Family Footsteps

Susila was born to an Indian father and English mother and grew up in Melbourne. She is a typical girl in Australia and she had a passionalte love of Australia, but she never thought of herself as an Indian. She also has never been to india. ABC channel offered her first trip to India.

While Susila was having dinner with her parents and sisters, they were discussing the culture of India as Susila decided to visit India. Her sister helped her to pack. Susila was allowed to bring 2 outfits and no make up.

Susila was shocked to the filthy and chaotic streets when she arrived in New Delhi. She lived with Nandita, a highly respected astrologer and her family. Nandita gave Susila a traditional welcome when Susila arrived her. Susila was welcomed warmly enen Nandita showed Susila her own room. After a few days they went shopping to buy Indian traditional clothing--Sari for Susila. One day in the morning Susila and Nandita talked about Nandita's job and cultures of arranged marriages. Susila met a famous Indian singer and she practiced Indian songs with the singer for preparing to sing in a wedding. Sometimes Susila was homesick, but she kept going. Susila had a wedding preparation-hand drawing before the wedding.Susila and Nandita joined the traditional wedding. That was an arranged marriage, the bride and the groom just met briefly before the wedding. Susila sang an Indian song at the wedding.

The family of Nandita wished Susila a traditional farewell and blessing when Susila left India. Susila felt proud to be an Indian woman and she had never had that feeling before.