Welcoming Ceremony

Tonight, after a day of in-city orientation, we walked through the city a bit to a building where we were welcomed to India and introduced to our host families. We were given a traditional Indian welcome; complete with a traditional religious song, lighting of candles, beautiful flower necklaces and smearing of red paste on our foreheads. It was an incredibly beautiful ceremony. Afterwards we were able to talk with our new parents and siblings for a bit. Tomorrow will be the day that we are "handed over to our new families," and I am very excited because my family seems incredibly hospitable and caring.