Loyola College

Today we attended school at Loyola College in Chennai, which is a Jesuit institution primarily for Christians (a minority in India) and Dalits, which are the untouchable people of the outlawed caste system who are still completey discriminated against. The college is absolutely gorgeous and the priests and professors are incredibly wonderful. I want to study abroad here! Our first lecture was given by Krishana Anand who is a visiting faculty member from the Asian School of Journalism and a Columnist for the Indian press/media. He spoke about Dynamics of Culture, Religion and Politics in India. We took a break for tea, and then our second lecture was given by Rev. Dr. Michael Amaladoss who is the president of the college. He spoke about Indian Religions and compared them to one another - they all have more in common than one might think. After lunch we heard from Dr. Bernard D'Sami who is an associate professor in the History Dept at the school who spoke about Christianity in India. Next was a lecture on Culture and Identiy of India given by Rev. Dr. Joe Arun WHO I ABSOLUTELY LOVE!!! He is the funniest man I've ever met and so knowledgable and so wordly. He just "gets it". Lastly we heard from Professor Francis Adaikalam of the Social Work Dept about the Health Care System in India (or lack thereof....). I learned SO MUCH today and it was all so amazing! I can't wait to return to the school tomorrow.

We returned to the hotel and then left for dinner at a restaurant I can neither remember the name of nor pronounce. But I ate banana flower vadai, garlic curry, coconut milk, lime juice, and some sort of butterscotch ice cream with nuts. I'm being so adventerous with the food here. It's also not like I have a choice. But I like most of what I eat and nothing has made me sick yet. Some of the other team members have been sick, but they are better now.

I'm super tired and it's past midnight here, so I'm off to bed. Goodnight!

Love, Alicia