Alright, it's been one week. Things are still challenging, but my perspective has changed. I have learned that 'learning to cope' is a privilege. If this is all I knew, I would have no difficulty; I would know no different. This being said, I find myself incredibly grateful for a myriad of things that are so simple, yet so missed when lacking. Case in point, this morning I am feeling grand for 2 reasons. 1) They served tea at breakfast. 2) Tonight I will have clean clothes.
A brief note about the tea... it was triumph turned tragedy, then remedied by selfless kindness. Once a day, most but not all days, we get to have tea at breakfast. Simple black tea, yet hot, soothing, and caffeinated... I like to hold my cup for a few minutes before drinking, enjoying the anticipation and contemplating what the fist sip will be like. WELL, this particular morning, a mosquito landed on my hand during my revelry. Always contemplating if 'this' mosquito is the one that will give me malaria, I got flustered and in a flurry of motion to get the miniature beast off of my hand, I dropped my sacred cup of tea. It was like watching the ice-cream fall off its cone before the first lick. Before I even had time to react, one of my teammates gave me their cup of tea reasoning that they would have the 'chai' later which they know I don't like. This was the nicest thing anyone could have done for me at this moment. It seems so dumb- a cup of tea, and yet when it is one of the only luxuries, this particular kindness was unparalleled. I think the greatest gifts do not depend on how big or how costly, but on the simply gesture behind them. I like this because it doesn't ration the potential for kindness on any level.
In respect to clean clothes, I have been wearing pretty much the same skirt since I've been here and rotating between 3 shirts. 3 AMAZING shirts that keep you cool all day. Anyway, there is a bucket in our room that we have tried to wash with, but due to the humidity, things do not dry and then they smell. 2 days ago, we heard rumors of a washing machine. This morning, we FOUND IT! It is armed by a very little woman who has insisted on washing our clothes for us (we will pay her). She speaks no English, but is very sweet. I couldn't even hold it against her when while organizing our things for washing, she held up my underwear for all to see...:)
Promise to write more soon. Please keep emailing, it's really nice.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
I am in Orissa, and finding myself challenged. I will provide more details at a later time, but feel it is best not to focus too much on them right now. Suffice it to say that I am well, and noone has gotten sick yet. I am thankful to be with good people, and for the mosquito nets that were just put up.
Both internet and power is sketchy, so updates will be infrequent. Please feel free to email.
Both internet and power is sketchy, so updates will be infrequent. Please feel free to email.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Humility
I don't even know where to start. I am on sensory overload. Delhi is a city of contrasts. It is ugly and beautiful at the same time, though often the beauty is less defined. On one hand, it is big and dirty- poverty is everywhere. On the other, people are kind, hardworking, and a vivid portrayal of what it means to be alive.
In some ways, it feels like I've jumped back in time. Everything is about 3 decades behind what is familiar in the US. While there are some very nice roads, they an anomaly. People seem to be building things everywhere, surrounded by the remnants of whatever it was they tore down. While the men all wear western clothing, it is very rare to see women in anything other than a sari. They are very elegant, even as they sit sideways behind their husbands on the ubiquitous motorcycles dominating the streets. I have not seen a single woman wearing a helmet, though they seem to be popular with the men.
If people aren't on motorcycles (sometimes entire families of 4 on ONE CYCLE), they are in very small cars, or in motorized rickshaws they call 'tuk-tuts.' It's hard to walk more than 5 feet without and equal number of 'tuk-tut' drivers asking if you want a ride. They look like 3 wheeled motorized bikes- a little scary considering they share the road with such crazy drivers, and don't have horns like everyone else (who use them not to tell people not to hit them, but to announce that THEY will hit you if you don't get out of the way.) Stoplights are the worst. It is when the street children are most evident. Yesterday, 2 little boys approached- one playing a drum, and another who had a painted mustache and bow-tie on his face, danced and did cartwheels. After their performance, they draped themselves on the windows of our car. It is so hard not to question why them and not me. Why were they born in this very poor country where there opportunity is limited from the day they were born? It is an entirely humbling thought. Later in the afternoon, we were approached again by another little girl. As soon as the car stopped, she was at our window. Tiny and dirty. I was sitting in the middle, so saw her first on Hallie's side of the car. She must have seen that the other window was open because we blinked and she was gone...only to hear Kim yelp seconds later as she was met with little arms reaching for her. She seemed to be looking at my large half-full water bottle, so I lifted it up and gave it to her. As we drove off, I watched her carry her carry it way like it was a treasure, just a little water.
We have only one meeting today, so we plan to visit some temples. We went to a Hindu one on Wednesday, which was really interesting. We had to leave our shoes at the door, and I was informed that since my shirt did not have long enough sleeves, I would need to borrow a scarf to cover my shoulders. It was a beautiful orange scarf that I enjoyed wearing, careful not to imagine all the indecent shoulders it had covered before my own. The temple itself was magnificent; huge, ornate, and clean. I know very little about the Hindu faith, though I really believe that God speaks many languages, and was clearly speaking very loudly to the people who built and maintained this temple. Another very humbling experience. We plan to visit both another Hindu temple, as well as a Buddhist one today.
I could go on and on, but will save it for later. It's almost 8 am, and its time for a shower.
In some ways, it feels like I've jumped back in time. Everything is about 3 decades behind what is familiar in the US. While there are some very nice roads, they an anomaly. People seem to be building things everywhere, surrounded by the remnants of whatever it was they tore down. While the men all wear western clothing, it is very rare to see women in anything other than a sari. They are very elegant, even as they sit sideways behind their husbands on the ubiquitous motorcycles dominating the streets. I have not seen a single woman wearing a helmet, though they seem to be popular with the men.
If people aren't on motorcycles (sometimes entire families of 4 on ONE CYCLE), they are in very small cars, or in motorized rickshaws they call 'tuk-tuts.' It's hard to walk more than 5 feet without and equal number of 'tuk-tut' drivers asking if you want a ride. They look like 3 wheeled motorized bikes- a little scary considering they share the road with such crazy drivers, and don't have horns like everyone else (who use them not to tell people not to hit them, but to announce that THEY will hit you if you don't get out of the way.) Stoplights are the worst. It is when the street children are most evident. Yesterday, 2 little boys approached- one playing a drum, and another who had a painted mustache and bow-tie on his face, danced and did cartwheels. After their performance, they draped themselves on the windows of our car. It is so hard not to question why them and not me. Why were they born in this very poor country where there opportunity is limited from the day they were born? It is an entirely humbling thought. Later in the afternoon, we were approached again by another little girl. As soon as the car stopped, she was at our window. Tiny and dirty. I was sitting in the middle, so saw her first on Hallie's side of the car. She must have seen that the other window was open because we blinked and she was gone...only to hear Kim yelp seconds later as she was met with little arms reaching for her. She seemed to be looking at my large half-full water bottle, so I lifted it up and gave it to her. As we drove off, I watched her carry her carry it way like it was a treasure, just a little water.
We have only one meeting today, so we plan to visit some temples. We went to a Hindu one on Wednesday, which was really interesting. We had to leave our shoes at the door, and I was informed that since my shirt did not have long enough sleeves, I would need to borrow a scarf to cover my shoulders. It was a beautiful orange scarf that I enjoyed wearing, careful not to imagine all the indecent shoulders it had covered before my own. The temple itself was magnificent; huge, ornate, and clean. I know very little about the Hindu faith, though I really believe that God speaks many languages, and was clearly speaking very loudly to the people who built and maintained this temple. Another very humbling experience. We plan to visit both another Hindu temple, as well as a Buddhist one today.
I could go on and on, but will save it for later. It's almost 8 am, and its time for a shower.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Alright. It's currently 10:30 in the morning here. Im wearing what I had on yesterday, though I got to shower so Im pretending I changed into clean clothes. I'm feeling really grateful that I made last minute decision not to wear jeans (thanks Mom:) ). While there is no gurantee when/ if my bag will ever turn up, I get to spend up to 100 euros that the airline will reimburse... if I do that today, and my bag comes tonight, then I consider it my victory. I brought everything I couldn't live without in my carry-on, so really all it is is frustrating. As I watched all the other hundreds of bags rolling along the carousel I kept telling myself that 'someone's bag always had to be last...' Well that's true- it just didnt happen to be mine.
Anyway, when I finally got out of the airport, Kim, Maulin, and 'our driver' were waiting for me. After a wild ride (shut your eyes and go), we arrived at 'Hotel Clark.' It is really nice... clean, air-conditioned, soft sheets, and a wonderful shower!!! The electricity seems to randomly go on and off, but it never stays off for more than a few seconds. We had a free continental breakfast this morning, which was very nice. It felt like the fresh mango was calling my name, BUT I said, 'no fresh mango...even though you look delicious, I WILL not eat you.'
We are off now to do some exploring before meeting with a 'water specialist' at the World Bank. It's about 110 degrees outside, so first stop is water. My Dad told me that the heat would feel like a wall upon getting off plane. He's right. It feels heavy and strange. More to come!
Anyway, when I finally got out of the airport, Kim, Maulin, and 'our driver' were waiting for me. After a wild ride (shut your eyes and go), we arrived at 'Hotel Clark.' It is really nice... clean, air-conditioned, soft sheets, and a wonderful shower!!! The electricity seems to randomly go on and off, but it never stays off for more than a few seconds. We had a free continental breakfast this morning, which was very nice. It felt like the fresh mango was calling my name, BUT I said, 'no fresh mango...even though you look delicious, I WILL not eat you.'
We are off now to do some exploring before meeting with a 'water specialist' at the World Bank. It's about 110 degrees outside, so first stop is water. My Dad told me that the heat would feel like a wall upon getting off plane. He's right. It feels heavy and strange. More to come!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Lots of Airport
I'm working on my 5th hour in the airport, and I haven't even technically left yet. Plane number one left Minneapolis at 6:25 this morning (on time!!), and arrived in New Jersey at 9:45. I collected my bag, switched terminals, and re-checked in for my actual flight...which leaves at 4:20 (only 2 more hours:) ). I'm a very lucky girl, as I got a day pass for the World Perks room, alas, I have as much soda, pretzels, and tomatoe juice (weird?), as my heart desires. This is wonderful, particularly because this particular terminal is 'under construction,' leaving alternative snack options as old smelling pizza, and possibly okay soft-serve ice-cream. Notably absent is any form of coffee joint. This is incredibly disappointing. Fortunately, anticipating such a travesty, I had more than my fair share of Caribou yesterday, and again early this morning before leaving MN.
A few pre-departure notes: 1) It appears I packed nearly twice as much to go to the cabin for 4
days than I did to go to India for 1 month. I wonder what this means...
2) My face soap has already exploded all over its (own) bag. I'm not
going to fix it.
3) There are 4 men sitting near me that are talking about the FBI.
I'm listening.
4) I will make a note to make sure I eat before taking malaria
medicine in the future.
5) I'm halfway through the book that is supposed to last until Delhi.
6) Today marks day one of a nail-biting free life (or at least a
month).
7) I feel very humbled, loved, and thankful for all of the people in
my life who have helped me prepare and wished me well on this
adventure. I will be thinking of and finding strength in you each day.
8) Time to buy jelly beans. I'm off...next update from Delhi!!!
A few pre-departure notes: 1) It appears I packed nearly twice as much to go to the cabin for 4
days than I did to go to India for 1 month. I wonder what this means...
2) My face soap has already exploded all over its (own) bag. I'm not
going to fix it.
3) There are 4 men sitting near me that are talking about the FBI.
I'm listening.
4) I will make a note to make sure I eat before taking malaria
medicine in the future.
5) I'm halfway through the book that is supposed to last until Delhi.
6) Today marks day one of a nail-biting free life (or at least a
month).
7) I feel very humbled, loved, and thankful for all of the people in
my life who have helped me prepare and wished me well on this
adventure. I will be thinking of and finding strength in you each day.
8) Time to buy jelly beans. I'm off...next update from Delhi!!!
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