Original Pirate Material

            Wheww.  Its Sunday, our one day off from work.  It is so nice to not be in a stuffy office, and I will always appreciate a two-day weekend from now on.  Today we ate some indian-styled chinese food.  Probably one of the wierdest cuisines I have ever had, just sweet sauces with noodles and rice and cheese, really not close to either culinary tradition.  Anyway, we went kurta shopping at the outdoor mall, and experienced the Indian version of Walmart.  While not nearly as large, it was still a force to be reckoned with.  Anything you need, at cheap prices, but hindi.  And I wonder what it will be like being white and wearing traditional indian clothing.  I get so many looks anyway (I think I am the tallest person in the country), that maybe this will tamper that.  Well, probably not.

         

      A few days ago we were wandering through an outdoor market, looking around and trying to find a cart with something tasty to eat.  Finding veg food on the street is harder than one would think, considering so many restaurants are veggie.  Vendors cook tandoori food in large brass pots on the street. These ten gallon containers have blazing fires under them, so you literally have to roast off your eyebrows to get your food.  But word on the street is its the best you can get; if you can make a living cooking, then you're in business. And its cheap!

          When we were leaving the market, I stumbled upon the only temple in Ahmedabad.  I had been looking for Magen Abraham temple for some time, but I could not find it.  Upon investigation, there was no Saturday morning service because it is a working day.  However, I did return to Havdalah services on Saturday night.  After talking to the kids outside the temple, I tentatively rang the bell on the gate.  I was let in, and a short, balding, brown man with a kippah on took me to his office and asked me a number of questions.  Upon finding that I was staying in Jamalpur (the muslim district), he doubled the efforts of inspection and I could see furrows on his brow.  Apparently there aren't many Jews from that area, nor was I to be trusted.  After leaving him some numbers and names, I was led to the sanctuary.

           I don't know what I expected from services, but it consisted of myself and four old men praying out of decades-old prayer books.  When it came time to drink some wine for services, we were given cold chai tea (Gujarat is a dry state).  Also, the eternal light was a real candle, and was lit as soon as Shabbat was over.  For those of you who do not know, Havdalah, the service ending Shabbat and welcoming the new week, occurs on Saturday night and allows observant Jews to renew regular behaviors.  While the service was short, I promised myself I would return and establish a relationship with the congregation.  

    

       I wonder how the Jews in Ahmedabad (about 300) actually arrived there.  Are they converted or traditional Jews?  What is the Jewish life like within Indian culture?  How are Jews treated among a community that has religious tensions?   From the Hindus and Muslims I have talked to, they have been incredibly respectful and interested in my religion.  However, I wonder if this is because I am a coworker or a guest.  Hopefully my continuing relationship with this little synagogue will begin to answer my questions.

           A few days ago we attended a "Citizens' Meet" after work "To Protest Against Charge of Sedition on Times of India & to Uphold the Freedom of Expression."  Last week the Times of India ran a number of articles detailing allegations of bribery, crime, and complicity with the mob against the new Ahmedabad Chief of Police.  The Chief, O.P. Mather, decided to file charges against the Times of India, including sedition, defined as conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a state.  A few human rights organizations put together this meeting to protest the restrictions on free speech, presumably being used for stated "national security concerns." 

                     I thought I had escaped the shadow of overreaching and encroaching regimes on personal freedoms when I left the United States, but I guess not.  Perhaps the limitation of civil liberties is becoming more engrained in today's democracies around the world; in order for a government to maintain authority in an ever-globalizing political atmosphere, ideas and actions are being restricted.  Thomas Jefferson said that there should be a (political rebellion) every 20 years.  Its a shame such ideas have disappeared; it seems like there is little effect within the democratic system when one tries to exercise their rights.  And as a disclaimer, I am not encouraging or promoting any rash actions for any individuals, and do not take any responsibility for any resulting actions.  I also cannot be held to my own opinions and ideas, they may well change tomorrow.

      Anyway, the room was packed full of people and a sauna faucet must have been on in the small room.  Most of what was exclaimed was in Hindi, but the gist of what was said clamored for the corrupt government to be removed, along with the allowance of more civil liberties.  Even more so, people were upset at how there were little direct action to take.  There was no clear answer, but the presence of local paper and TV media could not hurt.  The meeting itself was empowering to watch and I am glad to have seen it, however sad in the sense that the urgency and pain painted on men and women's faces could not easily be erased.  

        

         Later tonight........dinner and Indiana Jones in Hindi.  Aujo (bye).