Where in the World is Deb?

[Alias Reader]

Deb, I give your daughter credit for being adventurous.

[Bella (Kiki)]

madrano wrote: "493 Bella (Kiki) wrote: "My sister and I were also in a very old, and seemingly unstable train when we travel from Cuzco to Machu Picchu, which we loved..."

Almost everyone we've met who has been ..."

It's a terribly scary ride from Cuzco to Machu Picchu, but it can't touch the scariness of the ride in the Himalayas. Both are worth it, though, as long as the train stays on the tracks! LOL

[madrano]

Alias Reader wrote: "Deb, I give your daughter credit for being adventurous."

Likewise, Alias. Where this comes from is beyond me. I may have to ask her that when she returns, as well.

[Denise]

Alias Reader wrote: "madrano wrote:
"This cremation ghat has been run by the same caste of men for generations. It is toxic, dangerous work, reserved for the caste known as untouchable..."

:(

Google
untouchability ..."

I knew someone who went to India with something with her college, and was shocked by both the amount of prejudice against Dalits and that they had not advanced much in gender equality (this was probably 20 years ago). She lived there for a semester. Her host, a college age woman who was trying to progress but also keep the family peace, kept having to almost tackle her to stop her from asking questions. (she knew she was asking provocative questions but couched them as "I'm just trying to understand the culture here").

It's just really hard to let go of culture, especially if the cultural belief being addressed happens to benefit you, as "Dalit" does by keeping the higher paying jobs away from the general population

[madrano]

Good point, Denise!

It's rather fascinating that questions become a family issue when visitors stay with a family under student study programs. I suppose the theory sold when set up such accommodations is that foreigners will learn about YOUR culture...and accept without question.

Your friend used the best method in questioning the values, imo.