The Ugly

I have to say that India has brought out a very ugly side of me. While inside I'm feeling wonderful things like inspiration, joy, amazement... the outside of me is simply hideous. Today I counted and I have 15 mosquito bites ON MY FACE. I'm serious. They are red and look like pimples/chicken pox and they so beautifully accent my already-dripping-with-sweat face. G took a picture of me walking through a fabulous canopy near Bombay University that was made of palm fronds... but after taking the picture burst out laughing at my massive puddle of back sweat seeping through my shirt, which disgracefully took over the photo. I haven't used conditioner or a straightener since I've been here. My hair is wiry and strawlike, frizzy with humidity, covered in dust, and windblown from our crazy cab rides. I just use my sweat to grease my hair back into some kind of ponytail. Forget makeup (it sweats off), forget perfume (sweat again), add dirty, baggy clothes and there you have it: lovely.

On the other hand, after I've accepted this state of things, it has felt really nice to not care what I look like. Sarah would be so proud of how fast I can get ready in the mornings. And with my beautiful chappals from Pune and my toe rings, I look pretty darn good from the ankles down. Also, it's so much nicer to pay attention to the beauty that's around me than to my own reflection. Indian women are gorgeous! And the fashion is amazing! Comfortable and colorful? With a little jingle here and some jewels there? Yes please!