India 2007!

2007-09-20T12:04:00.000+05:30

One thing that I have to say about India is that there is never a dull moment! In the last few weeks, there has been so much work and so many ceremonies to attend that I have not been able to sit down. A word about the weather. It is monsoon season here right now, so in the morning it is warm and sunny but by after lunchtime, the rain starts coming and it POURS. Afterwards, it is just steamy, hot, humid, and a little unpleasant. I have been working hard at the project and have actually finished the interviews with the children. Shankar translated everything, and some of the stories that were told were heartbreaking. They are also having problems with space. Antonysamy, the man who runs the project, bought some land in a nearby village and started to build a house for the children. This house would also enable them to double their current number of kids. Unfortunatly, money ran out and now all they have is a half built building. I am going to see what I can do when I get back to raise some money. I have also just been visiting the kids, playing with them, helping them with school work, etc. Unfortunately I have not been able to visit recently since they are currently going through mid year exams.So I have been passing my time by going to various ceremonies and traditions. SInce I have been here, Shankar, one of the boys has gotten engaged to be married. This is a traditional arranged Hindu marriage. He went home one day, telling me that he was going to look at a girl for marriage prospect. The fact that he made is sound as though he was picking out a new sofa concerned me a little but I guess that is how it is done here. 4 hours later he comes back, sits down, and says "I am getting married in two months." And that was that. After that first meeting he did not even know her name. Two days ago was the marriage fixing ceremony in which the elders from the home villages of Sankar and his wife to be (Who, by the way, is younger than me, and Shankar is pushing 32)meet together to decide if it is advisable that these two be married. Once it was all confirmed, Shankar gave her a present of two saris and a ring. He said that the only contact he had with her the whole evening, verbal or otherwise, was when he put the ring on her finger. So far, I have also been to a house opening ceremony, two marriages of people I do not know, and I am on my way to a bangle ceremony, which is for pregnant women. Also, the two volunteers from next door and I are going to Madurai and Kodaikanal for the next three days. Bye for now!

2007-08-02T17:11:00.000+05:30

So I know that it has been a while since I have posted anything but I finally have time. For the last week, I have been quite busy. I have gone 3 times more to the project to hang out with the kids before I start doing the interviewing. I also have been to Dindigul three times. First time, I went with Shankar to do some errands. I have to say that the Dindigul fish market is maybe the most disgusting place I have ever been in my life. Smelly, flies everywhere. Not very appealing. But then we went on to have lunch in a typical vegetarian restaurant. Eating proved to be more difficult than I thought. First of all, there are no plates, just a banana leaf. Then they spoon on about a pound of rice and give about 15 little cups of various curries, curds, etc. I found out that the way to eat it is dump everything on your rice, and using only your right hand, mix all the rice together, and scoop it into your mouth with your fingers. It was very hard, and was not made easier by Shankar laughing at me the entire time. Eventually, I managed to get the hang of it, and now eat with my hands almost every day. The second time I went to Dindigul was when 6 teenagers from the surrounding area, Nina, a volunteer staying in the house next to me, and myself went to the cinema. All 8 of us piled into the tiniest car you have ever seen, and headed off to the “early” movie which starts at about 10:30 pm. Tamil movies usually last about 3 hours and have an intermission in the middle. One thing I noticed is that they voice over everything in exactly the same language as it was primarily recorded in but they do not bother to match it up. So the entire time, it feels like the movie has about a 1 second delay to the sound. The third time I went to Dindigul, yesterday, was to actually go to the hospital. I had an allergic reaction to something, and it would not go away so Chris thought that it would be best if I went to the hospital. I was slightly nervous about the bill, but I later found out that the doctor’s visit PLUS the medicine that he prescribed came to a whopping 150 rupees which is about $2.75. Not bad. Within the next week, I am taking an overnight trip to Madurai with Shankar so we can do a little sight seeing, but until then, I am just resting and all of the boys are taking care of me. I guess the cure all remedy here is green coconut juice which is absolutely disgusting but they are forcing it on me claiming that it is the best thing in the world. I promise to try to update more from now on. Bye for now!

2007-08-02T09:25:00.000+05:30

July 22nd

2007-07-22T12:28:00.000+05:30

Yesterday I findally got to get out of Cardamom House and visit the project. It took about 45 minutes to get there, and when we finally arrived, Anthony, the leader of the project, his wife and all 28 kids were there to greet me. They had a little show prepared for me and they danced and did a skit. I didnt realize how young some of them were. The youngest looked about 5 and the oldest was 14 I think. After a tour of the house that they are currently renting, they all had a snack that we had brought for them, and asked me questions. Samy is trying to teach me how to cook but unfortunatly I am a pretty aweful student. However, when it comes to me teaching him how to read and write I almost don't need to do it because he can pick something up so quickly. It was a bit of a shock to learn that he left school at age 10. I have yet to start with Shankar. The current problem that is going on is that a goat herder has decided to start building a house on CH land without their permission. He maintains that it is his land and is building as we speak. Unfortunatly, Chris has the papers that say it is his land so he is either going to have to tear it down or go to jail. Just another day in rural India! So long for now, Elizabeth

2007-07-18T18:29:00.000+05:30

Hi all,
so the internet here is worse than i expected but all that means is fewer posts, and no pictures for the time being. i will try to post them when i am traveling around. everything here is great. i arrived after almost 30 hours of traveling and Chris and Shankar were there to pick me up. For the last three days, I have jsut been hanging out and trying to get over jet lag. the place that I am staying at is a dream. It is in a valley between the Western Ghats overlooking a lake. it is hardly what i expected. I did take a tour through the local village of Athoor, and was astounded by the poverty but the genreal happines of everyone. There are six people working here besides the owner, but I only know 4. There is Samy, Pandi, Muggie and Shankar. Samy is a riot. He was taught all of his english by Chris so instead of an indian accent he acutally has a strong british accent. It also seems that his favorite movie is the sound of music and one can usually hear him attempting to yodel in the kitchen. Pandi is also very nice but quiet. I can't say much else right now, but I promise there will be more to come! Bye for now, Elizbeth. P.s. i am not checking my spelling because i have no time so forgive me for any obvious errors.

Freaked

2007-07-14T06:35:00.000+05:30

Ok so I am sitting here in the airport. I just had to pay like 7 bucks for internet for 24 hours but whatever. It is worth it. Basically at this moment I am scared out of my mind, and I have a long 30 hours ahead of me. I will post again when I actually get to India. Bye for now!

FIrst Post!

2007-07-09T06:10:00.000+05:30

Hi Guys, so it is about 5 days before I leave for India, and I am just sort of testing this thing out. Please feel free to leave comments and stuff on future posts. xoxo Liz