Impressed by the Dressed

For me, one of the most interesting things on our trip was the tremendously colorful clothing worn by Indian women. Sarees, Salwar Kameez, Churidar Kamees, Kurtas, everywhere I looked there were elegant women beautifully dressed. Regardless of their status or wealth, whether it be a woman in a saree doing manual labor building roads, or a woman riding on the back of a motorcycle, or leaving office buildings, there were always riots of color and style that I couldn't help but admire. I felt very sloppy by comparison in long pants (black or beige) and a short sleeve shirt. Mix and match doesn't seem to exist here where tops, pants, and scarves are literally made to coordinate and be worn as a complete outfit.

As you may guess, my admiration of Indian clothing led me to the mall. The girls now have "Indian Princess" dresses which were purchased on Day 1. Looking back, they're a little bold, but I don't think that will make my 2 little blue-eyed blondes stick out any more than they already would. My Indian wardrobe has also received its inaugural outfits; more are sure to come.

Things I never knew existed

Researching for our trip to India has been an education in itself. I have found a good India travel forum online and it consists of posts and articles from expats, natives, casual travelers and backpackers.

My most fervent research has been about what I, as a foreign white woman, should wear while in India. Shorts? Nope. Sleeveless tops? No way. Snug fitting tops? Nope. A Bikini at the beach? No, unless in Goa. Since others have encountered the same limits, they have kindly posted alternatives such as the (no joke) Burquini. Which is basically a burqua that one can swim in. I think I'll pass on this one...

http://www.ahiida.com/index.php?a=subcats&cat=20

It has been highly recommended that western women try wearing a salwar kameez while in India. It is a long, loose, tunic type shirt (the kameez), worn with pants (salwar) and a scarf called a dupatta. They are said to be extremely comfortable and very cool in hot weather. This seems like something I'd be willing to wear:
http://www.cbazaar.com/salwar-kameez/casual-style/c-sb.html#prdtype_fq!salwar kameez|prdtype_fq!Salwar Kameez|&pno:1&sb:-1dintid=22649
Prices in India range from inexpensive to reasonable and it's also not expensive to have a salwar kameez custom made. Tempting, tempting...

From the backpackers, one item someone mentioned not wanting to go to India without was the shewee. http://www.shewee.com/ I don't think I'll be shelling out the money for that one...yet.

There are only a few weeks until I step foot on Indian soil for the first time. I imagine that's when my panic will really begin.