Anne M. post #4

Last night was so much fun. After a lovely day touring the Jenson Campus and meeting with students and businessmen, and visiting a textile factory-which made the most expensive sari in the world, $100,000!-we went out to a carnival. The front was built up like a little palace and light with white lights; very beautiful. I walked around mostly with my fellow student Kim, and we toured all the little stands. It reminded me a lot of all the flea markets at home: bargaining,people shouting prices at you, and others trying to pull you into the shops. It was great fun. Afterwards we went on a small carnival ride with one of the Indian students.
Today was incredible. After being sick and all, today was just so much fun. We left our hotel in Coimbatore this morning to arrive in GIM University. WE did not find out until the bus was pulling up to the University that we were the first americans to visit. I was surprised-and then shocked and delighted with the reception. We were met with a small band of sorts, who played on traditional looking Indian instruments. The female students were lined up along the road as the band led us past them. We were greeted at teh door with strings of lavender placed around our necks, and then we were led to the womens hostel. There we recieved our saris, and with a lot of help from the indian students, we put them on. Afterwards we were led to a main hall, where they had laid out a beautiful flower carpet in a design on the floor, and we were entained with traditional dances and a small lesson of indian culture. Afterwards we attended a small ceromony- I'm not quite sure what it was, but it had to do with the cow. It was very fascinating. Afterward we played a gmae similar to pinata, except with a jug and flowers. I wish I could elaborate more, but we have to move on soon. Till next post!