Thoughts

I've been away for a few days tackling some seemingly insurmountable problems. I'm learning so much about the Indian culture here. Indians from all over India are here studying BTHeology, BBusiness&Administration, B ed(or simply BTH, BBA, and B ed). I have learned to distinguish which region of India people are from by the hue of their epidermis and their facial structure. The black Indians are from Tamil Nadu or South India and those that look like Indonesians, Koreans, Chinese, Mongolians, and Philipinos are from the Northern parts such as Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland. It is summer time here(2 weeks left) and there are few foreign students here(a few Malaysians, Burmese, and Chinese(theirs one sitting next to me right now actually)).
In a few weeks the students will begin to arrive just in time for registration which begins on the 20 of June. Monsoon season is coming soon. I am looking forward to its advent having never experienced such weather before. It isn't actually too hot right now(albeit sweat is running down my leg!) since summer is drawing to a close. For breakfast they serve bread(white) with dal(which is hot split lentil curry, I think) a banana(the bananas are smaller green and sweeter here) and some hot(very, very hot) drink that looks like hot chocolate, tastes like hot chocolate but is not hot chocolate! And for lunch and supper they serve rice and dal. It is tasty(they also serve a spicy alternative to the dal made of garbanzo beans which I echew) but is very monotonous. The only fruit provided is bananas(which I have learned that if I do not have bananas I am very, very weak. I read this in one of my India books, provided by my benevolent mother, and began to eat bananas here. Then I regained my strength. Before I had been exceedingly weak, barely able to walk around. I thought I was experiencing early symptoms of Malaria) and I have to go outside of the campus(a kilometer away) to purchase some mango juice(which energizes me and provides me with the vitamins that I am not receiving at the caf here, vitamins such as A which helps(noticably) my skin look and feel smooth, it was becoming rough without it in my diet, and vitamin C which helps with my cough). Bananas and Mangoes are the only available fruits nearby.

I have noticed that I have the deepest voice on campus here(and I'm sick). Most Indian men(perhaps the spicy food perpetuates this) have soft, higher pitched voices compared to Americans. I hadn't noticed this in America but this may be because Indian Americans eat other foods besides there own. Most Americans eat a variety of national foods. I find myself frequently saying things like,"In America we.....", here as I encounter peculiar Indian customs. I must admit I have to stifle a certain pride that swells in me sometimes concerning my homeland here. This is ironic because I am not exactly patriotic(I can hear a few friends laughing in agreement here). Indian women from Tamil Nadu(South India) wear beautiful saris(I don't think I need to describe these) of all colors and fashions. My favorite color is a royal dark purple so those really stand out to me.
Tamil Nadu culture is quite interesting. I'm learning much about this particular region's culture from a friend that is with me constantly, Pastor Peter. The culture in Tamil Nadu is probably the most traditional Indian culture on the entire subcontinent. Men do not interact with women, boys do not speak with girls, and women after marriage generally don't even look at men. I must admit this certainly explains the low, very low(compared to America's 60%) divorce rate but I am sobered at the thought. I have many friends that I have learned from that are not of my gender. I cannot imagine who I would be without their influence. Interesting.

Markets here are as stereotypically expected(busy, very, very busy) but I have experienced what letters cannot accurately describe and that is the stinging odors, disconcerting horns, and the adrenaline rush when an auto rickshaw speeds by just a few inches from my side as well as from the frightening circus horns from the giant trucks racing by. There are venders that carry all kinds of peculiar as well as necessary wares in the market. I would call the markets bazaars actually(here in Pune). The first time I went to the market was to purchase a mattress, pillow, sheets, and a converter. It all came out to be less than 10 dollars.
I guess I'll answer the questions I've received regarding the bathroom facilities here in India now. Within all modern hotels they are, well, modern but everywhere else they are simple holes in the ground and no, no toilet paper is provided. ha. I wasn't surprised having been well informed(warned) concerning such before coming here. It's different to say the least.
The weather is cool in the mornings and at night(still warm enough to require the fan and to sleep without sheets to be comfortable). During the day it is quite hot compared to the more mild temp I was accustomed to in Pennsylvania. I have earned(as I walked to various stores, offices, and vender) myself a dark tan(darker by the day).
I have been and continue to be impressed with the plethora of BTH(bachelor of Theology) students that are here and their attitudes. The institution had 176 BTH students last year. It is evident that many are neophytes that have either been sent here by family without choice or simply appraise the career admirable or something like that. I have made it my duty and purpose to unite these students. I have found few(I don't think few is a good word) that have a jovial attitude concerning Christ, His imminent advent, and the joy in being a co-laborer with Him for the salvation of His sheep that is rarely evident in America. Instead there is a certain anxiety apparent on their faces(they seem to be focused upon some seemingly insurmountable difficulty and not upon the Deliverer that is our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ our Jehovah-jireh, the living God that [provides] answers.
This note marks the transition that I will begin to make in this blog to make it more edifying to my family(including my extended family, which includes all those bought by the precious blood of our Savior) and friends. His banner over us is love.
In His Hands
Benjamin