Today we went to the school. It was so beautiful. When we arrived all the students were on break out in the stadium. When we arrived they all turned and looked at us and then slowly moved over toward us. Before I knew it I was completely encircled with children all giggling and smiling at me. Jonathan was very anxious being on display and started playing badminton. All the girls were watching him and I started to clap every time he hit one and the girls followed suit. I also felt anxious being on display as well but I stood there and began asking how they were and what their names were. They were all so curious and just beautiful. A lot of women wear flowers in their hair and I told one of the girls that I liked her flower and she blushed and tried to hide behind her friend. They are all so shy.
We then observed a classroom which was very different. I am so used to youth who are not interested in their own academic success. It felt odd to be in a classroom filled to the brim with young women who were over eager about school. They all recite what the teacher asks them to and they are very well disciplined in their ability to work independently. They take ownership over their education. We also learned today that it is a law in India that each child no matter their socio-economic status have a right to an education.
Yesterday Ravanan (our caretaker) told us that today's lunch would be extremely spicy, Wednesdays are spicy food days! Well he certainly was right! We had rice (of course) with two super super spicy sauces, one had boiled eggs in it. There were also potatoes which were extremely spicy and yogurt to kill the spice! They all were so tasty! For the rest of the day my whole chest and stomach burned especially since the air around me is so oppressive.
We then went to the mall which was not really a mall in the Western sense. It was more like two shops next to each other with a few small food stands around it. I bought some beautiful Indian clothes. I bought 3 tops, two pants, and a lovely skirt. Jonathan bought some slacks. We then went across the way to the small food stands and I got fresh sweet lime soda-it was deliciously refreshing. Jonathan got a chai tea which was perfect! He then was very tempted by the mango lassi and soon caved-boy was it worth it! All those yogurt products definitely help to ease the burning in my tummy. We also picked up cell phones. We then rode an auto to and from the mall. It was fun and a little scary at moments. Two children on a bus near us kept waving at me.
It was another very pleasant day. We are about to eat dinner and Ravanan is eating with us as I insisted that he eat with us and not after us. He only speaks Tamil so I hope that I will be able to communicate with him after Anesha (our lovely Tamil translator) leaves. I really like him and appreciate him but it is so hard to convey that. We learned that we can call him uncle in Tamil and he will be honored by that. Hopefully I will find other ways to let him know that I appreciate him. I hope dinner is not too spicy...
We then observed a classroom which was very different. I am so used to youth who are not interested in their own academic success. It felt odd to be in a classroom filled to the brim with young women who were over eager about school. They all recite what the teacher asks them to and they are very well disciplined in their ability to work independently. They take ownership over their education. We also learned today that it is a law in India that each child no matter their socio-economic status have a right to an education.
Yesterday Ravanan (our caretaker) told us that today's lunch would be extremely spicy, Wednesdays are spicy food days! Well he certainly was right! We had rice (of course) with two super super spicy sauces, one had boiled eggs in it. There were also potatoes which were extremely spicy and yogurt to kill the spice! They all were so tasty! For the rest of the day my whole chest and stomach burned especially since the air around me is so oppressive.
We then went to the mall which was not really a mall in the Western sense. It was more like two shops next to each other with a few small food stands around it. I bought some beautiful Indian clothes. I bought 3 tops, two pants, and a lovely skirt. Jonathan bought some slacks. We then went across the way to the small food stands and I got fresh sweet lime soda-it was deliciously refreshing. Jonathan got a chai tea which was perfect! He then was very tempted by the mango lassi and soon caved-boy was it worth it! All those yogurt products definitely help to ease the burning in my tummy. We also picked up cell phones. We then rode an auto to and from the mall. It was fun and a little scary at moments. Two children on a bus near us kept waving at me.
It was another very pleasant day. We are about to eat dinner and Ravanan is eating with us as I insisted that he eat with us and not after us. He only speaks Tamil so I hope that I will be able to communicate with him after Anesha (our lovely Tamil translator) leaves. I really like him and appreciate him but it is so hard to convey that. We learned that we can call him uncle in Tamil and he will be honored by that. Hopefully I will find other ways to let him know that I appreciate him. I hope dinner is not too spicy...
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