Party!

Last night was a big night it was the annual UNNATI staff party! I wanted to skip it or just make the obligatory stop by, but in the end, I am so glad I stayed and got into it as I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

At 7 pm, UNNATI staff members and their families (including in laws) all came dressed in their Indian finest. (Remember the entire party was in Hindi so I had no idea what was going on or what was going to happen next. I just went with it…)

The program included a series of competitions-individual and family, a talent show, games and lots of laughing. We played charades, pin the bindi on the woman (I’m serious!), a form of hot potato where whoever was caught with “it” had to sing or dance, had a speech competition (I couldn’t play), and more. The talent show consisted of little children singing, a young girl doing a traditional dance with a bowl of fire on her head and lots and lots of re-enactments of Hindi music videos while store bought cookies, ruffles potato chips and orange Fanta was passed around. It was awesome!

Around 10:30 we went into the mess hall to eat dinner. Babies were asleep on shoulders and toddlers asleep on the floor to be woken and propped up for the staff/family photo after dinner. Everyone left together around 11:30pm (note tomorrow is a work and school day) with huge smiles on their faces.

No bonuses were given out, no gifts exchanged, no speeches made, no awards awarded and no alcohol served...it was just a fun time to PLAY and to share your family with your work family (Although I don’t think they’d ever think of their colleagues as family. Family has a powerful place in the Indian culture.)

It was such a special night and a cool experience to have NO idea what was going on…not worrying about what’s coming next or making a fool of myself (I got that over with when I tried to introduce myself in Hindi). I had no context. No expectations. Nothing to compare it to or judge it against. I was totally in the moment…and it was really, really fun!!


PS. My next post will be on Monday as I'm going out in the field the next 2 days.  Happy 4th of July!  Enjoy some watermelon and fireworks for me!!