So, this week was a joy and a pain all at the same time. It's been so busy that I hardly know where to begin! I guess the best beginning is at the beginning, though.
So, I started off this week hanging out in a slum in a primarily Muslim area of the city. You know, where you cover your head and arms (even us strong-willed and independent American women) or you'll be stared at to no end. I mean, that really happens all the time. But, in some areas, safety comes in simple actions such as covering my head. So, we spent time with many students our age who were just trying to get by. They don't have much and they do what they can with what they are given. They don't have water, but they gave what little they had as an offering of friendship to us. They hardly have food, but they cooked a giant feast for us on Sunday. Their give from all they have, rather than out of their abundance. We have a lot to learn from them. It was great, less the chicken spine and liver I was served.
The rest of the week pretty much went as usual. Spending time with nationals, surveying different slums, and finding new areas of the city to hang out in and get to know people. I even treated myself to some KFC. It's actually pretty good here!
Then Thursday came. And I had a sore throat. That's nothing, right? Until I woke up the next morning and I couldn't swallow, had a fever, and was achy all over. Getting sick in America is a pain, much less a foreign country. So, I bought some really cheap antibiotic and stayed home all day alone. It was the worst day ever! I ate plain rice, bananas, and crackers. So tasty. I called a PA friend back home, and she thinks I have the flu. I'm trying to ride it out and see if I'm going to die or not. Hopefully, I'll get over this soon!
Other than life things and being sick, I have really enjoyed my time here thus far. I am still considering staying longer, and am hoping to sort things out with my advisor soon! I don't know when I will ever get such an awesome opportunity again, so I might as well try my hand at it and stay.
One thing I have realized about myself is that I really don't have much of an affinity for the word "home." It seems as though everywhere I go is home. I don't miss America much yet, and don't know that I will. Every time I go overseas, I come back with the realization that I was just made to live in other cultures! It's such a fun adventure.
Class has been going well, and I am enjoying the new reading units. I got so tired of the Ramayana. I really suggest that everyone reads the Indian Fairy Tales unit! It's the best!
Phira Melinge (see you later)!
So, I started off this week hanging out in a slum in a primarily Muslim area of the city. You know, where you cover your head and arms (even us strong-willed and independent American women) or you'll be stared at to no end. I mean, that really happens all the time. But, in some areas, safety comes in simple actions such as covering my head. So, we spent time with many students our age who were just trying to get by. They don't have much and they do what they can with what they are given. They don't have water, but they gave what little they had as an offering of friendship to us. They hardly have food, but they cooked a giant feast for us on Sunday. Their give from all they have, rather than out of their abundance. We have a lot to learn from them. It was great, less the chicken spine and liver I was served.
The rest of the week pretty much went as usual. Spending time with nationals, surveying different slums, and finding new areas of the city to hang out in and get to know people. I even treated myself to some KFC. It's actually pretty good here!
Then Thursday came. And I had a sore throat. That's nothing, right? Until I woke up the next morning and I couldn't swallow, had a fever, and was achy all over. Getting sick in America is a pain, much less a foreign country. So, I bought some really cheap antibiotic and stayed home all day alone. It was the worst day ever! I ate plain rice, bananas, and crackers. So tasty. I called a PA friend back home, and she thinks I have the flu. I'm trying to ride it out and see if I'm going to die or not. Hopefully, I'll get over this soon!
 |
| Personal photo of the gatekeeper to my neighborhood. February, 2015 |
Other than life things and being sick, I have really enjoyed my time here thus far. I am still considering staying longer, and am hoping to sort things out with my advisor soon! I don't know when I will ever get such an awesome opportunity again, so I might as well try my hand at it and stay.
One thing I have realized about myself is that I really don't have much of an affinity for the word "home." It seems as though everywhere I go is home. I don't miss America much yet, and don't know that I will. Every time I go overseas, I come back with the realization that I was just made to live in other cultures! It's such a fun adventure.
Class has been going well, and I am enjoying the new reading units. I got so tired of the Ramayana. I really suggest that everyone reads the Indian Fairy Tales unit! It's the best!
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| Personal photo from Central Park, Connaught Place. February, 2015. |
Phira Melinge (see you later)!
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