Where in the World is Marianna Rader ?

Day 5 in Costa Rica- July 18

2011-07-18T18:47:00.002-04:00

Hola,
Last night after I updated, I mentioned that I showed my host mom Lorena some pictures from India. when I was done, Edwardo, the father showed me some pictures from their trip to Santa Rosa California where some relatives own a restaurant. This was great because it gave us a mutual point to talk about. I also felt that they were being more open now. Prior to this Edwardo had said only two words to me. He also showed me some pictures and video from where he works in San Jose. It appears to be a very technical job for the electric company there. He came home in a pretty new SUV, so I imagine that this is a middle class family. All the indiginous people were killed by the Spanish, so all the population are descendants of European, Spanish, Chinnese, and other latin American countries. According to the Immersion Program there is no prejudice in this country. We have a lot to learn from Costa Rica ! When I got home yesterday, I found my dirty clothes that were in a bag on the floor, washed and folded! I felt so bad because she has to hand wash everything and hang it out to dry! We don't realise how good we have it in the U.S.
This morning was awesome! The whole family was out of the house before I woke up which gave me some quiet time. It was a beautiful morning with sunshine and birds singing and I sat on the patio and drank coffee. My family has a chiwawa named Bobbie. Poor Bobbie is not given much attention now that the boys are older. I befriended poor Bobbie and sat and pet him for a few minutes. After a couple of minutes he left and came back with a ball which he placed at my feet. I continued to throw the ball for him for about 30 minutes. It made me really think about poor Midas (my dog) at home. After a shower and breakfast of fresh pinapple and tortillas, I walked to the Imersion center for a 2 hour Spanish lesson. I am really beginning to get this! I need to practice a lot, but I am finally starting to understand how the grammar works. I promise myself that I am going to keep it up when I get home!
After our lesson we went to the Sodas for lunch. I had the best empanada ever! and some avecado and salad... Then we went to a state run preschool for poor and homeless children and painted the classroom. The school does so much with so little, it is difficult to know where I should put my time and money. When I played with the children I wanted to tell the director that I would come back and teach at the school, but I know I have my own responsibilites at home. I felt the same in India and Peru. Well, while I was posting I was able to talk to Joel, and that made me smile. I miss him and Rachael. Well, more tomorrow ! We are going to the coffee plantation ! Cafe YUM !

July 17

2011-07-17T19:59:00.002-04:00

Hola,
This morning I was up early again and I walked to the center of the city where we were all meeting. We were all excited because the sun was finally out and we could see the country at its best! We drove to the Butterfly farm. It was amazing! I even got the opportunity to see the actual moment when a butterfly emerges from its crysillis! It is truly a sight that stimulates awe. There were so many butterflies that I could hardly walk without bumping into them. In fact, several times the butterflies landed on me. --see pics on facebook-- Alas, once we left the farm it began to rain again. We had lunch at the home of one of the SIP staff and then walked around the town a bit. There was a festival going on in the square despite the rain. I broke down and purchased an umbrella from one of the few shops that was open. Then I walked back to my host home and took a nap. When I awoke, I practiced my Spanish with my host mother and shared some of my pictures from my online album. I tried to show Pablo, but like most 14 year old boys he was much more interested in his friends on facebook. Kids are the same everywhere I guess. Im going to upload some more pictures to FB. Please feel free to comment on these posts or to ask any questions!

Saturday, July 16th

2011-07-16T22:07:00.002-04:00

Hola !
I got up early this morning because we had to leave for the Volcano at 7. We got on a bus and drove up a VERY steep mountain on a gravel road. The road was narrow in most places and very curvy. Several times we had to back up so that another vehical could get by. It looked like we might fall off the road and off the mountain in some places! When we got to the state park we were met by the Volcanologist. He explained how there are many active volcanos in central and south america. Also, that CR gets earthquakes! I didnt know that! CR gets a large amount of its electricity from geo-thermal energy. One of the problems created by the volcanos along with the destruction that they can cause, is that volcanos give off emore gasses than all of the cars in CR combined! Thus, natural volcanos are adding to the problem of global warming. I was also VERY interested to learn that next week he is going to be searching for extreme-aphiles in the volcanic lakes! I am hoping that somehow I can volunteer to help with his project! After the lecture we climbed the volcano but when we got to the top it was so cloudy and rainy that we couldnt see much. I tried taking pictures and I hope some of them come out. The entire country of CR is a rainforest, so we cant really complain about the rain, and it is the rainy season. Still, I hope we get some sunshine soon. We are told by the locals that although it rains everyday it is usually sunny in the morning and rains in the late afternoon. I hope that is the case tomorrow. I am improving with my Spanish and am really enjoying this trip. While Ive only been here a few days, it feels like I have been here for a long time. After we left the volcano, we went to a tourist restaurant for lunch. The grounds were beautiful as you will see in the pictures. After that we went to the directors house and she taught us how to make empanadas. She has a beautiful house that rivals any in NC. We talked to a neighbor who is an American who chose to retire in CR. He says it is a great place to retire and that the cost of living is much lower here. I am putting CR on my list of possible places to retire ! After we ate the empanadas, we got some dancing lessons from Odies --the director-- husband. We danced and laughed and had a great time. Around 6pm we headed back to our host homes. It was a short 2 mile walk. I need the exercise as I have been indulging in all the great food! Now it is time for bed as we are going to a butterfly farm in the morning. Ciao for now!

July 14 and 15

2011-07-15T21:54:00.002-04:00

Hola virtual travel companions ! After I posted yesterday my house mother Larena, made me dinner. I tried to tell her that I was full but she made me eat a little plate... I was happy to oblige! It was veggies, rice, pasta with cheese sauce and herbs, and fruit. Then, exhausted, I went to bed. I have a very comfy bed which I think is her sons - some of the keys are different so I cant use an apostrophe.... no worries, I am still the grammer police! I got up this morning and found that I was wrong about the hot water... But, since it is so warm here I didnt mind a cool shower. Waiting for me after was the most excellent coffee !!!! and fruit galore! definitely no bowel problems here ! We then walked to the market located in the square. I tried anything that I had never seen before and discovered many new fruits and veggies! The fruit called mamon chino is almost the same as the Leeche fruit in India. Over all Costa Rica -CR is no where near as much a developing country as is most of central and south america. It is much more developed here especially in the tourist areas. Lorenas house is concrete and open to the air. You can close the shutters but it isnt air tight like homes in the US. oh, and no air conditioning! No worries, it is between 70-80 degrees here most of the time. We are in the rainy season which is the only draw back. It rained most of the day. After the market we walked to the World View office for our Spanish lesson and --of course, more food and COFFEE ! ---hey is this heaven cant find the question mark We spent about 2 hours and I learned many, many words and phrases. After the lesson we walked back to the center of town and went to a Sodas which is like a very small cafe. I was so proud that I was able to order my lunch in Spanish without help! I ordered a very small lunch as I had been eating all day itus seemed! I had an empanada and a small salad. After lunch, we went to a municipal classroom and was given a history of CR and information about its government, healthcare, etc. It was very interesting. CR has NO MILITARY and puts all its money it would have spent on military towards EDUCATION... Wouldnt it be great if the U.S. would do this! I am seriously thinking of moving here someday! After the presentation, we were told to walk around and then go back to our host homes. Since it was pouring rain, I decided that I would go and make sure that I could find my way back to my house before I did anything else. I asked for directions from the group leader and was told [ go to the blue building, then go till you see the gas station, turn right, keep walking till you see the Coca cola sign, then make a right and go up the street.) Well I think the leader )jennifer, was miced up regarding which house I was in because I followed the directions completely and never found the house! I was drenched by now and kept looking for someone who might speak English. I saw a young man and asked him for help, thank God, he spoke english ! I had walked over a mile out of the way! He walked me back to where I was supposed to make the right turn but there was no coa cola sign there ! I found my house, let myself in, put on dry clothes, and took a much needed siesta ! When I awoke about 1 hour later, dinner was ready! a wonderful hot chicken soup with lots of veggies, and tortillas and cheese. After dinner I showed Lorena some pictures of my home and friends on FB. She seems very lonely. Her husband works in San Jose and is only home on the weekends. Her sons, Pablo and Cristian, are pretty much busy with friends, their computer, or TV. While I understand a lot of what she is telling me, there is much that goes right over my head so I just nod politely. I hope that I can communicate better with her so that she is not so alone. Well, I need to complete my Spanish homework, then its off to bed. Tomorrow we are visiting A VOLCANO !
Adios Amigos !

Costa Rica Day 1

2011-07-14T19:51:00.002-04:00

Hola mes amigos,
The plane landed in Costa Rica at around 4:30 your time. Here it is 2 hours earlier. The country is beautiful. We went straight to the main office of the Spanish Imersion program and went over some information about our host families. We ATE. chicken and rice, salad, refried beans, fresh fruit: papayas, avecado, pineapple, and home made tortilla chips which are so crispy and delicious that I think I will have to learn to make them! Then our host families came for us and the real adventure began. We are each staying with a family and the families know very little if any English. I have to say that I was a little, ok, a lot, nervous when we drove away from the office and I had to rely on the little Spanish I know. My host family made me feel welcome right away and I was shocked at how much I can understand what they are saying and how many words I can put together to at least make myself understood. Their home is in Atenas and I would say that they are a middle class family based on the fact that I am writing this on Pablos laptop and they have wifi. Actually, it is the same as my laptop at home! Some of the keys on the keyboard are different, but it is the same machine. Each of the program participants is staying with a different family and each family is from a different socioeconomic background. I hit the jackpot as I have wifi and hot water! It is raining at the moment so I thought I would write my first message. I am very tired but excited to be here. The rest of the evening will be spent talking or, attempting to talk with my host family. Then I will get some sleep and be up at 6:30am for coffee. Lorenos my host mother shares my love of coffee and asked me if I wanted a big cup, mug or a little cup by showing me both. I laughed and you know which cup I chose ! Tomorrow our first adventure will be to the market so stay tuned for pictures and stories. Love to all,
Marianna

Leaving on a Jet Plane....

2011-07-13T20:35:00.003-04:00

Staying with couch surfing friend till I fly out in the morning. See couchsurfing.org Hope you enjoy the trip with me ! What type of things are on the itinerary? Visit the largest active volcano, coffee plantation, butterfly farm... Learn Costa Rican cooking, dancing, and language.... and learn Spanish, visit the pacific beach, and ZIP LINE ! See ya tomorrow !

Heading to Costa Rica in July for Spanish Imersion! Hope you will come along !

2011-02-02T10:55:00.000-05:00

Journey's End...

2008-07-25T10:10:00.001-04:00

I hope you have enjoyed accompanying me on my trip to India. Feel free to email me with any questions you may have.....
Goodbye until my next trip.....

Going home...

2008-07-25T10:06:00.000-04:00

July 20, 2008-(Sunday)- New Delhi, India

On my final day in India I went shopping. I was looking for a musical instrument to bring home for my son Joel. I found one, haggled about the price, and left happy. Since I still had several hours before my flight, I went to my last site, the Indian National Museum. The art work was beautiful and I was surprised to find out that Indian civilization precedes the Egyptians ! Why we never learned anything about this culture in school or college is beyond me. I took many pictures, then it was time to go. I went back to the flat, packed, and headed for the airport.

The Taj Mahal....

2008-07-25T10:05:00.000-04:00

July 19, 2008-(Saturday)- New Delhi & Agra, India

I got up relatively early to get ready to go to Agra. Jassie, one of the CCS drivers was picking me up at 9:30am. He was punctual, and off we went. The ride to Agra was memorable. Jassie speaks English well and I asked him many questions. From talking to him I found out that life in New Delhi is profoundly different than in a small community like Palumpur. In Delhi, arranged marriages are rare. The public school system, while still behind the U.S., is relatively good. Finally, the caste system is not strongly adhered to. In essence, Delhi is on its way to being a modern city. Some Indians are happy about it, some are not. In Delhi, I didn’t see trash all over the streets. As a matter of fact, there was a truck with the logo Delhi Trash Management on it. There were trash cans around the city. This is progress. One thing I must remember though is that Delhi is the capital of India, so it might be the exception rather than the rule. Another thing I learned from Jassie is that the Indian government is very corrupt. He told me for example that there were actual “traffic police” in Delhi. I asked him what the rules and penalties were and he said that it depended upon whether or not you were a government official. He explained that there was some special legislative session going on Monday, and that many officials were coming to the city. We were able to see the special cars with flags showing the different political parties. I asked him which party he belonged to and he said “none, because they are all corrupt”. Everyone in the government takes bribes. If you get caught for a traffic violation, you can simply bribe the officer. If you don’t have money to bribe him, you get a fine or go to jail. Most government jobs work this way. I know that there is some corruption in the U.S. government, but I don’t believe it is as bad as here in India. Don’t I WISH I could bribe the police when speeding. I actually started thinking about the fact that we are NOT free here in America. Not only do we have a million taxes, but we have laws for EVERYTHING! In India, there are hardly any traffic laws, or if there are, no one obeys them. In Dharmasala and Palumpur there were no speed limits on the roads. They don’t need special permits to build houses, chop down a tree, or have a pet. We need government approval for Everything! We have government agencies that inspect government agencies! How “free” are we? Sure we have great roads, utilities, and state and city resources, but do we have a choice of which ones we want to pay for? The answer is NO! I could be wrong, but I think if the citizens of Palumpur wanted to eliminate trash from the streets, they could vote on it, invest the money as a tax, and it would happen. The problem is that at this point they have been living with the garbage for so long that they don’t see any reason to invest their money in cleaning it up. Still, it’s their choice—at least I think that is how their system works. I am appalled at how spoiled we are as Americans, how we expect the government to do EVERYTHING for us. We expect it because the government HAS done so much for us, too much in fact. The more I learn, the more I am glad to be a libertarian. Ok, enough, I’ll get off my soap box.

On the way to Agra, we passed through several small cities. I took many pictures. I also saw camels in the streets! The camels were pulling carts. I have to say I was completely taken by surprise! I want to ride a camel, and Jassie told me that I could ride one to the Taj from the parking area for about 50 rupees. Wow, what a trip ! Then, just when I thought I’d seen it all, there was an elephant in the middle of traffic ! I’ve seen so many different animals on this trip you’d think I’d gone to the zoo !

The 4 hour drive to Agra passed quickly. When we finally arrived, Jassie dropped me off in the parking area and I found a Camel cart to take me to the Taj area. I paid the cart owner a little extra to allow me to ride the actual camel. He acted surprised that I wanted to do this, but he let me. Let me say first that riding a camel is no easy matter. As a matter of fact, it is a bit painful. And camels are slow, at least mine was. After a short ride we were at the Taj entrance. The fee was 750 rupees for foreigners, and 2 rupees for Indians. I wonder how they knew I wasn’t Indian. LOL. Anyway, I walked in the gate thinking I’d see the Taj right away. Instead there were all these other beautiful buildings which were the entrance, like the hallway to the Taj…. What can I say, words just can’t describe the beauty of the buildings. Then I turned the corner and it just took my breath away…. There was the Taj Mahal l was so impressed that it looked exactly like the pictures on the internet! It was unreal ! The marble work was amazing. One interesting thing is that it is another TOMB. It seems like such a pity that this incredible building wasn’t used for anything other than to house a coffin.

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India, that was built under Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal (also "the Taj") is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was cited as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage." While the white domed marble and tile mausoleum is most familiar, Taj Mahal is an integrated symmetric complex of structures that was completed around 1648. Ustad Ahmad Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal designer of the Taj Mahal The focus of the Taj Mahal is the white marble tomb, which stands on a square plinth consisting of a symmetrical building with an iwan, an arch-shaped doorway, topped by a large dome. Like most Mughal tombs, basic elements are Persian in origin. The base structure is a large, multi-chambered structure. The base is essentially a cube with chamfered edges and is roughly 55 meters on each side (see floor plan, right). On the long sides, a massive pishtaq, or vaulted archway, frames the iwan with a similar arch-shaped balcony. On either side of the main arch, additional pishtaqs are stacked above and below. This motif of stacked pishtaqs is replicated on chamfered corner areas as well. The design is completely symmetrical on all sides of the building. Four minarets, one at each corner of the plinth, facing the chamfered corners, frame the tomb. The main chamber houses the false sarcophagi of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan; their actual graves are at a lower level. The marble dome that surmounts the tomb is its most spectacular feature. Its height is about the same size as the base of the building, about 35 meters, and is accentuated as it sits on a cylindrical "drum" of about 7 metres high. Because of its shape, the dome is often called an onion dome (also called an amrud or guava dome). The top is decorated with a lotus design, which serves to accentuate its height as well. The shape of the dome is emphasised by four smaller domed chattris (kiosks) placed at its corners. The chattri domes replicate the onion shape of the main dome. Their columned bases open through the roof of the tomb and provide light to the interior. Tall decorative spires (guldastas) extend from edges of base walls, and provide visual emphasis to the height of the dome. The lotus motif is repeated on both the chattris and guldastas. The dome and chattris are topped by a gilded finial, which mixes traditional Persian and Hindu decorative elements. The main dome is crowned by a gilded spire or finial. The finial, made of gold until the early 1800s, is now made of bronze. The finial provides a clear example of integration of traditional Persian and Hindu decorative elements. The finial is topped by a moon, a typical Islamic motif, whose horns point heavenward. Because of its placement on the main spire, the horns of moon and finial point combine to create a trident shape, reminiscent of traditional Hindu symbols of Shiva. At the corners of the plinth stand minarets, the four large towers each more than 40 meters tall. The minarets display the Taj Mahal's penchant for symmetry. These towers are designed as working minarets, a traditional element of mosques as a place for a muezzin to call the Islamic faithful to prayer. Each minaret is effectively divided into three equal parts by two working balconies that ring the tower. At the top of the tower is a final balcony surmounted by a chattri that mirrors the design of those on the tomb. The minaret chattris share the same finishing touches, a lotus design topped by a gilded finial. Each of the minarets were constructed slightly outside of the plinth, so that in the event of collapse, a typical occurrence with many such tall constructions of the period, the material from the towers would tend to fall away from the tomb. The exterior decorations of the Taj Mahal are among the finest to be found in Mughal architecture. As the surface area changes, a large pishtaq has more area than a smaller one, and the decorations are refined proportionally. The decorative elements were created by applying paint or stucco, or by stone inlays or carvings. In line with the Islamic prohibition against the use of anthropomorphic forms, the decorative elements can be grouped into either calligraphy, abstract forms or vegetative motifs. The calligraphy found in Taj Mahal are of florid thuluth script, created by Persian calligrapher Amanat Khan, who signed several of the panels. The calligraphy is made by jasper inlaid in white marble panels, and the work found on the marble cenotaphs in the tomb is extremely detailed and delicate. Higher panels are written slightly larger to reduce the skewing effect when viewing from below. Throughout the complex, passages from the Qur'an are used as decorative elements. Recent scholarship suggests that Amanat Khan chose the passages as well. As one enters through Taj Mahal Gate, the calligraphy reads "O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord at peace with Him, and He at peace with you. Abstract forms are used especially in the plinth, minarets, gateway, mosque, jawab, and to a lesser extent, on the surfaces of the tomb. The domes and vaults of sandstone buildings are worked with tracery of incised painting to create elaborate geometric forms. On most joining areas, herringbone inlays define the space between adjoining elements. White inlays are used in sandstone buildings and dark or black inlays on the white marbles. Mortared areas of marble buildings have been stained or painted dark and thus creating geometric patterns of considerable complexity. Floors and walkways use contrasting tiles or blocks in tessellation patterns. Vegetative motifs are found at the lower walls of the tomb. They are white marble dados that have been sculpted with realistic bas relief depictions of flowers and vines. The marble has been polished to emphasize the exquisite detailing of these carvings. The dado frames and archway spandrels have been decorated with pietra dura inlays of highly stylized, almost geometric vines, flowers and fruits. The inlay stones are yellow marble, jasper and jade, leveled and polished to the surface of the walls. The interior chamber of the Taj Mahal steps far beyond traditional decorative elements. Here the inlay work is not pietra dura, but lapidary of precious and semiprecious gemstones. The inner chamber is an octagon with the design allowing for entry from each face, though only the south garden-facing door is used. The interior walls are about 25 meters high and topped by a "false" interior dome decorated with a sun motif. Eight pishtaq arches define the space at ground level. As with the exterior, each lower pishtaq is crowned by a second pishtaq about midway up the wall. The four central upper arches form balconies or viewing areas and each balcony's exterior window has an intricate screen or jali cut from marble. In addition to the light from the balcony screens, light enters through roof openings covered by chattris at the corners. Each chamber wall has been highly decorated with dado bas relief, intricate lapidary inlay and refined calligraphy panels, reflecting in miniature detail the design elements seen throughout the exterior of the complex. The octagonal marble screen or jali which borders the cenotaphs is made from eight marble panels. Each panel has been carved through with intricate pierce work. The remaining surfaces have been inlaid with semiprecious stones in extremely delicate detail, forming twining vines, fruits and flowers. Muslim tradition forbids elaborate decoration of graves and hence Mumtaz and Shah Jahan are laid in a relatively plain crypt beneath the inner chamber with their faces turned right and towards Mecca. Mumtaz Mahal's cenotaph is placed at the precise center of the inner chamber with a rectangular marble base of 1.5 meters by 2.5 meters. Both the base and casket are elaborately inlaid with precious and semiprecious gems. Calligraphic inscriptions on the casket identify and praise Mumtaz. On the lid of the casket is a raised rectangular lozenge meant to suggest a writing tablet. Shah Jahan's cenotaph is beside Mumtaz's to the western side. It is the only visible asymmetric element in the entire complex. His cenotaph is bigger than his wife's, but reflects the same elements: a larger casket on slightly taller base, again decorated with astonishing precision with lapidary and calligraphy that identifies Shah Jahan. On the lid of this casket is a traditional sculpture of a small pen box. The pen box and writing tablet were traditional Mughal funerary icons decorating men's and women's caskets respectively. Ninety Nine Names of God are to be found as calligraphic inscriptions on the sides of the actual tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, in the crypt including "O Noble, O Magnificent, O Majestic, O Unique, O Eternal, O Glorious... ". The tomb of Shah Jahan bears a calligraphic inscription that reads; "He traveled from this world to the banquet-hall of Eternity on the night of the twenty-sixth of the month of Rajab, in the year 1076 Hijri." The complex is set around a large 300-meter square charbagh, a Mughal garden. The garden uses raised pathways that divide each of the four quarters of the garden into 16 sunken parterres or flowerbeds. A raised marble water tank at the center of the garden, halfway between the tomb and gateway, with a reflecting pool on North-South axis reflects the image of the Taj Mahal. Elsewhere, the garden is laid out with avenues of trees and fountains. The raised marble water tank is called al Hawd al-Kawthar, in reference to "Tank of Abundance" promised to Muhammad. The charbagh garden, a design inspired by Persian gardens, was introduced to India by the first Mughal emperor Babur. It symbolizes four flowing rivers of Paradise and reflects the gardens of Paradise derived from the Persian paridaeza, meaning 'walled garden'. In mystic Islamic texts of Mughal period, paradise is described as an ideal garden of abundance with four rivers flowing from a central spring or mountain, separating the garden into north, west, south and east. Most Mughal charbaghs are rectangular with a tomb or pavilion in the center. The Taj Mahal garden is unusual in that the main element, the tomb, instead is located at the end of the garden. With the discovery of Mahtab Bagh or "Moonlight Garden" on the other side of the Yamuna, Archaeological Survey of India interprets that the Yamuna itself was incorporated into the garden's design and was meant to be seen as one of the rivers of Paradise. The similarity in layout of the garden and its architectural features such as fountains, brick and marble walkways, and geometric brick-lined flowerbeds with Shalimar's suggest that the garden may have been designed by the same engineer, Ali Mardan. Early accounts of the garden describe its profusion of vegetation, including roses, daffodils, and fruit trees in abundance. As the Mughal Empire declined, the tending of the garden declined as well. When the British took over the management of Taj Mahal, they changed the landscaping to resemble that of lawns of London. The Taj Mahal complex is bounded by crenellated red sandstone walls on three sides with river-facing side open. Outside these walls are several additional mausoleums, including those of Shah Jahan's other wives, and a larger tomb for Mumtaz's favorite servant. These structures, composed primarily of red sandstone, are typical of the smaller Mughal tombs of the era. The garden-facing inner sides of the wall are fronted by columned arcades, a feature typical of Hindu temples later incorporated into Mughal mosques. The wall is interspersed with domed kiosks (chattris), and small buildings that may have been viewing areas or watch towers like the Music House, which is now used as a museum. The main gateway (darwaza) is a monumental structure built primarily of marble and is reminiscent of Mughal architecture of earlier emperors. Its archways mirror the shape of tomb's archways, and its pishtaq arches incorporate calligraphy that decorates the tomb. It utilizes bas-relief and pietra dura (inlaid) decorations with floral motifs. The vaulted ceilings and walls have elaborate geometric designs, like those found in the other sandstone buildings of the complex. At the far end of the complex, there are two grand red sandstone buildings that are open to the sides of the tomb. Their backs parallel western and eastern walls, and these two buildings are precise mirror images of each other. The western building is a mosque and its opposite is the jawab (answer) whose primary purpose was architectural balance and may have been used as a guesthouse. The distinctions between these two buildings include the lack of mihrab, a niche in a mosque's wall facing Mecca, in the jawab and that the floors of jawab have a geometric design, while the mosque floor was laid with outlines of 569 prayer rugs in black marble. The mosque's basic design is similar to others built by Shah Jahan, particularly to his Masjid-Jahan Numa, or Jama Masjid of Delhi, a long hall surmounted by three domes. The Mughal mosques of this period divide the sanctuary hall into three areas with a main sanctuary and slightly smaller sanctuaries on either side. At the Taj Mahal, each sanctuary opens onto an enormous vaulting dome. These outlying buildings were completed in 1643. The Taj Mahal was built on a parcel of land to the south of the walled city of Agra. Shah Jahan presented Maharajah Jai Singh with a large palace in the center of Agra in exchange for the land. An area of roughly three acres was excavated, filled with dirt to reduce seepage and leveled at 50 meters above riverbank. In the tomb area, wells were dug and filled with stone and rubble as the footings of the tomb. Instead of lashed bamboo, workmen constructed a colossal brick scaffold that mirrored the tomb. The scaffold was so enormous that foremen estimated it would take years to dismantle. According to the legend, Shah Jahan decreed that anyone could keep the bricks taken from the scaffold, and thus it was dismantled by peasants overnight. A fifteen kilometer tamped-earth ramp was built to transport marble and materials to the construction site. Teams of twenty or thirty oxen were strained to pull blocks on specially constructed wagons. An elaborate post-and-beam pulley system was used to raise the blocks into desired position. Water was drawn from the river by a series of purs, an animal-powered rope and bucket mechanism, into a large storage tank and raised to large distribution tank. It was passed into three subsidiary tanks, from which it was piped to the complex. The plinth and tomb took roughly 12 years to complete. The remaining parts of the complex took an additional 10 years and were completed in order of minarets, mosque and jawab and gateway. Since the complex was built in stages, discrepancies exist in completion dates due to differing opinions on "completion". For example, the mausoleum itself was essentially complete by 1643, but work continued on the rest of the complex. Estimates of the cost of the construction of Taj Mahal vary due to difficulties in estimating construction costs across time. The total cost of construction has been estimated to be about 32 million Rupees at that time which now runs into trillions of Dollars if converted to present currency rates. The Taj Mahal was constructed using materials from all over India and Asia. Over 1,000 elephants were used to transport building materials during the construction. The translucent white marble was brought from Rajasthan, the jasper from Punjab, jade and crystal from China. The turquoise was from Tibet and the Lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, while the sapphire came from Sri Lanka and the carnelian from Arabia. In all, twenty eight types of precious and semi-precious stones were inlaid into the white marble. A labor force of twenty thousand workers was recruited across northern India. Sculptors from Bukhara, calligraphers from Syria and Persia, inlayer from southern India, stonecutters from Baluchistan, a specialist in building turrets, another who carved only marble flowers were part of the thirty-seven men who formed the creative unit.

After touring the complex and taking numerous pictures, I relaxed on the way back to Delhi.

Touring Delhi-- continued...

2008-07-25T09:57:00.002-04:00

I looked around for a taxi, but my guide said he had a taxi. I learned that this meant that he had a friend who had a taxi. He took me over to a rickshaw driven by a man I thought to be about 60. He was smoking and had a horrible cough. Once I got into his rickshaw I knew I’d made a mistake. While the other rickshaws and cars moved quickly along the road, mine puttered along seemingly on its last legs. Nevertheless, we got to the Temple gate safely

While I was there I asked a man who was taking photos of his family if he would take a picture of me with my camera. He said yes, and took a few. While I was posing, his family moved in and wanted to be in my pictures! Of course I said it was fine. Then the man took some pictures of his family and me with his camera. I guess they were really fascinated by me, but I don’t know why. After the pictures one of the older women in the group asked me where I was from and if I was single. I said yes, I’m single and from America. She elbowed one of the younger men in the group saying “she single, she single”, and laughing….

I thought I was in for a marriage proposal. We all laughed and I said goodbye and went on my way. Next stop--- India Gate!

When we arrived at the India Gate I was enthralled. Here was the same icon I saw on the internet weeks ago. I couldn’t believe I was actually here! Once there I met some girls from Minnesota, who took some pictures for me. Even though I’ve been in India for 4 weeks, I couldn’t help but pause and think about the fact that here I was in INDIA, at the India Gate. I looked around a bit more as saw some boys “swimming” in the fountain near the gate memorial. The boys were in their underwear. No girls of course. I was surprised that since this was a government square that no one told them to get out of the fountain. I took a few more “snaps” (the word they use here to mean photos or pictures) then it was on to the next attraction— It was getting late, and I was soaked in sweat. I was tired and wanted to get back to the flat, but I knew I had to keep going and see as much as I could since this was my last day in Delhi. Next destination, Purana Qila.

We puttered over to the next monument, and on the way I took many pictures of the people on the streets. It was very interesting. India is full of sights, sounds, and smells that I’ve never experienced before. Then we arrived at Purana Qila.

· Purana Qila, literally 'old fort' stands on an ancient mound. Excavations near its eastern wall reveal that the site has been continuously occupied since 1000 BC. It is also believed to be the place where Indraprastha, the Pandava capital mentioned in the epic Mahabharata, once stood. Purana Qila and its environs flourished as the sixth city of Delhi. It was here that Humayun, the second Mughal emperor began to construct his city, Dinpanah (Asylum of Faith), four years after his father Babur established the Mughal dynasty in 1526. However, Humayun's reign was short-lived and, in 1540 he was dispossessed of his fledgling empire by the Afghan chieftain, Sher Shah Suri who ruled from 1540 to 1545. When Sher Shah took possession of the citadel, he strengthened its fortifications, added several new structures and renamed it Shergarh. After his death, his successors were defeated by Humayun who recaptured his domains in 1555. Today, of the many palaces, barracks and houses that once existed only Sher Shah's mosque and the building said to be Humayun's library remain. The Yamuna once flowed on the fort's eastern side and formed a natural moat. The present entrance, an imposing red sandstone gate on the western wall called the Bara Darwaza (Main Gate) is one of the three principal gates of Shergarh. Its double-story facade, surmounted by chhatris and approached by a steep ramp, still displays traces of tiles and carved foliage. Humayun's Gate, on the southern wall, has an inscription bearing Sher Shah's name and the date 950 AH (1543-4 AD). To the north, the Taliqi Darwaza (Forbidden Gate) has carved reliefs and across the road is the red sandstone Lal Darwaza (Red Gate) or Sher Shah Gate, one of the entrances to the township that grew around the fort.

At this place I also met and talked with several people. I talked to Indian families traveling on holiday, people from Ireland, Germany, England, the U.S., and many other places. I felt at once like a part of a global community. I even met some other volunteers from the U.S. who were volunteering with another organization. The whole time I was alone because the “clique” of volunteers I came with ordered their own taxi and made their plans for touring the city and didn’t invite me. By this point I didn’t care. I was actually enjoying doing this on my own. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I would want to travel around like this with more than one or two other people. A big group is cumbersome and there are too many questions of who wants to do what. 3, or at the most, 4, is a good number. I have to admit, I stopped at one point and thought to myself “here I am traveling around Delhi, alone, and having a great time! I’m enjoying my own company and meeting new people. I don’t have to argue with anyone or apologize when I have to stop and find a toilet. Maybe I can travel the world alone.” I felt so confident and sure of myself. It felt good. I felt a wholeness that I cannot describe.

The ruins at Purana Qila were, like all the monuments thus far, incredible. Like in Peru, I touched the stones of the buildings and wondered who cut and placed them there so many, many, years ago. Who were they? What were they like? Did they have families?, hopes?, dreams? I pondered this for a bit and then realized I had just seen something I haven’t seen in a while, a palm tree. Part of the monument had a lane of palms leading to the main building. It was a trace of home and I began to think of all the things I missed about Florida. Soon I would be home and this whole adventure would feel like a dream.

On to the next stop, Humayun’s Tomb….

· This tomb, built in 1570, is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal. The construction of Humayun's tomb was taken up by the grief-stricken wife of Humayun, Hamida Banu, also known as Bega Begam in 1565. Legend has it that the design of the Taj was inspired from this tomb's. In pure architectural sense, this building is probably superior and much more beautiful that the stunning Taj. Sacrilege? But really, the only thing this building lacks is the showy marble.
The complex took nine years to complete and the tomb itself is a dazzling landmark in the evolution of Mughal architecture in India. Hamida Begum is said to have spent one and a half million rupees on it and you just have to see it to know that every penny was worth it. The plan of the building is simply brilliant and very mathematical. The tomb is set bang in the middle of large square-patterned typically imperial Mughal-style garden which is neatly divided into sub-squares by paved lanes. There fourth side of the tomb is not walled; simply because the river was supposed to make up for the wall, but it flows there no more. The high arches and double dome that became so associated with Mughal architecture make their debut here. The place is studded with fountains which were extremely popular in those days – a Mughal might have been poor in many things, but never in fountains. The intricate and delicately beautiful latticework on the tomb remained the trademark of Mughal architecture down through the ages.

This complex was incredible. Sad that such a beautiful structure was just a place for bones to be stored. This would have made a beautiful palace in my opinion, or even a village or market or temple, or something useful. I took many pictures.

It was close to 6pm when we made our way to the last stop, the Lotus Temple.

The Bahá'í House of Worship in Delhi, India, popularly known as the Lotus Temple, is a Bahá'í House of Worship and also a prominent attraction in Delhi. It was completed in 1986 and serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent. It has won numerous architectural awards and been featured in hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles. Inspired by the lotus flower, its design is composed of 27 free-standing marble clad "petals" arranged in clusters of three to form nine sides. The architect was an Iranian, who now lives in Canada, named Fariborz Sahba. The major part of the funds needed to buy this land was donated by Ardishír Rustampúr of Hyderabad, who gave his entire life savings for this purpose in 1953. Nine doors open onto a central hall, capable of holding up to 2,500 people. Slightly more than 40 meters tall[3], its surface shining white marble, the temple at times seems to float above its 26 acre (105,000 m²; 10.5 ha) nine surrounding ponds. The site is in the village of Bahapur, in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Since its inauguration to public worship in December 1986, the Bahá'í House of Worship in New Delhi has, as of late 2002, attracted more than 50 million visitors, making it one of the most visited buildings in the world. [4] Its numbers of visitors during those years surpassed those of the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal. On Hindu holy days, it has drawn as many as 150,000 people; it welcomes four million visitors each year (about 13,000 every day or 9 every minute).

This temple is a modern structure built by the Bahia faith. It is a beautiful and elegant modern work of architecture. In reading some of the information in the museum, I found that this faith is interested in finding common ground for all religions. It proclaims unity and compassion for all people of all races. I like that. The more I learn about religions of the world, the more I realize what we have in common rather than what separates us. Peace for all humanity—imagine that! Inside the temple it was peaceful and quiet. No crosses, no statues, nothing but a small podium where a speaker talks during worship services, and wooden benches, simple, yet elegant. I paused for a moment and prayed. I felt at peace….. now it was time to go….

I got back to the flat, and the cook had prepared dinner for me. It was delicious. I felt a bit guilty that he had to cook for me alone, but I was paying for this after all, and it is his job. I ate, took a cold shower, and went to sleep. Tomorrow I go to Agra to see one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal !

Touring old Delhi--playing tourist....

2008-07-20T02:35:00.001-04:00

July 18, 2008-(Friday)- New Delhi, India

Today, since I have the whole day in Delhi with no planned activities, I decided to get a taxi to take me to some of the famous sites. My first driver was a Seek, a very nice man who frequently drives for CCS. The first stop was Lal Qila, The Red Fort.

· The largest of old Delhi's monuments is the Lal Quila, or the Red Fort, the thick red sandstone walls of which, bulging with turrets and bastions, have withstood the vagaries of time, and nature. The Lal Quila rises above a wide dry moat, in the northeast corner of the original city of Shahjahanabad. Its walls extend up to two kilometers, and vary in height from 18 metres on the river side to 33 metres on the city side. Mughal Emperor Shahjahan started the construction of the massive fort in 1638, and work was completed in 1648. The fort sports all the obvious trappings, befitting a vital centre of Mughal government: halls of public and private audience, domed and arched marble palaces, plush private apartments, a mosque, and elaborately designed gardens. Even today, the fort remains an impressive testimony to Mughal grandeur, despite being attacked by the Persian Emperor Nadir Shah in 1739, and by the British soldiers, during the war of independence in 1857. Entrance to the fort is through the imposing Lahore Gate, which as its name suggests faces Lahore, now in Pakistan. This gate has a special significance for India, since the first war of independence, and has been the venue of many an important speech, delivered by freedom fighters and national leaders of India. The main entrance opens on to the Chatta Chowk, a covered street flanked with arched cells, that used to house Delhi's most skilful jewelers, carpet makers, weavers and goldsmiths. This arcade was also known as the Meena Bazaar, the shopping centre for the ladies of the court. Just beyond the Chhata Chowk, is the heart of the fort called Naubat Khana, or the Drum House. Musicians used to play for the emperor from the Naubat Khana, and the arrival of princes and royalty was heralded from here. The Fort also houses the Diwan-i-Amor the Hall of Public Audiences, where the Emperor would sit and hear complaints of the common folk. His alcove in the wall was marble-panelled, and was set with precious stones, many of which were looted, after the Mutiny of 1857. The Diwan-i-Khas is the hall of private audiences, where the Emperor held private meetings. This hall is made of marble, and its centre-piece used to be the Peacock Throne, which was carried away to Iran by Nadir Shah in 1739. Today, the Diwan-i-Khas is only a pale shadow of its original glory, yet the famous Persian couplet inscribed on its wall reminds us of its former magnificence: "If on earth be an eden on bliss, it is this, it is this, none but this." The other attractions enclosed within this monument are the hammams or the Royal Baths, the Shahi Burj, which used to be Shahjahan's private working area, and the Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque, built by Aurangzeb for his personal use. The Rang Mahalor the 'Palace of Colors' housed the Emperor's wives and mistresses. This palace was crowned with gilded turrets, delicately painted and decorated with intricate mosaics of mirrors, and a ceiling overlaid with gold and silver, that was wonderfully reflected in a central pool in the marble floor. Even today, the Lal Quila is an eloquent reminder of the glory of the Mughal era, and its magnificence simply leaves one awestruck. It is still a calm haven of peace, which helps one to break away, from the frantic pace of life outside the walls of the Fort, and transports the visitor to another realm of existence.

I took many pictures here, and all I can say is that the structure is incredible ! At first I was surprised at how many Indians were there, but then I realized that this would be the equivalent of Americans visiting Washington, D.C. Inside the Fort museum there were many exhibits of old swords, and other military items. I wondered where they were found, and who last used them so many, many years ago. If only they knew their possessions would be in a museum someday. I wonder if some of my possessions will make it to a museum in a couple hundred years…

It is SO much hotter here in Delhi, than in Palumpur. I can’t describe how hot it is! The only thing I can say is that I took a shower using only the cold water tap, and even THAT water was warm ! I kept drinking water, and didn’t have to pee ! I sweated the water out !

After the Red Fort, I looked for the next site, which was Jama Masjid, a Moslem Mosque. I made the mistake of asking someone where it was and a man came to me and said he was a guide. I told him I didn’t want a guide, only directions as I knew the Mosque was within walking distance. He was insistent and kept following me. Then he said he didn’t want any money, he would do it free. Although I knew he would want money in the end, I let him show me around a bit as I knew I could give him a few rupees at the end and he would be happy. First, I told him I needed to find a bank. I needed to get a cash advance off my Visa card. I have NO idea where my Bank of America, temporary card is. I didn’t get my new card in the mail before I had to leave for India. I didn’t have a PIN number for my Visa card as I never use it for cash, but the Visa help line said that I should be able to get cash at any bank with my card and my passport. My guide showed me the bank, and I went in. I was again taken aback. No computers, only paper forms everywhere. The crazy thing is that even the paper looked ancient. I wish I had taken a picture of it, but thought that would seem strange and put me under suspicion of something. How can they run a bank in today’s world without computers? At some point, computers must be used as they have an ATM system! Anyways, after “talking” with several people I was advised that no bank in India would give me money off a credit card. I would have to talk with Capital One about this! I needed a PIN number. I had my guide get me to a phone where I called Visa and they told me to call back in 2 hours as their computers were updating. Can I say FRUSTRATED, and a bit scared! I didn’t want to be in Delhi for 3 days without access to money. I wanted to take a taxi to Agra tomorrow to see the Taj Mahal ! When I came out of the bank, my “guide”, was there waiting. (I’d hoped he’d gone away.) He asked if I wanted to go to the market and go shopping, I said a loud “NO”, I just want to see the Mosque. He took me through a lot of back streets, very, very, narrow streets, and I was getting a bit nervous. Fortunately, the streets were filled with people, children, and shoppers, so at least I could scream if anything happened. I stopped him and said, “where are you taking me? I want to go to the mosque, which is only a short distance from the Fort”. He said that he was taking me through Old Delhi, which was a short cut and where I could see streets and houses over 500 years old. The man was true to his word. As we were walking the narrow streets I saw tiny, tiny, stone houses and shops which were obviously very old. We walked down one street which he said was the marriage street. This was because all the shops sold wedding items. Everything was red and gold. In India, Brides wear Red on their wedding day, not white. Weddings are a HUGE celebration here as 99% of marriages are for life. Even a poor family will have over 100 people at the wedding which lasts 5 days! The actual ceremony doesn’t last 5 days, the time includes the groom getting together with his male friends and family, the bride’s preparation, the actual ceremony, the reception, etc.

Finally we made it to the mosque. There were steep steps going up to it. I had to leave my shoes outside and wear a makeshift skirt (they gave this to westerners at the entrance) in order to enter the mosque as my ankles and calves were showing – I was wearing Capri’s. As I was walking up the steps, some school girls came over and asked me for my autograph !!!! this is NO joke ! I tried to explain to them that I was not anyone famous, but once they found out I was from America, they insisted. I signed my name in their book, then they wanted me to take a picture of them. I did, but I felt weird about it. Here is some information about the Mosque:

· The Masjid-i-Jahan Numa, commonly known as the Jama Masjid of Delhi, is the principal mosque of Old Delhi in India. Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal, and completed in the year 1656 AD, it is one of the largest and best-known mosques in India. It is also at the beginning of a very busy and popular street/center in Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk. Masjid-i-Jahan Numa means "the mosque commanding a view of the world", and the name Jama Masjid is a reference to the weekly congregation observed on Friday (the yaum al-jum`a) at the mosque. The courtyard of the mosque can hold up to twenty-five thousand worshippers. The mosque also houses several relics in a closet in the north gate, including a copy of the Qur'an written on deer skin.

Inside, again I was struck by the beautiful architecture. I saw the Moslem women all in black with only their eyes showing. I can only imagine how hot they felt, I was dripping with sweat. I understand modesty, but to not be able to even show one’s face ! This seems crazy to me.

After taking MORE pictures, I went to get a taxi to take me to my next destination, the Jhandewala Deviji Temple.

To be continued….

short notes for today

2008-07-20T02:25:00.002-04:00

July 17, 2008-(Thursday)- Palumpur, India

Like every day since I arrived in Palumpur, I awakened to the sound of singing birds. As this is my last day, I tried to savor it. I drank Chai for the last time. I ate mangos, and scrambled Indian-spiced eggs.

The last day with the kids at Gyan Deep was great. We rigged up a make-shift video and the kids loved it. They were able to see for the first time, parts of the world that they only had labels for. Shri took pictures of each student and told me that he is going to put together a web page for the school. How cool is that? If this doesn’t motivate the teachers and principal, I don’t know what will! I will continue to see what I can do as far as getting a grant for them. When I started saying good-bye, the kids were coming over to get pictures and hugs. It was difficult. I gave them all copies of my address and told them to write to me. As I was walking down the hill, one boy stopped me and gave me a letter he’d wrote to me. In the letter he said that he wants to be a doctor. Could I send him some books? He would also like pictures of the ocean as he has never seen it and heard me talk about it. In my heart I promised myself that I would definitely get some books sent to him. Who knows, maybe I will return to India for his graduation from Medical school ! At the house I grabbed some lunch and brought my luggage downstairs. I said good bye to my new friends and the staff. There was a long, hot, drive to the Dharmasala airport, a 2 hour plane ride, and we were back in Delhi where my adventure had begun.

Summer Camp

2008-07-20T02:25:00.001-04:00

July 16, 2008-(Wednesday)- Palumpur, India

Today was WONDERFUL ! We gave the kids the map of the world which didn’t have the labels on it. We wanted to see if they remembered much from yesterday. A few remembered the continents, which was a start. The problem is that they knew the names of the continents, but they didn’t know where they were! I couldn’t believe that some of them couldn’t find India on the map ! They also had no idea how big the world is! We brought a globe, and showed them that the globe was the same as the flat map that we had given them. A few didn’t realize that the earth is a sphere! I have to say I was shocked. Again, once we started showing and labeling things on the map, they asked for more. When the 40 minutes were over, they didn’t want to leave! I felt so happy and excited. This is the joy of being a teacher! It was incredible to see the faces of the kids and hear them laughing and asking question upon question. After the classes were over for the day, Usha told us that the kids had gone to her class and said that they loved our class and that they learned a lot. This was great. Shri and Brian figured out how to rig up a video presentation on the Seven Wonders of the World. We are going to incorporate this into our lesson as the Taj Mahal is on the list. I am so excited, I can’t wait to see the kids’ faces when we bring the world into their classroom! I can’t help but think of all that would be available to them with just a projector, a computer, and an internet connection. The world would be theirs for the taking. I am so frustrated that I can’t do more, but I am happy for what I am able to do.

After lunch, I went to the tailor’s to pick up my new PJs. They came out perfectly. Then I went back to the house to take a little nap. After about 1 hour, Gee-too called me and told me it was time to go to the dentist to get my crown put on. Dr. Singh was wonderful. The crown fit perfectly and as I looked in the mirror, you could hardly tell the crown from the other teeth. I talked to Dr. Singh for a while. It was his family who donated the land for Gyan Deep. His family also owns the Tea plantation we visited. Dr. Singh has developed a non-profit organization and wants to help more schools like Gyan Deep. We talked a bit about it and I hope that someday I can come back to India and help out with the educational system here. I feel so torn because I want to help India, but when I was in Peru, I wanted to help Peru. Next summer me and Joel and Rachael will hopefully go to Costa Rica. There are so many who need help, but I know I can’t help them all.

Once back from the dentist, I went to see Pooja. I think I am finally getting immune to the sound of honking horns. Here in India it is nothing personal when someone honks at you. They are not angry, you have done nothing wrong, they simply want you to know that they are coming up behind you. It is a matter of notification, not anger. This is so different than in the U.S. I wonder how I will react to horns when I get home again. When I arrived at Pooja’s house she was so happy to see me. One thing I noticed was that she was wearing the same outfit from the other day. She showed me around her little home. It has 4 rooms; One main room which has a bed and chairs, table, and TV. Then there’s the kitchen, another bedroom for her parents, and lastly a small room with a refrigerator, her bed which she shares with her grandmother and brother, and other household odds & ends. I noticed the complete absence of toys in the house. I asked Pooja about this and she showed me her doll. This was her ONLY toy! The doll was on a shelf in the main room where apparently the family kept their prized possessions. There was a picture of her grandmother and Uncle at the Taj Mahal, some other family trinkets, and all this was in a glass case. Her mom and dad asked me for tea, and I had tea with them. I was astonished and humbled at how these people who had so little were so willing to share with me, who was for all important purposes, a stranger. I gave Pooja and Vicrown a few American coins and explained to them how the U.S. money system works. I made sure Pooja had my address, and got up to leave. Pooja insisted on walking me back to the house. It was a nice walk. She told me that someday she wants to be a scientist who works with the planets. I told her that I might see her on Mars someday when she is all grown up. When we got to the house I ran upstairs to get the picture of Joel and Rachael as she wanted a picture of them. I grabbed one of the bags I’d bought in Amritsar and some tea I’d bought and gave them to her for her family. She had tears in her eyes as did I. Then she hugged me and we said good-bye. When I walked back into the house, Juggy told me that he wasn’t able to change my flight to Delhi, and that I was going to have to leave tomorrow! I was so disappointed. I ran upstairs to pack. Brandy and AJ chatted with me while I tried to fit my belongings into the suitcases. Even though am leaving most of the clothes I’d brought with me, my luggage is full of souvenirs. I picked out the cortas, pants, and dupatas that weren’t my favorites, and quietly gave them to the cleaning girls who were cleaning our rooms. I knew only too well how little they earned and how few clothes they owned. I will be sad to leave India, but I do think it is time to go home. I feel like I have 2 lives; one here and one in Jacksonville. Soon it will be time to go back to bills, cooking, Wal-Mart, kids, etc. I wonder how much of a shock it will be once I am home.

The New Group

2008-07-20T02:24:00.000-04:00

July 15, 2008-(Tuesday)- Palumpur, India

Today was our first day of summer camp with the kids at Gyan Deep. I really had a lot of fun and the new group of volunteers is so nice, I made friends immediately. My roommate is Tatiana. She is from Guatemala, but her husband is an American of German descent. He has a corporate job in China, so now she is living in China. All I can say is WOW !

I was so surprised in the class today. We were teaching the kids geography, and we asked them to name the continents. I couldn’t believe that they couldn’t even name the continents ! These are 9^th graders and up ! I couldn’t help but think how small their world is. When I was in 4^th or 5^th grade I remember seeing a map of the world and thinking “I want to go to all those places!”. I felt so sad for them because I knew that most of them would never leave Palumpur. For these children who have never been taught to ask questions, we opened the world up to them. Once they realized that they wouldn’t get punished for guessing, they asked a million questions! I was so excited! Here we were, making a small, but significant difference! After school was over, Shri, Brian, Mifa, and I thought about how we could teach them more and put together a miniature “smart classroom”. I am having so much fun with the new volunteers that I don’t want to leave. I asked Juggy if I can fly to Delhi on Friday instead of Thursday. He said he didn’t think it would be a problem. This will give me an extra day with my new friends and with the kids at Gyan Deep. I wish this group were here earlier. They are so much friendlier than the group I came with. After lunch, we took several hours coming up with ideas for tomorrow. We printed up a blank map of the world and thought we would see if they could label even a few countries, like India. China and Pakistan. It was getting close to 7:30pm, so I called Pooja’s father to make sure they were going to meet me at the hotel for dinner. Unfortunately, they couldn’t make it because they had a death in the family. Even though it wasn’t a close family member, the family had to attend the service. I was sad that I wasn’t going to get to see Pooja, but I told her that I would stop by tomorrow. After that I just ate dinner with the other volunteers. Then we played Apples to Apples, and had a blast. By 10:30, I was exhausted and went to bed… It was nice to have a roommate. Tatiana and I talked for a while before I fell asleep.

2008-07-17T13:13:00.000-04:00

July 14, 2008-(Monday)- Palumpur, India

Today we went to the school only for an hour or so. Since the regular school year is over, we will be starting a summer camp for the kids tomorrow. Today we went to just drop off a few things. After this I was dropped off at Dr. Singh’s so that he could remove the temporary crown and make a mold for the new one. His office looked like any other office in the U.S. except for the fact that he didn’t have 8 different rooms, a television in the ceiling, or any computer appointment system. All the basic dental equipment was there. I was concerned there would be pain, but there wasn’t any because the tooth was already dead. It took about ½ hour and then he took the mold with the same sticky stuff they use in the states…. and off I went. I made my way to the market to bring the tailor some more material… to make really soft PJ’s for me! At 3pm we left for Dharmasala to attend the opening of the new school for disabled children. We got there around 4:45 and it was raining. The ceremony was supposed to begin at 5:30, so we had some time to kill. I got to talk to Seth’s mom and she gave me a tour of the building. Then some of the other CCS volunteers from Dharmasala arrived and I hung out with them. It wasn’t long before the new volunteers arrived and I got to meet them. What a great bunch of people. What a difference from the childish group I came with. Included in the group were 2 families. One was a mother daughter group (Beth & daughter gabby). The other was a whole family, Dad- Shri Rom, Usha, and son AJ. The latter are originally from India, but wanted to expose their son to Indian culture since he was born and raised in the U.S.

The ceremony began late because the mayor was late arriving. Because of this I missed my meeting with Dietland and Rootie. Instead, I rode back to Palumpur with some of the new group. I had fun talking to them. One thing I did realize is that I am in a totally different socio-economic level from most of these volunteers. Shri Rom is an executive for Intel, his wife Usha has a PhD in biochemistry and works for a pharmaceutical company. Miffa’s parents are wealthy and she has attended boarding schools and her parents gave her this trip for Christmas! Most of the young people who came with this group have parents who are paying their trip expenses and a few of them are going to some really interesting colleges. One lives in the U.S. and is going to do a semester in London! I have to say that I am envious in the best way. Not only do I envy their ease in having funds to travel, but the fact that they are able to travel at such a young age. I’ve just begun traveling last year at 42. In my view, they are so very, very, lucky…. but this is all relative. After all I am spending time with children who may never even travel out of Palumpur. I must be grateful for the opportunities I have.

Dental tourism

2008-07-17T13:12:00.000-04:00

July 13, 2008-(Sunday)- Palumpur, India

This morning I slept in! After I got up I went downstairs, got some tea, and sat on the balcony and stared at the mountains. I am really going to miss this view. Once I got dressed I went for a walk to the market. On the way I saw that the Christian Church was having a service! I had passed this church so many times (The Church of St. John in the Wilderness), but it was always locked up! I walked up to the church and went inside. I could tell that this was an Episcopal Church by the way it was set up. Although I couldn’t understand the language, it was nice to sit in a Christian service. I felt very much at peace. When the time came for communion, I participated just as I had for 14 years at All Soul’s Church in Jacksonville. One thing that really surprised me is that after the service no one came to say hello to me. As I had gotten such a warm welcome from other Indians, I thought I’d get an even warmer welcome from my Christian brothers and sisters, but this was not the case. After the service I went back to the house for a CCS meeting. Once this was over I went back into the town to get some more fabric. I wanted the tailor to make me some pajamas out of the incredibly soft material they have here. I chose some, and then brought them to the tailor. She assured me that they would be done by Wed. I relaxed for the rest of the day. I can’t believe that my time here is almost over. I played with the idea of staying an extra week, but there’s so much I need to get back to. I really miss the kids, the dog, and my life in the U.S. Besides, I am really tired of the drama going on here with the other volunteers who are left. I am looking forward to the new volunteers who are coming tomorrow, but I will only have a few days to get to know them. Then I fly out of Dharmasala to Delhi on Thursday. I’m hoping to get to see the Taj Mahal on Saturday, but that’s still up in the air. Tomorrow I am also going to go see the dentist. The CCS staff told me that the doctor who donated the money to the school I’ve been working at is a dentist. He has agreed to put a permanent crown on my tooth. I have been delaying this procedure because it costs over $1000 to have it done in the U.S. and that’s WITH insurance ! Here, I can have it done for 4000rs, ($100) !!!! Dr. Singh told me that he gets many people coming to India for Dental Tourism. I am so excited and happy about this! Well, that’s all for now…. ]

shopping and such...

2008-07-17T13:11:00.000-04:00

July 12, 2008-(Saturday)- Palumpur, India

The trip to Dharmasala was peaceful. Once there it began to rain steadily, but thankfully not a downpour. I bought a rain jacket and didn’t let the weather spoil my mood. I shopped and had tea with many shop owners. I bought many souvenirs and then it began to rain in earnest. I found a coffee shop --- yes, a COFFEE shop, and sat down at a table to get tea and a snack. While I was there I met two women a little older than I, who were also traveling around India and who were teachers! One, Dietraland is from Germany, and Rootie is from Israel. We had fun talking about teaching and traveling. Since I was going to be in Dharmasala again on Monday to be at an opening ceremony for a new school, I set up to have dinner with them on Monday evening. We are to meet at the coffee shop at 7pm and go from there. There were so many beautiful things that I wanted to buy, but I feared how much I would be able to fit into my suitcase. Towards the end of the afternoon, the sun came out and it was pleasant weather. In one shop I met some other Americans and began talking to them. It turned out that they are related to the man who started the school for the disabled children that we are going to see tomorrow! The man’s name is Seth. His parents and parent’s friends were the people in the shop. It was so nice to talk with them. As it was getting close to 5pm, I made my way over to the Hotel Tibet. It wasn’t long before Jo showed up. We had a wonderful dinner and talked and talked. Around 6:30 she had to go and we hugged goodbye. I called the taxi and made my way home. It was a wonderful day.

short note

2008-07-13T14:29:00.001-04:00

July 11, 2008-(Friday)- Palumpur, India

Today I finished painting most of the illustrations and coated the blackboards with new blackboard paint. On Monday, summer camp begins and I will be teaching enrichment classes and won’t be doing anymore painting. I’d like to say that the teachers’ attitudes changed for the better today, but I didn’t notice anything. Still, change takes time, I will hope for the best. I hired a taxi to take me to Dharmasala tomorrow so that I could do some shopping. By now I feel pretty confident getting around and I truly don’t mind going alone. Before Jo left yesterday we made plans to meet for dinner at the Hotel Tibet. I’m looking forward to it.

A learning experience...

2008-07-13T14:27:00.002-04:00

July 10, 2008-(Thursday)- Palumpur, India

In school today we began to paint the illustrations on the walls of the classroom. Jo outlined her sketches with black, and I colored the pictures in. It was actually a lot of fun. After school we had the meeting with the staff. Juggy, Gee too, the doctor who donated the land for the school, and all the staff, met in the biggest classroom. I spoke in English, and the doctor translated into Hindi. Although most of the teachers spoke some English, I didn’t want the meaning of my words lost in translation. The teachers were quiet throughout the meeting. When asked for feedback, no one said a word. I thanked them for listening and we left. Juggy says that hopefully they will have a change in attitude. If even one teacher makes an effort, then we have been successful. Hopefully we will see a change.

After lunch I went to see Pooja as promised. We visited for about 1 ½ hours, and then I left. As I was leaving her dad drove up with Vicrown. I invited the family to dinner on this coming Tuesday night. I would treat them to dinner at the hotel restaurant. I was going to cook for them at the house and deliver it to them, but after thinking about the logistics of buying the food, cooking, transporting the food, etc. I figured it would be less trouble to just take them out to eat. Besides, I’m sure they don’t go out to eat often, if at all.

Since coming to India, I have been quite lonely. Although I moved into another room, I have yet to get a roommate. The new volunteers are coming on July 14^th, so I’ve been on my own. The younger volunteers have made up their own cliques, and tend to ignore me most of the time. Some are actually rude. One positive thing is that I have gone out by myself and made friends in the village like Pooja and her family. All I can think of is how much more fun this would have been with Joel and Rachael, or one of my friends from home. Still, it is a growing experience. I am learning how to not depend emotionally on others. A difficult lesson to learn.

Of the two houses CSS is renting, all of the volunteers will be gone from the house I’m in as of tonight. They are the 3 week group. New volunteers don’t arrive until Monday night. I’m alone in this huge house. My only friend, Jo, left today to go to Dharmasala. CCS left two staff to stay in the house with me so I wouldn’t be alone, but they are men, are staying on the lower floor, and don’t speak much English…. I’m so glad I have this computer!

more work...

2008-07-13T14:27:00.001-04:00

July 9, 2008-(Wednesday)- Palumpur, India

I woke as usual at about 6am, but this morning there was a sound outside that I couldn’t identify. At first I thought it was the ceiling fan, and then I realized it wasn’t on. I opened the door to the balcony, and then I realized what the sound was. It was the stream below rushing! The storm had made it fill and water was coming down from the mountains at an incredible rate. I have of course read about the sound of a stream rushing, but I had never heard one, so this was another new experience.

At school today Jo and I decided what illustrations we were going to draw and paint on to the newly painted walls of the 9^th grade classroom. We sketched out a few things, but didn’t do much actual painting today. I am glad because I was very tired. Although I hate to admit it, I am moving a bit slower than my younger counterpart. The heat and the altitude are making me very tired. I think it is the heat more than the altitude, but both are playing a part I’m sure, as well as my age. I don’t have a thermometer, but I’d guess it’s about 110 in the shade. In case I didn’t mention it before, there is no A/C here at all. There are ceiling fans in the guest house where we are staying, but they don’t always work because we don’t always have electricity. At the school, we only have fans in the two rooms that have electricity, and there are no lights in any of the rooms, so if it is rainy and overcast, the classrooms can get pretty dark. Today it was not rainy, but sunny and HOT. Being soaked in sweat is the norm, as is being semi-dehydrated. I try to drink a lot of water, but sometimes refrain because there are no toilets at the school nor in town. While I can always find a bush behind the school somewhere, there is literally no where in the village for women to use the bathroom. There are open, public, urinals for men, but men typically will urinate anywhere! They will simply turn away from sight, open their flies, and…. They do this on the road and in the market in plain sight without a thought ! -- hard to believe when this would be grounds for arrest in America. Nothing else noteworthy today…

of teaching and tea.....

2008-07-13T14:24:00.001-04:00

July 8, 2008-(Tuesday)- Palumpur, India

This morning, the sun was out ! What a beautiful view outside my window! Once I got to the school I organized the trash pick-up. Most of the kids helped and worked hard along side me although kids will be kids and some were loafers. I got dirty looks from the teachers and staff. I guess they thought it was beneath them to pick up trash—the trash they threw down there in the first place. Once we had picked up the trash, it was time to bury it. I got the principal to give us some shovels and the kids and I got to work. It was very hard. The soil is full of stones, large ones. I have to say that I was winded and soaked with sweat when we were done. The larger boys and I did the digging. I was still astonished that the male teachers did not pitch in to help, but I guess I was beginning to get the picture. Even in the classrooms, the teachers are so different from American teachers. Here are some of the differences:

Most of the teachers do not choose teaching because they enjoy it. Most choose it because they are women (and this is an acceptable vocation for some casts of women) or because they don’t have the education to pursue other careers. Some teach in order to produce income while they pursue other studies. In other words, they aren’t giving 100% to teaching, it’s just something to do.
The teachers lecture and have the children repeat the lesson verbatim. There are no questions from the teachers like “what did you think of….”. The children are not taught critical thinking or to give their ideas or opinions.
When a child completes an assignment in their notebook, they hand it to the teacher to grade. If the student does poorly on the assignment, they are physically punished and yelled at. If they do well, no affirmation is given.
The teachers have an arrogant approach which puts them above the students. While I understand that there should be some sense of authority over the students, this attitude is, in my opinion, over done here.
There is no sense of “fun” in the classroom. The teachers here appear to lack warmth and a sense of humor. Even amongst the little ones there are no affectionate pats on the head or shoulder, and certainly no hugs! When the children saw me hugging one child, they ran over to get hugs too! I don’t see how anyone can work with these little 4- 6 year olds and NOT fall in love with them! I hug all the children when appropriate except for the older boys which could be misconstrued. I play with them all at recess, spinning them around and playing tag and tickle. They see me as safe and run after me and tickle me back.

At about 11am, when it was almost time to leave, I went out to the playground again after finishing painting the 9^th grade classroom. I was extremely frustrated by what I saw. Even though I specifically asked the teachers and staff to instruct their classrooms about the clean-up project and teach them to throw the trash in the garbage can, there was trash again all over the play yard! Then, as I was preparing to leave, the principal asked me when I was going to paint the other classrooms. I explained to him that I was not going to paint the rest of the classrooms because I received no assistance from his staff. I tried to make clear to him (his English is not the best) that I came to HELP, not to do everything myself. He appeared to understand, but I wasn’t sure. He did understand that I wasn’t painting any more classrooms.

Once back at the house, I told Juggy what happened. I explained to him that I would like to speak to all the school staff about my frustrations. He told me that they had been dealing with these frustrations for the last 3 years, and that no one had wanted to approach the problem directly. I told him I would do it, then it would not be seen as CCS complaining, but as one of the volunteers talking. It was here that my age and education would come in handy. As I am older than anyone on the CCS or school staff, they would respect my authority because it is their culture to do so. They would also respect my educational background and see me as part of the highest cast. This is one time that my age is a good thing! (It also probably helped my credibility that my gray is beginning to show!) I sat down and typed out what I wanted to say, and showed the draft to Juggy. He thought it was great. It said all the things that others have wanted to say but did not. Here is what it said:

Good Morning Gyan Deep Staff,

In case you don’t already know me, my name is Marianna Rader. I am 43 years old and I am from the United States of America. In the U.S., I am a professor of Psychology at Florida Community College in Jacksonville, FL.

I am very interested in learning about other cultures, and I am also one who likes to help those that are in need. It is for this reason I saved money all year to come to do volunteer work in India. When I first found out about my volunteer placement I was very excited. I thought that I could show you my method of teaching, one that we use in the U.S., and you could show me yours, and we could talk about how best to help the students succeed. Instead I found myself in the classroom teaching the children myself, without any faculty to be seen. I didn’t mind this because the children are wonderful and it is for them, that I came. Still, I was disappointed. I was hoping for more of an exchange of teaching methods and ideas.

Next I found out that there would be exams going on during part of the time I was to volunteer. As I saw that some of the other volunteers painted the preschool room, I thought I’d begin a painting project as well. I expected the entire faculty to join in as this is your school. In the U.S. we teachers do not make much money, just as you don’t; however, we don’t teach because of the money, we can choose a profession that makes much more income. Instead, we teach because it is our PASSION. We love to see the joy of learning in our students. We love to help students at all levels reach their personal best! It is our job to help students in any way we can. The rewards for this are not money, but love, appreciation, and self-respect. In the U.S. we take pride in our work and our school. It is we faculty who clean, decorate, and invest our own time and money to help the students. Our government is also a problem when it comes to funding, but because we love teaching, we do whatever it takes to get the job done. With this said, perhaps you can understand my frustration when Juggy told me that no work had been done on the school since the volunteers left LAST summer. I would have thought that seeing strangers come from far away to help YOUR school would motivate you to make it better, but I was mistaken. I should then not have been surprise when neither the faculty nor the other staff volunteered to help us paint the classrooms. When I asked a few of you for help, you acted as if it was an insult to help. Even some of the children wouldn’t help. If I, an American, can come 9000 miles to paint your school, then I expect you to work as hard as I am. I did not come from America to improve your school. I came from America to help YOU improve YOUR school.

Another project I was trying to implement was cleaning up the area around the school. Tuesday, the children and I picked up trash, dug a hole, and buried the garbage. You all knew this was going on. When I went back to the yard after painting, there was more trash. Why are you not teaching the children not to put trash on the ground when we are working so hard? Why don’t you help clean up your own school? This is crazy to me. What about digging the holes for the trash? Who will do this when I leave? Would I come back next year just to see my efforts undone?

I am very frustrated. I will not work harder than you, the faculty and staff. I came to help, not to do for you.

This is all I have to say, and I say it with the hope that you will think about it and take it to heart.

Juggy said he would tell the staff that I wanted to speak to them and arrange a time. We didn’t know if the talk would do any good, but we both agreed that these things needed to be said. As a matter of fact, Juggy said that if there were not any change, that CCS would consider not placing volunteers at this placement next year. The only thing that would come into play other than this is the fact that we want to help the students. In this sense CCS might still send volunteers, but would monitor how much they did. Overall, I am hoping that the talk will motivate the teachers and staff to drop their traditional roles and do all they can to help the children and the school succeed. I can only hope.

At 2pm, we were taken to a tea estate to be instructed on the tea cultivation and creation process. I was very interested and took many mental notes. We watched as harvesters plucked the tops of the tea plants off and collect them in baskets. This was surely hard work in the hot sun. It was explained that the workers were paid based on how many baskets of tea leaves they picked. The tea plants were plucked every 7-14 days. Only the new, tender leaves could be used for making tea, the older, greener leaves were hard and useless for tea making. I couldn’t help remembering the jingle from the Teatly tea commercial, “It’s those tiny little tea leaves, in Teatly tea”. Here’s what I learned about Tea:

All types of tea, -- silver, white, black, green—are the SAME plant ! The difference is how it is picked, cleaned, sorted and processed!

Ø Green Tea is made from fresh tea leaves which are immediately roasted.

Ø Black Tea is made from dried tea leaves which are then roasted.

Ø White Tea is made from the tea flower bud and the fresh tea leaf.

Ø Silver Tea is the most expensive type; it is made from the tea flower buds only.

Ø White and Silver Teas are expensive because they are labor intensive. After harvesting the buds have to be picked out manually.

On the way back from the tea estate it began to storm…. I thought this would be perfect nap weather, and I was right! When I woke up, the sun began to come out, and when I looked out of the window, there was a gorgeous rainbow !!! I ran to get my camera and took several picture, but the pictures don’t do it justice.

After dinner I worked on the journal, graded papers, and went to bed.

Painting and such...

2008-07-13T14:22:00.000-04:00

July 7, 2008-(Monday)- Palumpur, India

This morning things were a bit different at the school since we are cleaning and painting. I wore an old courta which belonged to another volunteer who had done painting previously. When I got to the school, the other teachers looked at me disapprovingly because of my outfit. I ignored them, but wondered why they would think I’d wear nice clothes to paint. It was raining so I couldn’t work on the school yard in the morning for more than a few minutes. Instead, we began painting the 10^th grade classroom since this one was not being used for testing. Had I known I would be painting, I would have brought supplies! Yes we can get paint here, but not rollers!, not roller trays!, not ladders, and very poor quality brushes! Jo was painting the outside of the school, and I was painting the classroom. At one point I asked some of the staff who were not doing anything if they would help me. They looked at me as if I were crazy. Instead, I got some of the students to help. There were some students who were not testing, and they were more than happy to help. We did get the room painted, but they did make a bit of a mess. Up until now I haven’t mentioned the weather except to say that it is HOT and HUMID. It rains here every day; Sometimes in the morning, sometimes at night, sometimes in the afternoon. This is normal as it is monsoon season. Unfortunately most days it is overcast, even if it is not raining. I get so excited when we get a few hours of sunshine. Another thing about the rain is that it differs in severity. At times it is what we would call a drizzle, but at other times it seems that the entire sky is emptying out and the amount of water falling is incredible. In Florida we have severe storms, but here it seems like there is the amount of water falling as in a hurricane, only without the destructive winds. The towns here have precautions for this. All the streets have drainage canals that double as sewers… When there is a heavy rain, everything is washed away, trash, dirt, etc. Where it is washed away to is another problem….

While Jo and I were painting, there were 2 other volunteers who simply sat in the principal’s office. When I asked them why they were there they said that since exams were going on, there was nothing for them to do. I told them that Jo and I could use some help, but they said they’d rather not. I don’t understand why people come on trips like this if they don’t expect to get their hands dirty. I came to work. I’m glad for the fun and exploring I’ve done, but mainly I came to help others, I wish all the volunteers had the same attitude. I hear complaints about all types of things… Didn’t they realize that India is a 3^rd world country? Actually, our accommodations are fantastic ! I really expected to have to “rough it” more. Anyway, as far as CCS (the agency I came with) is concerned, I am very satisfied.

Once I got back to the house, Juggy asked to talk with me. He was concerned that I am doing too much for the people at the school. He wants me to only finish the 10^th grade room. After thinking about it I realized that he was right. Since the teachers and staff don’t seem to want to help, I shouldn’t be willing to do more than they are. I have been working so hard, but they seem to be indifferent to my and the other volunteers’ efforts. I think of my own saying that “teachers shouldn’t work harder than students”. If the teachers aren’t willing to work, why should I do so much? The idea is supposed to be that the teachers will see some ideas and follow suit. Instead the teachers seem to be content to let us improve their school while they sit by and watch. This is not CCS’s vision.

After talking to Juggy, I took a well deserved nap. Then I went for a walk, and another adventure began. I began walking towards one of the hotels because I’d heard that there were hiking trails near there and I wanted to check them out. Along the way I met a little girl and she began talking to me. I immediately fell in love with her because she is the same age and size as Rachael. I learned that her name was Pooja. I also met her brother whose name is Vicrown. She is a sweet girl and she invited me to see her house. I walked up the hill and saw her family’s little home. She ran in and called to her mother and father. They asked me to come in. I sat and talked with the family for about an hour. At one point they offered me some water, as I was visibly sweating. I said “no thank you” and explained that I could not drink their water because I was from another country. I told them that I couldn’t drink tap water unless it was boiled, if I did, I would get very sick. Pooja insisted that they had boiled water for me, I was surprised but skeptical. Pooja’s mother then brought me out a glass of water on a tray. It was ice cold! I looked at her and said, “the water is cold”. Pooja explained that they boil the water then put it in a jar in the refrigerator. I was feeling a little worried, but I didn’t want to seem disrespectful, so I said a silent prayer and drank the water. The Lals are wonderful people. The father, Kishori, invited me for dinner! I accepted but I told them that I needed to go back to the house and let the staff know where I was. Pooja and Vicrown insisted on walking with me back to the house. Pooja was so cute. She insisted on helping me walk by taking my hand. I got to the house, changed into something nicer (I had been wearing hiking Capri’s and a t-shirt), and grabbed my laptop so that I could show Pooja and Vicrown pictures of Joel and Rachael. While I was changing, Juggy got the address and phone number of the LaL’s. Then I came down the steps and off we went. The dinner was nice, similar to what I’d been eating at the house. They enjoyed my pictures of home and the videos of Joel and Rachael. Finally, at 10:30, I thought it was time I left. Pooja wanted to know when I would come back to visit. I told her that I would return Thursday around 4pm. What a wonderful evening. The Lals are such a loving family. There may be a lack of material possessions, but it appeared they had everything they needed--and they certainly didn’t lack love in their home ! Kishori insisted on taking me back to the house on his scooter, so I had my first scooter ride too !

Much ado about nothing....

2008-07-08T14:09:00.001-04:00

July 6, 2008-(Sunday)- Amritsar/ Dharmasala, India

Part of my plans for the trip were to have a relaxed breakfast on Sunday, then run by the Mata Temple, and then head towards Dharmasala where I could spend an hour or two shopping. (Dharmasala is on the way back towards Palumpur) But NO ! Whiners wanted us in the lobby by 7:30 am ! They vacillated from wanting more time in Dharmasala, to wanting to be back in Palumpur by 7pm to get to the tailor’s. How did the whiners win out? There was me, bold most of the time, but restrained, the two whiners, and Anna and another girl who are passive and indecisive. They would neither agree with me, nor with the whiners, afraid to speak their minds. I was too frustrated and didn’t want a fight, so I gave in. I did make them stop so I could get my morning chai. We met the taxi driver at 8am. We asked him to take us to the Mata temple, and although he asked several people where it was, we never got there. Instead we ended up at another temple. Not the one we anticipated, but beautiful none -the -less.
• Shree Durgiana Mandir in Amritsar is a focal point of faith for the Hindus. Pilgrims flock to this temple not only from India but also from abroad. Over the years, it has become an epicenter of Hindu renaissance and rejuvenation. The complex is popularly known as the Durgiana, derives its name from the Goddess Durga. This connection with Goddess Durga is a sociocultural reference as Goddess Durga is normally invoked for protection and health while the soldiers go to war. The foundation stone of the premises of Durgiana ‘sarovar’ was laid on January 4, 1921. The foundation ceremony of Durgiana Mandir was performed in February 1921 on the auspicious occasion of ‘basant’ festival. The then Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, gave a grant of Rs 1 crore from his discretionary funds for face-lifting of the shrine. Designed on the lines of Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple is a revered place for Hindus. It is located outside the Lohgarh Gate. The Temple stands amidst a tank and has a dome. Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya laid its foundation stone. The Temple is also known as Lakshmi Narayan Mandir. Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth and Narayan is a Hindu Deity known as Lord Vishnu - the preserver of the universe. Inside the temple are images of the Mother Goddess in her various forms, many of them done in mosaics made from pieces of colored tile. This temple was built quite recently, but the site is much older.

This temple was incredible. It was definitely as beautiful as the Golden Temple, and better yet, photos were permitted inside ! While I was there, I met up with two of the girls I had danced with the evening before at the border. They embraced me and their mother who was with them hugged me and kissed me on both cheeks! We talked a few minutes, took pictures, and said goodbye. It was incredible. Then it was in the car again for our 5-ish hour drive to Dharmasala. In Dharmasala, I did some shopping. We met up with two other groups of our volunteers who were there shopping as well. Soon, it was back to Palumpur. I unpacked, checked my email, and went to bed.

Temples and such....

2008-07-08T14:08:00.001-04:00

July 5, 2008-(Saturday)- Amritsar, India
• The sacred city of the Amritsar, which was founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Dass ji, has come to assume a special significance in Hindu cosmology because of various mythical and historical connections. Amritsar is particularly nearer and dearer to Hindus as it is believed that the Lov-Kush along with their mother Mata Sita spent their early childhood in the ashram of Bhagwan Maharishi Balmiki ji in the land of Amritsar.
Due to the heat, I was exhausted and slept like a log. I got up and was ready by 8:10 and went down to the lobby. Then Anna and I were given a lecture about being “on time” by the whiners, AKA the time police. I then wanted breakfast. My idea was to have a relaxing breakfast and then go to the Golden Temple. Nope, again the whiners took charge and insisted that we rush and grab a “bag of chips or something” and rush over to the Golden Temple. Again, I was annoyed. I had planned the trip, made the arrangements, and now the people who only decided to go at the last minute were ordering me around. I wanted to confront them with this, but instead, I murmured under my breath and insisted that I needed at least one cup of Chai (tea) first. One of the whiners said
“ can’t you just drink a coke?”, I wanted to strangle her ! Instead I said that I’d find a chai vendor and that it would only take a few moments, I needed my chai in the morning. They sighed, acted as if it were a huge inconvenience, and then waited while I went to get some tea. One of the whiners was complaining about cramps. Now it’s not that I am not compassionate, it’s just that this girl has complained about pain after pain since we arrived here in India. While I am sure that she was “really ill” twice, still it is not necessary to recap the illness over and over again in conversation. Not to mention the complaining about everything else. Her sarcasm is depressing, and I don’t know how she functions like this. I would feel sorry for her, except that is what she wants-- Pity and attention. Can we say Borderline Personality Disorder? I am not the only one that feels this way. I have overheard several of the volunteers talk about this as well as seen them roll their eyes when she makes a sarcastic comment or a complaint. All I know is I am going to spend as little time with her as possible.

After I drank my chai, it was off to the Golden Temple. Before going even into the outer court of the temple, we had to cover our heads and take off our shoes. I bought a cheap scarf and wrapped it around my head. Then we took off our shoes and “checked them” as one might check a coat at a fancy event. We then entered the outer court of the temple and it was beautiful. The carvings and stone work were remarkable. Then we saw it, the Golden Temple appearing as if it were floating on the water. The temple itself is set in the middle of a man made lake.

About the Golden Temple or Sri Harmandir Sahib
Sri Harmandir Sahib, also known as Sri Darbar Sahib or The Golden Temple for the English speaking world, is known world round on account of its scenic beauty and golden coating). The Sikhs all over the world, daily wish to pay visit to Sri Amritsar and to pay obeisance here. Guru Arjan Sahib, the Fifth Nanak, conceived the idea of creating a central place of worship for the Sikhs and he himself designed the architecture of Sri Harmandir Sahib. Earlier the planning to excavate the holy tank (Amritsar or Amrit Sarovar ) was chalked out by Guru Amardas Sahib, the Third Nanak, but it was executed by Guru Ramdas Sahib under the supervision of Baba Budha ji. The land for the site was acquired by the earlier Guru Sahibs on payment or free of cost from the Zamindars (landlords) of native villages. The plan to establish a town settlement was also made. Therefore, the construction work on the Sarovar(the tank) and the town started simultaneously in 1570. The work on both projects completed in 1577 A.D. Guru Arjan Sahib got its foundation laid by a Muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir ji of Lahore on 1st of Magh, 1545 Bikrmi Samvat. The construction work was directly supervised by Guru Arjan Sahib himself and he was assisted by prominent Sikh personalities like Baba Budha ji, Bhai Gurdas ji, Bhai Sahlo ji and many other devoted Sikhs. Unlike erecting the structure on the higher level(a tradition in Hindu Temple architecture), Guru Arjan Sahib got it built on the lower level and unlike Hindu Temples having only one gate for the entrance and exit, Guru Sahib got it open from four sides. Thus he created a symbol of new faith, Sikhism. Guru Sahib made it accessible to every person without any distinction of Caste, creed, sex or religion.

Sri Harmandir Sahib, is built on a 67ft. square platform in the centre of the Sarovar(tank). The temple itself is 40.5ft. square. It has a door each on the East, West, North and South. The Darshani Deori (an arch) stands at the shore end of the causeway. The door frame of the arch is about 10ft in height and 8ft 6inches in breath. The door panes are decorated with artistic style. It opens on to the causeway or bridge that leads to the main building of Sri Harmandir Sahib. It is 202 feet in length and 21 feet in width. The bridge is connected with the 13 feet wide ‘Pardakshna’ (circumambulatory path). It runs round the main shrine and it leads to the ‘Har ki Paure’ (steps of God). On the first floor of ‘Har ki Paure’, there is continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib. The main structure of Sri Harmandir Sahib, functionally as well as technically is a three-storied one. The front, which faces the bridge, is decorated with repeated cusped arches and the roof of the first floor is at the height of the 26 feet and 9 inches. At the top of the first floor 4 feet high parapet rises on all the sides which has also four ‘Mamtees’ on the four corners and exactly on the top of the central hall of the main sanctuary rises the third story. It is a small square room and has three gates. A regular recitation of Guru Granth Sahib is also held there. On the top of this room stands the low fluted ‘Gumbaz’(dome) having lotus petal motif in relief at the base inverted lotus at the top which supports the ‘Kalash’ having a beautiful ‘Chhatri’ at the end. Its architecture represents a unique harmony between the Muslims and the Hindus way of construction work and this is considered the best architectural specimen of the world. It is often quoted that this architecture has created an independent Sikh school of architecture in the history of art in India.
While there we also visited the Sikh museum. It was dedicated to Sikhs who had been massacred by the Muslims. It was sad to see yet another slaughter by people claiming that their religion was the “correct” one. I wonder how many people over the centuries have died needlessly in the name of one religion or another. We had only been at the temple for a short time, an hour or so, when the BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder, AKA whiner) began complaining about menstrual cramps and dehydration. She wanted us to hurry up so we could leave and go back to the hotel and get her some Advil or Tylenol. I was again angry. I didn’t come over 9000 miles to see this temple only to be hurried away due to menstrual cramps! I suggested we split up and meet up later, and I was looked at as if I had said a profanity. In my opinion, had I been sick, I would have excused myself to go back to the hotel and arrange to meet up with the others later. I wouldn’t dare to complicate another’s vacation on my own account. After all, menstrual cramps come every month, I visit India only once in a lifetime. I didn’t say anything more, but I didn’t rush. I looked at everything I wanted to look at, took tons of pictures, (except in the inner temple where it is prohibited), and talked to many people who stopped us because we were foreigners. The people were very nice and I had a good time speaking with them. Some spoke a little English, while others were fluent. Most spoke no English at all, but I was finding that a smile is universal for “ hello”. I smiled at anyone and everyone, and most smiled back.
After we finished at The Golden Temple, we headed back to the hotel so that we could get some pain reliever for the whiner. She wanted to rest a while, so the rest of us walked around a little near the hotel and shopped. I bought a few things, bargaining to get the best price. I love bargaining. I will surely miss it when I get back to the states again. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could do this at Walmart ?!
Finally it was time for a meal ! For me, the food of a culture is just as interesting as its dress, religion, etc. Besides, I love to eat! (did I mention I’m GAINING weight?) I have been really enjoying the food here, probably more than I should. I was anxious to try a Punjabi restaurant. I suggested a place around the corner from the hotel. The whiners wanted to go back to the pizza place and said that they have more than pizza. I strongly suggested we try something different, and as no one wanted to make a decision, I said, “let’s try it” and walked into the restaurant. The food ended up being FANTASTIC! I finally writing down the names of things I like so I can learn how to say and order them at other places. The things I love are as follows:
• Dal Makhani: Lentils in a spicy brownish sauce, very good over rice, or eaten like soup.
• Tomato Paneer: chunks of cheese cooked in a spicy tomato based sauce, good with rice or bread.
• Chanamasala: Chick peas (or Garbanzo beans) cooked with Indian spices, good with rice or bread.
• Prantha –Leche(plain): A plain wheat based fried bread. (also available stuffed or spiced, for example garlic prantha.
• Mixed Vegetable Uthapam: vegetables in some type of omelet or crepe or mixture of the two.
• Biryani: a type of rice dish with meat (usually chicken), in a tomato based spicy sauce.
• Afghani Chicken: A chicken dish – spices unknown but DELICIOUS !
• Roti: a whole wheat pita made fresh to eat with many types of meals. We have this daily at the house, and it’s great.—no wonder I’m gaining weight!
After lunch we made our way to Jallianwala Bagh. Jallianwala Bagh is a public garden in Amritsar located in the Punjab province of India. It houses a memorial of national importance, established in 1951 to commemorate the murder of peaceful demonstrators on the occasion of Punjabi New Year on April 13, 1919 in what has since been called, the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. This event, also known as the Amritsar Massacre, was named after the Jallianwala Bagh (Garden). On April 13, 1919, British Indian Army soldiers under the command of Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer opened fire on an unarmed gathering of men, women and children. The firing lasted about 10 minutes and 1650 rounds were fired, or 33 rounds per soldier. Official British Raj sources placed the fatalities at 379. According to private sources there were over 1000 deaths, with more than 2000 wounded, and Civil Surgeon Dr. Smith indicated that there were 1,526 casualties.

The memorial itself was pretty nice as memorials go. The gardens were beautiful. Unfortunately it was now the hottest part of the day and I was drenched in sweat. I soaked a hankie in water and used it to cool my neck and forehead. It was dry in 5 minutes. I don’t know the exact temperature, but I’ll guess it was close to 115 degrees F. I was drinking water quicker than I could buy it. While walking around, I met some teen- aged girls from another part of India. They asked me if I would mind taking some pictures with their camera of them in front of the monument. This was a turn around, but a pleasant one. We chatted for a few minutes and went on our own ways. I was walking around alone because I’d left the group to go to the toilet. I told them that I’d meet them in the front entrance at 1:30. Once we met up again we all went back to the hotel to take a short rest or to shop. We had arranged to meet our driver at 3:30 for transport to the India-Pakistani Border where we would view the elaborate ceremony staged daily as they closed the borders for the night. We agreed to meet in the lobby at 3pm.
I laid down on the bed, in the A/C and fell immediately to sleep. Anna and I woke at 10 min. to 3, splashed some water on our faces, put on our shoes, and were about to walk to the lobby when one of the whiners comes banging on our door saying, “are you coming, are you coming, it’s 3pm”. We stated that according to our watches it was 3:06. I finally had enough and said “ time is relative in India, it’s only a few minutes, our driver is not going to leave us if we are 5 or 10 minutes late”. I got no response. We hurried down and got to the parking garage at 3:25. Our driver took us to the Border.
When we got to the border, we had to wait in a crowd of hundreds of people in the heat for the gate to the stadium to open. We got there at 4pm, and the gates would not open until 5. An hour of standing in the heat, is this what I was rushed for? At 5pm, we were allowed into the bleachers area. The attending soldiers instructed us to sit as close together as possible. I was cramped, but so were the other 499 or so people. The actual ceremony wasn’t to start until 6:30, but there were other activities to keep us busy. First, the soldiers picked some volunteers from the audience to run up and down the course with the Indian flag. There were loud cheers as first a young boy, then an elderly woman, and several others in turn, took the flag and paraded it, or ran it, down towards the border gate and back. After that, There were patriotic songs in Hindi where everyone sang and waved their small plastic flags. As we were doing this, the Pakistani side was congregating. Quieter than us, and in smaller numbers, they came. The speakers with their patriotic songs tried to drown out ours, but the Indians sang louder. Following the patriotic songs, they began to play Hindi/ Punjabi dance music. Indians, old and young walked down off the bleachers to dance in the area below. I saw some “westerners” with them also, and they were all just dancing together. I noticed that the dancers didn’t know each other as they were coming from all parts of the stadium. I longed to go down there and join the dance. I asked the 4 girls who were with me, but they said no, that the music was going to end soon anyway. I didn’t want to go by myself, yet I wanted to go so bad--- here was my chance to dance in India with the natives. I finally got the courage up to do it and began walking down the bleachers. I had to step over the throngs of people, but each time I walked down a step, the people cheered me on! I got about ½ way down when the music stopped. The dancers took their seats. I was crushed, my procrastination ruined my chance. I went back to my seat and there was another few comments from the soldiers. There were chants of Long Live India in Hindi. We had a shouting duel with the Pakistanis over who could chant the loudest. I promised myself that, if by chance the dancing began again, I would go down and dance. About ½ hour later, the dancing and music began again. This time I started down the bleachers right away. I saw a girl there who recognized me from the lecture in Dharmasala. She was with the CCS Dharmasala group. She grabbed my arm and said CCS ? I said “yes, I’m going down to dance – I don’t want to miss my chance to dance with the Indians. This is a once in a lifetime event. Want to come?” She said “sure”, and the two of us made our way down to the bottom. As soon as we got down there the girls invited us into their dancing circle. I felt like an honorary Indian. They tried to teach me some Punjabi moves, but I’m not sure I did it correctly. No one cared, we were having a blast. It was then that an elderly, maybe late 70’s, aged Indian woman pulled my arm and smiled broadly and began dancing with me. It was wonderful. I can’t remember feeling so joyful—ever ! I felt so unconditionally loved and accepted at that moment, I can’t describe it. That people from a foreign country would welcome and include me so freely touched me in ways I can’t describe. Me, pudgy and in western clothes, they in Saris or elaborate Punjabi dresses. Nothing mattered, at that moment we were all human beings dancing with joy. After a time, the music stopped and sweaty but content I made my way back to the stands. On the way up, a woman stopped me and said, “ I love your spirit”. I was close to tears. Others were ‘high-fiving’ me as well. When I returned to my spot, the whiners said nothing as I related my experience. One of the other girls told me later that she wished she had the boldness to have gone down to dance. I’m glad I followed my heart. It was an experience I will never forget.
By the time we got back to the hotel, we were all exhausted. Still, I was determined to see the Golden Temple lit up at night. We girls, minus the two whiners, went back to the temple. It was a sight to see and worth the effort. The glitter of the temple reflected over the water. It was magnificent. We didn’t stay long, just took some pictures, then left. When Anna and I got back to the room, I collapsed into a deep sleep.

Off to Amritsar !

2008-07-08T14:04:00.001-04:00

July 4, 2008-(Friday)- Palumpur, India / Amritsar India
I love my new room ! The view is beautiful and it is so much quieter in this room. Have I mentioned laundry? Doing laundry here is much different than at home. The first week I was here I simply sent the laundry out to the service that was doing the laundry for us. When I got the laundry back, I decided to do it myself. It was clear that they were doing the same thing that I would do, hand washing and hanging. I decided to do it myself and save the rupees, besides, I would do a better job!
I have noticed that I am much more mentally tired here. When I sleep, I sleep deep. I realized that this is because my brain has so much more information to process. When a person is in familiar surroundings their mind screens out “unimportant” information. The daily activities and items associated with everyday life are not registered in the conscious mind because we automatically know what to do with the information. In a totally foreign environment, our brains are working overtime to process all the new information. Here in India I’ve had to learn to do so many things differently than at home; things that we take for granted, so my Brain actually hurts !
Here are some examples, but there are many, many, more:
Brushing my teeth- I have to remember to fill a glass with filtered water before I go to my room to brush my teeth because I can’t use the tap water. While brushing my teeth, I must be careful not to do what is “natural for me”, and rinse my toothbrush or mouth out with tap water. Tap water is very DANGEROUS for “westerners”
Using the toilet—I must remember not to put toilet paper in the toilet, but in the trash can. Here they don’t put paper down the pipes because the plumbing system is very fragile.
Getting dressed—wearing clothes that I am not accustomed to wearing is stressful even though they are very comfortable.—especially the Dupata !
Getting around town—I’m accustomed to jumping into my car and going somewhere, but here you can walk, take a rickshaw, take a taxi, or ride a mule ! (I haven’t done the mule thing yet !)
Finding your way around the village/town. I know Jacksonville fairly well as I’ve been there for over 20 years, but here, I have to think hard about where I want to go, and how to get there.
Feeling grounded in strange surroundings—Every morning when I get up, I sit up in bed and outside my HUGE window are MOUNTAINS ! I’m used to seeing flat land, this is very different.
Speaking and understanding others speech— Even if I am lucky and the person speaks some English, I have to speak VERY slowly for them to understand me. I also have to listen very closely to understand what they are trying to communicate with their limited English vocabulary. That’s if I’m lucky ! If they don’t speak any English, I’m down to looking up phrases in the Hindi book and using body language, pointing, gestures, and facial expressions to make myself understood.
Toenails and such: I looked at my feet today for the first time in about 3 weeks. I was horrified. I had calluses, long toenails, and “fuzz” between the toes. I have been so busy that I’ve had no time for more than minimal hygiene. Each day I shower & brush teeth, but my toenails, fingernails, and legs have been forgotten. At home I usually take a long bath at least twice a week. Usually I take care of these things during and after my bath. Here—no bathtubs! (I’ve heard that one of the volunteers has a bathtub, but I don’t know if this is true; if so they are keeping it quiet !)

Today I had so much fun at the school ! My teaching style is very interactive and animated. I walk around the room, ask questions, and even make jokes. The children seem to love it—and they are learning, while I am having a blast ! I verbally tested them on what we went over yesterday and they remembered. In the English class we were reading a story that mentioned their Hindu God. They have one God named Onkarsingh. This God appears on earth in many forms. After they told me the name of their God, I told them the name of my God, the Christian God, Jehovah. I told them that my God also has many names, but the same God. Just to be safe, we also went over the Moslem God, which they knew was Allah. I have to say, that within their faith, they are very devoted to their God. I can see genuine devotion in the children’s faces as they sing and chant their morning prayers.

“God help us at home and at school and with our studies,
thank you God for our families and our school.”

It doesn’t sound any different than a Christian prayer. It makes me wonder if we are all just praying to the same God only using different names.

During Science class I was teaching about the planets and when we got to Earth, we talked about the fact that the Earth is in danger because of pollution and global warming and such. I used this opportunity to broach the subject of the trash in the streets and around their school. I explained that I really love India, and that it is beautiful, but that it won’t be that way for long if they continue to throw trash everywhere. We talked about how Gandhi encouraged Indians to use trash as land fill. The kids respect Gandhi, so I’m not bringing in my own ideas, just implementing one of their leader’s ideas. On Monday, weather permitting; we will begin the process of cleaning up the area around the school. It will be hard work I told them, but once they clean it up they have to keep it clean by not throwing garbage and teaching the younger children not to throw garbage. Also on Monday Jo (short for Johanna) and I will begin painting another couple of classrooms. Our goal is to paint all the classrooms before we leave. First we will paint a base coat of some light color, and then we will paints educational pictures like the solar system and electrons, maps, etc; depending on the grade that inhabits the classroom. While speaking to the principal in his office about these plans, a mouse ran across the room and into a desk near the wall. I jumped and announce, “There’s a mouse in the office”. No one flinched. When I saw that there was no reaction I said to Rajesh, Aren’t you going to do anything about the mouse?”. He responded “he lives there”. He then pointed to the desk and continued his paper work and the conversation about the painting! Wow !
Directly after our placement I went back to the house to pack for my trip to Amritsar. To my surprise, three more people decided to accompany Anna and me at the last minute. Unfortunately, two of them were the whiners in the group. What could I say? so, off we went to Amritsar.
The ride to Amritsar was supposed to be about 5 ½ hours, but it seemed shorter for me. I had my iPod and I was taking in the scenery. We passed small towns and villages. We saw people working in the rice patties, and others herding cattle. As there is no A/C in the car, we had the windows open and all the dust from the road blew in on us. There were several memorable sights. At one point I saw a family of 5 on a bicycle. I don’t know how they did it ! Unfortunately we were going too fast to get a good picture. We saw buses go by which were extremely over crowded to the point that some people were riding on the roof ! During this time, the whiners complained about everything. I just turned up the volume on my iPod and pretended not to hear so that I wouldn’t have to respond. It was evident when we arrived in Amritsar. In contrast to Palumpur, the streets were even more dirty and crowded. There was noise and confusion everywhere. In the streets you could find anything: cows, cars, motor cycles, rickshaws, bicycle rickshaws, bicycles, dogs, goats, and people. There are no lanes and no traffic rules…. It was pure chaos and I almost got hit a few times walking to the hotel. The temperature in Amritsar was sweltering. While the heat was bad in Palumpur, it was worse in Amritsar. Our driver had to park the car in a parking lot, and we had to walk to the Lucky Guest House which was only a block away. I was not disillusioned by the state of the hotel. I expected the very basics: toilet, bed, shower and most importantly, A/C, and that’s what we got. Yes, the furniture was old, and yes the sheets were dinghy, but it didn’t matter as long as we could rest in a cool place. The whiners on the other hand had numerous complaints and I wanted to say “what do you expect, we are in a 3rd world country and besides we are only paying the equivalent of $7 each per night !”. Luckily I held my tongue. Once we got there, we settled in and went to find somewhere to eat. I wanted to find a nice Indian restaurant, but they wanted to go to a “pizza place”. I caved since I wanted to avoid the situation and I just wanted to eat something and go to bed. Then we talked about what we wanted to do the next day and what time we would get up. I had planned this trip and I felt angry that the two whiners wanted to change everything. I was thinking of meeting in the lobby about 9am. After all we ARE on vacation! But NO!, the whiners wanted to be in the lobby at 8am. Again I caved and held my tongue. We agreed to meet at 8am, and we all went to our rooms and went to bed.

a short post-- for a change

2008-07-06T13:18:00.002-04:00

July 3, 2008-(Thursdays)- Palumpur, India
Things went well in school today. After school I did some more shopping and then called the kids and my mom. Camille (my sister), had surgery for colon cancer yesterday. She is still in the hospital. Other than that, all was well with my family. Today was the end of the stay for 2 more volunteers. They said their sad good-byes. I moved from the room I was in, to their room, which is MUCH nicer and has a gorgeous view and balcony. Pictures coming soon. Best of all, there will be new volunteers on Monday and I will have a roommate!
Dinner tonight was the best yet. Fruit Salad, chicken, stir fry veggies, awesome chicken soup, and roti. I’ve been sitting here writing for over an hour. I’m going to upload and head to bed. I have another long, adventuresome day tomorrow!

Clothes Shopping

2008-07-06T13:16:00.001-04:00

July 2, 2008-(Wednesday)- Palumpur

Today was another fulfilling day with the children. They are really getting used to me, all the children, not just the ones in my classes. When they see me leave at the end of the day, the little ones crowd around me to hug me goodbye. It is really sweet. I am so glad that I brought my laptop with me. Despite the fact that it is heavy and bulky, it is allowing me to bring video on any subject area to the kids in this village school. Children who have never seen the ocean can see it on my little screen. Also, they are looking at the video of my home and of Joel and Rachael and they are learning a little about American culture.
After school, I was able to get Anna to agree to go to Amritsar with me to see the Golden Temple. Before the day was over, there were two more people wanting to join us. I am very happy and excited. Rachael will be thrilled as well.
Following lunch, it was time to go shopping. I had changed money in Dharmasala yesterday and I was ready to put some to use. I went in search of fabric. I shopped for hours. In the end I was in the tailor’s shop drinking tea and explaining to her how to make me some “western” clothing. I’ll have a new wardrobe when I get home and it will all have been custom made for me and designed by me. I can’t wait to get the clothes back !
While in the village I bought some vegetables and made a stir-fry to go along with dinner. The veggies were gone in no time. Everyone asked for more stir-frys likes this in the future.
I logged on to my FCCJ email. 19 papers needed grading. By the time I was finished, I was exhausted, and went to bed.

A lecture on Buddism

2008-07-06T13:15:00.001-04:00

July 1, 2008-(Tuesday)- Palumpur / Dharmasala, India

I started the morning early. Did I mention that it gets light here by 5am? I got dressed and headed down to breakfast. Can you believe, I have given up COFFEE ! Yes, it’s true. At least until I get home. The instant type was just not cutting it, and the Chai they make in the morning is to die for; consequentially, I am now a tea/chai drinker! All the meals are really good. Our cooks are great and they will make anything we request. I requested fruit salad, let’s see how fast it appears. In the mornings there is always a hot meal, usually composed of eggs. But if that is not wanted, there is always oatmeal, cereal, fruit, toast, juice, and tea. I usually opt for cold cereal and fruit. One thing I have to say is that I probably won’t lose weight. The food is just too good. While breakfast and lunch are vegetarian, we do have some meat in the evening at dinner. Usually chicken, as a matter of fact, so far chicken is all we’ve had as far as meat is concerned. I am really missing fish. I don’t eat much beef at home, so it’s no big deal to do without it, but fish, shrimp, scallops! Those I really miss.
Soon it was off to school. We went to teach our regular classes until it was time for the ceremony. When I went into the 9th grade Science class I saw some beautiful flowers the three girls in the front row had picked for me. I was touched and thanked them profusely. Class went very well. Things are really settling in since the schedule was set right. Next was 10th grade English. This particular class is for the children who didn’t pass the exam to advance to the next grade. A few of the kids seem to have undiagnosed learning disabilities. A few just seem to need a little extra help. The education system here is vastly different than in the U.S. Strict discipline is adhered to and the children are punished physically if they get out of line. Sometimes they are hit on their palms with a stick, other times they are slapped in the head--- yes, slapped in the head ! Teaching is lecture style with no option for questions. There is no dialogue and the children don’t contribute—there is no discussion. This is the style they use. It may work for the brightest students, but not for all of them. If a child gets a poor grade on a paper, they are punished instead of rehabilitated. No effort to find out what the child doesn’t understand is made. There is no extra help, and no one-on-one explanations. The children are taught to recite and memorize, but not to use critical thinking. I am trying to change this. I am teaching the way I usually teach, very interactive. Some of the teachers are observing and are open to try new things, others are not. Another problem is the text books. The text books are written in both Hindi and English. The problem is that the English in the books is frequently wrong, even in the “English” subject books. The building itself has a lot to be desired. It is a concrete building with about 12 small rooms. One room is allotted per grade, except for the 10th, which has a regular class and one for the children who failed the year before. The rooms do not have doors, only door ways so it gets very loud and sometimes it is difficult to hear the children or to be heard. My class may be quiet, but the classes next door or across the hall may not. There are windows with bars on them in each room. There is no glass on the windows and they are open to the elements. Inside the classrooms are wooden and metal desks and benches. The ones in this school may have been alright at one time, but now the metal is rusting and the boards are coming apart. Each class room has one blackboard. The blackboards are so worn that it is difficult to write on them, or to read anything written on them. There is electricity in a few rooms, and some fans, but overall that is all there is. YET, some of these children are able to apply themselves and learn, and even excel. As meager as these facilities are, they are MUCH better than the government schools that have all 12 grades in one or two rooms, and only one or two teachers. If it is lucky, there might be text books. The crazy thing about all of this is that the parents pay for the education of their children, even in the government schools. Granted the amount is minimal, but some families cannot even afford this and their children don’t go to school at all. My school, Gyan Deep, is a private school, but at a very low cost. The school was started to bridge the gap between the horrible government schools and the excellent, but expensive private schools. Something was needed in the middle. I surely hope that I am able to help the school get a grant.
At about 10:30, it was time for the ceremony. We all gathered at the doorway of the newly painted room. Some type of prayer was said in Hindi, and then some colored liquid was placed on my forehead, and a few flower petals on my head. Then I was instructed to cut the red ribbon and enter the room. I followed the directions and each teacher and volunteer followed after me into the room. We all took pictures – I had someone take video too! After this we all looked around at the walls of the room. Where there had been bare walls, there were now pictures, numbers, the alphabet, and many other educational images. Each of us volunteers was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a little package that is traditionally given to women. It contained red bangles, a handkerchief, some bindis, and a ribbon. It symbolized good luck for the future, and in marriage. After this was over we were invited to tea in the principle’s office. Tea is safe to drink because it is boiled. The tea was wonderful. The principle, Rajesh invited we volunteers for dinner to celebrate his upcoming wedding. I was honored, but knew that this was going to be a long, long, day.
Before we left for the day, I spoke with Minakshi. She would not be able to make it tomorrow. She is studying for her own classes besides teaching at the school, and her time is limited. I was a little disappointed, but understood.
After lunch, it was time to go to Dharmasala where we would be getting a lecture from one of the Buddhist monks who worked directly with the Dali Lama for 13 years. The ride was uneventful. We arrived at the monastery and went to the room where the lecture would be held. In the room were no chairs, only large pillows on the floor. We sat down and then the monk came in for the lecture. It was incredible. I cannot recap it here, but it was very inspiring. I left feeling uplifted and peaceful. After the lecture we had 45 minutes to walk around and do a bit of shopping in the city. After I changed money I went to the end of the street where the temple was. I took some pictures. Across from the temple were some teens holding a hunger strike targeted to stop the violence in Tibet. I interviewed a few of them with my camera and told them that I would post their cause on YouTube. Being teens, they knew exactly what that was! I saw a beautiful silver ring for my mom, and bought that. I even got a few pictures of monkeys who were hanging out near a dumpster.
Once we got back to the house, we had only a few minutes to change before we left to go to dinner. We went to a restaurant in town and had a wonderful dinner. The food and conversation were great and we began to learn even more about marriage in India. Although Indian couples stay together, there is a high rate of infidelity on the part of the man, and much unhappiness for some women who don’t “adjust” to their husband’s wants and needs. Juggy told us that they usually try to arrange for volunteers to observe an Indian wedding ceremony, but it just hadn’t worked out for this round of volunteers.
Once back at the house, I laid down and fell directly asleep.

Miscellaneous Reflections of India

2008-07-06T13:07:00.002-04:00

There are a lot of different things I’ve observed and learned about the culture and country so far that didn’t really happen on a specific day. Here are some of the things I’ve learned:
• Indians are very expressive, touchy, feely, people, -- as long as they are the same caste. They don’t typically bottle up their emotions, they express them freely, especially within the family.
• There are no real words for ‘please, sorry, excuse me’ They don’t say anything. They show respect through certain gestures and body language. For example when someone bumps into you, they don’t stop and say “excuse me”. They don’t say “Bless you” if someone sneezes. The absence of these phrases is considered normal. This is difficult for me because I constantly find myself saying excuse me, or pardon me, when I am trying to get by someone, which is difficult in itself because there are so many people everywhere. I thank all the store owners. That is my culture. It appears that they are somewhat accustomed to visitors from other countries because they just smile and nod. They know what it means and that is respected.
• Indian Culture is very family oriented. The Father is the head of the family. Children are not socialized to be independent, like in the west, they are trained to obey their parents, and that their parents know what is best for them. What a concept !!!!

Rainy Days and Mondays....

2008-06-30T12:34:00.001-04:00

June 30, 2008-(Monday)- Palumpur, India
Today was a great day overall. I didn’t sleep all that great. The beds here are composed of a thin mattress on a wooden frame—no box spring. This makes for sore hips, neck, and shoulders, and some achiness. Soreness aside, I was excited to go to my placement today for several reasons. For one, we now had the new schedule and I was hoping things would go more smoothly. Secondly, I now had my custom made clothes and I was excited to wear them to the school. Any day—in my book—is better when you feel comfortable in your clothes. I arrived at the school and I was ready to work. I first met up with my friend, Minakshi. She is one of the English teachers. She is 23 and soon to be married. She is really sweet and I ask her all kinds of questions. This morning one of my questions was about the lyrics of the song that the children were singing during the opening ceremony. Minakshi said that the song was a prayer. The prayer asks God to help them with their work , their play, and in all the activities of the day. I was especially touched by the fact that Minakshi said that she was worried about me and had wondered why I was not at the school on Friday and Saturday. I explained to her that I ate something and got very sick. Her concern and apparent fondness for me touched my heart.
After the ceremony it was off to class. I first went to the 10th grade English class. There they were reading a poem in English. It was an older poem and unknown to me, but I was able to work with it anyway. I did wonder why they (text book author) used a poem which would have been challenging for English speakers, let alone ESOL students (English as a Second Language). The regular teacher gave me a book, showed me the page, and told me to teach it in the way I thought best. I began by having a student read the first sentence. After the student read the sentence to the class, I repeated the sentence correcting any pronunciation. Then I chose words from the sentences that I thought the students might not know. I then asked who knew the meaning of the words. Once we got through the meaning of the words, We went on to the next line. Some students needed help with meaning, some with pronunciation, some with both. At one point it got really fun because the word “Peace” was in the poem. When I asked what the meaning of the word was, they gave me the definition referring to a “part of a whole”. Here was my opportunity for a teaching moment. I explained to them, slowly and with words they knew, that the sound “peese” was spelled two different ways, piece and peace, and that each had a different meaning. Ironically the word “cricket” was also in the poem. When I asked them the meaning of cricket, they exclaimed, “bat ball” ! I laughed. No, I explained, the meaning of cricket in this poem is an insect which makes a chirping noise. That period went quickly. Next, I had Science, but I was called into the principle’s office. There we had a meeting and the whole schedule changed again. I hope this is the last revision as things are really getting confusing. During the meeting with the principle, I was given a letter requesting my presence at a ceremony to be held tomorrow. It seems that the volunteers had finished painting / renovating the empty classroom and they were holding a dedication ceremony. The letter requested that I be the person to cut the red ribbon at the conclusion of the ceremony. I felt so honored! I can’t think of any reason that I was chosen besides the fact that I am the eldest volunteer at the site. Based on their respect for age, choosing me would make sense. Whatever the reason, it is a big deal to them, and I feel very flattered. The CSS staff will be there and they will be taking pictures, and the event might even be in the local paper ! After the meeting I spoke some more with Rajesh, the principle. He was concerned that I did not go to the school on Friday and Saturday. He thought I was angry and that he had offended me in some way. I explained to him about the illness and assured him that it was nothing that he had done.
Following the meeting, it was on to the next class which was Minakshi’s class. They were working on verb tenses and I tried to explain to them, but I needed Munakshi’s help translating. In the end, I did a mini lesson in English, and she explained in Hindi. Based on what they were working on I decided on making up some worksheets for them for tomorrow. After this class I had a free period which I spent preparing a lesson and finding a place to use the bathroom where I wouldn’t fall off a cliff. Before I knew it, the work day was over and it was time to go. Right before I left, I invited Minakshi to tea on Wed. That should be fun. She is so nice and perhaps we can keep in touch and I can visit her in Australia someday.
I am really surprised with some of the volunteers. A few of them are major whiners, and I hate whiners. Some whine about the food, others whine about the placement, some about the people, some about the weather, and they don’t complain once and let it go, they go on and on and on…. I think back to my old saying, “If you have time to whine and complain about something, you have time to do something about it.” While it is alright to make a complaint about something to someone in order to change something, to go on and on about what’s wrong, instead of what’s right is a waste of energy. I speak to myself here as well since I sometimes whine for the sake of whining, but I think that I’ve grown past this for the most part. Well, I’d better stop writing about this since otherwise I’ll be doing it myself !
When we got back to the house I decided to take a short nap. This was very difficult as it was raining and it was Monday—(no reference to the song intended). Everyone was in the house and being very noisy. No fault of theirs as they were going about their regular routines and stuff, but the building is made of concrete block and the floors and stairs are made of marble—thus you have major echo. Everyone was at home instead of out and about because the village pretty much closes down on Mondays. It’s their day off, like we have on Sundays. Like in small towns in the U.S, not much is open on the off day. After about an hour of lying there, I decided to just go downstairs and work on email and my journal. I got some emails from Joel and Rachael. Joel’s especially worries me. I will have to write him back a long letter dealing with some of these issues. Rachael misses me a lot. She says she was crying the other day. I feel a little guilty for leaving her, but I know that 1 month out of her life is not much to be gone when I’m there for her all the rest of the time. Still—I feel bad. On a happier note, I received 2 encouraging emails from students in my online classes. This made me happy. I then made up the worksheet for English tomorrow. That done, I began another project. I want to help Rajesh find some grants to help buy materials for the school. I research some things online and submitted a few emails. I hope my efforts are fruitful. I imagine what a grant from a company like Cisco, AT&T, Hewlett Packard, or Microsoft for even a small amount like 5k, would do for the school. Electricity, clean drinking water, a toilet, and basic teaching materials would do wonders for this small community. While surfing the net, I also looked into how far away my Church’s mission is from my location. If I cannot find anyone to go to Amritsar with me this weekend, then maybe I can go to the mission and help for a day or two. I’ll have to wait for an answer from Vedek, the missionary there. It will mostly depend on how far away the mission actually is from Palumpur. Whatever I do in my free time cannot interfere with my volunteer duties, so I would have to be able to travel there and back in a weekend.
I have to say that I’m finally beginning to feel comfortable here. I can easily find my way around and feel pretty confident in what I’m doing. This is one of the reasons I chose to go for 4 weeks. It takes a week or so just to adjust to where you are.
Well, that’s it for now. Tomorrow we are going to Dharmasala after work for a lecture, shopping, and to see some of the temples and monuments there. I am looking at a Full day tomorrow, so I am going to go try to get some sleep.

Sunday in the park

2008-06-30T12:27:00.002-04:00

June 29, 2008-(Sunday)- Palumpur, India
Today was our first “official” day off of work. I slept until about 8am, then went to have tea. As people showed up for breakfast, I sat and talked with them. I think that I may just have to make an extra effort to be around everyone since I’m in a room alone. Perhaps I am trying too hard to find a special friend, or I’m imagining that others have done that, or I keep looking for it. I’m taking a different outlook. This is MY trip. I saved for it, and I am going to get the most out of it. I’m not going to worry about who likes me and who doesn’t, or whether I fit in or not. I’m just going to be myself, do what I want and came to do, and enjoy myself.
The function for today was a picnic. We drove out of town a little into the foothills. On the way to the park, we saw monkeys in the road again. This time there was a whole family ! The babies were so cute! I took a ton of pictures, but unfortunately, later on in the day I accidently deleted them from my computer…..I promise, there were monkeys ! What is worse, I don’t have the pictures of us at the park. (not an official park, but a beautiful open area with a little wood, a field, and a stream running through it.) Nothing could have been more beautiful. I will try to get pictures of this from some of the other volunteers. I wanted to kick myself for loosing the pictures! During the picnic, I splashed in the stream, sat with my legs in the water, pet a foal, and climbed some rocks. I even had a video for Rachael in all this. Darn ! Also on the way to the park I noticed that the driver ahead of us, coming our way, flicked his lights on at us. I know what that means in the states—slow down, there’s a cop up ahead, but I was curious to know what it means here. The driver told me that it is the other driver’s way of saying hello, since it is his friend. Where we might tap our horn, that wouldn’t work here as I explained, the horn is a major part of driving here. At the park, I sat and talked with Kavetta for a long time about the caste system, and I learned a lot. Although it is changing slowly, at least it is changing. I also asked her about Domestic Violence. She said that it is against the law, but that it is seldom reported. She said that it is very common. I am going to try to learn more about how the problem is dealt with here. I had a wonderful time at the picnic. I was asking a lot of questions of Kavetta, and was wondering if I was being a bother. I was therefore happily surprised when she remarked spontaneously, “I like your questions”. When I asked if she was sure, she said “that’s why I am always sitting with you”. That made me feel good.
We returned from the picnic about 5, and a few of us decided to go to town to shop around a bit. I was SO happy to get my clothing from the tailor’s. Now I understand how the Indian women can wear these clothes. When they are made for you they fit perfect, and thus feel great on ! It was almost time for dinner by the time we were done shopping, so we took an auto- rickshaw back to the house. It cost all of 50 rupees, a tiny bit more than a dollar.
Dinner was a surprise: Pizza-- Homemade pizza with lots of veggies. I haven’t said much about the food other than it is spicy, but actually I have found several things I really like for instance, Samosa, which I mentioned before, lentil soup, Rotti, chai, and a bunch of other stuff that I haven’t gotten the names for. I also tried a native fruit called leeche. It’s kind of like a grape that has a hard shell on the outside. You peel the shell off and there is fruit which is similar in consistency to a grape. The difference is you eat it like an olive which still has the pit because it too has a large pit in the middle. Leeche is very good! I wonder how they would taste frozen!
After dinner I went to call Joel and Rachael. They weren’t home so I left them a message. I then decided to walk up the street to the other house (there are two houses with volunteers, they are just a few doors down from each other). Walking up the street I saw something I hadn’t seen in over 30 years, fireflies ! I haven’t seen them since I was a little girl. I was just tickled. They looked like little tiny shooting stars. I wish there were some way to video them for Joel and Rachael. Because it is the wet season here, it is frequently overcast. Although I ought to be able to see bright stars, I mostly see only clouds. I am a little dissappointed by this, but perhaps we will have at least one clear night.
Although I’d like to go to Amritsar this coming weekend, I haven’t yet found anyone to go with me. I hope this changes because I really want to see the Golden Temple, and I don’t want to travel alone. This is one frustration being around so many young people. They don't plan. or maybe it has nothing to do with age... who knows. My only frustrations here are with some of the other volunteers, the political system, and the inability of the citizens to use trash cans !!!!

Feeling Better

2008-06-28T14:38:00.001-04:00

June 28, 2008-(Saturday)- Palumpur, India

After surviving the night of cramps and chills, I got up to hear the rain pounding outside. I washed up as best as I could and Gee Too took me to the doctor. I have to say that I was not impressed with the office which was just a little bigger than a walk-in closet. I was a bit afraid that the man was not a “real” doctor at all, but I was wrong. As soon as I got back to the house I took the 3 medicines he gave me and laid down. Within a couple of hours I began to feel better. As I am writing this at about midnight, I am feeling MUCH better. At around 4pm I went into town to do a little shopping. Everyone here is so friendly. At one point I thought I was lost, but I didn’t feel afraid because everyone is so friendly. I bought a tea pot, tea cups and some material to make Rachael a Punjabi dress. Although she probably won’t wear it to school, I bought very soft cotton that she can use for pajamas.

I am gaining more and more respect for the idea of arranged marriage. Talking with Kavetta (CCS volunteer from Palumpur), and other Indian women, I am jealous. To know that older and wiser individuals, (not only 2, but 4= parents from both families), come together and match couples up based on family, educational background, goals, etc. seems to make much more sense than the system (if you can call it a system) in the west. The divorce rate here is very low, less than 8%. Here it doesn’t matter whether you are a beauty or not, only that you come from a good family and are educated. I wouldn’t mind marrying an Indian man, as long as he knew that I wasn’t going to wait on him hand and foot. Unfortunately, no Indian man would have me once they knew I was divorced. I miss Joel and Rachael, but other than that, I’m doing ok. I’ve only been gone 9 days, but it feels like a long time.

I didn't drink the water !

2008-06-28T14:36:00.001-04:00

June 27, 2008-(Friday)- Palumpur, India
I woke up in the middle of the night with diarrhea and a horrible sinus headache. In the morning I was not feeling well so I did not go to the school. By the time I was up and around, it was 10:30. Since I didn’t go to the school, and there was not a meeting, the day was pretty relaxed. We played Apples to Apples and Mafia. I started to feel better later in the day, but unfortunately, that was short lived. Around 8pm I began to get the chills and the diarrhea got worse. I was so cold, I needed 4 blankets on top of me and my teeth were still chattering! I called downstairs to get help and Swati (our resident medical student) came to help. I was running a fever and was freezing at the same time. I also had HORRIBLE stomach cramps. Swati called the CSS staff, and Gee too offered to take me to the hospital, but I couldn’t stay out of the bathroom for more than 5 minutes so I said I would go in the morning, hoping I’d be better by then. All night I had excruciating stomach cramps about every 10 min. I felt like I was in Labor, only in a different part of my body. Each time the spasm would end, I would have to run to the bathroom. When I didn’t have cramps or diarrhea, I had chills. It was an awful night.

Just another day in Palumpur !

2008-06-28T13:36:00.001-04:00

June 26, 2008-(Thursday)- Palumpur, India
Today was pretty interesting all around. First it was off to the school. It was very hot, as usual, and I was soaked in sweat by the time we got there. (15 min drive). I was supposed to have the first 3 periods for planning, so I was not expecting what happened when I got there. The principle asked me to go into the 9th grade science class. I was prepared, I thought, but it turned out they were doing something totally different than what I’d been told the day before. I’d prepared to teach the Crebb’s cycle, and instead I was doing the circulatory system! Thank God I remember most of my biology!
After that class I had a break and talked to one of the teachers. She told me that she was engaged to be married in September to an Indian man who lives in Australia. As she was discussing the details with a total stranger, I gathered she was very nervous about the marriage. It is an arranged marriage, as is 80% of Indian marriages. The women here don’t think it’s strange at all and accept it as their duty to their family. Considering that their divorce rate is only 8%, (in contrast to Duval County, FL’s which is 62%) I wonder if it is not US who have it all wrong. She is very worried because she has only seen pictures of him and talked to him on the phone and computer a few times. She says he seems like a good man, but that he doesn’t have much of a sense of humor. He gets upset about everything and is far too serious. She on the other hand, likes to laugh and joke around. I hope it works out for her. If a couple have problems, the parents of both families get together and try to solve them. In the rare case that they do divorce, the woman is unlikely to find another mate, as it is disgraceful. If the man is wealthy and has a good job, he will have no problem finding another wife. Just another example of the double standard that women everywhere have to deal with.
The rest of the classes went alright, but they kept changing things from the way they originally told me. I just went with the flow, and did the best I could. While it was somewhat frustrating, there really was no other choice. At one point I had to go to the bathroom. Unlike the place we are staying, the school doesn’t even have a bathroom, one just goes out in the yard, preferably far away from the building. When asked where the bathroom was, I was pointed down some steep steps going down into a gorge. I walked down to where I hoped I couldn’t be seen, and did what I had to do. At one point I almost lost my balance and would have ended up off the side of a cliff hadn’t it been for a strong plant stem ! By the end of the day we were completely drenched in sweat and exhausted from the heat. When it was time to go, I was surprised to see our CCS program directors at the school. Apparently they were going to have a long meeting with the principle and teachers in order to remedy the problems we were having. We headed back to the house, leaving the 2 directors to handle things with the teachers. After lunch, we left to go see some monuments. On the way to the sites, I saw a mama monkey with her baby on her back ! Unfortunately we were traveling too fast for me to get the picture, but I’ll keep an eye out! The first monument we went to see was a Hindu Temple for the God, Visnu. Here is some information about it I got off the internet.
· http://123himachal.com/Baijnath/Baijnath_Temple/target36.htmlOne of the most remarkable monuments of the Kangra valley is the temple of Baijnath. Baijnath is situated East of Dharamsala on the main road that leads from the Dharamsala to Mandi. Baijnath is in reality the appellation of the chief temple dedicated to Siva Vaidyanatha (“Lord of Physicians”) by which the town itself has become known. The original name of the town was Kiragrama. This we learn from the two extensive Sarada inscriptions incised on stone slabs, which in elegant and florid Sanskrit verse give the history of the foundation of a temple, by two local merchants. "There is in Trigarata," we read in the inscription, "the pleasent village of Kiragrama, the home of numerous virtues where the river called Binduka, leaping from the lap of the mountain, with glittering wide-waves resembling playing-balls, merrily plays, like a bright maiden in the first bloom of youth. That village is protected by the strong-armed Rajanaka Lakshmana." The river Binduka, so well described by the poet, is the modern Binwa, a tributary of the Beas. The date of the inscription is expressed both in the Saptarishi and in the Saka eras. Cunningham first read the Saka date as 726, corresponding with A.D. 804. The true date, however, must be the Saka year 1126 corresponding with A.D .1204. The Baijnath temple is oriented due west. It consists of a puri or adytum. 8 feet square inside and 18 feet outside, surmounted by a spire of the usual conical shape, and of a mandapa or front hall, 20 feet square inside, covered with a low pyramid shaped roof. The adytum, which contains the linga known as Vaidaya natha, is entered through a small anteroom with two pillars in antis. The roof of the mandapa is supported by four massive pillars connected by raised benches which form, as it were, a passage leading to the entrance of the sanctum. The architraves resting on these pillars divide the space of the ceiling into nine compartments, each of which is closed by means of corbelling slabs. In front of the mandapa rises a stately porch resting on four columns. "The shafts of these pillars," Fergusson remarks "are plain cylinders, of very classical proportions, and the bases also show that they are only slightly removed from classical design. The square plinth, the two toruses, the cavetto or hollow molding between are all classical, but partially hidden by Hindu ornamentation, of great elegance but unlike anything found afterwards." Set amidst a backdrop of Snow-clad Mountains and lush green Valleys the temple is visible from a far distance. Close flows the Binwa Khund (stream), considered sacred by local people. The temple surrounding area has been developed into a beautiful lawn and flowerbeds so that the devotees are able to rest a while amidst congenial surrounding.
When we got there the first thing we had to do was remove our shoes and wash our hands. In the courtyard was an old man was playing on some drums and many sculptures and statues. One statue in particular was of a bull. The legend says that if you whisper a wish into the ear of the bull, while covering the other ear, Vishnu would grant your request. Of course I had to whisper a wish into the bull’s ear, just for fun. After making my wish, I went into the inner temple. Before entering the temple you are to ring a bell above your head. You can only imagine how many times I had to jump in order to reach it. Inside it was very quiet and still. It reminded me of a Catholic cathedral. I greeted the priest and turned around and left. Supposedly the priest blesses each person as they acknowledge him. While walking around the court I took many pictures of the sculptures on the walls. The temple had beautiful gardens around it, noticeably free of trash!
· After leaving this temple, we headed for our next stop, Tashi Jong. (Info below from the internet)In 1958, having foreseen the imminent coming of the communist Chinese, the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche, Kalzang Dongyu Nyima, left for India with a group of 16 monks and reincarnate lamas. In Eastern Tibet he had been the head of Khampagar Monastery, which had over 200 branch monasteries, nunneries and retreat centers. It was considered one of the foremost monasteries of the Drukpa Kagyü lineage. In India, they settled first in Kalimpong in West Bengal, where many lay people from the Khampagar area in Kham came seeking refuge, and affiliated themselves with the newly formed community. In 1969, they moved to Himachal Pradesh in North India. There they settled in the peaceful Kangra valley on 37 acres of land, which was named Tashi Jong, Tibetan for Auspicious Valley. The late Tokden Amtin mentioned that at the time of the initial consecration of the land of Tashi Jong, both H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and H.E. the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche clearly felt this place to be the pure land of the Five Manjushris.
This monastery was awesome to see! While the colors of the buildings reminded me of Disney World, the atmosphere certainly did not. It was a very tranquil place with gardens, statues, prayer wheels (sort of like Catholic rosary) and other monuments. I took many pictures here as did the rest of the crew.
We were all drenched in sweat, there is no way to describe how nasty this feels. After returning to the house, I took a cold shower and a nap. In the evening I graded papers on Blackboard for my students online, and then went to bed.

A typical Indian day

2008-06-26T11:56:00.001-04:00

June 25, 2008-(Wednesday)- Palumpur, India
I had a good night’s sleep last night. I think I’m finally really adjusted to the time. I got up pretty early, around 5am. It gets light here very early in the morning, and I can’t sleep after it gets light out. I went downstairs and sat on the porch for a little while and played with the dog whose name is “mee too”, which means sweet in Hindi. He is just a puppy and belongs to the people who own the hotel. He reminds me of Midas, who I hope is doing well. I then went upstairs to get ready for “work”. While some of the rooms do have western type showers, mine does not. Instead they have a large bucket which you fill with water and a smaller one which you use to rinse your body. There is also a little stool which is used to sit on while ‘bathing’. Although this is different than what I’m used to, and takes a bit more time, it conserves water and is actually more relaxing because I can sit and take my time. Then it was time to get dressed. While I bought one outfit in Delhi, I have been borrowing from others because my clothes will not be ready until Sunday. I think that these clothes are much more comfortable overall, but so hot! If only we could wear shorts under the Courta (long shirt), instead of long pants called Salwa. Then there is the Dupata, which is a type of scarf. While very pretty, I find it so cumbersome and it keeps falling off and trailing on the floor. I think this is partially because the one I bought in Delhi is so large/long. I will buy shorter ones to match my outfits on Sunday when I pick them up. I really like the clothes and fabric here. Everything is so colorful.
After getting ready, I ran down to breakfast. Instant coffee, (God help me!) cereal, tea, eggs, and an assortment of fruit. And I mean fruit !!!! -- Bananas, mangos, plums, peaches, etc. I am taking advantage of the mangos while we are here. I eat two each morning, but you need to know that they are much smaller than the ones we get at home, these are the size of apples, and of course there is still the large pit in the center, so it’s not really that much food. I also usually just eat cereal, unless they have scrambled eggs.
At 7:45, it’s off to school. That morning Gee-Two, one of the program managers went to the school with us to help iron out any misunderstandings and to help us understand what was expected of us. After several hours of conversation, we thought we had a workable schedule. During the ride in I overheard a couple of the girls volunteering at the school with me mention that the teachers didn’t like them and were rude to them. They also said that they thought that the teachers were laughing at them. When we first get there in the morning there is an opening prayer ceremony. During the ceremony, I noticed the teachers standing in a circle talking and the volunteers in another circle. I realized that perhaps due to their age, perhaps due to their lack of social skills, the girls had not approached the teachers at all. I immediately went over to the teachers and introduced myself and talked to them about the school and their teaching methods. I also asked them to help me with teaching the children as I know little Hindi. After that, as far as I was concerned, the day went smoothly. The teachers know much more English than I originally thought and were very friendly with me once I made the effort. I even am going to try to have tea with some of them in the near future. I think there is so much I could learn from them about Indian culture. I think the other girls are having trouble because they are so young, and because their attitude is all wrong. I would say something to them, but I don’t want to get caught up in the “them vs us” mentality.
The work day, 8-11:30, went by very fast. Teaching subjects in a language where the students don’t understand what you are saying is mentally draining. I thought I would be teaching English, but they also have me teaching Science, and I was even placed in an Art class once! Despite the fact that their text books are in English, the kids don’t understand as much as one would expect. For instance, in the 3rd grade English class, the children can read the words out loud, but they do not know what they are reading.
After work, I went for a walk into town with a couple of the other girls as I needed to get some more clothing made. I went back to the same fabric store and got some more material and then went to the seamstress. This time the shop wasn’t so crowded and she took time to talk with me and I also was introduced to the owner. The owner was an older woman, 60, and she asked a lot of questions and talked about her life and children. It was so nice to go somewhere and feel welcome when I was 8000 miles from home.
Once I got back to the house, it was time for our Hindi lesson. I am so glad that they are taking the time to help us. The CSS staff is really great. If things continue to go this well, I will definitely go on another volunteer trip with them next year.
During our off time, I worked on my blog, checked email, and straightened up the room. When I checked my email I was happy to see a note from Rachael. She really misses me and I am worried about not being there for her. I uploaded some pictures for her and hopefully she will be alright for the next few weeks without me. I am planning on calling her soon. After dinner I worked on lesson plans for the next day. Then, about 10pm, it was off to bed.

Palumpur

2008-06-25T07:26:00.000-04:00

June 24, 2008-(Tuesday)- Palumpur, India

I woke up about 4:30am, then I got up, dressed and ate breakfast, all in preparation for my first day of volunteering.
Once at my placement, I became a bit confused. The name of the school is Gayan Deep Public School, and it is located in the village of Arla. The school is run by a man who started it in hopes of bringing affordable education to the poorer citizens of Palumpur. His name is Rajash Shearma. The school was unorganized, lacked even basic resources, and the teachers were without experience. To make it more difficult, the teachers spoke little English and the students, although they had supposedly been taking English courses for years, knew few phrases and words. I did what I could, but I was feeling very inadequate for the task. I was put in with a class of about 10, 9th graders and attempted to converse and teach them a bit about the U.S. The kids were very respectful and curious. We traded questions and answers until it was time to go back to the home base for lunch. After lunch, we had another meeting to debrief from our first days as volunteers. I was not too surprised to find that my experience at the school was not unusual and the program manager promised to help clarify things for all of us tomorrow. After the meeting we were put into groups of 2 and given a task in the city. Each group had a task such as: Find out where the post office is and how much it costs to send a letter, or find out where to buy a phone card and how much it costs in Rupees. Me and Becky had the task of finding out how much material costs and the price for having it made into clothing. This was great as I needed some clothes made for my size. I got a great deal on the cloth and tailoring and will pick up my outfits on Sunday. (total cost for 2 outfits- hand made to fit me: $20) Palumpur is a quaint little town. the people are really nice. The only thing that I just can’t get used to is the filth. Open sewers, garbage everywhere, broken down homes, half- built homes, and animal feces everywhere. I frequently ask myself why they don’t clean up the place. I am hoping to instill into the children at the school a respect for cleaning up their country in order to preserve the beauty of it. I want to start by getting them to clean up their school and the area around it. I will talk with Rajash tomorrow. Well, after dinner I was here, writing this journal/blog. It’s late now, I’m going to bed !

Dharmasala

2008-06-25T07:20:00.002-04:00

June 23, 2008-(Monday)- Delhi, India
Monday morning I was up early as I have still not fully adjusted to the time change. We had breakfast, eggs with spices, toast, and of course- coffee. (A note on coffee. There is no “real” coffee here. It’s all instant coffee. I’ll DEFINITLY want some fresh brewed coffee when I get home!) Then we packed up our things and got them ready to go to the airport where we would take a plane to Dharmasala, then a car to our placement in the city of Palumpur. Palumpur is divided into villages. The home base where I will be staying is in the village of Lohna.
Before we left for the airport, a retired professor of History from Jawahar Lal Nehru university, Mr. Ray, came to give us a lecture about India and its political and social history. The lecture was wonderful and I would have liked to have been able to stay and ask many, many, questions, but after 1 ½ hours, we had to leave for the airport.
Here is my summary of the lecture:
· Mr. Ray said that we must first begin by giving up our hopes of “understanding” Indian culture. He told us that Indians themselves do not fully understand it. India, is a contradiction. Saying that India is an “under developed country” is both correct and incorrect. While it is true that India is still behind the west as far as technology and wealth, we must remember that culturally, it is far ahead of us in the United States. The U.S. has only been a country for a little over 200 years, while India and its culture have been developing for over 10,000 years. Some of the things done traditionally may seem irrational to us, but they have rational reason from the past. The problem is that the traditions are so deeply ingrained in the culture that they are difficult to change, both in politics and in the hearts of the people. A good example of this is the laws concerning the killing of cows. First of all, Indians do not ‘worship’ cows, they honor them. Centuries ago cows were honored, and for good reason. They represented the survival of the people. From the cow came milk, a source of protein. The cow was also used to plow the fields, the produce of which was their livelihood. If a child was born, and the mother could not nurse, the cow’s milk sustained the child’s life. For these reasons, and more, the cow became an honored animal. While it appears irrational today to ban the butchering of cows that are plentiful and roam the country freely, while Indians die of starvation, it is a tradition that will just not die in the hearts and minds of the people. Another example is the caste system. Originally based on occupation, this system was not meant to debase people, but to help classify their livelihood. Over the centuries it has become a prison for some Indians who will not even try to escape it due to their fear of jeopardizing their prospects for the next life. Recent attempts to elevate the “untouchables”, the lowest caste, have proven mostly unsuccessful because the untouchables themselves are fearful of doing anything that would go against the system.
Another of the contradictions about India is that what we consider Indian culture as so foreign to us when actually; Indian culture is a product of the many European, Mongol, and other conquerors which inhabited the country over the centuries. Also, there is no one Indian culture. India’s regions are very, very, diverse. States are divided up linguistically and culturally, rather than by economics or arbitrary boundary lines. There are 15 different languages spoken in India, and there are over 1,800 different dialects of these tongues ! There are also many different religions in India including Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Sikhism, Jainism, Christianity, and Islam. Up until recently, all of these religions and cultures have existed together peacefully. Unfortunately, political administrations have put India’s people at odds with each other and intolerance has grown up.
A short political history of India will answer many questions concerning its people. Prior to 1600’s, India was a land of diverse culture and religion, all living together more or less peacefully and independently of each other. There was no central structure. Then Mongols conquered from the north and united the different factions. This brought political and economic unity for 200 years. In 1689, Vasco De Gama, a trader, brought Europeans to the region who eventually colonized different parts of what is now India. The Mongol empire began to crumble from within due to a tyrant king. The British approached the Mongol king in order to ask for trading rights, but the King would not even grant the British audience. The Mongol princess became ill, and the British told the King that they had a doctor who could cure the princess. In the end, the Mongols gave trading rights to the British East India Company in exchange for helping cure the princess. Over time, the Mongol empire crumbled and the East India Company became strong; so strong that they conquered the Mongols in 1757. In 1857, a hundred years later, a rebellion was waged by the Mongols who were still living in India. The rebellion was crushed, and is now known as the 1st war of Independence. In 1858 the British officially took over the country from the East India Company, transferring the capital to Calcutta. In 1911, in an effort to strengthen the central government, the capital was moved back to its original location in Delhi. English became the national language. The British plundered the country, and then slowly pulled out leaving behind “educated Indians” to rule in their place and under their jurisdiction. They created universities, hospitals, etc. Once it was clear that India could not be ruled by one central government overseen by the British, hundreds of miles away, the English formed a feudal system of “Princely States”. These princes could rule as they pleased as long as they submitted final authority and allegiance to England. In the end, these princes created a super rich class, and masses of poor. The poorest areas located in the interior of the country where there was a lack of resources and educational institutions. Most recently, the educated classes began to think for themselves and rebelled against British rule. Mahatma Ghandi encouraged the people’s fight for independence through non-violent rebellion. As a result of this and the pressure the Brits felt as a part of WWII, India was granted its independence on August 15, 1947, but not before a group of Muslims asked for, and received land for a separate country for Islamic Indians and the country of Pakistan was created. Later, India became a Democratic Republic on January 26, 1950 with the induction of its constitution.

After this incredible lecture, we had a snack, Samosa (potatoes and peas in a crispy, deep fried shell) and tea, and then went to the airport and took the plane from Delhi to Dharmasala. The ride was uneventful, but then we loaded our luggage into cars and took an hour ride through the mountains to our placement in the village of Lohna. What a difference from Delhi ! The air was MUCH cooler and thinner. There were mountains all around us and the house that we were to stay in was used at other times as a hotel. The house, the scenery, -- all were picturesque. We settled in, had a short meeting about our volunteer placements, and then sat down for dinner. I ate dinner (6:30pm-ish) and went to lay down for a short nap, but woke up at 2am. I took some medicine for a headache and went back to sleep.

One more note...for today

2008-06-22T13:50:00.002-04:00

I'm getting ready for bed as it is almost 11pm here in Delhi. As you may have read earlier, I was feeling a bit homesick. It is AMAZING how it changed once I was able to get online and view my mail and "chat" with my family and friends. Now that I have this outlet and mode of communication I don't feel so isolated. I feel at peace now and can continue my trip knowing all my loved ones are just a few keystrokes away. Don't forget to write ! I love you all !

India -- here I come !

2008-06-22T11:44:00.003-04:00

June 22, 2008- Delhi, India—7pm Delhi time
After my shower I went with the other girls in my apartment to breakfast. We had eggs and toast. The eggs were scrambled with some type of herbs in them. They tasted very good, but spicy. I have a feeling that everything is going to be spicy here. Everyone is very friendly. At breakfast we got to meet the other volunteers who arrived during the night. We are all a bit disoriented and sleep deprived, so we ate sparingly. After breakfast the Delhi organizer, Bella Singh, gave us a short lecture about some of the cultural differences between India and the U.S. First of all, Indians who live outside the city have a negative stereotype of American women being “loose”. That is one reason that we need to dress more conservatively in the villages than perhaps even the villagers themselves, we want to dispel those ideas. Another big difference is the perception of time. In India, as in Peru, no one hurries like in the U.S. People show up for appointments 15, 30, even 60 minutes late and it is considered “normal”. Expecting anything but planes and trains to be on time is “abnormal”. This is especially difficult for me who is always looking for the most “efficient” way to accomplish things. Time is VERY laid back here. As a matter of fact, this meeting started over an hour later than was originally posted ! After the meeting, we paid for our plane fare to Dharmasala and then got our things together to go shopping. I thought it was going to be very casual and laid back. I’d heard stories about how the merchants would cater to the customers. Instead, after another life threatening ride to the store, found something totally different. The store, located in the heart of the city, was small and very crowded. I was very confused about what I needed to buy and a bit disappointed that the experience was not more relaxed. Like most of my shopping trips at home, I felt frustrated because things didn’t fit the way I wanted them to. I felt that the clothing was all too large (long) for me. It was also VERY HOT and I was sweating and wondering how I am going to function in these clothes in this temperature. I finally chose something, just to have something to wear, but I wasn’t feeling good about it and determined, again, to lose 20 pounds before I left India. On the drive back to the ‘flat’ (their word for apartment), I saw the extremes of rich and poor played out before me. Zooming by – at incredible speeds—were little cars and large sedans. On the same road, a man literally carried two sofas on a three wheeled cycle! On the side of the road were shelters made of scrap wood and metal, and not far away walked a beautiful woman in elaborate dress and jewelry. Delhi is a dichotomy as was Cuzco with the extremes of rich and poor. The saga of “haves” and “have-nots” seems the same in this country as in Peru. While I am glad that I will be able to help in some small way, I so wish I could do more. After we got back from shopping, we had free time so we went back to the apartment. Some read, some talked and some, like me, took a nap. (And you all know how I love naps!) For the first time since I’d gotten here I began to feel sad and homesick. The reality that I am 8000 miles from home began to sink in as well as the fact that I am ‘stuck’ here for a month. What was I thinking? How could I have signed on for this? While I’m pretty sure that it is just hormones, I am feeling that this was a horrible mistake. I want to go home. I want to see Joel and Rachael. I keep looking around and feeling like I’m dreaming, like the whole day was surreal. I woke up from the nap feeling a bit better, but a little sad. I went over to dinner but just tasted the food. It was rice, chicken, and vegetables and was delicious but very spicy. I ate only a few bites—just to taste it. Now we are sitting at the table and some are playing a game called Mafia. I am looking on and trying to learn the game. I am hoping that after a good night’s sleep I will feel better and more sure of myself. Tomorrow morning we pack up, go to a class about the political situation and history of India, and then board the plane to Dharmasala. I am sure that after a few days I will feel better, and I’m sure that I’m not the only one feeling homesick. ---- Later, after a game of "Mafia". I have to say that I am feeling much better now that I am able to access the internet. This was my first connection with home, and I feel much better now. Hello to all of you! Shame on you Joel and Rach for not emailing your mom ! Tomorrow, once we get settled in Dharmasala I will upload some pictures and video. For now, I'm going to sign off and say I love you all and wish you were all here with me !
June 22, 2008- Delhi, India—5am Delhi time
Once we got to the airport in Delhi, we met up with the CSS staff. They were very nice and realized how tired we were. We changed money and got some water. Looking around things didn’t seem too different than an American airport under construction. The air was heavy, and I was surprised to see that it was dark even though it was 8:15 local time because it is light until around 9pm at home. I was so tired; tired of being cramped up in that plane! Once we got our luggage, we headed out of the airport and found our transportation. We would be traveling in several cars, so we couldn’t ride all together. The driver’s side is on the right like it is in Europe. Our driver was very nice but spoke very little English. Our Hindi was lacking as well. Now we were in for our first adventure—driving through the streets of Delhi! First of all, even though there are some lines on the road, no one pays attention to them! There are as many lanes of traffic as the drivers decided is needed! Cars move in and out and sometimes almost touch! Horns are honking constantly and we had to laugh at it all to keep from being in fear of crashing! I never knew a simple car ride could be so entertaining! We finally made it to our apartment in Delhi where we will be staying only 2 nights until we get our next plane to Dharmasala. The apartment complex is “gated” and in a middle class neighborhood. The buildings themselves are simple and ancient. In American standards – a dump. Everything is so cramped and close together. Inside the apartment, it is simple and comfortable, but definitely different from what we are used to. Even at 11pm, it was hot and muggy. There isn’t A/c in the whole apartment, but thankfully there is in the bedrooms. I brushed my teeth and went to sleep. I woke up around 4:45am and here I am ! I feel rested because I slept on the plane and then again here; the equivalent of sleeping for a whole day. I feel a bit disoriented due to the time change, but I’m sure that it will pass. I’m going to hop in the shower—so to speak, and get ready for my first day in India !!!!

June 21, 2008—In flight to Delhi
I slept pretty well last night considering all the excitement. The kids seem sad and not themselves. I know they are happy for me, but I know that they will miss me as well. Lying in bed this morning I realized that it would be the last night in my own bed for a long time. I took my time getting up. Once I did the hustle and bustle started immediately. Everything went smoothly. We arrived at the airport, said our goodbyes, and we were off to security. Of course I had to unpack my laptop, take off my shoes, etc, but I was excited so it didn’t bother me. We were early enough that there wasn’t a long line so that made things a little better. Once we found the gate, it wasn’t long till we were boarding. I was so happy when I saw that I had the asile seat and that Mary had the window. We thought that no one would be between us--- but we were wrong! I’d just gotten settled in the seat when a HUGE man with a pilot’s uniform asked me to get up so he could slide in. He tried to get one of us to switch with him, but we didn’t budge. Truly, the man needed 2 seats. The remainder of the flight was uneventful. We arrived in Newark about 3pm. We got some lunch, and settled in at the gate. It wasn’t long before we started seeing some other people in our group. First came Jules, then David, then Brenda, and then another blond (can’t remember her name at the moment). We all talked and got acquainted. I hadn’t realized how much time had gone by. I showed some of the videos the kids made and we laughed and talked amongst ourselves. We met a Seek by the gate who works for IBM in India. It was his first time in the US and he was now headed to Delhi. He seemed very friendly, but later he tried to become a little “too friendly” so we were glad that we weren’t sitting anywhere near him on the plane. After several of us indulged in Ben & Jerry’s for dinner, we were told that there had been a gate change. 2 from our group were still gone finding something to eat. We waited until it was time to start boarding then we took their backpacks and headed to the new gate. When we got there we made an announcement for them to meet us at the new gate #. Soon we saw Brenda and David coming down the stairs and we relaxed. I felt familiar with David right away, but I didn’t know why. Once I thought about it I saw that he looks a lot like Joel and acts like him too! Looking at David is like looking at Joel only a few years older ! (David is 19). As I anticipated from the prior emails, I’m the oldest in our group so far. Mary is 19, Allison is 20, Jules is 18, and Brenda is 20. I do wish there were a few older people in our group. Maybe more will be there in India. At present it is about 9am in Jacksonville on Saturday, June 21, 2008. For us on the plane though, we some how “loose” a day. Right now in Delhi it is 6:30pm on Saturday, June 21. When we land, in about 2 hours, it will be 8:30pm (Sat). This plane ride has been a bit uncomfortable, but not as bad as I’d thought. I slept for a long time… about 7 hours, watched a movie, ate dinner, and now I’m typing this. Mary was nauseated earlier and threw up, but she seems a little better now. I feel fine, a little stuffy nose, but pretty good. I got up and walked around a little and stretched. I am getting anxious to finally arrive now. I can’t believe that when I step off the plane I will be on the opposite side of the globe from where I started ! Well, I can smell coffee coming my way… time to pack up the laptop till the next installment!

Travel Preparations

2008-06-10T21:14:00.004-04:00

Hello virtual travel companions! I'm getting ready to leave and am getting a bit nervous. Some of you have asked "Why did you choose India for your trip ? " And the answer is--- I don't know. Ever since I came back from Peru last year I have been struggling to learn Spanish thinking I'd go to another Spanish speaking country. Some time around January, I just got the "idea", message, whatever you want to call it, that I should go to India. I still don't know why I'm supposed to go to India, but I have to say that the destination is correct. This week I am in Kansas City, MO working for ETS (Educational Testing Service) grading exams. Wouldn't you know, my roommate is from INDIA ! What are the chances of THAT happening? and then the strangest thing happened. I was telling her about my trip and that I would need to wear the traditional clothing while at my volunteer sight-- she then said that she bought a Pungabi dress (what they wear in Darmasala) as a gift for a friend during her last visit to her family in India, but that she was not able to contact her friend and that she would like to give me the dress ! She said that she would FedEx it to me so I'd have it for my trip !!!! (now comes the strange part), I got a really funny feeling when she said this and so I asked her, "Is it green?"-- "Yes", she said, "How did you know?"... I didn't know-- it's just that my favorite color is green !!!! These kinds of things show me that somehow I am on the right path to be going to India. I'm not sure what I will find there, or what I need to learn by going there, but obviously a higher power is at work here. Over a month ago I was at the library looking through the audio books-- no specific order, just browsing. I saw the book, Anna and the King of Siam, and thought it looked interesting. Wouldn't you know it's about a teacher who goes to Siam (near India) and helps bring change to the country through her influence on the royal family! While I don't aspire to being able to change a country, I hope to change the lives of the people I help in a positive way.
Only 10 days till I leave.... what will this adventure teach me? I can't wait to find out !!!!

Come along on a Virtual trip to India !

2008-04-25T23:00:00.000-04:00

It won't be long, I have my passport, visa, plane ticket, and suitcase and I'm ready to go! I'll be leaving on June 20th, so subscribe now so you won't miss a thing! Of course, I'll be posting lots of pictures and Video too !