Back on Base

[lakshmi_amman]

Hi gang,

I'm back on Base from Mysore Part II.

Truth is, I'm home sick.  Homesickness means nothing is as much fun as it might be, and I think Mysore Part II had more downs than ups.  That said, the wedding part was really fun, as was meeting Amma's best friend Reka.  Although we didn't talk a ton, I like her very much.  Her English is very good and

Comments

[lioritgioret]

Since India is such a long distance away and such a large country it is probably good that you have stayed long enough to be homesick, in a way -- at least you won't be leaving too soon. It sounds very much as though you've soaked in experiences that you will be unpacking for a long time. Brain furniture!
Bless you for telling me the coffee is good there! Now I know I can go! And for sharing so much detail, translated into Americanski. Comparing the spiciness of snack food to Chex Mix is inspired, and your account is full of things like that.
I have many stupid questions but today's naggingly stupid question is: when you speak of dress sets, are they the same as salwaar kameez or do they differ in some way? Salwaar kameez have become my favorite thing to wear in summer, and I find there's a sort of "American" way to wear them -- generally, without the dupatta -- that seems to allow them to pass for just being summer clothes.
Although it's been so cold here that it's hard to even imagine summer again. Loading up the Pearl for Birka my hands got that kind of cold that feels paradoxically like they are burning. The wind chill was something like 11 below! So be prepared to be homesick-in-reverse when you get back; you may find you miss sweating. I hope you've got someone to take you out to Smith & Wollensky for massive meat when you get back!

PS

[lioritgioret]

If you don't have someone to take you to Smith & Willensky for massive meat, I will!

[lakshmi_amman]

As far as I can tell, salwar kameez sets are the same as dress sets. I've been trying to use the words they use here, and dress sets are the normal word. People look at me funny sometimes when I say "salwar kameez", but that could be anything. Maybe I'm saying it wrong, maybe I'm using a word they don't use, maybe I'm describing very specific thing that they don't have in the South... not sure. They use dress sets... so I figured I'd stick with it.

Apparently the dupatta is an optional item here too. My lovely new set has a nice, but very slippery dupatta, and Preeti said the set interesting enough I could just leave the dupatta at home. I don't know what qualifies as interesting, but leaving the slippery dupatta in my bag when traveling was a relief, and no one stared at me.

I've never been to Smith and Wollensky! We'll have to go!

[lioritgioret]

It would be funny, but not that untypical, to find that actual Indian persons call them "dress sets" and we are just making odd ethnic fuss to call them salwaar kameez when nobody who really uses them does so. However, I was so *proud* of knowing "salwaar kameez" that I might have to keep saying it for a while. The myth I was given is that to be "dressed" in India you need three layers on top, and the dupatta is there to provide third layer (bra, kameez, dupatta v. bra, choli, sari). I'm thinking that might be old fashioned or just another myth for the tourists.
I've never been to S&W either, but they are in the castle downtown, which is cool, and they are supposed to be Big Steakhouseness. So we should go play with their food.
I sold more saris than yardage at Birka, which is new. And did only a little worse than last year. Anyway you may see yet more sari-wearers if you go to Pennsic! My table was right near the dancing, which may have helped. The music tired the dog out, though.
Anyway enjoy the rest of your trip and be prepared for 16-degree weather Friday night, and I will hope to see you next week.

[lakshmi_amman]

I think everything in India has a few reasons. The bindi is fashionable, it balances your chakras and thus makes you more beautiful, or it protects you from the evil eye. Depends on who you ask.

I have heard the 3 layer tale too. I get the feeling that the "I must have a dupatta" thing is definitely old school. But then I am hanging out with very liberal women. Not only are they generally liberal - educated, fiesty, be all you can be - sorts of ladies, but also we are here in Bangalore, which is both a big city and a fashion hub. They set the trends. So asking someone from Chennai (which is more provincial) might get a different answer.

For all I know, "salwar kameez" or "salwar suits" may be a Northern term, too...

Great to hear you did OK at Birka! I'm tempted now to teach a class on How to Be a Tomboy in a Sari - because after Hampi, I'm feeling pretty good about my ability to be Indiana Jones while still wearing a sari. :)

Bracing myself for the cold!

[new_man]

S & W is all right. Fleming's, which is diagonally across the street, is better.

[lioritgioret]

Thanks. I probably want to try both.

[lakshmi_amman]

OK. But not in one night.

:P

[lioritgioret]

Indeed, probably not in one *month*! But I'll let you choose which one we go to first to celebrate your return.