Thursday, November 20, 2008

Dining Indian Style






After the seminar, we went for an authentic Indian dinner with two women Bree works with. We took a Rickshaw to her mentor's house and then we went on our Ladies' Night Out. We had a wide variety of Indian foods and we were able to ask the family about their dining customs, religious beliefs, ad daily life. We were dressed in Saris (traditional Indian dresses) and given bindis (a forehead decoration) to wear. I loved dressing up, saying the family spiritual mantra, and being welcomed into an Indian home.

It is the custom that food is always served hot, so the hostess does not eat with the family because she makes sure that once the food is ready, it is served quickly, so that it will not get cold. The sister or selected female, other than the mother, also does not eat at the same time as the rest of the family. She serves the food onto the plates. The men are served first and guests (myself and Bree) are not to help in any way. The guests are meant to enjoy the hospitality and food that is provided for them. It is a culturally different environment, so not to offend other peoples' cultural beliefs, it is important to respect their values and traditions, even if it is different from your own.

11 comments:

  1. Those dresses look totally awesome!!!!!!

    your student,
    Haley Maurice

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  2. Thanks for the exciting journey...great to learn

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  3. Those are some cool pics. We all miss you:[

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  4. I miss you miss Bailin. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaa wa wa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Sniff... boo hoo.

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  5. What food is that in the pic?

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  6. Hi everyone! Thank you for the kind thoughts. Noah - I will look into the names of the food for you. I'm glad everyone like the Saris. :)

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  7. Hi Miss. Bailin! I miss you so much! honors is not the same without you. All your owls sit there so lonely not sitting up right and kids holding them. I love the outfits you and Bree are wearing and the pictures are wonderful to look at. Tell Bree i say hi! I miss you!

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  8. Noah,

    This is Ms. Reynolds answering your question. The staple foods which Indians eat are roti and rice. Roti is similar to a tortilla, but sometimes you will be served a stuffed roti which is filled with potatoes, green chilies, or onions. With the main roti or rice you will find many side dishes which are made out of veggies. Most Indians are vegetarians therefore most of the food they eat consists of carbohydrates and vegetables.

    For this particular dinner we were served puri, soft fried tortillas which taste like Indian fry bread. We also ate paneer, a soft cheese that is very common and aloo, potatoes cooked in a red sauce.

    Indian food is delicious! Indians also show their love through food and make sure we are always eating!

    Great questions- keep them coming.

    Ms. Reynolds

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  9. Hello to all! I want Miss Bailin to stay in India with me forever... can you ask your sub to finish the year at your school? :) I wish!

    Ms. Reynolds

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  10. woa Miss Bailin it sounds really cool. Did you eat purple tomatoes?!!!!! I wanted to know if you liked the food there

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  11. I do like the food here. It is different, but delicious. i have not eaten purple tomatoes. Sorry! :) Miss Bailin

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