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Day 5- 27/08/13 Kathak and University of Delhi

Today began with a cancelled yoga class which left me a bit disappointed but at the same time got another hour of sleep :) Therefore, after a very short breakfast we made our way to the CCRT (Centre for cultural and religious training) in Dwara. 
Here we had a talk from Dr. S. C. Goswami about how science and religion are interlinked and how there is only "one that is many". After this intense and enlightening lecture we moved on to be mesmerized by a very talented kathak dancer (Kathak (Hindi: कथक) is one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances, originated from India. The name Kathak is derived from the Sanskrit word katha meaning story, and katthaka in Sanskrit means he who tells a story, or to do with stories. ). This dance procession made me smile most of the time and brought back memories of home, as the music that accompanies the dance reminds me of the gypsy music back in Romania.

After the visit at CCRT ended, we had lunch and headed to one of India's most prestigious higher education institutions, University of Delhi, in the diplomatic district where all the embassies are located as well. I had the luck to be assigned Maitreyi college, where we had a very warm welcome and a fantastic time. We got to know more about Delhi's history and as tomorrow is the celebration of lord Krishna they had prepared musical plays and presentations as well as a traditional game that involved us making a human pyramid to reach a pot and break it. I got very touched when I was chatting to the girls after we all danced in the courtyard to modern hindi music, and one of the mistook me for one of her friends and gave me a hug. These are the little things that make a difference and that are making me fall even more in love with India and the people here, as well as with their warmth and cheerfulness. 

We then had a networking event at a high end club in a luxury hotel, Kitty Su, where we had a good time and got to hear the stories of expats that are now settled in India. It all made me think that in the future I want to explore as much of the world as I can and maybe I will eventually find my place, maybe not where I thought I will but where I will decide to grow roots.

It is already late and tomorrow morning there will hopefully be a yoga class so I must say "namaste"!



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