Are you famous? Do you want to be?
In my case, the Kardashians don’t need to worry. Oprah’s book recommendations will get a gazillion more click-throughs than mine ever will. Prince Harry and Meghan’s Instagram account will always top mine. [Actually, almost anyone’s Instagram would beat mine because I only joined so I could stalk my children. But despite the fact that I have put up a grand total of zero posts, I still have lots of followers. My theory is they find my complete lack of material soothing…]
And that’s okay. I’ve never wanted to be so famous I could only go out in disguise. I am totally fine with not having to worry about the paparazzi going through my trash. And anyone tapping my phone or email has surely died of boredom by now.
But like everyone else, I’ve wondered what being a celebrity would feel like.
Well, I found out. And you can too. Here’s all you have to do:
Step 1: Go to the most rural part of India you can pronounce.
Step 2: Be a foreigner. Bonus points for being white and/or female.
That’s pretty much going to nail it, as we discovered yesterday. All week we’d been seeing groups of children practicing for their part in celebrating India’s 71st Republic Day. As we drove toward Ganpatipule in the state of Maharashtra on India’s west coast, we saw school groups dressed in their best uniforms in preparation for the celebration (despite the fact that it was a Sunday).
It wasn’t until we’d almost passed through the town of Jadhavwadi that we saw one of the celebrations just starting. Children were lined up along either side of a large playing field, some in uniforms and others wearing colorful hats and costumes. Our long-suffering driver, who has now had several weeks to get used to us, was already pulling over and turning around as we shrieked our need to see more.
I had to pull on shoes, so Janine and Jaya had moved toward the crowd by the time I followed. Only…something was happening. The neat lines of children were now a surging mass. They swept me up and pushed me toward the front, where school staff were already warmly welcoming Janine and Jaya, and exclaiming over my arrival. Foreigners! Right here at our school, Smt Shobhatai Kore Warna Mahila Mahavidyalaya, in Yelur!
In about a nanosecond, a young girl appeared with a napkin covered tray bearing three roses, which were ceremonially presented.
A row of chairs lined up with military precision for the three of us and a gentleman we assumed to be the Head.Children were almost fainting with excitement as their carefully learned discipline broke and they waved cameras begging for “Selfie, Madam?”
Teachers blew whistles, hustled the children back into line, and thanked us over and over for coming.
We were treated to an absolutely wonderful show of children dancing, playing instruments, and marching.
They were accompanied by enthusiastic musicians and drummers.
Every time we suggested that it had been lovely but we really didn’t mean to interrupt their celebration, they looked at us like we were speaking Martian, as they gave us to understand that our unplanned visit was the most exciting thing that had ever occurred at Smt Shobhatai Kore Warna Mahila Mahavidyalaya, or in all of Yelur. Maybe in the state.
We posed for selfies with almost every child in the school,
And following a quickly organized school photo with us in the center,
We finally left, with the entire school gathered to wave us off.
I’ll bet even Kate and Will have never seen anything like it. I know we’ll never forget the morning a school of beautiful young women and their understanding teachers turned three chubby senior citizens into celebrities.
beth said:
oh, how I love this, barb!
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barbtaub said:
Thanks so much! It was quite the experience.
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quiall said:
You are a star in my world! It’s dark and any light will do. haha . Great post Barb!
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barbtaub said:
We certainly had fun with our 15 minutes of fame!
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Ichabod Temperance said:
Sweet!
Wonderful!
Hilarious!
Rockin’ the whole damn World.
Too cool.
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barbtaub said:
Wow! Thanks for the wonderful comment. And yes, it really truly was all those things.
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Textricator said:
The selfies are going to kill you, aren’t they?
But this is so heartwarming…and a bit embarrassing for me.
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barbtaub said:
Sometimes the selfie-with-foreigner demands are so overwhelming, we can’t even see the incredible things in India that we came for. So we have new rule: we only pose for selfies with children who look happy about it. Or with shy, giggling groups of kids. Or nice old ladies who have their sons with them. Or…
Okay, so our rules aren’t that strict. Selfie, Madam?
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robertawrites235681907 said:
This sounds like a wonderful experience, Barb. Your pictures are just lovely.
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barbtaub said:
It’s been one amazing experience after another. But I can’t take any credit for the photos—they are all the work of my two traveling companions, Janine and Jaya. I’m just along to carry the water and blog about it.
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robertawrites235681907 said:
It is great to have a fair delegation of duties [wink]
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Mary Smith said:
Lovely post, Barb. Sounds like the guests at this particular 71st Republic Day celebration will never be forgotten. Glad I knew you before you got so famous 🙂
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barbtaub said:
Fame was fun for about 15 minutes, but that’s really all I could take. Back to anonymous!
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Mary Lanigan Russo said:
Love this!
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barbtaub said:
Thanks Mary. You really would have loved it!
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Cynthia Harrison said:
Love the photos and the story ❤️
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barbtaub said:
Photos are all down to the artistic eye(s) of my extraordinary traveling companions/photographers, Janine and Jaya. I’m just the lucky blogger and water wallah.
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Darlene said:
How wonderful. You made their day and they made yours!!
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barbtaub said:
I think they made my whole year!
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Kassandra Lamb said:
Love it!! (But you were already a celeb in my book. ❤ )
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barbtaub said:
Aww [blush] But really, I think 15 minutes of fame is all I can take.
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Kassandra Lamb said:
I hear that. Fame is not my thing either, but I wouldn’t mind the fortune part of the fame-and-fortune thing.
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Lynette d'Arty-Cross said:
That’s terrific – the best kind of celebrity. 🙂
Great photos. 🙂
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barbtaub said:
It’s really great—I’ve had my 15 minutes of micro-celebrity, and then it’s done. (Photos are not mine though–they owe all their wonderfulness to my two traveling companions, Janine and Jaya.)
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JT Twissel said:
We should all be celebrities at least once in life! Congrats!
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barbtaub said:
Yes, but only for 15 minutes.
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🐟carol hedges (@carolJhedges) said:
Brilliant! What fun! x
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barbtaub said:
Thanks! We just could NOT have more fun!
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josypheen said:
This is so sweet Barb! They (and you) all look so happy to meet each other!
I have had a few similar encounters in rural Japan so this brings back funny memories (although we most young kids didn’t have cameras, so they’d get us to sign things as an autograph – famous indeed!!)
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Jennie said:
Wow!!
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noelleg44 said:
What an experience, Barb! One to treasure!
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Teagan R. Geneviene said:
I’m feeling like Alice’s White Rabbit — I’m late, I’m late! However, even my guilt about being late is blasted away by the sunshine and color of this post, Barb. That event had to feel completely surreal, despite all the fun. Thanks for sharing this delight. The photos really brought out the fun too. Hugs on the wing!
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barbtaub said:
You’re right on both counts Teagan. So much fun, if slightly surreal!
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Sangeetha Ramachandran said:
Loved it. I could feel it.😊
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