Farmers' Market

To visit farmers market on became part of my Saturday's routine . It is just down my street. The fun thing is a vendor, the lady in the above picture speaks Tamil. If not to buy the vegetables for the whole week, I go to farmer's market to talk to her. I am happy to see Eggplant (Brinjal), Lokra (Ladies fingers), hot peppers ( green/red Chilly) Tomatoes, Yogurt ( curd) are being sold here. Most of the other stuff is typically local.

The market is one of the very few places where I see more people. Unlike the colourful, crowded, busy Indian roads the Durham roads have more cars running than people walking on.

http://www.durhamfarmersmarket.com/

Story of the 'Central School', America

I am glad to know Arkansas is the state of Senator J. William Fulbright, the founder of the Fulbright exchange Program. Each Fulbright meeting makes me feel so proud to be a part of this exchange program. But the host city Little Rock has a significant importance. As I belong to Central School System( Kendriya Vidyalayas) in India I would love to bring forth the history of a Central High School of Little Rock, USA In September 1957 Little Rock's Central High School became a crucial battle ground in the struggle for civil rights. The nation sat transfixed as nine black students attempted to enter the previously white school. While a hostile crowd watched, Arkansas National Guard troops blocked their entrance. 3 weeks later, after negotiations between Arkansas Governor Orval E. Fabulous and president Dwight D.Eisenhower failed to resolve the stalemate. Eisenhower called the Army's 101st Airborne Division to escort and protect the 9 students entering the school. The conflict was only beginning. lot has happened, the proceedings include Supreme courts intervention. Little Rock came to symbolize the federal government's commitment to eliminating separate system of education for blacks and whites. I had a great opportunity to visit the School and Visitor Center and in fact I observed two Math classes in the School. In the following photo I am next to the one of the statues of those 9 great black students.

Watch the video to see what has happened that day.

Vamsi in the American President's Chair

Today is the first day of my Fulbright regional meeting and initially I thought I could not make my time to visit the must see Clinton Presidential Center due to flight time. Accompanied by Dr. Logan ( My principal) I reached Little Rock by 4pm and we directly rushed to Clinton Presidential Center. But I made it to add to my wonderful experiences in America. Arkansas is the state of the Bill Clinton whom we know as one of the most influential American Presidents. When he was chosen as Governor of Arkansas for the first time he was the youngest American Governor ever. I had some really good moments there. One of them was sitting in the American president's chair. I could find the model of Charminar made up of Hyderabadi pearls that was presented to Mr Clinton during his visit to Andhra Pradesh.

Vamsi - Murali - Basuri - Bansi

My American connection- My name Vamsi Krishna means lord Krishna with flute. Ironically I could not learn to play a flute and when ever I tried to play it I struggled even to produce a sound. I learnt my first lessons of playing flute here in America. David O'Neal whom I met in the Art Fest runs a musical instruments store in Raleigh. He makes some great flutes. He was patient enough to teach me a song. I enjoyed learning it. Coming to more details this flute has origins in the Native Americans culture. I am remembered the Kevin Costner starred classic film 'Dances with Wolves', a film that depicts the lives of Native Americans. It is placed vertically before your mouth unlike the Indian flutes which are blown placing them horizontally. While you have to bother about placing the lips properly to blow air through an Indian one, this flute is very simple to play. The position and structure of the nozzle allows you to play it easily but producing a fantastic sound. Sounds great no? It really sounds great. Watch the video.

America is the head - India is the heart

''America is Head and India is heart. Like Head (brain) which is the source of intellect that monitors the functions of the whole body and the heart that pumps in the blood to all parts of the body, America is source of technology and scientific advancements and India pumps the concept of love and tolerance to all parts of the world. These important 'organs' of world should have better coordination and should work together. to achieve world peace and universal brotherhood.''
- Viswa Yogi Viswamjee Maharaj

Here is a Guruji who strives for peace and uses his spiritual power for Universal brotherhood.
In the Saturday 'Retreat' that was held in Cary ( a town near Durham with lot of Indian Population) this is the message the 'Yogi' gave.
I met Him on Friday and to my surprise he told me that he met me before. (?)
The 'Guru' took a small interview of mine and he refreshed his knowledge of Trigonometry (tested mine?) He was keen to enquire what I am teaching here in America. He is on his 6th successive devine march (yearly visit) to America, and each time he visits he makes sure that he visits the local Government Heads, Mayors, Police commissioners and politicians of America and passes on his power of influence with the above message. He started a free 'Mother and Child Care Hospital in India and anybody who needs gets free treatment in the hospital. He aderessed the United Nation's Youth Assembly in 2007. More details at http://www.viswaguru.com/

The Saturday 'Retreat' gathered more than 250 Non Resident Indians (mostly Andhrites) from different parts of America ( mainly from Carolina States) and provided me a great opportunity to meet all of them. Mayor of the Cary and Police Commissioner of Raleigh were few who were given a message for the world peace by the Guru on Saturday.
Thanks to American trip for providing me (different) opportunities of life time and thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Ravi ( Parents of Siddhartha) for providing me this opportunity.

Durham Arts Festival

The last week was very constructive in terms of reaching the community. I am exposed to a lot of American culture, music and art. I felt like 'aha.' It is a rare oppurtunity to attend such a festival (exhibition, what we call in India) in America.
Thanks to Mrs. Sears, for her time to take me to the tour and for her patience to answer my questions.
I appreciate her knowledge and understanding of North Carolina. She belongs to Ohio. But she has a lot of information about this state.
The festival is about promotion of art and culture. Different styles of art and craft are displayed by the artists in small tents. And the artists enjoyed explaining their work to the visitors. Many forms of dance and music are presented. Few I witnessed are Irish dance, Poca band, Arabian belly dance and southern band. I took loads of pictures and a lot of video for you and few are open today.

India or America, teenage girls are for Henna.