Weekend Review

FRIDAY.

Saw Transformers in Hindi. Couldn't understand a thing.
Went to a going away party for an AIIS student at Royal Cafe and ate a TON of meat, i.e. butter chicken, chicken biryani, mutton, etc. and the best naan ever. We have a theory that more protein makes us feel better, thus, when we go out to dinner, we overindulge in our love for meat as every other meal is vegetarian.
Followed dinner up with a stop by Mint and enjoyed some giggles with the girls before ending up at McDonalds and then home.
Very good evening indeed.

SATURDAY.

The Institute organized a field trip for us to a Sufi shrine a short distance outside of Lucknow. Sufism is a mystical form of Islam more focused upon the ideas of love and unity than upon some of the structure and regimentation of the other forms of Islam. It's extremely fascinating. Sufism claims to have emerged at the same time as the main forms of Islam, Sunni and Shia'a did, and it boasts major populations in countries like India, Turkey, and Senegal, among others.
While we were at the shrine, we were able to listen to kivali performed by some Sufi men inside one of the shrines. With beating drums and deep rhythmic vocals, it was one of the coolest things I have ever heard in my life.
In the middle of our trip to the shrine, we went to someone's home for kebabs and mangoes. Kebabs here are grilled and spiced mutton, and whether it's lamb or goat, we don't know. But, regardless, it is ridiculously greasy, especially when served with bread the consistency of greasy tortilla chips. We joke that we sweated off the greasiness while at the shrine....
Came home. Took a nap.
Saturday night, I went to a friend's birthday party. While consuming all the staples of an American party, we connected iPods to portable speakers and spent an evening on a rooftop beneath a few scattered stars and a brilliant moon. :)

SUNDAY.

Spent a slow morning catching up on correspondence and FB messaging friends.
Our hostess came up to see us for the FIRST TIME IN ALMOST A MONTH after having been absent for that time and after having received quite the scolding from the Institute for neglecting her hosting duties. We aren't placing too much faith in her, and I am of the opinion that the fewer points of contact, the better. I really don't trust her that much.
Lunch was butter chicken and naan with Aqilah and Azim at the Indian Coffee House, my new favorite hang-out.
Spent the early part of the afternoon solo in Cafe Coffee Day before I was spotted by Jameel. We relocated back to the Indian Coffee House and were joined later by Steven, Lars, and Lars's former host brother. I got minimal work done, but I read about 30 pages in my book (In Spite of the Gods: The Rise of Modern India by Edward Luce) and had a great time watching a rainy afternoon pass over coffee.
Ate dinner with Aqilah and Cayley back at the apartment and ran an errand with Cayley to Saharaganj just after dinner.

And now, I think I will go to bed.

Au revoir et bon nuit!