Me and my gov professor

There's not much going on right now outside of papers, so I figure this is a good time to share some stories about my government professor.

Professor H.M. Rajashekara is a wonderful teacher and an all-around good guy. He's clear, understandable, and interesting, and I think I've learned more in this class than any other I've taken here. That said, on occasion he can be one weird dude.

A good portion of the class is spent comparing the American and Indian political systems, which is very helpful. Often, this discussion is derailed into him asking me about America. Keep in mind that he has traveled many times to the US, and lectured at Notre Dame and Princeton. He's not a neophyte by any means. It's just that some of the questions are rather...odd. Here's a sampler

After discussing how the middle of the country is where most of the farmers are: "What is the capital of Nebraska state? Leencawn? What is the population? How large is it? What kinds of things are in that city?" Not only do I not know those statistics off the top of my head, he couldn't quite grasp that there's not much there apart from the Roller Skating Hall of Fame.

After mentioning globalization: "McDonald's is now everywhere in India." Me, as an aside: "Yes, but I hope not many people eat it, because it's not very good for you." Him: "Really?" Cure 15-minute derail featuring me explaining why fast food is not good for you.

Talking about poverty in the US and India: "Isn't it true that the Negroes are the poorest people in America?" That was a word I hadn't been expecting to hear in India. I believe "explaining to your eminent professor that a word he just used is considered racist" is pretty much the most awkward scholastic experience possible.

I did find it fascinating that the idea of fast food being bad for you was so surprising to my professor. Apparently, globalization means we only export the bad stuff, without the necessary caveats.

And thus ends the story of Professor H.M. Rajashekara.

An update about no updates

Due to popular demand, here is an update.

We're back in Mysore, and just like back at home, it's getting close to crunch time. I have 55 pages to write in the next 16 days or so, plus a test in a language that I and everyone else barely has a clue about. As such, I won't have time to be my usual hilarious self in these updates.

Don't worry though. If something new and exciting happens, my loyal readers will be the first to know! For now, just imagine crunch time in the US, but add the fact that all your professors speak with funny accents.

Bombay/Mumbai/I don't even know anymore

Three months into the grand South Indian adventure, we have finally made it to India's cultural capital, as well as its most populous city (I think). 16.4 million people live in this city, and at any given moment half of them are about to run you over as you attempt to cross the street.

Despite the near-death experiences, this is easily my favorite city in India so far. Yesterday we all had the slightly surreal experience of taking a tour through Jewish Bombay. The Bene Israel community of Jews here claims descent from one of the lost tribes of Israel, and DNA tests have shown that they are Cohanim. In any case, although the community has dwindled to about 2000 thanks to emigration to Israel, there are still many standing synagogues throughout the city.

We had a wonderful guide whose name I could not spell or pronounce in a million years who showed us all the wonderful places. I can't upload pictures on this cafe computer, but these looked like any Orthodox synagogue you'd find anywhere in the world, complete with upstairs balcony for the women.

That was nice, but the highlight of the day was when we attended Shabbat services (in Hebrew, completely incomprehensible) and ate dinner at the cantor's home. It was me, two other students, Ed, and his family along with the cantor, his wife and 2 kids, and his in-laws. The little dining room in his apartment was pretty crowded, but I think I can safely describe out first sight of challah in three months as a religious experience. The rest of the meal was too delicious to be believed. I've never thought of hummus as a Shabbat food, but after last night I'm willing to change my views.

I spent today taking the walking tour of Bombay described in my guidebook. My favorite part was making it to Oval Maidan, which is kind of South Mumbai's version of Central Park. When I got there, I counted about 15 pickup cricket matches going on despite the fact that the place isn't really all that big. It was impossible to tell where one game stopped and another began. I was also treated to the heart-stopping sight of a little kid dashing into the street to retrieve the ball. I really wish I had brought some baseball gear; I could be a great cultural ambassador here!

We might go out to a nice nightclub near our hotel tonight. Apparently this is where all the Bollywood stars go to be seen. Wish us luck in making it past the velvet rope.

Oh Mister Sun, Sun, Mister Golden Sun...

I suppose this is the point at which all the temple visits become worth it.

As I'm sure my parents are thrilled to realize, our tuition dollars are currently being spent to put us up at the Caravela Beach Resort in Goa. This is the kind of place that makes you feel like you're part of the British Raj. This is where the foreign tourists come to sip drinks with little umbrellas in them while they watch the sun set on the beach, and then come home and say they experienced the real India. See for yourself:
www.caravelabeachresort.com

If you're not laboring under the illusion that this place in any way represents India, however, it's quite nice. We're about 50 steps from one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. We timed our visit so that the weather is absolutely perfect, and the hordes of tourists that descend on the area around Christmastime haven't yet set off on their holidays.

There are still some reminders of where I am, however. While I was getting a haircut here, the barber's first question to me was about my religion. I'm fairly certain that wouldn't happen in barbershop in the US.

We're relaxing here for three days before hitting the road again to Aurangabad and more temples, and then Mumbai. Ed's family is here, and he's been unbelievably excited to see them. Can't wait to meet them myself.

And finally, for those of you who are interested in seeing me gain a very small measure of fame on the Internet, my name may be appearing very soon on the website of the BBC. I volunteered my views as an American living abroad to one of their blogs, and I got an email today that said they would like to put my views up. So check this site shortly after election day to see my comments about how the Indian press covers the results. Hooray for fame!

See you in Aurangabad.