Sunday was a true day of rest, as Rachel and I let ourselves sleep in until 9:30. It was so nice! Especially since we’ve woken up at 6:30 for the last week and a half. After lazing around a bit, eating breakfast, and catching up with friends on facebook, we got dressed to go to the cultural event the Manipal Press was putting on. We felt like dressing up a bit, so we wore the pretty dresses we bought the day before.
We finally made it to the Syndicate Bank Banquet Hall, and I immediately wished we had arrived sooner. As we walked in a dance number had started. There were 7 dancers on stage in brightly colored green and orange costumes
and one woman stood on a raised platform wearing a green saree holding a large Indian flag. We assumed she was some representation of “Mother India” when all the dancers appeared to be performing for her. After the dancing competition, the winner was announced, and the talent competition started. The competition included everything from
dancing to singing to stand-up comedy to short dramas. Although all of it was in Kannada, the local language, Rachel and I really enjoyed getting to see everything. Soon there was a break for lunch, and Neeta, two other guys on the cultural committee, Rachel, and I went to Dollops. We really enjoyed getting to talk with our coworkers. One, Sandeep, was really excited about his wedding coming up in about 5 weeks. It’s in Mangalore and sounds like it is going to be quite the event. When we asked how he met his fiancé, we were so surprised to find out that this was an arranged marriage. He only started getting to know her once they were engaged. At first Rachel and I didn’t know what to say. He explained that it is fairly common here because family and class are more important than love. I appreciated his honesty, but I’m sure glad that’s not the custom at home!
After lunch we went back to the banquet hall to watch the rest of the competition. There was more dancing, singing, and acting. But after a while, Rachel and I had headaches from the loud music and trying to figure out what was going on. The whole audience would be laughing but we had no idea what was going on! So we took a breather and went outside. We walked to Snack Shack to get an ice cream sundae and kill some time. After devouring delicious sundaes, we went back to watch the performances. I had to leave shortly after that to get to Mass, but I didn’t mind too much because my head was pounding from how loud the music was. It probably didn’t help that we were really close to the speakers.
Mass was great, and I even recognized a few songs! After Mass, Aditi came up to me and told me that there were some people outside she wanted to introduce to me. I saw Myron again, and met Clemitha, Salma, and Walter. We visited a while, and they told me about their Jesus Youth meetings on Thursdays. I hope I will be able to make one of them! We also talked with Fr. Francis for a while. Myron requested some frankincense to burn in his room to get rid of the mold. Mold covers everything here; it’s so gross. But apparently frankincense remedies that! Father showed us some frankincense he had from the Holy Land. I don’t think I’ve ever really seen frankincense before that. After a bit, Aditi, Myron, Salma, and I decided to walk back to campus and say the rosary together. It was so nice to have more church friends, and it only helped that it was a beautiful night to walk back.
Only when we went our separate ways, did I realize that Rachel had been trying to call me. Oh no! I realized that she was locked out again since neither of us remembered that she would need the key. I called her as I walked as fast as I possibly could back to the apartment. When I arrived in the hallway, Rachel was talking with someone she introduced as Ian. He didn’t have cable, so Rachel invited him to watch the game with us. We decided to meet up closer to game time (midnight), and Rachel and I went inside. After apologizing profusely to Rachel, we went to get dinner at the food court. After getting back, I skyped with my parents for nearly two hours! I always love catching up and hearing what everyone at home is up to. After filling my mom and dad in on what was is happening here, I signed off as Ian came down the hall, and the three of us made our way to Mike’s.
At Mike’s apartment, AJ and few of his other friends were there too. They were so nice. One guy was even from Miami! Everyone watched the game in rapture, yelling at the TV, throwing up their hands in disgust, and cheering at the appropriate times. I watched with significantly less animation as I was fighting to stay awake for most of the game. After two agonizing overtimes, Spain finally won! About 30 seconds after Spain’s victory, I dragged Rachel and Ian back to Pearl City and fell asleep instantaneously. I was so tired, and work was going to come very quickly!
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