Often we encounter young children whose only knowledge of English is the phrase "Hello, how are you?" They are so pleased with themselves as they interact with us, on such a simple level, and it brings a smile to our faces everytime. After we respond "I'm good, how are you?", they often giggle and stumble over the words "I am fine as well."
Terran and I recently visited Sarojini (named after a famous female freedom fighter and one of my favorite markets) together for some Sunday afternoon shopping around.
We really enjoyed being able to have some time to chat with these three kiddos. The one in the photo with me walked with us for quite awhile, asking about Terran's schooling. He was dumbfounded when he learned that Terran was 14 years old. Kept looking at him - head to toe - and shaking his head in absolute amazement.
"You are almost like a man", he said with big, wide eyes. When we left his company (after I paid him WAY too much for the beads around my neck), we both encouraged him to make sure that he stays in school. That he would be better off if he only sold beads on Sundays, and spent the rest of his days in school, studying.
He said "if going to school and eating my beans means I grow big and so smart like HIM, I will"
The two littles in the photo with Terran were also very sweet. The little girl spoke NO english and relied on her partner to help negotiate a price for the beads Terran chose to purchase. When we finalized our purchase, she bowed very sweetly and said "Shukriyah".
There are many days that I glaze my eyes over, shut out the noise and the calls from shop owners and small children peddling their wares, but that day was a day that I thoroughly enjoyed the request to engage in a little friendly "hello."
Terran and I recently visited Sarojini (named after a famous female freedom fighter and one of my favorite markets) together for some Sunday afternoon shopping around.
We really enjoyed being able to have some time to chat with these three kiddos. The one in the photo with me walked with us for quite awhile, asking about Terran's schooling. He was dumbfounded when he learned that Terran was 14 years old. Kept looking at him - head to toe - and shaking his head in absolute amazement.
"You are almost like a man", he said with big, wide eyes. When we left his company (after I paid him WAY too much for the beads around my neck), we both encouraged him to make sure that he stays in school. That he would be better off if he only sold beads on Sundays, and spent the rest of his days in school, studying.
He said "if going to school and eating my beans means I grow big and so smart like HIM, I will"
The two littles in the photo with Terran were also very sweet. The little girl spoke NO english and relied on her partner to help negotiate a price for the beads Terran chose to purchase. When we finalized our purchase, she bowed very sweetly and said "Shukriyah".
There are many days that I glaze my eyes over, shut out the noise and the calls from shop owners and small children peddling their wares, but that day was a day that I thoroughly enjoyed the request to engage in a little friendly "hello."
