little village outside Rising Star's gates.  One of the first things we encountered on our journey was this beat up billboard on the side of the road.  I suddenly heard a small voice yell out, "Auntie, photo!"  I turned and saw this little guy standing on the backside of the billboard, posed and ready for the cameras.  I snapped a couple of pictures as he experimented with different poses, including the classic head-through-the-hole-in-the-middle-of-the-billboard pose.

It turns out the boy's house was just a few feet down the street, so he managed to bring us along and get his two sisters and his unwilling brother involved in our photo shoot.  I was impressed with the unwilling brother's contortionist attempts to avoid the camera lens.

Here are a couple of typical houses you will find in Thottanaval.  On the left is the little boy's property.  They have a small hut way in the back and a little thatched pavillion-type place to sit in the shade in the front.  Oh, and a cow.

However, as always seems to happen in India, you find small bits of beauty amongst the dirt and poverty.  I loved the peacock carving on this window, and the bits of trash shoved in the holes almost looked like gems or stained glass.  I also saw some beautiful fabric hanging out to dry amongst the huts and stick fences.

We then were spotted by one of the Rising Star housemothers, Kala, who invited us into the home where she was staying for a few days.  We had a wonderful talk and were greeted so warmly.  I will never cease to be amazed by the warmth of the people here.  Kala and her friend sat us on the couch in the living room, while they stood or sat on the floor.  They offered us little biscuit/cookie things, and they treated us like beloved friends.  The people here are so beautiful.

Kala's friend had a daughter who was 11 months old, and I fell deeply in love with her.  She had eyebrows that had been darkened by chalk and a little bindi.  She also wore the most beautiful little baby anklets. She was so adorable and gorgeous.

India is truly incredible.  I love finding the architectural and textile beauty amongst the trash and filth here.  I love the warmth, generosity, and resilience of the people.  I love India.