Seriously, You could be one of the most awkward looking people, but still be considered beautiful because your skin is white. It's even ingrained in the children that if you are 'black' or just a darker shade of brown, you are ugly.
When I become friends with the young girls and catch them looking at my pastey white feet or legs, they ask, what do you put on your skin to become so fair? I just laugh and say, nothing, I'm actually too white these days. And I need a tan something intense.
But tans are just hard to come by because the cultural definition of modesty is keeping your legs covered at all times and most frequently 3/4 length sleeves. (But don't get me started on showing off a third of your stomach in the traditional sari dress...where's the modesty in that huh?)
Another aspect of beauty revolves around hair. Being a tall blonde in this culture (ok, I feel like a giant most days), I don't quite fit the social norms. As far as hair goes, the longer it is, the more beautiful it is. I actually have had girls touch my hair and say, oh you should never cut your hair again.
What? I would much rather sport a short 'do than deal with the crazy amounts of time it takes to shampoo, condition, wash, blowdry, and fix this mess so that it could look halfway decent. The girls here seriously have hair past their waists and the ones with it just below the shoulder consider theirs short.
So when I arrived in India with a short hairstyle, I thought that I would let it grow for the 2 years I committed to RR, with the aim of chopping it off at the end of the 2 years.
But, but, but...
Long hair is HOT here. If it's not hot enough already, let's add an additional 10lbs on top of your head and add a cold shower and intermittent power so that you can blow dry it maybe once a month, if it's not load shedding time.
Part of me wants to stick out the 2-year commitment, and an even bigger part of me wants to cut it boy-short.
I just keep reminding myself that the hair (that will always grow back) is going towards a good cause.
www.locksoflove.com
Another way not to be selfish with the blessings that God has given me.
Oh and at the end of two years, people here might freak out if I return with really short hair. Too many disapproving looks to count. I will just laugh.
Oh and at the end of two years, people here might freak out if I return with really short hair. Too many disapproving looks to count. I will just laugh.
1 comment:
when i got back to the states and actually straighten my hair my mom and sisters flipped out saying it was long. they all three took bets to see when i would cut it off. i am waiting it out so i can get the money from them. haha.
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