So much has happened I have no idea how I'm gonna write it all here without leaving a good deal out. First of all Udaipur has taken some getting used to. Don't get me wrong I want to be here, but culture shock is noticeable. For example, I saw a cow eating out of the street trash today and it proceeded to accompany me almost all the way home. It was kinda cool in a weird "hey I have a pet cow" kinda way. Also, staring from strangers is slightly unsettling but I was warned of this because I am foreign, and we tend to get a lot of attention. But to backtrack before I leave everything out...
Sarah picked me up from the airport as soon as I arrived. (she had a sign and everything) From the airport we left to go to the ProWorld office by car. I make this distinction because I was overwhelmed with the amount of motorbikes there are. Let me just paint this picture for you.... The yellow lines that divide the rode into different lanes are completely disregarded. Motorbikes are whizzing past so close that I was completely terrified they would crash into us. Like literally.... inches away. Oh and to drive, ones places their hand on the wheel and another on the horn. It's used as a kind of sonar. Therefore... Lots and lots and lots of honking. It takes some getting used to to realize people actually aren't going to die and that that kind of driving is just the norm.
On the way, I told Sarah of my luggage situation and stuff. So... What is the first thing I do in India? I go shopping. Typical.
Sarah took me to get a couple necessities at a place called V-Mart. The closet thing I could compare it to would be a mix between a CVS and Kroger. After that we went to a kurta shop. A kurta is the usual type of clothing worn in India (besides a sari of course). Picture a long tunic over a type of lose pants..... Actually ya know what, just google it. About 30 min later I walked out with 4 tops and 3 pants.... Success. At the end of our ride, I was able to meet several interns as well as Sarah's personal intern Katie at the office. I got to take a bucket bath ( which felt glorious btw) and then changed into clean clothes. That night we had dinner and myself and another intern, who had arrived a day before, were taken to a hotel for the night. On Sunday we had orientation which was a basic rundown of the way things work in India. That night we also were taken to our host families.
I LOVE where I am staying. Dr. Sareen and his wife are wonderful people. Mrs. Sareen was also really funny when I told her about my luggage. I told her what happened and she hugged me and kissed me on the cheek. I then told her that I was sorry because her present was also in my bag... Which warranted me another hug and kiss on the cheek. Then lastly I said I needed a towel... Another hug/kiss. Basically.... She's the best host mom ever.
So much has happened with my actual placement at the school that I will probably have to address it in my next post. I was going to wait and only post like 3 times a week.... But I realize at least now, when everything is new, I will have to write more often to get everything down.
Before I end this, I will give you a basic rundown of my situation. In Dr. Sareen's house there are 3 other girls who live here. 2 from America and the other from the UK. To get to work, I ride a tempo which is a public bus about the size of a car but it has a covered back with benches. About 7 people can fit uncomfortably inside. The bananas rock here, and are safe to eat. Brushing my teeth with bottled water is super weird. There are little versions of chipmunks here with huge tails... Also super weird. The Mosquitos don't just fly around here, they are on the attack (yay for anti-malaria medicine). People do this thing here where they very slightly rock there head from side to side when they are listening to you. It's just a very small mannerism but everyone does it. Everyone. It's the same motion as making your ears touch your shoulders.... Only a much smaller movement. People do it when they are thinking, or listening to you... or just because they feel like doing it. It is now monsoon season. Yay. Thats about all there is to say about that. Lastly, there is a phrase that people use that I like. It's almost like a polite version of "whatever" but it also makes me think of the movie the Princess Bride. It is "As you like". So like if your host asked you where u wanted to sit, you could say "As you like." It's pretty great. Okay so my next post will be rather soon. I will talk about the blind school and all that good stuff. Until then
Sarah took me to get a couple necessities at a place called V-Mart. The closet thing I could compare it to would be a mix between a CVS and Kroger. After that we went to a kurta shop. A kurta is the usual type of clothing worn in India (besides a sari of course). Picture a long tunic over a type of lose pants..... Actually ya know what, just google it. About 30 min later I walked out with 4 tops and 3 pants.... Success. At the end of our ride, I was able to meet several interns as well as Sarah's personal intern Katie at the office. I got to take a bucket bath ( which felt glorious btw) and then changed into clean clothes. That night we had dinner and myself and another intern, who had arrived a day before, were taken to a hotel for the night. On Sunday we had orientation which was a basic rundown of the way things work in India. That night we also were taken to our host families.
Before I end this, I will give you a basic rundown of my situation. In Dr. Sareen's house there are 3 other girls who live here. 2 from America and the other from the UK. To get to work, I ride a tempo which is a public bus about the size of a car but it has a covered back with benches. About 7 people can fit uncomfortably inside. The bananas rock here, and are safe to eat. Brushing my teeth with bottled water is super weird. There are little versions of chipmunks here with huge tails... Also super weird. The Mosquitos don't just fly around here, they are on the attack (yay for anti-malaria medicine). People do this thing here where they very slightly rock there head from side to side when they are listening to you. It's just a very small mannerism but everyone does it. Everyone. It's the same motion as making your ears touch your shoulders.... Only a much smaller movement. People do it when they are thinking, or listening to you... or just because they feel like doing it. It is now monsoon season. Yay. Thats about all there is to say about that. Lastly, there is a phrase that people use that I like. It's almost like a polite version of "whatever" but it also makes me think of the movie the Princess Bride. It is "As you like". So like if your host asked you where u wanted to sit, you could say "As you like." It's pretty great. Okay so my next post will be rather soon. I will talk about the blind school and all that good stuff. Until then
Morgan, I am anxious to hear about the school and the children. This will be a life changing experience for you and I know you will be leaving a legacy in India. Wishing you a safe trip. Dr. Frohoff
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