The Indian Night or Nite 2008 at the South Dakota State University (SDSU) came as a big surprise for me. Compared to last year's event, this one is many times better.

I arrived on time at the venue and, oh man, seats were running out! The hall was big and me hoping that less people would attend, I was too confident I'd get the best seat. Best, in my vocabulary, means the one nearest to the food table.

I was disappointed to realize that there was no seat for me. Eric has to stand at the back wishing someone would go the toilet so he could steal a chair!

Thanks heavens, an Indian friend offered a chair and two other Filipinos provided a little space for me to squeeze in. Thus, the sad little Eric became the happy bee again!

As usual, I am giving my rate for the Indian Nite.

Cultural presentation. Perfect. Indians have the best way to entertain Americans. What's the use of the popular Bollywood music if Indians would fail in the entertainment aspect? Rate - 10/10

Attendance. Jam-packed! That was the reason I wasn't able to get a seat. I maybe would give them a minus point for inviting so many people beyond the hall capacity. But I won't. People love it. That is why they were there. Rating - 10/10

Knowledge-gained. Since I have attended last year's event, there wasn't so many additional inputs I learned today. However, hearing and seeing the presentations was a good recollection. Rating - 9/10

Emcees. Among all the cultural events I have attended this year so far, the emcees for the Indian night were more lively. Rojit, the quite funny Indian guy (who is a friend) was one of the emcees. He brought a lighter side to the serious lady emcee. Rating - 9/10.

Food. I thought the food wouldn't surprise me as I have been eating lots of Indian food since I've been here in the U.S. I liked the bean stuff. It looked like peanuts, but it was a bean -- like boiled bean, soft and not so spicy. Rating - 9/10.

Indian people. Very friendly and they love to joke around. There was this Indian stand-up comedian who is always present in every event and who loves to get his break in the American comedy platform. He was quite funny although some of his jokes were really corny. I can forgive him for that. Rating - 10/10.

That's it guys. Indian night is the best so far. Watch out for the first-ever Filipino night next year. Have I told you already that I am organizing it?

Labels: Brooking Fun