Saris, Turbans And Tea

Our Monday afternoon offered several activities. One was a tea talk and tea tasting that Bob attended. He and another gentleman were the only two there. I’m sure others, like me, were resting up from the morning’s walk in the heat. A little later though there was great attendance for the traditional Indian garb demonstration.

They started with the gentlemen. A few were reluctant at first but then volunteers became more readily available. There was a huge white cloth that had to be every bit of 15 feet long that, when expertly wrapped became a pair of pants. There were several styles demonstrated and a couple that were more like long skirts which we’d seen in several places on our trip so far.

Turbans were next and again the length of material was enormous. There are also several styles of turbans that are wrapped around the head. Some are wound tight enough that a man could even have it last several days taking it off at night and putting it on again in the morning.

Then came the saris. I am a lover of fabric and the fabrics and colors and patterns we have seen while in India are stunning. Some are very delicate. Some ornate. Some bright colored and others subtlety colored pastels. Saris start with a short blouse and a long slip. The large flowing piece of material is wound around and tucked into the waistband of the slip and eventually over the shoulder. Many of the women chose to try one on.

When it was time for the Bollywood dancing, I slipped out. I found a peaceful chair on the sundeck and enjoyed a little quiet time.

Our next day briefing was held a little earlier as we were to have a visit from the local dance company from Murshidabad where we would moor overnight. The chairs were arranged theater style on the sun deck at six and the classical dance group began to entertain. It was really hot and little air circulating except for some fans but the troupe performed several different types of traditional dances. One solo male dancer used a brass plate in his performance, balancing on the edges and moving it around. My feet hurt to think of what that felt like but I’m sure he was used to it.

Included with the dance troupe was a violin performance with another dancer. The music was said to be influenced by a famous Indian poet. The dancers must have had five costume changes. I don’t know how they managed it all. What was so very beautiful though was the way they were so expressive with their hands. It reminded me a bit of the Hawaiian hula but mixed with the moves of classical ballet.

Dinner was again a delight. The chef is very talented and the nice thing is that the portions are such that you can have salad, soup, entrée and dessert along with the accompanying breads and not be overstuffed. Bob and I both had duck l’orange which was perfectly done.

Dinner was to be followed by a movie called Outsourced which was a comedy of someone’s first experience with India. I was way too sleepy even with the tempting offer of popcorn to go to the movie. Bob went for a little bit and then came down to the room for the night. (The staff put the movie on our TV the next night for us so we could watch it.)

I remember the very first cruise we ever took. The schedule would be published and put on our bed at night and the next day we would try to keep up with all the things offered. We exhausted ourselves. I smiled. This was almost the same experience. I reminded myself that we didn’t have to do it all. Save energy for the most interesting and appealing things to us. You can’t do it all. And tomorrow would be another day.