it's raining.

these are the monsoon rains i suppose. they have been holding off until today, perhaps they could continue as to bring some more cool air our way. i just got back from an overnight stay at neemrana fort palace. school arranges this trip every year as a way for staff to get to know one another, relax and get out of the city. is is about 100 km southwest....in rajhastan. it was a 17th century fort that has been converted into what they call a "non-hotel." it was absolutely breathtaking, literally and physically. it is set within a hillside so there are stairs everywhere. but the views that it offers are some of the most incredible you have seen. i spent my 2 days laying by the pool, chatting with new colleagues, trying to read, and eating. it was delightful.

getting out of delhi is refreshing. going to this resort was great, but yet again, not very 'india.' i mean, if you think that being waited on by locals really gives you a down home good feeling, i suppose you might think it was india. for me it was still a tourist attraction, which i am beginning to realize is a little bit more of what my life is like.

very few people have indian friends. especially opposite gender indian friends. in fact, most people are very quick to tell you that the only reason indians want to get to know you is because your white. this i understand, somewhat. but i keep questioning whether there isn't that same preference anywhere you go? and that being in a pretty homogeneous cultural country (per se. i know that is a whole other bag of worms) just exaggerates it? while i know why people say it, i don't want to believe that any type of relationship i form here is based on my skin color.

the longer i am here, the less i understand about india. there is just no way to describe the rich cultures and traditions that exist. people are rooted in tradition that i cannot begin to understand yet.