today I became a Sikh.

well it was actually yesterday. we went on one of our day trips out to Southall. Its about a twenty minute train ride but still inside London. Southall is an Indian/Pakistanni community. We went as part of our  "culture in community" class. Our day started out with walking through the streets of town from the train station to the Southall Gudwara, or Sikh Temple. We went inside as a group and was met by one of the gurus to be out tour guide. We entered, took off our shoes and covered our heads. 

[ they informed us to bring scarves ]

Once inside the best part was going into the main hall. The hall is a big empty room with one central aisle that lead up to a gold canopy like structure that covers the scriptures. We sat as a group there on the floor, on our knees and our hands to our chest out of respect. And then in small groups we walked up the main aisle and one by one when bowed down, our foreheads to the ground in front of the canopy, with the sound of a guru reading the scriptures amplified through the whole room. The best part of the experience was going back and sitting on the floor and watching the people and their worship. Sikhs go to the temple everyday for whatever time they can and yet it doesn't seem like anyone there feels it is an obligation. Everyone I saw appeared to be completely passionate in their worship and what they believed in. 

[ Southall Gudwara side view ]

The rest of the afternoon we were on our own. We were asked to attend one more Sikh temple and a Hindu temple in town. The next Sikh temple we came upon was much smaller. It had a more intimate feel, more like a family of people inside. We were just sitting and observing and the most adorable little Indian boy, probably around 1 or 2 walked up the main aisle and bowed down at the canopy with his forehead to the ground. Even though he was so young, I still think he knew exactly what he was doing and why. The Sikhs are super friendly and accepting people. They believe that all people are Sikhs. Sikhs are learners and students of faith, so I became a Sikh yesterday. 

After we went to the temples we explored the rest of town. We went through the markets, I bought some bangles [ childrens size of course because my wrists are tiny, they are kinda painful to put on though ] and me and the girls got some traditional henna. 

[ my hand is right in front ]

The whole street smelled delicious and was exciting with flashy colors and sparkling saris. At the end of the night the entire group met up again at a Pakistani restaurant where we were fed a four course meal. It was deliciously spicy. I loved it. 

Overall Southall was really enjoyable. It makes me both really want to go to India and really scared to ever go to India at the same time. The culture is so different but it is so interesting. 

 

[ so do think we would fit in? ]