No way has it almost been a whole month!

I honestly can't believe that on Saturday I will have been here for four whole weeks! Its almost impossible for me to comprehend that my trip could be almost a quarter of the way over. I've certainly learned a lot about myself so far, and I'm definitely tougher than I thought I was! Now I know that I can handle using something that I would never call a toilet but people here seem to believe is one, I can survive and even enjoy showering without hot water-or a shower head for that matter. I can now navigate my neighborhood and get pretty much anywhere in the city I want to go, and I can almost always tell when the auto-rickshaw drivers are trying to charge me way too much. Oh and lets not forget, I can successfully clear my plate three meals a day even though I have no idea what I'm eating!

No major events happened this past week, although life here in India is never what one would call dull. On the 21st I and a few of my friends here in the program began celebrating Ramadan, the Muslim holiday during which one abstains from eating and drinking, as well as immoral or impure thoughts and actions from sun-up to sun-down. It is seen as a time to focus on building one's relationship with Allah or God, and to learn restraint and discipline. I have wanted to try and participate in Ramadan since I first read a book about the story of Shah Jahan, the Mughal Muslim emperor of India, and his family and I am excited to be participating in something that is so important and special to millions and millions of people around the world. The three of us who are doing it are fasting from all food and drink except water during the day, since we're still not used to the heat here and we sweat ALL THE TIME it seemed a prudent idea.

Also exciting, but far less significant, my friend Tiffany and I finally took our sari material to the tailor and they will be ready by Thursday night! I'm really way too excited to wear them, I got one fancy one with gold embroidered flowers on top of a deep maroon color, and one less fancy but more comfortable one thats a black and white pattern with a brown and black border. I'll post some pictures as soon as I get them back, and figure out how to put them on! We had to have them done by Thursday night, because Friday morning we're leaving for another little excursion, this time to visit some Maharajahs who have invited us to their palaces. It sounds cooler than it is, since these kings aren't actual rulers but just descendants of people who used to be rulers. I'm sure it will be an interesting two days, and it will be fun to stay in a hotel and dress up in our saris! As soon as we get back I'll be sure to post again and tell all the new stories and adventures we'll have along the way!