from east to west

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Namaste!
(A Hindi greeting we have come to use quite frequently)

Well, I am here in India very far away from anything familiar. I was escorted to the airport by the most awesome Bridget who accompanied me as I meet the 18 other students in which I would travel with for the next four months. The introductions served as a great distraction to the realities we all were facing, of leaving home, our family and our friends only to embark on a new challenging journey. Honestly the time I was no the plane and in the airport I only wanted to be alone, but now as I look back their company probably served me in many positive ways.

The plane ride from Paris to Delhi was anything but dull, everyone was talking, walking laughing, drinking etc. I don't know if that would be a cultural difference (since we were practically the only westerners) or just the affects of a long ride, but regardless it was entertaining. The two Indian men I sat next to, Raj and Sumo (sp?) were cousins and they both lived on an island off of Spain selling ipods (though they still inquired on how to use one). Raj was about to get married in a month, an arranged marriage from what I understood and the wedding was to last many days. He told me to definitely attend a marriage while I am in India, for they are wonderful and very happy times- full of food, food, food and good music. One of the first cultural differences I noted was sitting next to them, they were so affectionate towards each other; affection that is not socially accepted in the states- We find this all through Delhi as well- the men are much more affectionate than the women. But only to other men, affection between men is women is forbidden and unacceptable. So anyway we arrived in Delhi at midnight and the airport was bustling with people, actually only Indian men; staring, calling out, staring, and begging. Everyone in Delhi stares it makes it very uncomfortable to be out. We found that many of us were so exhausted from the constant attention that we opted to stay in the hotel. Which is quite a shame, but really it is miserable to be constantly harassed, leered at and followed. I have a new appreciation with those who have to fight off paparazzi.

The cars, trunks and roads in India are insane. The cars are very small, which is pretty common in other places outside of SUV america. But the trucks are all decorated with colors, deities, trinkets etc. They are very pretty and there is always two people 'driving' one actually drives as the other sticks their head out the opposing window and is on watch. They all honk, a lot. They honk for anything; if there is a car in front of them, if they are changing lanes, if there is a person on the side of the road (and there are lots, many are sweeping. They are standing in the middle of the highway sweeping! it is insane). Anyway there is a lot of honking, and braking and swerving. Dramamine was taken on multiple occasions by all. They have rickshaws, which are taxis- with no doors only three wheels and very small. Yet they somehow can fit 10 people to each. I bet Indians could break all records of how many people can fit into a telephone booth. It would be in the hundreds 😊 These rickshaws seem very very unstable and dangerous yet you see children and babies on them swerving through loud crazy traffic. It all looks and feels so dangerous from our point of view, but for them it is function and normality.

We went to Connaught (sp?) circle while we were in Delhi, this is the center of New Delhi and Old Delhi is in another part of town we didn't have time to go to. In the center of the circle there was a park like area with a presentation for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Gandhi’s political, peace movement. They had banners and performances to celebrate the occasion. As you look to the outside of the circle there are shops, many of which are American- Nike, Addidas, Pizza hut, TGIFridays. Random huh? It was kind of surreal to be in this foreign place and see shops and businesses that are from the western world. I couldn't help but feel sad seeing these icons and symbols.

So I hope that this blog thing can keep those I care about at home updated on my experiences and where abouts; as well as help me document my time here. As much as I am trying to express my experiences I have been and am having a lot of trouble actually portraying what emotionally and mentally these past few days have been like for me. My eyes have been opened; on many occasions and I am learning something new every moment of the day. Even in my sleep. The people I have met have been amazing and wonderful. I am feeling constantly overwhelmed; wanting to take in and experience everything and frustration when I can't. Time here is different. But it still feels limited. There is so much.

As much as I am here right now, all of my friends and family are here with me. I love you all very much. Please send me lots of hugs and kisses; I miss those the most. Also those people I was unable to properly give a more intimate goodbye to, I apologize for not being there whether it be mentally, emotionally or physically. I am sorry. I love you.

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