I can easily say that my first two weeks in India have been full of awesome new experiences and a lot of delicious food. So far my personal favorite is egg parotta, which is egg, onion, drum tree leaves, and a number of spices mixed in with a flaky, buttery bread (parotta) that is chopped up. In addition to trying a number of tasty south Indian dishes, I am continuing to learn how to adjust to the seriously hot South Indian climate and working my way through a functional Tamil class. Tamil is spoken language of Tamil Nadu and is chock full of beautiful characters but has definitely proven to be a challenge to read! I have also stocked up on salwar kamiz, a traditionally north Indian style of dress that, in south India, is most commonly worn by young women.
The kamiz is worn with leggings, “butterfly pants”, or trousers of some sort and a dupatta, or scarf. The salwar kamiz may look too warm for Madurai’s hot climate, but its light material, flowing form, and protection from the sun make it very comfortable to wear in a hot climate. Plus, the kamiz comes in an endless variety of colors and patterns, giving me a chance to more fully embrace my colorful style! At first I was hesitant to adopt the local style, considering my position as a foreigner wearing the clothes without context, but as I have learned adopting the salwar kamiz into my daily dress not only allows me to be a more active participant in my community but has also added an exciting new dimension to my daily experiences abroad!
My host family, who is incredibly hospitable, has already taken me to a number of awesome events within their community (specifically a housewarming party and a wedding reception). Traditionally at housewarming party, banana trees will be placed at the entrance of the house and milk will be boiled and drunk by the guests to bring prosperity to the new homeowners. I have also eaten off of banana leaves, a common practice in south India! As a sign of respect indicating that the food was good, you fold your banana leaf towards you upon finishing your meal. If you did not like the food, you fold your leaf the other way.
My time in Tamil Nadu thus far has introduced me to a lifestyle I have never experienced before, and I am so excited to keep embracing this and to see what new surprises the following weeks will bring!