On August 15, 1947, Britain ended their rule of India. It was also the two year anniversary of Japan's surrender in WWII. Turns out (thanks to my research and Wikipedia) that India had been participating in non-violent protests against British rule and after WWII, Britain no longer had the man-power or money to to continue to deal with the protests and rule over India. So they decided to give India back to its people. Two countries were actually started as a result of this - India and Pakistan.
Anyway, this means that Stewart and I both had the day off from work (nice, I can now include myself). The day is full of people raising the Indian flag and decorating their cars with the flag and Indian colors. The prime minister is raising the flag at Delhi's Red Fort and then giving a speech. We didn't go to this. According to Sunil, this isn't the ceremony that's a "must see" - that one's in January. Other ways that Independence Day are observed here are through kite flying, bonding with family and friends, and enjoying patriotic music and movies. We partook in the first two. Kite flying is a very popular activity here which astounds me. New Delhi is so full of trees and lacking in open spaces that one would think flying a kite would be difficult. Not so. When we drive places on nice days, we can see children standing on the roof tops flying their kites. Today, the sky is full of kites and they get quite high too! We've had three kites land in our yard. Stewart decided we should also fly a kite so we climbed up onto our roof and gave it a shot. It didn't really work. I'm used to being able to run to get the kite started but there wasn't a lot of space up there. I don't know how these kids do it. Stewart tried over and over even waiting at times for a gust of wind to come along but to no avail. Our house must be in a void of kite flying air and that's why so many keep ending up in our yard. At least that's what we're telling ourselves.
The rest of the day has been full of the bonding with friends and family. We've been pretty lazy - staying home and watching a movie together, reading, and emailing friends back in the states. Overall, I'd say it's been a pretty good Independence Day :-)
Tomorrow, I go back to work while Stewart stays home because our HHE is finally scheduled to arrive! I cannot wait to unpack all of our stuff and finally feel like this is our home!
Anyway, this means that Stewart and I both had the day off from work (nice, I can now include myself). The day is full of people raising the Indian flag and decorating their cars with the flag and Indian colors. The prime minister is raising the flag at Delhi's Red Fort and then giving a speech. We didn't go to this. According to Sunil, this isn't the ceremony that's a "must see" - that one's in January. Other ways that Independence Day are observed here are through kite flying, bonding with family and friends, and enjoying patriotic music and movies. We partook in the first two. Kite flying is a very popular activity here which astounds me. New Delhi is so full of trees and lacking in open spaces that one would think flying a kite would be difficult. Not so. When we drive places on nice days, we can see children standing on the roof tops flying their kites. Today, the sky is full of kites and they get quite high too! We've had three kites land in our yard. Stewart decided we should also fly a kite so we climbed up onto our roof and gave it a shot. It didn't really work. I'm used to being able to run to get the kite started but there wasn't a lot of space up there. I don't know how these kids do it. Stewart tried over and over even waiting at times for a gust of wind to come along but to no avail. Our house must be in a void of kite flying air and that's why so many keep ending up in our yard. At least that's what we're telling ourselves.
The rest of the day has been full of the bonding with friends and family. We've been pretty lazy - staying home and watching a movie together, reading, and emailing friends back in the states. Overall, I'd say it's been a pretty good Independence Day :-)
Tomorrow, I go back to work while Stewart stays home because our HHE is finally scheduled to arrive! I cannot wait to unpack all of our stuff and finally feel like this is our home!
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