Within my first few days of being in India I experienced Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Traditionally a Hindu festival, it has become more secular and is celebrated all over India by lighting candles and oil lamps, decorating buildings in Christmas lights, and setting off fireworks. We went up on the roof of the house to eat cake and set off an array of small fireworks and sparklers. The kids went crazy over it. A lot like the 4th of July. In the city, fireworks went off for several hours into the night. The next morning I learned the other side of Diwali. In our district, two people died, a hundred were injured, and 60 homes were burned as a result of the festivities. This happens every year all over the country.
I continue to be immersed in the Indian culture. I've eaten my first authentic samosa, a pastry filled with a spicy potato filling, and I'm enjoying the fresh papaya grown in the backyard. Yesterday I went to pick up my new Indian clothes. Earlier in the week we went into town to buy fabric and then we took it to a tailor who actually made the clothes. The colors are great. Going into the city this time meant riding on the back of a motorcycle instead of going in the jeep. It's definitely more of a rush as you're hoping that other motorcycle, truck, or cow doesn't run into you. Also a much more authentic experience of being in the streets that attracts more stares as well. Every local we talk to wants to know who I am, where I'm from, etc. For the first time in my life I know what it's like to be the minority.
So once again I'm not able to upload photos...the internet definitely tests my patience. Hopefully one day I'll be able to show you some pictures.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
I made it!
Sorry for the delay in posting. I got the Internet where I am staying a couple days ago but it is sporadic and slow.... so I'm learning patience and never again will I take a fast Internet connection for granted.
So after an exhausting 36 hours of flying and sitting in airports I arrived in Vizag, India where I met Father Mihir. From the minute we left the airport and began the drive to Jeypore in his jeep I was confronted with the reality that I am now in a drastically different world. Thanks to watching movies and reading books about India, I wasn't totally shocked by what I saw but it was hard to fathom that I was actually seeing these things with my own eyes. The traffic is absolutely chaotic but somehow everyone swerves to avoid each other at the last second. Lots of mopeds and auto-rickshaws, bicycles, some cars, and don't forget to look out for the ox-drawn cart or the herd of goats crossing the road right in front of you. The latter half of the drive was through some mountains and the scenery was beautiful. I had heard that India is a land of contrasts and I experienced this in the first hours of being here. Here we are driving in a nice, air-conditioned jeep and then we pass some villages and see tribal people including an old man standing on a rock wearing only a loincloth and holding a staff. If I had been quick enough to take a picture it could have been on the cover of National Geographic. The ancient, the old, and the new all seem to mix and coexist with one another.
When we got to the house in Jeypore, the kids who I will be teaching greeted me with a garland of flowers and a song to welcome me. Precious. Since arriving, I have been getting to know everyone and settling in. It is very peaceful here and life moves at a slow pace.
So after an exhausting 36 hours of flying and sitting in airports I arrived in Vizag, India where I met Father Mihir. From the minute we left the airport and began the drive to Jeypore in his jeep I was confronted with the reality that I am now in a drastically different world. Thanks to watching movies and reading books about India, I wasn't totally shocked by what I saw but it was hard to fathom that I was actually seeing these things with my own eyes. The traffic is absolutely chaotic but somehow everyone swerves to avoid each other at the last second. Lots of mopeds and auto-rickshaws, bicycles, some cars, and don't forget to look out for the ox-drawn cart or the herd of goats crossing the road right in front of you. The latter half of the drive was through some mountains and the scenery was beautiful. I had heard that India is a land of contrasts and I experienced this in the first hours of being here. Here we are driving in a nice, air-conditioned jeep and then we pass some villages and see tribal people including an old man standing on a rock wearing only a loincloth and holding a staff. If I had been quick enough to take a picture it could have been on the cover of National Geographic. The ancient, the old, and the new all seem to mix and coexist with one another.
When we got to the house in Jeypore, the kids who I will be teaching greeted me with a garland of flowers and a song to welcome me. Precious. Since arriving, I have been getting to know everyone and settling in. It is very peaceful here and life moves at a slow pace.
I'm trying to upload some photos but the internet is too slow right now. Hopefully I can get some up soon.
More to come....
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Signing a blank check...
While I was talking about my upcoming trip to India with a good friend, she said that it's like I'm signing a blank check. There is so much that is unknown about this trip and I don't quite know what to expect. I do know it will be an adventure....one that starts today as I begin the long journey to Orissa, India : 24 hours of flying, 1 night spent in the Mumbai Airport, and a 5 hour jeep ride. Crazy. I think it's finally sinking in that I'm about to be in India for 6 months and I am getting really excited. And I'm excited about sharing some of my experiences with all of you!
Thanks for reading and stay tuned...
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