I truly don't know where to begin. I have officially been in Pune for 2 weeks already, living with my host mom and another student from the program, and in India for almost 3 weeks. Today I received my personal internet stick connection so I will be able to post now successfully!
After a 15 hour plane ride from Newark to Mumbai, our group gathered in the airport, most of us having been on the same flight, and went to a hotel for the night. We left the next morning for a 3 day recover-from-jet-lag orientation at a forest lodge in Durshet, halfway between Mumbai and Pune. All 30 of us were exhausted, loving the variety and flavors of the Indian food served, and super excited to be in India. A young school group stayed overnight at the lodge, having a talent show that we were invited to watch as well as a massive dance party that we were forced to join. Tea was outside our door every morning at 6:30 am before breakfast (it was also served between meals with biscuit cookies), and we learned how to take bucket showers. We were taught a few phrases in Marathi- the language of the state of Maharastra including "I'm full. Stop!" so that our host mothers don't overfeed us, and "Take me to this address" to use with the rickshaw drivers. No one made fun of each other for going to bed at 9:00, and we sat through a whole 3 hour long Bollywood movie, Jab We Met (when we met).
Arriving in Pune, we were taken to the Alliance for Global Education's program center (the organization that runs the study abroad program) which is on the Fergusson College campus where we take classes this semester. All of us eat breakfast at the program center every morning and do homework/hang out during the day between classes. Indian students from various colleges in Pune (there's over a 100 according to Wikipedia) had lunch with us and toured us around the city, showing us how to rickshaw our way around, navigate the roads/sidewalks and cross the street safely- something that takes a lot of practice and calm.
Didi, what Hannah and I call our host mother (meaning elder sister), was standing on her little balcony, when we pulled up to meet her. She knew the drill- she's hosted students from the Alliance a few times before and has also traveled quite a bit, including the US. Didi is retired after having been a principal and teacher of mentally challenged children, and she's currently making documentaries about their success stories. It's just the 3 of us in her apartment (flat), with Didi's grown children living abroad with their families (one in San Fransisco and one in Singapore). We live about a 45 minute walk from the college, which Hannah and I have already done many times. Didi walked us around the neighborhood and local area and apologized for everyone staring at us, but what else can we expect? We get stared at a lot, like all the time. Laughed at, talked about, creepily smiled at and just plain gawked at. I'm waiting for the day someone falls off their motorcycle (fun fact- there's more 2 wheelers in Pune than 4 wheelers) staring at us.
I will catch you all up with everything- soon! Have to get some sleep for my 6:30 am yoga classes though.
After a 15 hour plane ride from Newark to Mumbai, our group gathered in the airport, most of us having been on the same flight, and went to a hotel for the night. We left the next morning for a 3 day recover-from-jet-lag orientation at a forest lodge in Durshet, halfway between Mumbai and Pune. All 30 of us were exhausted, loving the variety and flavors of the Indian food served, and super excited to be in India. A young school group stayed overnight at the lodge, having a talent show that we were invited to watch as well as a massive dance party that we were forced to join. Tea was outside our door every morning at 6:30 am before breakfast (it was also served between meals with biscuit cookies), and we learned how to take bucket showers. We were taught a few phrases in Marathi- the language of the state of Maharastra including "I'm full. Stop!" so that our host mothers don't overfeed us, and "Take me to this address" to use with the rickshaw drivers. No one made fun of each other for going to bed at 9:00, and we sat through a whole 3 hour long Bollywood movie, Jab We Met (when we met).
Arriving in Pune, we were taken to the Alliance for Global Education's program center (the organization that runs the study abroad program) which is on the Fergusson College campus where we take classes this semester. All of us eat breakfast at the program center every morning and do homework/hang out during the day between classes. Indian students from various colleges in Pune (there's over a 100 according to Wikipedia) had lunch with us and toured us around the city, showing us how to rickshaw our way around, navigate the roads/sidewalks and cross the street safely- something that takes a lot of practice and calm.
Didi, what Hannah and I call our host mother (meaning elder sister), was standing on her little balcony, when we pulled up to meet her. She knew the drill- she's hosted students from the Alliance a few times before and has also traveled quite a bit, including the US. Didi is retired after having been a principal and teacher of mentally challenged children, and she's currently making documentaries about their success stories. It's just the 3 of us in her apartment (flat), with Didi's grown children living abroad with their families (one in San Fransisco and one in Singapore). We live about a 45 minute walk from the college, which Hannah and I have already done many times. Didi walked us around the neighborhood and local area and apologized for everyone staring at us, but what else can we expect? We get stared at a lot, like all the time. Laughed at, talked about, creepily smiled at and just plain gawked at. I'm waiting for the day someone falls off their motorcycle (fun fact- there's more 2 wheelers in Pune than 4 wheelers) staring at us.
I will catch you all up with everything- soon! Have to get some sleep for my 6:30 am yoga classes though.
so glad to hear all is well
ReplyDeleteawesome!!!! sounds like you're having fun! loved the pictures! hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteFinally a blog post!! I miss you! (And you get used to the gawking)
ReplyDelete