Dust, Politics, Portugal, and a whole lotta curry

So the air is getting increasingly dusty (which makes getting a tan a whole lot easier).  We just checked the temperature today out of curiosity: it's 90 degrees!  I thought it was getting hot...

Humidity will increase till Monsoon season but I am ready for some rain.  Rebecca commented on the heavy dusty on the trees today.  Trees should not collect dust.  Rain oh rain how I miss you!

Local elections are this Sunday so my inbox and phone calls are filled with political messages from both parties promising clean water, care for the poor, and free pollution!  It is quite hilarious (but sometimes startling) to have protestors marching and/or driving around in autos, broadcasting out political messages. Well the funny part is that they have to blast this horrible, teeky Indian music.  It is the worst kind of Indian music. Like some rejected Bollywood soundtrack mixed with hungry cats.  It helps drown out the noise of autos' horns, however.

The highlight of last week was that I played with two singers from Goa, India for the Indo-Portuguese musical festival.  Bangalore School of Music (my employer) puts together an East-West concert series every year.  This event is part of this.  I will later play some Piazzolla duets with Rebecca on guitar, and then play the Franck Violin Sonata with an Irish pianist.  This past event, however, was very special because I had the chance to play with two incredible musicians.  Goa was colonized by the Portuguese, but unlike what Britain left them, Portugal brought the Goans fabulous music, including Fado.  Please look up the style of Fado if you have the chance!  So I improvised with the guitar/male singer, female singer (only professional Fado singer in India), and a keyboard player from BSM.  While everything was put together last minute, we pulled it off well and it was a lot of fun.  It's great to have these performing opportunities and I'm enjoying meeting new faces and souls.  

Excuse me sir, how does one say, TOO MUCH CURRY!?

Tara's and my stomach felt the blow a little last week... nothing serious. just seriously not fun.  oh well, now we are fitting right in with the locals.  I think we ate too much chaat.  Chaat is this amazing street snack food. It's all vegetarian and you can buy different plates of many sorts at local stands.  They are really good and only about 10-20 rupees each (20-45cents!)

 

My mouth and senses like the spice, but my stomach is not so optimistic.  oh well. I will teach young grasshopper the ways by the end of my stay here!  One thing is for sure though- sick or not sick- I do like the fact that my antibiotic was only 17 rupees (about 25cents).  

Teaching is great.  I have a new five year old who is just adorable.  Her mom brought her camera the first lesson to take a picture of her in her fluffy dress and headband.  did I mention she is adorable?  though I do like all my students (as always!) and they are all hard workers and just great individuals.  

India adjustment.  check.  

oh, p.s. Rebecca updates her blog a lot more than I do.  She is masterblogger: storiesfromallover.blogspot.com  

She's given me permission to post this. I give you permission to visit her site, as long as you don't antagonize me because I am a lazy (well busy) blogger! huff.