Having now lived a technology devoid and relatively understated existence for the past month, I have become disinclined to write it all down. So much has happened that I want to share. Over the course of this time, have been astounded by the experiences I ‘ve had, the people I’ve met, and the ideas that continue to inspired me. Well occupied by the internship phase of my program, I feel that so far it has been both a pleasure and a blessing to have the opportunity to experience rural India through the eyes of a grassroots NGO. In the process [View Full Entry]

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Due to local holidays and some schedule shifting, we had all of last week (Oct. 4th - 9th) free. I saw this as a perfect opportunity to travel to Dharmshala/McLeod Ganj (the resting place of the exiled Tibetan government and current home of the Dalai Lama)—a place I have been hoping to visit since coming to India. Six of us departed immediately after class on Friday to catch a 4pm train that would bypass Delhi and land us way up north in the hub city of Patankot. From Patankot we would hitch a bus that would land us in McLeod Ganj. [View Full Entry]

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I’m still in catch up mode as I attempt to highlight what I can from the past two weeks of adventures. Shekarwati and Rajput Castles Agra and The Taj Mahal Not so far from the US plummet Two weeks ago we had a three day field trip to Shekarwati -a Ragistani province that is known for its Rajput Castles and Havelis (mansions). After spending the first day at an organic farming NGO, we spent the night in a preserved castle where we enjoyed every royal comfort including a real shower. I think I used more water in that one bathing session [View Full Entry]

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Going into my fourth entry, I realize that I have left out a good explanation of what exactly I am doing here. So I’ve postponed my writings on the Taj Mahal and other adventures to tell you about the program I am taking part in. MSID—Minnesota Studies on International Development is the name of program I am involved with through the U of M. It is a program that (most obviously) focuses on analyzing development (in practice and theory) that is happening right before our eyes all over the world. So what better place than India to see all this…right? I [View Full Entry]

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After reading my brother’s latest travel blog, I have been inspired to inherit some of his blogging tactics to make things easier on readers. So for those of you who don’t have enough time to read these monstrous essays of mine, or who are interested in only certain details of my adventures, I’ve decided to make a list before each entry of what will be covered. So here goes. Field trip to a Block printing/Pottery School and Paper Making Factory Learning Hindi Food and Family Reciprocity Tactics in India Other O [View Full Entry]

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This past weekend we had our first taste of freedom from MSID. Though there were many attractive places to choose from for our first adventure, eight of us opted to travel to the splendid city of Udaipur. We left late Friday evening on a sleeper train that lasted a good ten hours or so heading directly south. Despite the fact that our bunks were located next to the bathroom, we were able to get a fairly good night’s sleep lying down. Once we arrived in Udaipur, we hailed an auto-rickshaw that took us to our hotel where we were able to [View Full Entry]

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It has been a week now since landing in New Delhi. I couldn’t feel more right about where I am and what I am doing here. The plane ride from O’Haire airport to New Delhi was quite pleasant. Before boarding I was able to spot the rest of the crowd that was heading off to India via the MSID program. It was comforting to know that I was not alone in my adventure. I sat next to a Guatemalan biologist who studies coral snakes all over the world. He gave me advice on how to avoid getting bitten by the snakes [View Full Entry]

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8/1 The bus dropped us off in the streets of Bangkok at midnight of August 1st. We were conveniently within walking distance of Khaosan Road where we would be staying the rest of the trip. For those of you who have never been to Bangkok, Khaosan Road is "the place" for traveling "farang" (foreigners). It is a backpacker's haven that is filled with the best street shopping, food, and night life Bangkok has to offer its foreign visitors. The best part about Khaosan is that it's one street that spans three blocks in length. There you have it all. We reached [View Full Entry]

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After experiencing the hospitality and heat of Issan, we were ready to cool off at the beach. So begins our tour of the south. 7/19 Initially we had planned to meet some friends on Kho Chang...an island off the main land near Bangkok. Due to bad weather we opted to head straight to the southeastern islands. We took a Mercedes charter bus from Ubon-Ratchatani down to Pattaya. The trip was certainly a contrast from the third class train ride to get up to Ubon. We were able to appreciate the luxury. We were forced to stay one night in Pattaya (the [View Full Entry]

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It has been over two weeks now since I have been in Thailand, a magical place that continues to astound me. It seems that every time I see something most stunning, we encounter something even more breathtaking. The accommodations and generosity shown towards us is outdone in every new place we go. The most enriching experiences are becoming more unique, and the most flavorful dishes are becoming more alive all the while unlikely opportunities are proven possible time and time again. I will do my best to some up the past week spent outside Bangkok. 7/11 On Friday we took a [View Full Entry]

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