A few words from Rebecca

cooksinindia
On Saturday we celebrated Diwali which is the biggest Hindu festival of the year. It is greatly anticipated. It is celebrated on the same scale as our Christmas by the Hindu people. Before I left India I noticed the streets and homes being decorated with lights. People were shopping for gifts, sweets, decorations and food. I drove past a park where there were hundreds of women having mendhi patterns tattooed on their hands with henna. The celebration is also called Deepavali or the Festival of Lights so homes are decorated with strings of lights and candles. The lights symbolize the triumph of good over evil. An important part of the celebration involves lighting diyas, which are traditional lamps with cotton wicks soaked in ghee (clarified butter.) Incense is burned and pujas (prayers) are said in front of shrines to the various gods and goddesses.

The picture below that Mike titled Diwali is of a diya that he found on his step. Must have been placed there by a kindly neighbor. I figured there might be some confusion over that photo. I'll try to explain to Mike how to caption photos and check his spelling (pretty bad for an English teacher.) I also hope that he will include some photos and a narrative of his India Diwali experience- much different than our Marquette experience.

Rashmi and I had a lovely Diwali celebration here in Marquette. We started by getting dressed in our Indian clothes. I got to wear the new Salwar Kameez that I bought in India at my favorite store, Fabindia. The Salwar are very comfortable loose pants and the Kameez is a long tunic top. You then drape yourself with a dupatta which is a long scarf or shawl. Rashmi insisted I wear some of her beautiful earrings and a matching necklace. She feels I need more jewelry (hint, hint Mike) and knows that her friends in India will help Mike shop. I'll add some photos that we took with Rashmi's camera later.

Next we lit a diya and said a little puja. We offered sweets to the gods at our teeny tiny shrine. We turned on every light in the house and lit candles and placed them at the front and back doors.

We then went to visit some new friends of Rashmi's here in Marquette, Dr and Mrs Patel and their very sweet son. They have a beautiful home decorated with many lovely furnishings that they have brought from India including an amazing shrine room. They were very kind to allow me to be a part of their puja and celebration. After the prayers, we lit candles and placed them outside and lit sparklers. We were then joined by Dr and Mrs Dhadphale and we ate a delicious Indian meal. I was sent home with a large box of leftovers. Enough for a few meals.

That is my very simplified explanation of a Diwali celebration. I'll encourage Mike to pipe in on his experience in Delhi celebrating with Rashmi's family. I had a very nice evening and I felt honored to be included. I never stop being amazed and delighted by the generosity and hospitality of all of the Indian people I have met. I also admire how diligent they are about preserving their culture. I'll post photos later.

Another really nice thing happened this week. This last week was homecoming at Marquette Senior High. Each year the students vote for one male and one female teacher to be the the Honor Teacher for Homecoming. The teachers are honored at the pep assembly and get to ride in a convertible for the Homecoming parade. Rashmi was chosen to be the female Honor teacher. I was so proud- I think that really says a lot about what kind of person and teacher she is. She has really made a connection with a lot of students in such a short time. I took photos at the assembly and parade. Rashmi was so cute in the parade- she had a huge smile and really had her beauty queen wave down perfect. I'll post photos of that later, too.