Happy Birthday Bindu Art School!

Bindu Art School turned 10 years old today so of course we had to celebrate. And celebrate we did. The party started with Werner (the co-founder of Bindu Art School), his wife and the artists coming to campus--which I loved. I loved it because we usually only get to see the artist after we see them medically or after we have gone out on some other thing-like a micro grant tour or something of that sort. That in no way is a bad thing, but I loved being able to see them simply because they are our friends and it was their birthday and because we love and support what they do. Plus I don't think many of them have the opportunity to go much of anywhere so I was glad we were able to help provide them an excuse. 

Anyway, after arrival everyone went to the loft of the school where some serious creativity happened. The artists and a selected number of students had a timed art contest. Students competed against students, artists against artist and it was pretty serious stuff. The contestants would smile and such but you could tell they were in total work mode. Im not sure how long the time was because I had to jump in and out, but I want to say it was around a couple of hours at least.  

When time was up we moved into the dining hall to recognize all that participated as well as announce the winners of the art contest.

Everyone was beaming-they were so proud to show their work and loved having so much attention focused on them. Especially the artist from Bindu. And how can you blame them really---society tells them they are nothing but today they were the guest of honor. AND they were each garlanded and photographed and cheered for. And the cheering------oh my goodness. The kids took it to a while new level. It was so loud and so sincere. They applauded everything and everyone--winner and "loser" alike. And even when Werner told the kids he was only announcing the losers (yeah that was a bit awkward) the kids didn't care one bit and kept on smothering everyone with their love and praise. I didn't have my phone with me otherwise I would of recorded the cheering to replay for myself whenever I accomplish a hard task. It really was that cool.   

The winners took a few moments to say some words then we moved on to singing happy birthday and cutting cake.

See how happy they are!?! My heart was melting. Just looking at these pictures makes my heart swell with pride for them.

So here's a story: Life dance performed a few numbers. Originally it was suppose to be one number but after said one number they were asked to perform another--which meant Tessa had to run back to the Elephant house to grab more music. Which also meant there was some dead time that Werner was trying to fill. He pointed towards Lon (who I happened to be sitting behind) and asked the volunteer program leadership to come make some remarks. Lon "just happened" to move over some, leaving me in the crosshairs. And then he started telling me I had to go up to say something. Along with everyone else. Like literally everyone. I can usually pass by just winging things but not today. I had 100% nothing. Well I had one thought but it involved bringing the coordinators up to help me do a dance off or something but that thought only lasted 0.3 seconds because I quickly remembered that I still need to live with these guys for a bit longer. Whatever. I did the best I could, took up a whole 30 seconds maybe (much to Terthy's dismay--she made sure to tell me that I didn't take up enough time and that I needed to go back out there and keep talking. I told her I didn't have anything else to say to which she said "Well why did you say you would do it?" to which I said "I didn't--I was forced!" Oh Terthy.) and then went to sit down. This meant Lon was up--who with all this entertaining talent puts on this huge theatrical performance of reciting the Jabberwalkie poem. Adults and children alike were holding their sides in laughter. He is so good at those kinds of things. So why didn't he go up in the first place? Yeah I know, good question right?

Perhaps the best part of Lon's time filler was the look on his children's face. Not all of them were there but Avery and Brooklyn were embarrassed enough for all of them.

Werner threw me a smiley face Walmart mascot ball when all was said and done. Its a cool ball and all but SO not worth the awkwardness I had to go through to earn it.

Delhi 2.0 Day 5

Today was spent exploring good old smelly Delhi with Benson. I'm sure I sounded like a little kid asking "what's that?" every 10 seconds but after a bit Benson satisfied my curiosity by saying "I honestly don't know every single landmark in Delhi simply because the city is so old and has been ruled by 7 (or 8 did he say) different regimes/dynasties". I don't remember the exact word he used but yep--that pretty much sums it up.   

The first place we stopped was old Delhi via foot and good old peddle bike rickshaw. The energy and tone of old Delhi is hard to explain. It is so unique and so full. Full of everything. You name it, its there.

The Holi festival is in a couple of weeks so there were all kinds of preparation paraphernalia. Im sad we were not able to be here for that but what do you do.

After old Delhi we stopped by Gandhi's cremation memorial

And ohhed and ahhed at the sight of the Lotus Temple,

followed by some craziness in the local market. Just before we left we encountered this little guy being paraded around the marketplace. The other night in the hotel Jake and I were watching a show about rare medical conditions. In that episode they showed a child that was born with multiple arms. The child happened to be born in India and the reaction of the locals was extremely positive based on the belief that the child was a reincarnation of a Hindu god. I was thinking along those lines when I saw this cow so I said something to the effect of "Oh the cow is deformed so everyone thinks it is holy". It was a totally innocent comment but Benson and Jake had formed this bro-hood alliance and just took it and ran with it. So the rest of the afternoon I was attacked with comments from both of them along the lines of "I am so glad none of these people speak English and understood you" or "Your true self is coming out eh?" and on and on and on. It made for an even more memorable trip to the market and although I could of done with a little less teasing from both of them it was fun seeing how well they got along. Ill don't think I'll ever forget the afternoon spent in a local market in Delhi with Jake, Benson and the deformed/holy cow.  

The ending of this trip means Jake is flying back to America and it makes me feel a little sad. :( I know I'll be home in a few months but which will probably mean seeing him soon anyway, but it was so fun to have him here. The whole idea of traveling with your cousin was really foreign to most people here so because of that he was usually always Jack my brother or Jack my husband. In that sense, I guess it's to be expected that saying goodbye to your cousin, brother and husband all at once would be a little bit of a bummer right?

I love this kid. We will have to go traveling again together someday.