Saturday, January 29, 2011

A Cultural Evening

This weekend we didn't have any real plans so we put together what we could of the things we had available to us.  It has shaped up to be quite a nice weekend.  Friday night there was a play at AES put on by the staff from the school, Fiddler On The Roof.  We also were given two tickets to the Accademia Teato alla Scalia di Milano performance of an Indian Cultural inspired ballet performed at the Siri Fort Auditorium.  With a bit of planning and creative scheduling we were able to meet the Dad of the family at the school after he finished work.  He took kids middle and three to the play while I took kid one to the ballet.  We met back at the flat when all was complete a little after nine in the evening.  The play was something many of the kids have talked about at school so it is nice to be able to contribute to the conversations with friends about school events like this.  The kids liked the story but because they know that a fiddle is a violin or viola it was a little sad that a REAL string instrument was not played for the performance.  For the most part it was a three thumbs up, one from each that attended.
The ballet was a different experience.  We were dropped off at the VIP entrance and told that our tickets were general admission and we were to go to gate two.  (It didn't say that on the ticket but the ticket was free so we didn't complain).  Kid one and I had no idea where gate two was but followed the others that were sent away from gate four, all the way around the block to the opposite side of the auditorium where a line was formed that was at least as long as the parking lot depth, another block back.  This alone was a sight to see.  We don't see that lines form in India.  People tend to cluster, but a true line really is a rare thing.  It was an eclectic crowd waiting in line to attend the ballet showcase of Italian culture with an India flair.  We visited with people in line as we waited to be shuffled through the single gate to enter the auditorium.  The gentlemen behind us in line shared that ballet culture is not something India has very often so when opportunities arise many are interested.  Once we were in the auditorium and seated for the show we learned that many are interested but unaware of the proper behavior for a ballet.  Seats were scarce by the time we entered and we quickly went to the balcony in hopes to find a seat.  We found two in the far left side of the balcony and watched the ballet from the viewpoint of looking onto the side of stage right.  It was a seat and we had free tickets, again remembering to be thankful.  The performance was interesting and music was unique and the ballet was more contemporary in nature.  This make up, I think was the biggest issue.  Because of the contemporary nature those that didn't know much about ballet had envisioned another type of performance with tutus and classical music.  When that was not happening on stage little kids became restless and adults whispered, everyone shifted seats to get closer or further and all in all a different crowd than we are accustomed to at a US performed ballet.  There is an etiquette to attending the ballet, not the dress, not the attitude but the act of being still and letting those perform do the movement undisturbed.  This was not part of the experience in this crowd.  Interesting ballet, interesting audience, enough said.
As we began to exit the auditorium we were glad to see the ballet class that kid one skipped to attend the performance also skipped class to attend the ballet.  We ran into the instructor and most of the class members when we exited the balcony.  We followed the crowd out to the streets that were packed with vehicles and people, like most of Delhi.  I had no idea where to get a taxi but I was pretty sure right at the corner was not going to get me one any time soon.  So kid one and I elected to walk with the crowd down a block to try to catch a cab further away from the busy intersection in front of the auditorium.  It seemed okay to do but some street dogs had a barking, running fit right down the sidewalk towards us at one point, we were offered to take an unmarked taxi if we would like to do that, my instincts said no.  A few tuk-tuks offered us a lift but I wasn't sure how far we had to travel so I declined.  We ended up just calling our trusted cab driver and some helpful gentlemen who were walking in the crowd helped us give directions to the cab driver for where to find us.  We made it home and so did the other three who also took a cab because they were unaware our driver was waiting at the school to drive them home.  We had to call the driver and ask him to drive himself back to our house because we all took cabs home.  All is well that ends well.  We slept fine and dreams of sugar plums danced in our heads, not really.  Saturday and Sunday bring weekend errands and time for outside enjoyment.  The weather is supposed to be highs in the high 60s-low 70s.  What are your plans for the weekend?

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