Tomorrow night, we fly home. We've been super busy and a little worn out, so I'm going to bed now instead of giving a detailed blog. I promise a detailed entry of the last few days written mid-air, so check for a fantastic post on Sunday or Monday. Thanks for coming with me on this journey!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
So, I missed getting to go visit the nuns this morning, because, well, Indian food finally got to be too much for me. Without any of the spectacular details, I'll end by saying that I feel a lot better after sleeping and medicating. Though I'm pretty sure I'm only eating white rice from now until Sunday. It just seems like a good idea.
Here's to a much less exciting adventure tomorrow!
Here's to a much less exciting adventure tomorrow!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Today was sort of a light day, which was nice considering I didn't sleep well last night. Other people staying in our hotel rang the doorbell EARLY in the morning and talked so loud while we were trying to sleep. It seemed to last hours, but probably not quite that long. Things just seem more horrible when you're tired. On top of that, I'm still feeling kind of gross, so all that added up to a short night's sleep. Luckily, we were able to sleep in, so I made up for some of the missed rest.
Today at work, Mickey had the students plan and teach routes, and we were really just there to observe and refine their teaching. It was really, really neat to see some of the pay off from all our work. Almost all of the students have really taken our strategies and ideas to heart, and they are really excited about implementing them.
Tomorrow, we are going to a school and home for blind children run by some nuns. They came to our little tactile graphics seminar and left a card, so we are going to visit them. We don't really know what they do at their school or how closely it approximates best practices in the US, but we are going to try to make some impact in a morning-long visit.
Here's one last image I can't get out of my head. Today, as we were waiting on all the O&M students to return to our spot, a woman and her son approached us. She walked near us, so I figured she was about to beg for money. Then, I saw her motion toward her son, who was probably about four years old, and he reached out his hand in the beggar's pose, hand outstretched with the palm up and finger's curled in. I can't get the desperation of the image out of my head. This woman was teaching her son how to beg, how to make his living. We ignored them, as our Indian friends did, but the woman and her son didn't go away. They just stood there, too close to me for my comfort. I tried to continue my conversation with Lauren, but we weren't able to concentrate as the woman started motioning toward her mouth, pantomiming eating. Asking for food. Eventually, they gave up and moved on, but images like that, well, they stick with you.
Today at work, Mickey had the students plan and teach routes, and we were really just there to observe and refine their teaching. It was really, really neat to see some of the pay off from all our work. Almost all of the students have really taken our strategies and ideas to heart, and they are really excited about implementing them.
Tomorrow, we are going to a school and home for blind children run by some nuns. They came to our little tactile graphics seminar and left a card, so we are going to visit them. We don't really know what they do at their school or how closely it approximates best practices in the US, but we are going to try to make some impact in a morning-long visit.
Here's one last image I can't get out of my head. Today, as we were waiting on all the O&M students to return to our spot, a woman and her son approached us. She walked near us, so I figured she was about to beg for money. Then, I saw her motion toward her son, who was probably about four years old, and he reached out his hand in the beggar's pose, hand outstretched with the palm up and finger's curled in. I can't get the desperation of the image out of my head. This woman was teaching her son how to beg, how to make his living. We ignored them, as our Indian friends did, but the woman and her son didn't go away. They just stood there, too close to me for my comfort. I tried to continue my conversation with Lauren, but we weren't able to concentrate as the woman started motioning toward her mouth, pantomiming eating. Asking for food. Eventually, they gave up and moved on, but images like that, well, they stick with you.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Lauren and I celebrated Sunday with more shopping and resting. It's amazing how tired we can be without working. I'm sticking to my theory that this place is just absolutely and totally overwhelming. Everything we see or do requires extra processing power that we wouldn't need at home. Today, for example, Lauren and I were in the department store near the apartment for another clothes-trying-on adventure. We went right after the store opened at 11, hoping it wouldn't be too busy. Wrong. It was as busy at opening as I have ever seen a mall at home. (Please note that I make a point never to shop with the crazy people on Black Friday or other such events, so my view is a bit skewed.) Still, this place was BUSY. We went to the dressing rooms, and the attendant started pointing and talking to us in Kannada or some kind of English we don't speak, clearly telling us something that we could not decipher. Turns out, she was telling us another dressing room was open around the corner, but we were at a total loss to communicate. Things like that wear a girl out.
And... And, if you want to walk anywhere (and we walk almost everywhere), you've got to either walk in the road and be alert for cars/buses/bikes/cows that might run you over, or you've got to pick your way down sidewalk. I wish I had a good picture of the craziness, but I don't. Most of the sidewalks, or "footpaths" here, are really just concrete slabs laid over the sewer. If a slab breaks or slides into the sewer, it isn't replaced or repaired, it is just left there, so this leaves gaping holes sometimes several feet across and about a foot or three deep. Sooo.... Needless to say, you really have to watch your feet and surroundings when traveling, but you have to weigh that against looking confident and knowledgeable about where you are walking so as too look less like a target. Plus, tree branches can be pretty low hanging, and quite often, cables/power lines hang very low or are just laying on the ground. I just said all that to say that everything here requires a little extra effort for me to participate in because it is so different from what I'm accustomed to, and I think I am finally starting to feel the extra effort accumulate.
When I tell you all that this city is polluted and a kind of gross, I'm not exaggerating. I've woken up/lived with a pretty sore throat for the last four or so days. At first, I was sure that I was getting a cold or something. No big deal, just annoying. Since it hasn't turned into anything, I'm pretty positive that all the nasty air is killing my sinuses and throat. I tried so hard with to avoid the value judgments, but you can actually see the pollution in the air and the garbage in the streets. Other people think the pollution is an issue too. All the autos were on strike on Friday because the government issued new, "greener" autos to replace the old smoke churning ones. The strike had more to do with the fact that the government required the use of these new autos without providing a way for people living hand to mouth to buy them, but I digress. Bottom line: this many people in this tiny space equals some differences in waste management and air quality.
On another, similarly gross note, this afternoon, we were reminded that it is indeed monsoon season. It rained a lot very quickly, and though we were inside for the worst of it, our bathroom floor reminded us of what was going on outside. The drain in the floor backed up again, and this time, there was lots of black stuff in the water. I don't even want to begin the conjecture as to what it was. I mean, I was raised with a temperamental septic system, but this is something else!
After reading what I've written so far, you all must think, "Gosh, she's really ready to come home," and if you thought that, you'd be partially right. I am totally in love with the work we are doing here, but it is a challenge sometimes living in a world where so many things are done so differently. I am ready to soon return to a world where I understand the ins and outs and I can function a little more effortlessly. Do I want to go home right now? Nope. Not at all. Do I want to go home on Sunday? Yeah, I think I'll be ready then. Until the next adventure at least. ;-)
You though I was done, didn't you? Not quite. I'm about to get real serious, so hold on tight. Lately, I've been well, almost convicted to notice and feel what the people around me are dealing with. Daily, we are in this mass of people: people going to work; people selling food on the street; people loitering; people begging. It's too easy to just keep moving forward along my way and miss these souls. I really shouldn't be able to fake ignore a woman moving from car to car, begging for food, holding her half naked baby. And when that same woman puts her hand on my leg three times, asking for food, I shouldn't be able to stand it. I was moved, sure, but, I did stand it, and I don't know quite what to make of the fact that I didn't break down crying and run off to find her food. I don't suppose I'm making much sense, but there it is. I can make excuses all day long. Perhaps I should be like this to preserve my safety. Maybe. But, maybe not. Maybe this woman's being pimped out, or maybe she's just putting on a show to get money. That's not for me to decide. Something awful put her in the position she's in, whatever that position is, and I should feel for her as a child of God. I'm trying my best to see everyone, but sometimes, it's too much. It's just too much. Not to get all Jesus-y on you, but I would covet your prayers this last week as I try to figure out what to make of all these people here and how best to see each and everyone.
Until tomorrow...
And... And, if you want to walk anywhere (and we walk almost everywhere), you've got to either walk in the road and be alert for cars/buses/bikes/cows that might run you over, or you've got to pick your way down sidewalk. I wish I had a good picture of the craziness, but I don't. Most of the sidewalks, or "footpaths" here, are really just concrete slabs laid over the sewer. If a slab breaks or slides into the sewer, it isn't replaced or repaired, it is just left there, so this leaves gaping holes sometimes several feet across and about a foot or three deep. Sooo.... Needless to say, you really have to watch your feet and surroundings when traveling, but you have to weigh that against looking confident and knowledgeable about where you are walking so as too look less like a target. Plus, tree branches can be pretty low hanging, and quite often, cables/power lines hang very low or are just laying on the ground. I just said all that to say that everything here requires a little extra effort for me to participate in because it is so different from what I'm accustomed to, and I think I am finally starting to feel the extra effort accumulate.
When I tell you all that this city is polluted and a kind of gross, I'm not exaggerating. I've woken up/lived with a pretty sore throat for the last four or so days. At first, I was sure that I was getting a cold or something. No big deal, just annoying. Since it hasn't turned into anything, I'm pretty positive that all the nasty air is killing my sinuses and throat. I tried so hard with to avoid the value judgments, but you can actually see the pollution in the air and the garbage in the streets. Other people think the pollution is an issue too. All the autos were on strike on Friday because the government issued new, "greener" autos to replace the old smoke churning ones. The strike had more to do with the fact that the government required the use of these new autos without providing a way for people living hand to mouth to buy them, but I digress. Bottom line: this many people in this tiny space equals some differences in waste management and air quality.
On another, similarly gross note, this afternoon, we were reminded that it is indeed monsoon season. It rained a lot very quickly, and though we were inside for the worst of it, our bathroom floor reminded us of what was going on outside. The drain in the floor backed up again, and this time, there was lots of black stuff in the water. I don't even want to begin the conjecture as to what it was. I mean, I was raised with a temperamental septic system, but this is something else!
After reading what I've written so far, you all must think, "Gosh, she's really ready to come home," and if you thought that, you'd be partially right. I am totally in love with the work we are doing here, but it is a challenge sometimes living in a world where so many things are done so differently. I am ready to soon return to a world where I understand the ins and outs and I can function a little more effortlessly. Do I want to go home right now? Nope. Not at all. Do I want to go home on Sunday? Yeah, I think I'll be ready then. Until the next adventure at least. ;-)
You though I was done, didn't you? Not quite. I'm about to get real serious, so hold on tight. Lately, I've been well, almost convicted to notice and feel what the people around me are dealing with. Daily, we are in this mass of people: people going to work; people selling food on the street; people loitering; people begging. It's too easy to just keep moving forward along my way and miss these souls. I really shouldn't be able to fake ignore a woman moving from car to car, begging for food, holding her half naked baby. And when that same woman puts her hand on my leg three times, asking for food, I shouldn't be able to stand it. I was moved, sure, but, I did stand it, and I don't know quite what to make of the fact that I didn't break down crying and run off to find her food. I don't suppose I'm making much sense, but there it is. I can make excuses all day long. Perhaps I should be like this to preserve my safety. Maybe. But, maybe not. Maybe this woman's being pimped out, or maybe she's just putting on a show to get money. That's not for me to decide. Something awful put her in the position she's in, whatever that position is, and I should feel for her as a child of God. I'm trying my best to see everyone, but sometimes, it's too much. It's just too much. Not to get all Jesus-y on you, but I would covet your prayers this last week as I try to figure out what to make of all these people here and how best to see each and everyone.
Until tomorrow...
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Just a few awesome things from yesterday. Yesterday afternoon, we were part of a birthday celebration, and we were served cake on sheets of brailled paper instead of paper towels or paper plates. The second really awesome thing was seeing our teaching pay off. We observed some of the O&M students teaching their students, and they did such an amazing job. It was really fantastic.
This morning and afternoon, Lauren and I went shopping. We started out at this place called Mother Earth, not too far from the hotel. We found some really great things there. I (big surprise) found some great children's books in English and other native languages. They were beautifully illustrated, but they only cost 75-200 rupees. That's $1.50 to $4. At home, I'd be okay paying $8-12 for the same thing at home. We wandered more through the store and then spent forever playing with all the beautiful pillow covers. Here, they sell the covers without the inserts, so that makes it even easier for us to get them home. I bought several beautiful covers, and I just LOVE them. No one bothered us, so we spent a lot of time just enjoying ourselves making matches.
After some shopping, we headed to MG Road, the touristy part of town. We found a McDonald's and had that adventure. It was completely and absolutely packed. In the two story place, we could only find a table that we had to share with two other people. There was no beef on the menu - only chicken and various veggie concoctions. Still, we just adored our chicken nuggets, fries, and cokes for 150ish rupees ($3). The meal was nice and bland, but the honey mustard sauce was spicy, because well, this IS India.
After that, our lovely day got a little less lovely. Being in a tourist area, we had to contend with all the beggars and pushy street vendors who shove their wares in your face. You can say no and nod your head all day long, but they creepily follow you, saying "Madam, Madam." At first, the beggars pull at my heart, because they don't always say anything and just hold out their hands, and maybe they have a half-naked baby with them, but when they touch me, it sets off the crazy in me. It just gets to be more than I can handle. On a different note, the sales people in these tourist shops are super pushy. I can't really explain it, but they won't just let you browse. They follow you around the store, and they want to show you things you don't really want. You can't just sit back and think about what to buy because some sales person is breathing down your neck.
After a while of that, we got tired of the crowds and the pushy people, and we decided to head home. We did buy some cool things, and tomorrow, we are planning on doing a bit more shopping and a pile of homework. Until then.
This morning and afternoon, Lauren and I went shopping. We started out at this place called Mother Earth, not too far from the hotel. We found some really great things there. I (big surprise) found some great children's books in English and other native languages. They were beautifully illustrated, but they only cost 75-200 rupees. That's $1.50 to $4. At home, I'd be okay paying $8-12 for the same thing at home. We wandered more through the store and then spent forever playing with all the beautiful pillow covers. Here, they sell the covers without the inserts, so that makes it even easier for us to get them home. I bought several beautiful covers, and I just LOVE them. No one bothered us, so we spent a lot of time just enjoying ourselves making matches.
After some shopping, we headed to MG Road, the touristy part of town. We found a McDonald's and had that adventure. It was completely and absolutely packed. In the two story place, we could only find a table that we had to share with two other people. There was no beef on the menu - only chicken and various veggie concoctions. Still, we just adored our chicken nuggets, fries, and cokes for 150ish rupees ($3). The meal was nice and bland, but the honey mustard sauce was spicy, because well, this IS India.
After that, our lovely day got a little less lovely. Being in a tourist area, we had to contend with all the beggars and pushy street vendors who shove their wares in your face. You can say no and nod your head all day long, but they creepily follow you, saying "Madam, Madam." At first, the beggars pull at my heart, because they don't always say anything and just hold out their hands, and maybe they have a half-naked baby with them, but when they touch me, it sets off the crazy in me. It just gets to be more than I can handle. On a different note, the sales people in these tourist shops are super pushy. I can't really explain it, but they won't just let you browse. They follow you around the store, and they want to show you things you don't really want. You can't just sit back and think about what to buy because some sales person is breathing down your neck.
After a while of that, we got tired of the crowds and the pushy people, and we decided to head home. We did buy some cool things, and tomorrow, we are planning on doing a bit more shopping and a pile of homework. Until then.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Quick word again tonight. I promise more tomorrow. I have a theory as to why we are headed to bed at 9. This place is exhausting and a overwhelming at times. There's so much noise, so many people, so much of everything. It's been great being here, but it will be nice to go home where there is quiet and room to move.
Tomorrow we are going shopping. I promise a better story then. Until then, good night!
Tomorrow we are going shopping. I promise a better story then. Until then, good night!
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