The art of doing nothing.

I can't remember when was the last time I sat around an entire day without checking my watch, but instead looked towards the sky and sunlight for an indication of time.

When I spend the longest periods sitting around in chilly winds and playing silly games, and when laughter accompanies my every meal.

When I gain the deepest contentment from stroking a cat, and a warm shower taken with a bucket and a pail.

India has stripped me down to almost the basics, and while the absence of urban luxuries took a bit of getting used to, I am now enjoying the art of doing nothing at all.

Jump first, think later.

It's only been two days, but it feels like we've been here in MICA for quite awhile, though not in a bad way. The campus is relatively empty as school doesn't start till later next week, but the people we've met have been very friendly and helpful.

We were invited to the wedding of the director's daughter last night, and while we felt pretty much like unwelcome visitors initially, we felt right at home once the faculty started coming up to us, and when Amit and Sumit came by.


The super-stamina musicians.


With all the colors and chattering of an Indian wedding.


The walkway to the wedding wonderland.


Color is obviously huge here. The more, the merrier.


A group shot of (l-r) Amit, myself, Sumit, Kash, Erwin and Nuria.


Heading out for hot masala tea in the chilly night.


Check out my amount of layers!


We bumped into Sumit and Amit at Chotta, the 24-hour cafe on campus, and we had crazy talk over hot masala tea in the chilly night.


Taking an auto (or what is pretty much like Bangkok's tuk-tuks) back to campus after a day shopping in Ahmedabad city.


Spot Erwin and I.


Found us?


We're getting along just fine. No desire to murder each other yet, haha.


Camel crossing.


The driver.


Gamely posing for us.


That's Sumit, watching the setting sun.


Driving (recklessly) off into the sunset.


MICA sunset.


While waiting for Nuria and Amit to join us back at the campus, Sumit read our palms. According to him, I think a lot (can't argue that), will marry a husband who is better looking than me, have one marriage and one child, to whom I'd be an over-protective mother. Hmm. And yes, he said that I'd have heart complications later in life. Sheesh. Maybe I should drink more red wine.

On a different note, the director's dog Roxy roams the campus freely, which ain't good news for me, especially as it's a full-grown German Sheperd. However, I managed to get around the fear to sit with Amit in the chilly evening with the dog between us as we contemplated religion and yoga. Not bad an improvement huh?

From the land of incredibles.

So after a very pampering Business Class (free upgrade hah!) flight, and a frustratingly long time at the baggage counters, we stepped out into Ahmedabad, where very very nice MICA students came by to pick us up from the airport. Here's their way of baggage storage - atop the vehicle.


A group shot outside the hostel with a friend of the MICA students. Amit's his name, I think? I would think he's what a typical Indian heart throb would look like.


Due to some wedding going on, we would have to make do in this jail-cell style room for the next couple of days. Dirty beds, dirtier toilets and funny insects... I am so gonna kiss the bed at the international hostel. And the heater. This is what I see while on my painfully unclean bed. Talk about waking up to an inspiring view...


After waking up countless times in the increasingly cold night, we awoke finally to brilliant sunshine, thank goodness.


What I assume is a typical day's lunch in the MICA canteen, except for the small portion which is my own doing. The food's surprisingly nice, quite like what I like.

And just for a rustic beauty snapshot to chase away the ills...



We're invited to the director's daughter's wedding... so off I go to formalise whatever clothes I have.. and to jump into yet another shower.

P.s. For the promised update on Indian men - some are looking pretty good! Stubbly. HAHA.