We begin our third regular week in Delhi--if there can be a regular week here! Today was a Muslim holiday (Muharram), the start of the Islamic year. The children's school and the university were closed. Unlike Republic Day last Friday, most people went to work as usual today and shops were open. Adelaide and I shopped in the morning, then were joined by John to visit the government-run craft emporia that represent each state in India. Jewels, rugs, silks...it's all so tempting!
On our drive home after the Fulbright tea, we encountered a Muharram parade featuring colorful crepe paper and papier mache "mosques" being carried through the street and young men waving, whacking, and wielding wooden poles. That seems a bit odd, since fighting is forbidden in the month of Muharram.
The other consequence of Muharram for us was that the beer and wine store was closed. India is the least alcohol-oriented society I've seen among countries that permit the drinking of alcohol. There just aren't any bars except in the major 5-star hotels. The legal drinking age is 25! American college students might be discouraged from studying overseas in India by this law...but then, if the American laws don't prevent them from getting their hands on a beer, India's law won't either.
Owen continues to have fun playing soccer in the local park with boys who miraculously appear there when he shows up with his ball. I don't think he talks much with them, but he does play out there long and hard. It's definitely the world's sport.
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