Party Mix

I’m sitting outside watching the boys sort out wheat, enjoying the sunshine, the breeze and the amazing greenery and flowers that create a paradise around the farm. It’s serene at this very moment because the kids are at school. :P

As I may have mentioned before, we are well and truly out of monsoon season now. There has not been a drop of rain for weeks (except a VERY light shower while we were asleep) and the nights are getting cooler as are the mornings. Still t-shirt and short weather during the day though. There are gardens being created everywhere, and fruit trees being planted left right and centre.

Its harvest time here at the farm so we’ve had a huge combine come and do its thing on the wheat and soy fields. After the combines been through then people start collecting the hay from the fields and also bundling up the produce into big bags. Lots will go to be sold. The farm work is the boys duty so on the days when the combine is here and theres a lot of work that needs to be done in a short time, the girls are enlisted to work in different areas. Currently the mission is sprucing up an old house to turn it into a guest house for visitors. A few days ago a few of us girls were there painting the inside a nice bright blue colour, typical Indian style. Indian paint comes in powder form and then you add water, it’s like white wash. While this paint was great in that there were hardly any fumes and that it washes off almost instantly, it’s a lot more effort to apply, what would take probably only 2 strokes to cover with aussie paint, takes about 5 with this stuff. This paint is also dirt cheap compared to paint at home, although you have to reapply it every 1-2 years! What a huge lot of effort, although with the man power of the farm it isn’t too great a task. Roda and I ended up having a paint war, which was inevitable, She stuck a paint brush in my mouth as well as paint over my feet and neck and I got her back by putting it through her hair. Not sure who won in the end….

Painters from back: Lauren, Selma, Roda and Smitra (and Kelsey is taking pic)

Ladies picking the soy bean crop

The combine

A few nights ago Kelsey and I got dressed to go out! We were supposed to get all doled up Indian style (cover up as much as possible, put make up on and jewelry-ify ourselves like crazy) but ended up toning that down a bit before traipsing off to a festival and fair put on by the lions club here in the small town 1km away. There are a lot of mixed opinions around the farm about going to these sorts of events. We got put off by a lot of people before we went because they all these things were was drinking and women dancing with little clothes on, and as westerners we’ll attract a lot more vocal and maybe physical attention from alcohol fueled men. Chris (US) said that he would take Kelsey and I if we wanted to go, so under his “protection” we went. I’m so glad we went because it seriously wasn’t as bad as they all made it out to sound! Although to be fair, for everyday Indians and their conservative culture the girls dressed in tight long skirts and bare midriffs, which is quite provocative, so I do understand why the farm people find it an immoral display. It was held on a school oval, and there were about 2000 people packed into it. You never see these crowds in Australia, but it’s inevitable here. It was night time so the mass of lights were very effective! Everyone dresses up in their most vibrant and fancy clothes and there are stalls of food and toys, a huge ride and a massive stage that was covered in bright fabrics. When Indians put on a party, they REALLY go all out! 

Kelsey, Gail and I before we set out (she is tiny, but perspective has made her look miniture inbetween us i assure you :P)

the crowds we were greeted by

One of the dancers on stage

I now have only seven days left. I have enjoyed another jungle walk with all the nursery kids and the small girls yesterday. I had to carry dead weight in the form of little sleeping Suhana for about 5 km through the jungle and the water which was quite a challenge for me. We all had a lot of fun though! 

There is nothing more gorgeous than a sleeping baby, especially if shes Indian :)

On Saturday the school held a cricket match between the two houses (red and blue) which was awesome fun to watch. Just as happens at home, the boys put the minimal amount of girls they could get away with on each team, so it was majority boys, but the girls who did play, played so well!

the game in action

keen spectators

Just tonight Selma came in to pierce my ears parent trap style, or more commonly known aswith a needle and ice. The girls all do their holes, even their noses, in the dorms at night with needle and thread and ice. There are great benefits to living with all of your girlfriends!

An incredibly attractive photo of me with a needle in my ear

Love to you all!

Lauren