I cannot really describe the feelings that I went through on the plane ride here. It was many hours and left me to my thoughts for far too long. I thought about all the things that have happened since I have graduated from college, it seems like just a year ago I graduated but in fact it has been three years and here I am on a plane to India! How has this come to be?!? I also thought about missing my family and the ability to communicate with them. Receiving a text, calling whenever I want, texting a simple message, or getting a funny picture from my family-all are things that I value and took for granted for so long. I will miss these things greatly. I know I will also miss getting hugged. Often I am hugged by people at home or on rare occasion a youth at work. I love hugs and I fear it will be a while before I get a good hug, especially since affection between Jonathan and I seems to be inappropriate in the cultural setting we are in.
When we arrived in India it was very late at night so I couldn't see much as we landed, which typically is one of my favorite things about flying into an area I have never been to. Right from the start I was thrown into the chaotic world of Incredible India. Right outside the airport there were hundreds of people standing, waiting, and watching. They were all so beautiful, smiling, waving to their loved ones, and wearing such vibrant colors. We met our field director Jenna and within minutes our bags were picked up by several Indian men who were going to be hosting us and of course greeted is with such big smiles. Next thing we were in an old van zooming in and out of traffic. All of it was very overwhelming and chaotic, the noises, the smells, the people, the honking, and the swerving of the van.
Soon, I was settled into my room for the night. I was all alone in my room which made me feel slightly lonely as it was my first night in an extremely different environment. But as I lay in the dark room with the honking of vehicles in the background and the cool air from the air-conditioner I became comfortable and eased into sleeping.
The next day was just lovely. I experienced my first Indian breakfast, the true heat and sun of India, Indian coffee, Indian masala (chai), and Indian lunch foods. I must say eating with no utensils is challenging and not being able to use my left hand has proved to be difficult, but you adapt rather quickly. I have not had a meal that did not involve rice since I have arrived. And man are they pushy with that rice. It is assumed that you must eat at least 2 full cups of rice or you must not be satisfied. I enjoy the food. We went to the beach in Chennai which was a very beautiful experience. People don't really swim there, they just sort of stand on the edge of the water and let their legs get splashed from the rather large waves. Some younger boys go into the water and bounce in the waves. The little ones all stand right on the edge holding their parents hands laughing as each wave pounds against them fighting to go just a little closer. On our ride to the beach I was struck by how so many people just lay down anywhere on the street or sidewalk. I was also struck by the lack of sanitation. There are some rivers that run through Chennai but they mostly seem to be raw sewage.
Last night we rode an overnight train to Trichy which is where my placement is. The train ride was quite the experience. The only toilet available was an Indian style toilet. In the morning, at 5:30, we got off the train at the wrong stop and then suddenly a man yelled that we were to get back on. Now this would seem easy if the door on the train was wide and had stairs, but that was not the case. It was a skinny doorway with no real step. Here we are with all our luggage and the train has started to move. It was scary, but hey I guess I can say I survived jumping on a train that was moving, of course not very fast, but nonetheless-extremely scary. After that I had gotten a huge rush of adrenaline which made me sick to my stomach which then suddenly turned into me having to use the Indian style toilet as I got my first bout of travelers sickness. I survived my first Indian toilet in the most unpleasant of possible experiences. Thank goodness I had brought my own toilet paper!
Well, on to better things. I got over that quickly with some water and rest. Today Jonathan and I got the experience of taking money out of the atm and buying some beautiful mangoes! The mangoes tasted lovely and we also got bananas which are now my favorite as they are a different variety than we have at home. They stay green and are not as intense of a flavor.
We have mostly been spending our time taking Tamil lessons and going over paper work which is kind of boring but tomorrow we will go to our school and meet our students at an assembly. I am excited and nervous. I hope that I am able to effectively communicate with them and I hope they accept me.
Mark and Lois, I miss you both so much. I hope you are doing well.
Mom and Bob, I had so much fun with you both. Mom I loved working at the food pantry with you. The work you do is really beautiful and it helps so many people-I hope you know that. You are truly a beautiful person. Bob, I keep thinking about our lunch together and I forgot to really tell you thank you and how much I valued that time with just you. I love you both and miss you terribly. I will call when I figure out the phone situation.
Erika my lovely and beautiful sister. I miss you greatly. I am so glad that I got to see you before I left, I enjoyed camping so much and obviously loved seeing Andy Griffith with you! I will also call you once I figure out the phone situation!
-Kylie
When we arrived in India it was very late at night so I couldn't see much as we landed, which typically is one of my favorite things about flying into an area I have never been to. Right from the start I was thrown into the chaotic world of Incredible India. Right outside the airport there were hundreds of people standing, waiting, and watching. They were all so beautiful, smiling, waving to their loved ones, and wearing such vibrant colors. We met our field director Jenna and within minutes our bags were picked up by several Indian men who were going to be hosting us and of course greeted is with such big smiles. Next thing we were in an old van zooming in and out of traffic. All of it was very overwhelming and chaotic, the noises, the smells, the people, the honking, and the swerving of the van.
Soon, I was settled into my room for the night. I was all alone in my room which made me feel slightly lonely as it was my first night in an extremely different environment. But as I lay in the dark room with the honking of vehicles in the background and the cool air from the air-conditioner I became comfortable and eased into sleeping.
The next day was just lovely. I experienced my first Indian breakfast, the true heat and sun of India, Indian coffee, Indian masala (chai), and Indian lunch foods. I must say eating with no utensils is challenging and not being able to use my left hand has proved to be difficult, but you adapt rather quickly. I have not had a meal that did not involve rice since I have arrived. And man are they pushy with that rice. It is assumed that you must eat at least 2 full cups of rice or you must not be satisfied. I enjoy the food. We went to the beach in Chennai which was a very beautiful experience. People don't really swim there, they just sort of stand on the edge of the water and let their legs get splashed from the rather large waves. Some younger boys go into the water and bounce in the waves. The little ones all stand right on the edge holding their parents hands laughing as each wave pounds against them fighting to go just a little closer. On our ride to the beach I was struck by how so many people just lay down anywhere on the street or sidewalk. I was also struck by the lack of sanitation. There are some rivers that run through Chennai but they mostly seem to be raw sewage.
Last night we rode an overnight train to Trichy which is where my placement is. The train ride was quite the experience. The only toilet available was an Indian style toilet. In the morning, at 5:30, we got off the train at the wrong stop and then suddenly a man yelled that we were to get back on. Now this would seem easy if the door on the train was wide and had stairs, but that was not the case. It was a skinny doorway with no real step. Here we are with all our luggage and the train has started to move. It was scary, but hey I guess I can say I survived jumping on a train that was moving, of course not very fast, but nonetheless-extremely scary. After that I had gotten a huge rush of adrenaline which made me sick to my stomach which then suddenly turned into me having to use the Indian style toilet as I got my first bout of travelers sickness. I survived my first Indian toilet in the most unpleasant of possible experiences. Thank goodness I had brought my own toilet paper!
Well, on to better things. I got over that quickly with some water and rest. Today Jonathan and I got the experience of taking money out of the atm and buying some beautiful mangoes! The mangoes tasted lovely and we also got bananas which are now my favorite as they are a different variety than we have at home. They stay green and are not as intense of a flavor.
We have mostly been spending our time taking Tamil lessons and going over paper work which is kind of boring but tomorrow we will go to our school and meet our students at an assembly. I am excited and nervous. I hope that I am able to effectively communicate with them and I hope they accept me.
Mark and Lois, I miss you both so much. I hope you are doing well.
Mom and Bob, I had so much fun with you both. Mom I loved working at the food pantry with you. The work you do is really beautiful and it helps so many people-I hope you know that. You are truly a beautiful person. Bob, I keep thinking about our lunch together and I forgot to really tell you thank you and how much I valued that time with just you. I love you both and miss you terribly. I will call when I figure out the phone situation.
Erika my lovely and beautiful sister. I miss you greatly. I am so glad that I got to see you before I left, I enjoyed camping so much and obviously loved seeing Andy Griffith with you! I will also call you once I figure out the phone situation!
-Kylie
Sister! I loved your blog! I'm glad you survived the moving train! That does sound scary but honestly the toilet experience sounds worse! I love you lots and can't wait to see some pictures soon, are you taking any? I know you don't want to be "stuck behind the camera" the entire time!
ReplyDeleteLove you so much!!!
Erie
XOXO
I have not been taking any photos. I have been taking it all in and mostly forget my camera-as you said I don't want to be stuck behind the camera. But don't worry I will take some photos!
DeleteWhat adventures you are having! Love the updates!
ReplyDeleteDoes an Indian toilet come with an instruction manual? So much to learn and experience.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Bob
The Indian toilet does not come with a manual but we do have a college aged Indian woman staying with us and helping us get acclimated. She attends university in NYC so she is an great resource and also acts as our translator which is super helpful. Her mother is also staying with us and she is extremely friendly and knowledgeable and loves to share her knowledge with us. On the train ride Anesha's mother told me about the toilet! Thank goodness for our patient and gracious Indian friends!
Delete