apparently I'm not the first American here.
Friday, October 21, 2011
improvement to my quality of life & a riddle
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
1 little 2 little 3 little...
Internet, Finally! Apparently 'foreigners' are not allowed to have a wifi usb thing in order to fight terrorism here-- this is what I have been told by numerous Indians as well as my fellow foreigners. All the volunteers here have simple cell phones that are passed around & used for practical logistical purposes (the ashram is pretty big & every1 has a continually fluctuating schedule) but the microphone on mine was out. I went to a Vodophone shop to get a new one & see if I could figure out a cheaper way to call the US-- after getting 2 passport photos from a picture shop around the corner-- & it was closed due to elections. That happens a lot here. Also, alcohol is not legally served during elections, but I have been on a certain outing where numerous refilled teapots came to the table & the waiter was tipped well.
I found myself in the accidental company of two young men & immediately we were linked by our common gaze at the "Closed Holiday" sign written in thin orange marker. Now, I used to be apprehensive on asking for help or directions, but traveling alone helps one outgrow such insecurities. I asked where I could find internet, they had a discussion between themselves & before I knew it I was on the back of a motorcycle zipping through rickshaws, tvs-es, cars & cows. His English had been broken, so I wasn't sure how far we were going, but after a few minutes of worrying I let go of my fear & enjoyed the ride.
We wound up pretty far actually-- & off of the few tourist streets I'm acquainted with. I text my boss who was going to meet me in town for lunch where I was & she said she was on her way. I managed to get an internet connection & convinced the young guy to put it under his name-- I mean, it's prepaid-- there's not much damage I could do. After I paid & had the device securely in my backpack the guy started having second thoughts & wanted to know exactly where I was staying, my social & other personal information. My boss arrived shortly after, I hoped on the back of her motorcycle & the young man's angry yell was soon drowned out by the sounds of the city. Anyway, I should have this set up for 3 months, God willing.
After that we proceeded to a great French restaurant. One great thing about India is that you can find 5 Star food (though usually not service) for about 1/2- 2/3 of what you would pay in the states.
Life is getting a bit more routine. It's hard to learn all the kids names at first because they're all just sounds. They can be a lot to handle at times, but there's always a little hand in mine when I walk outside my room. There's one boy B who goes to a special school & is a little slow somehow, but in other ways is really bright. At night he brings me this big Encyclopedia of Animals for Kids & wants me to read it all. I usually cut it down to a handful of animals & a story, but he does not forget any of those dang animals- it's really something. He asks me about the horses & cowboys in Texas & wants to see pictures. I flip thru my phone & show him the same few photos (that don't have too many beer cans & us cuttin up) of some horses & my favorite cowboy ;) & feel a little pang in my heart for Texas. I think of me & my gal Michelle gettin out to the stables after work, changing out of our heels & skirts to our dirty old jeans, riding til sunset & drinking & lying to each other with the guys around the fire at dark. I think of the boy I'm missing & wonder if we'll ever have a couple acres, couple horses, couple kids. I told him about B, he said he'd send an old cowboy hat for him, I said I bet he'd like that.
The other volunteers are great. There's an Irish guy who's just decided to be a priest (God help the Church), a buncha French folks, coupla Germans & two other Americans. I spend most my free time with one of the French girls A; she's really great. We've got philosophy classes together, bible study, weekly outing & some other things we all do together. Going into town is a mess on that bus, but in a group it's not so bad.
I've got to get better about taking pictures-- I've got a couple now & will post more later. Until then, keep the children in your prayers.
We wound up pretty far actually-- & off of the few tourist streets I'm acquainted with. I text my boss who was going to meet me in town for lunch where I was & she said she was on her way. I managed to get an internet connection & convinced the young guy to put it under his name-- I mean, it's prepaid-- there's not much damage I could do. After I paid & had the device securely in my backpack the guy started having second thoughts & wanted to know exactly where I was staying, my social & other personal information. My boss arrived shortly after, I hoped on the back of her motorcycle & the young man's angry yell was soon drowned out by the sounds of the city. Anyway, I should have this set up for 3 months, God willing.
After that we proceeded to a great French restaurant. One great thing about India is that you can find 5 Star food (though usually not service) for about 1/2- 2/3 of what you would pay in the states.
Life is getting a bit more routine. It's hard to learn all the kids names at first because they're all just sounds. They can be a lot to handle at times, but there's always a little hand in mine when I walk outside my room. There's one boy B who goes to a special school & is a little slow somehow, but in other ways is really bright. At night he brings me this big Encyclopedia of Animals for Kids & wants me to read it all. I usually cut it down to a handful of animals & a story, but he does not forget any of those dang animals- it's really something. He asks me about the horses & cowboys in Texas & wants to see pictures. I flip thru my phone & show him the same few photos (that don't have too many beer cans & us cuttin up) of some horses & my favorite cowboy ;) & feel a little pang in my heart for Texas. I think of me & my gal Michelle gettin out to the stables after work, changing out of our heels & skirts to our dirty old jeans, riding til sunset & drinking & lying to each other with the guys around the fire at dark. I think of the boy I'm missing & wonder if we'll ever have a couple acres, couple horses, couple kids. I told him about B, he said he'd send an old cowboy hat for him, I said I bet he'd like that.
The other volunteers are great. There's an Irish guy who's just decided to be a priest (God help the Church), a buncha French folks, coupla Germans & two other Americans. I spend most my free time with one of the French girls A; she's really great. We've got philosophy classes together, bible study, weekly outing & some other things we all do together. Going into town is a mess on that bus, but in a group it's not so bad.
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