India India India

If I had a favorite day since I've been here, today would be it. But since I can't choose, I'll just say it's in the top 3. Our whole group went to Southall today, the Indian district of London. But before leaving, our director Dave Shuler, gave us a lesson about their beliefs and customs so we wouldn't be so in the dark when we got there!

We went to the Sikh temple first, and removed our shoes and covered our heads with scarves since that's what you do! You wash your hands before going in, and then we went up to the prayer room. The Granth is the scripture they pay respects to, so we were able to go up to the platform where those were and bow and show respect...it was kind of intimidating being a room full of Sikhs who were worshipping as we were the tourists. Still there was a good calm feeling in the room! It was really cool. There's always someone reading the scriptures over the microphone, of course we couldn't understand it but it was really beautiful and melodic.

After that, our guide talked to us more about the Sikh religion. They believe in truthful living, respecting everyone as equals, and strive for peace and harmony. He said the five evils are lust, anger, greed, worldly attachment and arrogance. Agreed! We went down to the community kitchen and had langar, the meal they provide for anyone who goes into the temple. I love Indian food!

Next we had some time to walk around the city, and ended up getting henna and finding some sequin Indian shoes! I don't know if I'll do much walking in them around here...better save those for home. We visited another temple, a Hindu one this time. The platform...altar...I don't know which term to use, was really bright and colorful and had lights! It was really interesting watching people go in and show their respect for the gods.

Professor Macfarlane (okay from now on I'm going to refer to him as Roger because that's less to type) shared some of this fried dough dipped in syrup that we found from a vendor, and it was so good! Pure sugar. Pure goodness. One of my favorite things has become trying the little things vendors on the street sell. Usually they tend to be really good. We didn't try the cup of magic corn this time, but maybe that will be next.

Dinner was at Gifto's, some more amazing Indian food! I don't even know what we ate...but it was so good! I DO know what our appetizer was actually...kind of. It was homemade cheese with all these good vegetables on top! Mmmmph! It was all really spicy, hopefully that doesn't come back to haunt me.

Today was just so cool getting to be surrounded by this different culture and experiencing something new! I wish we would've had more time to be there today, but the train was calling our names!