Happy 10th Birthday, SURYA!

So it's been over two weeks since I've written, and that fact alone is probably the most stressful aspect of my life right now. It's so much that there's no way I can even relate it all in chronological order...sorry!
Thursday, July 3, was SURYA Foundation's 10th Anniversary, and it was celebrated with a traditional ceremony of offerings to various gods, etc. For most of it, I was out of the loop, but my boss' husband was kind enough to explain some of it to me after the ceremony. The entire staff was there, and it was definitely great to see everyone together, proud of the work this NGO has accomplished in the last decade. Of course, the ceremony was followed by massive amounts of food and chai...and everyone kept on asking me if the food was "OK." OK? The food is incredible. I am already dreading the kind of withdrawal I will have come August and upstate NY...
Anyways, I'm so happy that I'm able to experience India this way, where I'm included in so much of the culture and rituals--not as a tourist, but as a part of a community. The pictures say a lot, though they don't quite depict how hot it gets when you light a mini-fire inside a room during July in India...

My boss' husband is the man in the white shirt on the right. My favorite explanation that he gave me was that it was a religious ceremony, but rooted in science. Each offering made, whether that be water, flowers, or fire, all represent essentials that we as human beings need to survive. The wood used for the fire is that of the mango tree, because we eat the fruit. Wood from a tree that does not produce fruit, or nourishment, would never be used in this ceremony. A mixture of various herbs were thrown into the fire, so they would disperse into the air, purifying both the air and our bodies as we inhaled it.

It was very peaceful, the sound of the priest's mantras, and everyone joining in, no matter their age. This little girl became a friend of mine, blabbering to me in Hindi and sitting next to me as we made faces at each other. When the ceremony started, she was incredibly attentive, and I was impressed such a small child knew exactly what to do and how to act. As the youngest there, she took the lead in some of the rituals. It was powerful to see traditions being passed down this way, generation to generation.

The SURYA staff, mostly women but also a few college guys who oversee all things computer-related. Most of them don't speak English, or very limited English, but everyone was so, so friendly. I hope to visit a few of the other SURYA sites that I haven't seen yet, including a set of creches, or daycare centers.

Another new friend. Who doesn't love babies. And balloons. And babies playing with balloons.
(Disclaimer: guys, I know some of you are thinking about how I take a ridiculous number of photos of babies. But, please, with this one--they ASKED me to take a photo of the baby. So cut me some slack. Thank you. :p)

More to come! Stay tuned (and patient)...