Going Native

I have been doing a lot of shopping lately. It’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it, right? Most of it’s been the usual new-in-town research - going to different stores to see where I can find the stuff we need. I can’t find everything I need in one place, so I have shopped all over - at neighborhood stores, bazaars, malls you name it… I’ve been told that it’s a good idea to cover your shoulders while you are out, so out of respect for Indian culture I’ve bought a few kurtas (tunics) to replace most of my sleeveless tops. If I buy something for me, I usually get a little something for each kid and the husband as well but Her Cuteness was growing unhappy because I was buying ethnic stuff for me and the usual T-shirts for her. She too wanted ethnic stuff, and especially baggy pants. She saw them first in the movie “Jab we met” a few months ago and has wanted them ever since. So I’ve been on the lookout for baggy pants for her and a top that would go with them. I tried a bunch of stores at the mall but there were slim pickin’s in ethnic clothes for girls and especially her size for some reason.

Until Friday, when our sponsor’s wife took me to Sarojini bazaar, which is a heaven for those looking for bargain clothes. It was still a little tricky to find things her size but I was able to get her baggy pants and a top. She had to wear them to school the next day.

Here she is modeling her new Indian outfit for me and Chutney at the school bus stop: