Orientation in Delhi

I could not sleep past 3am. I turned restlessly until a free continental breakfast was served at 7:30.

USEFI (United States Education Foundation in India) sent a bus to pick us up- along with the other five Fulbright scholars. All of them are very nice and their projects seem as intriguing as they are diverse. Everyone gave me a warm welcome even though my position is rather ambiguous (even to myself). I introduced myself as Alexander’s assistant, who is also doing anthropological research for a MA degree in the U.K. but who also plans to complete several film projects, start learning Hindi, and who might volunteer at the local organization SEWA (Self-Employed Women’s Association). It is a wordy and confusing introduction, even to myself, but the USEFI directors welcomed me nonetheless and included me in all the day’s activities. I got along exceptionally well with one woman who gave me a crash course in Indian culture, explaining the many things I should watch out for as a woman. Among many other instructions, I must never make physical contact with Alexander in public- not even holding hands. Tear.

At the end of the day USEFI hosted a large reception to welcome and honor the Fulbright scholars. The setting was beautiful. They had erected a large, bamboo tent and draped it with a white, pleated material. Bushes adorned with lights bordered the space beneath. Around the dozens of round tables sat Fulbright alums, mysterious officials and businessmen, and other people from the American Embassy, many of whom had played some role in acquiring student visas for the scholars. Alexander presented his project to the crowd for the 100th time that day. It went something like this:

“Hello, my name is Alexander Dynan. I just graduated from Wesleyan University in Connecticut and will be affiliated with the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad. I am studying the effects of the International market on Indian textiles, focusing on color and design in Ahmedabad and Surat.”

By the time we left the event we had been at the Fulbright headquarters for nearly twelve hours.