India Stories 1
Friday June 12, 2009
Flying to Delhi.
Reflections before I land.
Thirteen more hours and I will be deplaning in Delhi. This plane ride to India feels much different than it did this time last year. Last summer I had no Idea what to expect and I didnt know a single person. I was quiet, meditatively apprehensive, and excited to embark upon a solo journey where I wouldnt have the safety net of my family or my dance troupe and friends. I had only two outfits in my suitcase which was mostly filled with empty space and various medical emergency items: malaria pills, stomach soothers, etc. Along with my dance identity, I dropped the Rose in my name, removed my piercings and jewelry, and any other external marker of vanity which I felt I needed to step away from and exchanged them for a promise to myself to practice yoga, study hard, keep quiet, and write. This time I am sitting on the plane in a very different mindset. If the word for last year was return this year it is expand! I am not meditatively apprehensive or trying to take a break from any part of my identity. I know what to expect and my best friend in the world is waiting for me in Delhi as I sit writing on this plane. My suitcase is full of colorful salwar kamiz Indian outfits, the dubious malaria meds have been left behind, and this time Ive got two yoga mats in my bag: one for me and one for my fiancé.
I am on a creative, academic, and romantic high that is making this plane ride to Delhi feel like a snapshot that I will remember forever as one of the greatest times in my young life. By the end of my three months in Jaipur last year I eventually melted back into my loud laughing, eye-flirting, bangle-wearing, living-room dancing self (although the reflective break was necessary and formative). The amazing experiences I had traveling around North India last year became overshadowed by the starry-eyed, perfect love I found. I fell in love with a man who I practiced yoga with in the early mornings, studied Hindi with in class all day at school, who seduced me with fresh papayas and hot samosas after school. That man has since become my fiancé and he awaits my arrival to India, where we will be practicing yoga in the park, studying Hindi in school, traveling and living together. There is no creature on earth better suited as my life partner than Reed and I am so excited to be with him in the country where we met (although traveling back and forth to Texas this last year has been great too).
This summer I am more creatively charged than ever. I will be leaving Jaipur for eight days in July to fly to Biarritz France where I am meeting up with UNMATA to teach workshops, perform, and soak up the sun and the life of a traveling bellydancer! Ill traipse around in a bathing suit on the European beach for a week, dance hard, and head back to India until the end of August. I am on the lookout for unique costume pieces to incorporate into the next Nautch Project costume and determined to channel my travelers inspiration into two new choreographies. Im using this time in India to expand my creative efforts, build my relationship, and solidify my Hindi -and my handstand! My goal is to indulge and experiment in all personal interests and creative endeavors before I head back to intense academia.
When I return to LA I will be starting masters coursework. I have just been accepted to graduate school at UCLA in the department of World Arts and Cultures. I am finishing my BA in Dance and concurrently working on an MA in Culture and Performance. So I am also going to do as much field research as I can while I am in India/ watch as much experimental, hybrid dance as I can. I just had to write a one-liner for the new grad student welcome packet describing my research interests while I am in the MA program, lets see if I can regurgitate it here: I am interested in exploring the construction and taboo of hybrid dance forms and how they fit into a culture of invented tradition and hierarchical art classicism in the United States and abroad.
Besides that I am going to shop for my wedding sari and jewelry and invitations and and and -AHHHH get me to India! only ten more hours to go. Reed will be sharing his stories as well. Click here to check out his blog: Reed's Blog
Continue reading: India Stories 2