Tombs, Dancing, Yellow Feet

Ahh. What endless fascination in this wonderful country.

Yesterday, day of stereotypical white people tourism.

Qutb Shahi Tombs:
Tombs of the old Hindu Kings from the area. 1300-1500's ish, I believe.
Magnificently intricate inlaid designs and architecture.
You could feel the age of the place at the tips of your fingers. As if the ancient energy radiated from the stones themselves. Really amazing.

the Charminar and Mecca Masjid:
the Charminar of Hyderabad is the Eiffel Tower of Paris.
Mecca Masjid is the second largest mosque in India (I think that was it), and one of the oldest.

Blessed by a man in a folded robe with ash and a feather bundle.
Barefoot.
Overwhelmed by the silence of devotion.

Chowmahalla Palace:

Most beautiful building I've ever seen. Given by the last Nizam to his wife (I can't remember what year it was constructed, but it was exquisite.)

Golconda Fort:

A playground of intricate history and incridible views.
Crumbling steps, dark passageways, and even a tiny Hindu temple.
And so much GREEN!

These girls were COMPLETELY fascinated with us. Nearly bursting with hidden laughter, one ventured enough to say "HI!" as I walked by. I responded with, "hello!" and received fits of girlish giggles. I asked if I could take their picture and they were totally stoked. They immediately asked for the camera so they could see themselves, and did with wide-eyed smiles and more laughter. It was really fun.

And after ALL of that, we went out on a Saturday night in Hyderabad.
To a club.
And what did we find?
SHOCKER. Top 40 US hits, disco lights and fog machines, mini skirts and high heels!
It was like a backwards culture shock. Was NOT expecting it.
Window overlooking all of Hyderabad. It was actually ridiculously fun, and I met a few really fantastic and beautiful Indian women who were wonderfully nice and excited to meet us.


Today:

Bonalu!
Festival of a folk goddess, honoring daughters and family.
We had the incredible opportunity to participate in the festivities at the Akkanna Madanna Mahalakshmi temple.

 Naturally, we were completely unaware of every single tiny detail and etiquette, and stuck out like the bunch of pale-faced foreigners that we were.
Nonetheless, we had a really welcoming experience.

Vermillion, holy water, blessed food, yellow feet.
Tiny baby princesses in shiny dresses and mini sarees.
Chicken sacrifices!?

And always, endless endless people completely fascinated with our presence in India.

And here's the Real Talk Sesh for this ridiculously long post.

My last post was a little depressing. I have been so overwhelmed with the sadness here. And believe me, there is plenty. How could there not be in such devastating economic, social, political difficulties? It's a lot for anyone to handle in one week.
Especially coming from sunny Santa Barbara, where even poor college kids live like Hindu Kings.
But.
 In the midst of such poverty, such inequality, such hardship, there are so many unbelievable niches for happiness, for family, for faith.
Nowhere in the world do so many people live together, in such close quarters, and remain (in general) in such peace.
I was reminded again today of the belief of the power of love, and of the human capacity for kindness, kinship, and connection. 
An entire was community drawn together by a colorful whirlwind of silk sarees, bright paint, and familiar ritual.
It was beautiful to witness, and to at least attempt to take part in.