markers

I recently noticed a cluster of girls chatting happily- one had a boy cut, another had a dancer's braid swaying slightly around mid-knees, one with only a hajib on, and another in full burka. All of them were wearing salwar kamise. My guess was that one was christian or not a strictly hindu, one was practicing hindu, and two were different types of muslims. (funny that i didnt assume one of them to be an atheist.) I am learning more about Islam while here. My understanding of Islam has been at best academic- sort of removed and lacking the nuance of spirituality. I am gaining an understanding of Islam as a way of life. Watching the girls talk was refreshing in that the dance of conversation seemed fluid between them, like with old friends.

Around noon to 1:30pm you see people praying in the street. People stop what they are doing and pray. Outside of the train station you'll see rows of people seated on the ground facing the direction of Mecca and praying as hoards of people walk around them to catch the next train. Faith and life for the most part seems symbiotic in relation to one another. The merge is not self conscious- no hiding, no assertion, it just is what it is.

That said around the time of major religious days there is a certain level of tension in the air. Police presence is more prevalent and there is worry of "riot" hanging in the air at times.

Religion, faith, tradition, culture- these concepts merge in to a churning ball of fire at a person's core. This seems to lend to a dual personality, especially in the jetset. maybe i don't see the connections yet. I firmly believe that if something seems crazy to me it's because i don't know the whole story or logic. People generally do not act outside of their perosonal logic, so when i don't get something i try to understand crazy's logic.