Siobhan

Sain baina uu! (Hello) I just finished up my first experience building houses. The experience has been so many things. Eye opening, back breaking, gratifying and frustrating. Mongolia has also been a place that has been surprising in so many ways. The city of Ulaanbatar is fairly ugly. It has heavy Soviet influence in its architecture. However, it is amazing how Western and specifically American the culture is. The people are extremely friendly and gracious. It is amazing how kind they are. The two families we built houses for would give us small tokens of their gratitude. My favorite experience was how although we couldn't speak the same language (we had an interpreter but often you found yourself with the carpenter or a family member working) and how a mix of sign language and their wonderfully ... read more

Hello Friends, I just wanted to quickly send out a message as I get ready to leave for Mongolia in just two more days! I hope to continue to use this blog to communicate with you through my summer adventure. I have finished graduate school and have two months to travel and explore. I will start by heading to Mongolia to begin on a Habitat for Humanity project for two weeks, then Luca will join me to head by horseback into the Mongolian steppes, the two of us then plan to take the trans Siberian to Beijing. After that adventure I will be flying to Paris to join my brother. It should be a terrific summer! Best wishes and I look forward to staying in touch with you through this blog. Cheers, Siobhan ... read more

Hello Friends and Family! I just wanted to drop you all a note hello aften an amazing trip through Gujarat and Rajasthan, covering a little over 2,000 miles of India. The train trip took me through Ahmedabad, the home of the famous Indian Institute of Management as well as the National Instite of Design among other things, Bhuj, a very small town near the Arabian Sea and the boarder of Pakistan which is famous for its textiles. As well as Surat and Vandorada in Gudjrat. Then we went to Jaipur, Bikaner, and Jodhpur all in Rajasthan, one of the most spectacular states in India. To see a map of where we went please click here Throughout the trip we visited stores as well as many remote areas to meet the rural artisans that produce the ... read more

I apologize for not writing to you sooner. I think I am just starting to get somewhat used to things here three weeks in! Things have been quite a whirlwind ever since I began work. I would also say I am barely getting acclimatized to things. It is hotter than I ever could have imagined here. Everything at Fabindia has been incredible thus far. The interns will be rotating through various departments. I began with the CEO, William Bissell, and as a result I have been able to dive into the inner workings of the company. It has been quite an education understanding how the company works, what its vision for the future is, and what I can do to help. The company is filled with friendly people who want to ensure that our stay ... read more

Hello Friends! I am packing my bags, loading up on sunscreen and bug repellent, and getting ready to hit the road for India. I have only four more days in San Francisco until beginning a long journey to Delhi (via LA via London). While I am excited, I am at the same time quite apprehensive as I know I am entering into the complete unknown. I have tried to read as much as possible about India but have come to the realization that I simply have no idea what I am getting into. I look forward to sharing my experience with all of you and staying in touch through this blog. Please write to me often and if any of you have any tips let me know as I am sure I will be needing ... read more