Asia to Africa

Hey all!

I just arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa a few days back and realized that it’s been forever since I’ve written. I met some really interesting people in Amritsar and the interviews went well. In addition to the research, I had the chance to visit the Golden Temple as well as Wagah Border. This border between India and Pakistan is famous because every evening at sunset, the Indian and Pakistani armies perform a ceremony in which they lower their respective flags and close the gate between the two countries.

Here are some pictures:

In front of the Golden Temple

A soldier at Wagah Border

Indian and Pakistani soldiers glaring at each other...

From Punjab, I traveled south to Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to visit family. It was really great seeing so many relatives after so long (my last trip to India was in 2002). I ended my visit in Hyderabad where I attended my cousin’s wedding. The ceremony was fantastic and so was the food :)

Family

This internet café isn’t too far from the guesthouse where my dad and I are staying so hopefully Ill be able to write again soon!

The Motherland

Namaste everyone! Abhi mai Hindustan me hu (I am now in India). I arrived in New Delhi, the capital, a few days back and have been hanging out with my cousin Bindu, her husband Sekar, and their son Vishvak. Growing up in the US has made it a little tough to get to know my extended family so it's been really great spending so much time with them here.

On Sunday, we visited the historic Red Fort which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (the same guy that had the Taj Mahal built). We also saw India Gate and the Rashtrapati Bhavan (the president's house) while driving through the city. In addition to site seeing and family, I've also been enjoying the local food! If you're ever in India you have to try a traditional street snack called "pani puri". To be on the safeside you can have this snack in local supermarkets and restaurants, but there is something special about eating on the streets :)

On Monday and Tuesday, I visited the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS) as well as the Center for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS). The think tank community here in Delhi isn't nearly as large as it is in DC, but it is definitely growing. Speaking with scholars at these institutes has helped me develop my research focus as I begin my study of the Sikh insurgency. The movement for an independent Sikh nation, "Khalistan", reached its height in the 1980s but is now generally peaceful.

Tomorrow morning I leave for Amritsar, a city in Punjab, where I will study the Sikh issue in more detail. I have arranged to meet a few professors at Guru Nanek Dev University and will hopefully make more contacts upon my arrival. After I finish my research in Amritsar I will head south to visit more family (and attend my eldest cousin's wedding!) Will write again soon :-D