December 29: Eat and draw with your fingers

Last night at dinner, Thomas, our guide, taught us how to eat. Even though the food is often wet, rice, sauces, and breads, Indian people eat with their fingers, not silverware. So a few of us decided, when in India, eat as the Indians do! I have to say, it is rather strange to eat with your fingers when you spend so many years as a child learning to NOT eat with your fingers. In this part of India, the proper way to eat is to scoop with your four fingers and push the food in with your thumb. You are a neat eater if your palm stays clean. In other parts of India, they will pick up food with the palm.

After 2 meals eaten by hand, I am getting over my hesitancy, though we still have several people who cannot eat without their silverware.

Food is not the only place where Indians use their fingers. Some Indian women welcomed us with patterns drawn on the ground with colored ground rock. This dyed powder is dropped through their fingers on the ground in intricate colorful patterns. We were able to watch as 3 women made us this blessing (it is a blessing) in front of the door of our building. The pattern she drew for us had at least ten colors, a cross, flowers, candles, and Indian lamps. It was absolutely beautiful and mesmerizing to watch her create.

Isn’t it amazing what Indians can do with their fingers!

Today, we will go shopping and leave the comfort of the seminary. We will also go to an interreligious Christmas celebration.