Saturday,
November 30, 2002
Major Tom part 3
We were
audience to a wonderful Katakali dance presentaion in
an old temple with a dirt floor. We were allowed to watch
the performers apply their traditional makeup before being
given a crash course in what every facial expression and
movement symbolized. It was wonderful.
After that, we mainly travelled by bus to places. The
air was better in the south, but it's still like Toronto
on an awful summer day with a serious smog alert when
you are to stay indoors (this is fresh air here). Now
we are in Munnar, up in the mountains, so the air is cleaner
than that, and it's cooler (thank god). The land is rich
in greens from the tea plantations.
I've been suffering some immense teasing from the group
because of my popularity with the locals. Even though
we have 3 blondes on the tour, attention seems to be fixed
on me at times. I took a serious ribbing when we all went
to a church and I was stopped for photographs by locals
at the front near the altar. Meanwhile, my entire tour
group sat in the pews and watched, gobsmacked. Victoria
said she stopped counting the amount of photos being taken
after 14.
And yesterday we were on a hike, but my damn ankle gave
way so I sat and let the others all go ahead up the mountain.
They were all afraid I would be left alone. Ha. I spent
the half hour having pictures taken with newlyweds, men,
boys, girls, and children. I had some nice conversations
and some really weird ones that were thankfully short.
I had people shouting out how fabulous I looked, and others
concerned that I was sitting by myself and obviously must
need help. The strangest was near the end when a group
of college kids came by. 12 - 15 young men. They all posed
for different pictures with me. Fine. Later they came
back to GET MY AUTOGRAPH. Fine. But then they all formed
a semi circle around me, and I started to get a little
overwhelmed. It was at that point that I turned to my
right and saw the face of one of our guides sitting next
to me. He'd seen the crowd forming around me up on the
hill and had decided to come down to make sure I was ok.
I was so glad to see him.
Expect to see me in the next Bollywood movie. There are
theories on why I am drawing so much attention, but I
will share them later.
In the hotel I was stopped by one of the front desk hotel
guys who commented that I had beautiful hair, especially
because it was so long and all the western women seem
to have it short. I thanked him and said it used to be
longer. He then very seriously told me it SHOULD be longer.
And thicker. And that I should have the traditional clip
that women wear in their hair. I thought to myself yes,
then I would look more like a proper Indian lady. Danielle:
the other white Indian. I Can't Believe She's Not Indian.
Indian light. The Indian Equivalent of Nutrasweet.
Tomorrow we set off for Madurai, then Thekkady, then Peryiar,
then Kovallam (?) and then it's time to go. Speaking of
which, I should be off. The group is out doing a huge
hike so I was left here to be the invalid. They will probably
be home in 2 hours, and I would like some more relaxation/alone
time.
Hope all is well with you lot. Miss your silly faces.
Dan