A Conference & Cultural Performance

Laura & I with a Filipino professor waiting for the performance

Today I woke up with no plans and no classes. I felt exhausted from a long day at field placement the previous day and was fully intending on having a day to relax. Then I found out that there was a conference going on in the dorm right next door. It is a three day conference entitled "Service Learning: Engagement in Environmental Action". It sounded interesting enough so I decided to see what it was all about... at least just for a little bit. I watched three presentations from faculty from the Philippines and Indonesia. The presentations were titled "Engaging the Community to Environmental Economics Action Program" and "Community Health, Nutrition and Food Preparation: Practical Applications in Response to Challenges in the Environment". The presentations were interesting and got me thinking about how I can implement some environmental initiatives at the WIN foundation. The fact that this conference was going on today was so ironic because just the day before Peter and I talked about running an environmental program at the organization. Yesterday we picked up a bunch of bamboo trees which we will plant tomorrow.

A TRACK = a new place to run :)

After the presentations we took a short break for coffee and tea along with some mouth watering Indian snacks (I must say snack time is turning out to be my favorite). Once we were back in the conference room we were split up into different groups to talk about environmental initiatives and struggles within our home universities. My group had faculty and students from Indonesia, Japan, India, the Philippines, and the US (aka ME!). It was so interesting to hear all the different perspectives and even more intriguing to find out that everyone was fascinated about how the US handles their garbage. Some of the people were so confused by the idea of a garbage truck along with the fact that you can turn in recyclables for money in some states. It was really amusing on my end.

Eight Lanes!

Next we were invited along for a campus walk that led us to a part of campus I have yet to explore. I've seen the athletic fields from a far, but have yet to venture on to their turf (ha, no pun intended). Anyways, I was almost hyperventilating with joy upon the discovery that there is a track on campus. Yeah it is dirt, but there are eight lanes, EIGHT! At that point my day was complete... but of course there were a lot more surprises ahead! :)

Before we know it, we are led to the international guest house where we are told that we will watch a cultural performance. It was my expectation that someone was going to sing a farewell song to conclude the first day of the conference. That is something that typically happens here after a formal meeting. Instead, we got an elaborate dance and song performance by some of the social work students and trained professionals. One man sang us a traditional song of Tamil Nadu that is sung to welcome guests. Then we were shown very ancient and traditional folk dances of this state. The social work department encourages students to learn these dances because they belong to oppressed groups that are viewed to be at the bottom of the caste system. By practicing these dances they are not only showing respect to those people but honoring their culture as well. Also, practicing their art form will hopeful change the way society at large views them.  The dances and songs were beautiful and by the end I was about ready to join in.
Side note: I must learn some moves from the social work girls!

Paul (a student from the department) sang a Tamil song that talked about the way woman are treated within Indian society. He expressed how important these issues are to him and wanted us all to be aware of the injustices. The dances all involved drums and bells worn around the dancers ankles. Most of the dances we saw are traditional done with swords! The dancers opted out of that one (thank god!) and stuck to using small pieces of cloth and colorful sticks.

At the conclusion of the program, we were herded inside to feast upon a variety of Indian foods. We were told to dig in, so I did just that. There was paneer, chicken sticks, fried ladies fingers, potatoes with cilantro, chapati, chicken & paneer masala, some yellow curry looking thing, rice mixed with fresh fruits, and a sweet coconut drink for dessert. I'm learning that India is all about song, dance, and food. There's one thing for sure, it definitely brings people together.

We left around 8:30 pm with our bellies and souls completely full and satisfied. And to think, all of this happened because I decided to take a quick peak at a random conference. I never know what the day will hold, but when I find myself open to all possibilities I have the greatest days and the biggest adventures.


All of my love,
Becca