Around Delhi

Henna!

Everyone told me the best place to get henna done was outside of the monkey god temple. When I got there, however, I was told it was the day to worship the monkey god, so I had to come back later. Eventually, I made it back to the square outside the temple, where several henna artists were waiting for prospective clients. I checked out books of images from a few to pick my favorite. I had a lot of fun getting the designs painted, but even more fun hanging out with the 6 little kids who started clinging to me when they saw I was willing to pay attention to them. We didn't speak the same language, but we could still laugh and play plenty.

The henna ladies are amazingly fast and fluid in their design concepts. I want to learn from them for my carvings in clay.

The final product (before it gets very dark--that happens over a couple of hours):



Rugs:

I learned about the process of making rugs, including the wool collecting, pattern designs, and knotting and cutting techniques. This is the loom used to do the knotting.















Roof House and the Real India:
I got to see what life in "real India" is like in a house on a rooftop inhabited by a group of construction workers in a hotel being renovated.

In addition to the roof house I rode in a "scootie" a three wheeled taxi the size of a golf cart that weaves in and out of traffic.

I got my palm read by a jeweler who was ready to prescribe stones for me to wear to improve my future (apparently I need sapphires...). It was certainly interesting to hear what he had to say, though I remain unconvinced of the truth in it.

Yesterday I went to Indian cooking school and learned a bit more about cooking various sauces and breads. It was fun, but I think it killed any desire I may have had remaining in my mind to attend cooking school at any point in my life (which is probably a good thing).