Friday, May 28, 2010

Friday, May 28, 2010

Last night was the best night of sleeping I've had since I've been here! Maybe I should go shopping more often! NOT!!!

This morning I walked for 82 minutes. I am sure that I have shaved at least 20 minutes off my Turkey Trot time for November. Except for when it's raining or going to rain--remember I'm not supposed to walk in the rain--I consistently walk more than an hour. Otherwise, it's been 30 minutes and 50 minutes. I was walking 3 miles in an hour on the treadmill at Knollwood. Actually I was walking 3.2 mph, but backed off because my hip would start bothering me. The flies this morning were awful. (I take that to mean their is rain coming today. I had tokeep batting them off, and that took a lot of energy. Met a couple of people who new Zamorin's. 'George' was one. When they go by Christian first names, it apparently means they are Catholic.

BTW: Since I didn't even think of bringing Afterbite (not having a problem at all last year), and mosquito and fly bites last a long time on me here, glasses lens cleaner helps with the itch. So, if you're ever on Jeopardy...

OK. Tradition says that all sons return to their parents' home after marriage. That's why Babu's home had 22 people in it. When it gets to crowded, then the men start talking about building an adjacent building, etc., and who should move into it. Then the wives start working on the husbands (subtlely) jokeying for what they think their position should be. Like if they think they should get the new building.

Sometimes, like in Baji's case, the older brothers move into separate houses. Baji's brother lives in Calcutta for instance.

I guess I was right about the flies. It's raining, and the sun is shining. I'll go look for a rainbow when it quits.

Back to tradition. You know about the arranged marriages. After the wedding ceremony, the couple return to the girl's home for 10 days of getting to know each other. The women have coached the bride on what is going to happen, what they should do, feminine wiles, etc.
When I said that that must be hard on the father, Babu was taken back. He said, "Why? She is starting a family! Her father is very happy for her." So, after a couple of days, they start taking walks, maybe shopping, just getting to know each other. This way the girl has the support of her mother and the other women in the household.

When the girl gets pregnant, which is usually right away, there is great celebration. At the sixth or seventh month, the girl returns to her family home. Husband visits, but doesn't stay. Bride's family bears the expense of the baby. The new motherand the baby stay in her parents' home until the baby is three or four months old. Husband's family visits and sees the baby.
Kathy told me that a 3 k --6.6 pounds--baby is about the biggest natural birth possible. After that, it's C-section.

Most families near here seem to limit the number of kids to 2 or 3, but the national statistic is 2.86 per woman. No wonder there are 1.2 billion Indians in country!

Oh, dear. Time for another massage er I mean treatment.

Take care.

Love,
Mom/Peggy/Granny/NiNi