"The Village People"

On Sunday we were heading to a village to spend some time with a family - we were so excited. We were to meet at an Aunties house in town then travel with them by bus to the village. Well we arrive at 10 like they told us to knowing full well that we were early by indian time. However we chatted for a bit over a cup of chai then went on the roof and watched her do her laundry...then we came back downstairs and she ironed her suit then went to take a bath. Then they served us "breakfast" - a hot parantha with some kind of gourd mixed with spices...it was really good. We weren't really sure why we needed to eat before we went tothe village where they would serve us lunch but you don't argue with an Auntie. So then we finally leave and head to the bus stand. I think we got to the bus stand about 12:45. It was only a 30 -45 min bus ride to the town near the village. We met with our family's friend who would then take us to his village. We walked for about 3 kilometers or so and finally reached their house. We met his wife, 2 daughters and his one son, along with his brother and sister-in-law with their son, and his mom and dad who all live in the same house. We had a glass of pani (water) first as is the custom, then a cup of chai. We chatted on their porch (see pic) ate lunch, then went for a walk around their village and fields. But before we left we met his parents who were sitting downstairs chatted a bit with them. His father is an ex-police officer, he was quite an interesting fellow. I got a picture of him and his wife, his wife was very sweet. Then we heard a familiar noise and what to our wondering eyes should appear? but 2 water buffalo!! It was sad to find out they had already been milked and this is done early in the morning. So we settled for just petting them - they have really wet noses and i still think they wear wigs...
As Beki says.."They are SO CUTE!"
We were reminded of a certain veggie tale song...

"Everyone's got a water buffalo, yours is fast but mine is slow,

where you get them i don't know, but everyone's got a water buffaloooooooo."

Well now we know where you can get them and in this village everyone really does have their own buffalo. We went walking around for a bit and it really was peaceful and beautiful there. We were introduced to all their extended family along with any neighbors that weren't related. As we were coming back home, we met two of the CUTEST ladies EVER! I practiced what little Hindi i knew and then gave them a hug as we were leaving to go back to the house. The woman in the purple and pink almost didn't let me go! I wanted to take her home with us. (i loved her sunglasses!)

When we got back to the house, they gave us a nice bouquet of

white flowers and greenery. It was really sweet of them until we realized that the greenery was actually marijuana. They told us we should eat the "greenery" because it was "good for health".... We just laughed because they thought they were soo funny. But seriously, we learned that the better quality marijuana is in the next village.... haha.

We went upstairs to sit on the porch for a bit, then Beki sang and played the guitar for us - it was so fun. We ate again before we went back home. I have no idea how these people eat so much, their stomachs must be bottomless pits! Anyhow, it was probably good that we ate a lot that day because we didn't eat for the next 3 days because we were so sick!! Next time we're bringing our own water...