So, there was no cranberry sauce or stuffing, but Thanksgiving went pretty well regardless. I still find it amusing that I only ever seem to celebrate this holiday when I’m in foreign countries (my family has, for one reason or another, never really gotten into celebrating Thanksgiving…). Last time I met up with Watson fellow, Heather, I got to show her a little of my life in Geneva. This time, I was the one being shown the lifestyle of another fellow, Alex, in Mahabalipuram, a small beach town along the Bay of Bengal (Southeastern India). I met up with Kelli and Alex on Thursday for the beginning of an extremely relaxing four day weekend filled with walks on the beach, chilling in cafes, sipping chai, feasting on yummy Indian food and just talking and sight-seeing. Alex introduced us to the friends she’s made over the past three weeks in Mahabalipuram, including Ravi, a tailor who I had custom-make a tapestry for my sister and who is incredibly hospitable…we would sit in shop drinking tea as he worked on projects, and he even invited us over for dinner at his house on Saturday. yum! Despite having a wonderful time in Vellore with my friends here, I have to admit I was a bit jealous of Alex’s laid back attitude and lifestyle. I think that sometimes I just forget that this is probably one of the last times in my life that I’ll get this much time to just focus on myself and my happiness….so, I went out and bought some books I’ve been dying to read and decided to put away all of my planning material for a little. I’ve taken lots of weekend trips, but haven’t really given myself a real break from planning and researching since I started back in July. This weekend, I’m going to Ooty for a few days with some CMC people…then it’s off to pursue the project in Bangalore. I’m giving myself a nice 4 day escape in Varkala in Kerala from there… :).
If you happen to have some time, you should go get Jhumpa Lahiri’s
Namesake. Fabulous book…. also, Paulo Coehlo’s Eleven Minutes.
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December 1st, 2003 at 7:08 pm
It’s so funny that you mentioned Namesake. Heidi just had me order it from Audible… she’s reading it now… it prompted some interesting discussion during dinner with mom and dad last night (Heidi met mom and dad last night)
December 1st, 2003 at 8:23 pm
I’m about 1/4 of the way through the book, and I really like it so far. I’m also reading Interpreter of Maladies, a book of her short stories, and the title story is quite powerful!
December 1st, 2003 at 8:26 pm
achhhhh, two of my favorite authors, and i’m stuck reading law books :-p send those books home with your friends–i’m looking forward to winter break
btw, the saris and tapestry look gorgeous!!!!!!! someone should do a watson on tailors–definitely one of the most amenable, friendly families i met in China as well…
December 2nd, 2003 at 5:52 pm
Has Mom read the book? Honestly, there were parts where I was practically in tears because it made me think about Mom’s experience arriving in the U.S. 28 years ago…kind of cheesy and sappy, I know, but she really does an amazing job of capturing the experience of a family assimilating to the U.S. That quote about immersing herself in a third culture- it couldn’t better define how I felt (and continue to feel to some extent) when I first arrived in India, and I bet a lot about Payal’s love for China, as well. The son in the book reminds me a bit of you, Suj. Not totally, but his independence and stuff…. I’m sending the books home. Make sure Mom reads it. In fact, I’ll email her now and tell her to read it. I want to know if it’s actually right on about how she felt…