I honestly had a moment after being in Pune 4 days and having become ill every one of those nights where I questioned my decision to come to India. I am going to be here til the beginning of May, and at that point I wanted nothing to do with Indian food every again. I ate fruit, toast and rice for 3 days until my stomach recovered. Luckily once I was feeling better those thoughts passed very quickly. We had a discussion in my social justice class the first day about our observations about India and differences between it and the US. One girl commented that what was so surprising to her was how comfortable she was. The differences weren't really that big. I felt that same sentiment sitting on a bench at the park with Didi and Hannah where a group of women were talking about how to prepare a popular Indian dessert, exchanging recipes while their children played on the playground. Hannah and I keep having dreams about being at home in the US where we are trying to get back to India (don't worry Mom I will come home).
Didi even made us pasta in cheese sauce and mashed potatoes after I felt better, which were absolutely delicious (she called them bland- yes, our food is quite bland compared to flavorful, spicy Indian dishes). Although I can't seem to remember half the names of the food that I eat, it all tastes delicious and my spice tolerance is definitely increasing. I was scared to explore our surrounding area with Hannah the first weekend in case we got lost (always the party pooper), making her turn around after 20 minutes so we could retrace our steps, but the next weekend we walked around and she took pictures for 2.5 hours in absolutely no direction. Walking without direction is kind of freeing, and I have less fear of losing my way. The security everywhere is also pretty strict, with bags being checked at stores and all; I have yet to feel unsafe here. I can't go so far as saying I feel comfortable crossing the street, but I definitely have fewer panic attacks as I weave step by step through the motorcycles who I am confident probably maybe hopefully that won't hit me. I am amazed at how traffic functions so well with motorcycles and cars and buses having no speed limits or lanes, just a common direction and lots of honking communication. Although the honking can become irritating when its in your ear, the soundtrack of life has its own wonderful quality to it. In our flat, there is always the noise of construction, birds, cats fighting, babies crying, people yelling, children laughing, school bands, Didi on the phone, Hindi music on the radio- a variety of sounds that have become comforting.
I am off for three days to a tribal village six hours away with my group. I have to observe and write papers for two of my classes, but I am looking forward to it, especially after hearing stories from my public health professor about his two year experience living in a tribal village.
Here's a link to my photos:
Didi even made us pasta in cheese sauce and mashed potatoes after I felt better, which were absolutely delicious (she called them bland- yes, our food is quite bland compared to flavorful, spicy Indian dishes). Although I can't seem to remember half the names of the food that I eat, it all tastes delicious and my spice tolerance is definitely increasing. I was scared to explore our surrounding area with Hannah the first weekend in case we got lost (always the party pooper), making her turn around after 20 minutes so we could retrace our steps, but the next weekend we walked around and she took pictures for 2.5 hours in absolutely no direction. Walking without direction is kind of freeing, and I have less fear of losing my way. The security everywhere is also pretty strict, with bags being checked at stores and all; I have yet to feel unsafe here. I can't go so far as saying I feel comfortable crossing the street, but I definitely have fewer panic attacks as I weave step by step through the motorcycles who I am confident probably maybe hopefully that won't hit me. I am amazed at how traffic functions so well with motorcycles and cars and buses having no speed limits or lanes, just a common direction and lots of honking communication. Although the honking can become irritating when its in your ear, the soundtrack of life has its own wonderful quality to it. In our flat, there is always the noise of construction, birds, cats fighting, babies crying, people yelling, children laughing, school bands, Didi on the phone, Hindi music on the radio- a variety of sounds that have become comforting.
I am off for three days to a tribal village six hours away with my group. I have to observe and write papers for two of my classes, but I am looking forward to it, especially after hearing stories from my public health professor about his two year experience living in a tribal village.
Here's a link to my photos:
Cool. Do the kids do yoga at school (in the pictures on fb)?
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