From Masala to Bollywood and everything in between! Catch up with me and my time around South Asia

Hello all...I thought it most appropriate to write this entry while wearing my sari, so that's what I'm doing. Use your imagination...or check out the pictures! Here fashion can be bought either pre-cut, and sized, as we do most often in the west, but even more popular, are the tailors who will make you a garment to your personal dimensions! Depends on the garment, but usually you purchase the fabrics you want and take them to the tailor to be stitched. Two weeks ago I bought a Salwaar Chemise (basically a long dress over baggy pants with a scarf to wear on top--call this scarf a Dupata) and for these they're tailored fairly simply, just pick which colors and patterns you want and the rest is straightforward. With my saris it was a bit more difficult. I bought the three yards of silks in Mysore (known for its fine silks) and then waited almost 3 weeks to find the right tailor who would do a good job stitching the blouse and the fall. So finally the tailor completed his work and I'm perfecting the art of draping and carrying a sari. So far so good, but there is so much fabric the real predicament comes at the end of wearing the sari when i have to figure out how to carefully fold all this fabric back up and hang it! Today I also visited the ISKCON Temple. This is a sect of Hinduism that worships the god Krishna, and these are the people you will see in the airports or on the streets chanting Hare Krishna Hare Rama....and giving out flowers and literature. It was a beutiful temple and educational visit. I'm always surprised how integral the role of eating is to the Hindus' spiritual tradition, today most of the temple's tradition had to do with eating. This was explained to me as the food we consume comes from the earth, and we consume it's energy by eating. Miss everyone, but still having an awesome time over here. Classes are interesting, and I'm preparing to travel to Hyderabad this coming weekend to celebrate the end of the Muslim month of Ramadan, the celebration is called Eid! Looking forward to all the new and exciting things there....Hyderabad is known for its fine pearls!