Hospitality

Hospitality. Wow. I just came back from our home-stay. We stayed with one of the professors at the school we are going to.  We were treated to meal upon meal. We got there on Friday morning and stayed untill Saturday afternoon. On Friday were treated to lunch, and a then a game of learning cricket. We played outside with Susan (7) and Samson (9?), Sheila Mamam (our textiles and design professor) and her older sister who is the mother of the two children. They live in the city of Aurus Puram and their house is wedged between the shops on the street. Beside them works a tailor who plays music and is hard of hearing so they told me its often loud.

After we played cricket for a while outside we played another game where we switched trees and the person in the middle had to get to the place before the other odd person got there. Afterwards we went to McDonalds. Earlier in the day we had told them we had not been there and were hoping to go some time later. But of course, they took note of this. They took us there later that afternoon after we had had some time to rest.  It was was a 5 minute walk from their house.  There we took pictures and I got out my iphone which thoroughly fascinated Samson. We took picture in McDonalds which was much more classier than any McDonalds I have seen in the U.S. They bought us cheeseburgers which were deep fried patties, with peppers, lettuce, mayonaise, and chicken like texture because they don't serve beef here.They also bought us McFlurries, and french fries. The french fries were like the American french fries which was great. :) We then stopped at the local vegetable store and a supply store to get school supplies for Susan. 

We then came home and played an Indian game called carom. It's in the shape of a square with nets in the four corners.  Each team  of two players has to put their own color puck in the nets. While we were playing in the power cut out, but it was no big deal. It was a normal occurrence for them every night so they had lights charged and ready. 

I also got to play PS2 with Samson who encouraged me in the video game King of Persia.  He was so nice and continued to tell me to play. He would tell me and show me how to do things but always gave me back the controller. I made a point of asking him to show me so he could play as well. Otherwise I would have been the only one playing. He was so patient. I was very impressed. Not once did I feel like I was a nuisance to him and was doing everything wrong. He continued to encourage me to do it  and didn't insist that he do it for me. As far as I understand boys in the U.S. I think it would be a rare thing to see the same hospitality shown to a visitor by a boy his age. 

Later around 9pm they gave us dinner which was not super heavy ( but apparently McDonalds had been more of a snack).  I was definitely full of food by the time I got to bed.

Here they listen to Christian contemporary singers such as casting crowns and Britt Nicole. I found out that Samson's favorite song was "Who Am I" and he knew the words too... and Susan's was "Open the Eyes of My Heart". Prior to going to bed McKensie and I sang some of "Who Am I" for them as they asked for us to sing for them. This experience brings knew meaning to those songs for me. 

I will post some pictures later. We only have so much internet juice to upload them so we all have to wait till we get our own internet sticks or ( dongles) as we call them here. Thanks for all of your prayers and thoughts.

My knee had been hurting a while back from all of the walking I was doing but it has been much better recently which I am so thankful for. If you can't walk here it's very difficult to get around. :)

Love to you all.