Friday, February 27, 2009
Religion in India
This is a short video that I recorded one of our first mornings after arriving in Sohna. They start this singing at 4:30 every morning and it goes on for approximately an hour to an hour and 1/2. Imagine being so devout to your religion that you arose every morning at 3:30-4AM everyday to go to the temple to pray and sing. We as a society moan and groan and have a hard enough time getting to church every Sunday morning. I think it would help if this guy has a more appealing voice that the villagers of Sohna could wake up to but that is just me. They may think that his voice is very stimulating. This temple where the singing and bell ringing is coming from is actually just over the embankment from our hotel. It is the temple that has the hot water springs. No matter where we traveled in India the story was the same. Everyone is very committed to their religion and that is represented by their devotion both morning and night as well as the ornate temples and mosques located throughout every city and village we passed through. There were also many temples on hilltops so that they could be closer to the gods and there were like a zillions steps that lead to those places of worship. So you can kill two birds with one stone get a killer workout and pray to the some 32,000,000 gods. They all must have buns of steel doing those steps every day! We have seen many many many gods and I am sure we will see many more. At the top of all these steps you see in the picture is a temple.....god bless them it must be like entering a triathlon every day or they have a lot to repent for.
The beauty of toilets in America
This is why you appreciate the toilets we have here in the US. I stole this picture from Kim & Sean's Blog. This picture was taken while we were in India in one of the many rest stops we visited. OK I again ask how do women with 15 yards of material wrapped around their entire body manage to use these things without getting it everywhere! There has to be a science to it......it just boggles the mind. I mean I had a hard enough time with my basic clothing to not make a mess of everthing. Thank goodness for our bathroom system. Sean I remember tried to Indianize himself and use the water system located in the bathroom stalls (as they do not use toilet paper they wash themselves). He came out of the bathroom soaking wet he apparently turned up the pressure of the water and when he tried to use it it was like giving himself a personal powerwash! Quite funny. would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for that.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Last day in Chahalka
2/2/09
We had breakfast on the farm and then Linda went on her way to the hospital facility (rat infested) we were at yesterday to do more NID work then do her massage therapy for the children stricken with Polio. She is so brave to stay with the rodents yikes. She is planning on doing 6 patients a day (hour each). We are all going to miss her especially me. we have worked side by side most everyday passing mortar. Linda what a fascinating name that was to the villagers. They would say her name over and over again. I think they liked the way it sounded. Anyways Linda is a true Rotarian. She has taken 2 months off of her life to give to people less fortunate in India. Doesn't get any better than that. We are all proud of you Linda!! We worked in the village today although I had to stay back in the morning as I was having stomach issues. I was able to pull it together by the afternoon though. At the end of the work day we played jump rope with the village and then we handed out gifts for the children and provided the soap to the girls for their new shower facility that Naswa Resort donated. They were so happy to get soap and lotion. It was a nice touch with the new bathroom facility. It was like we were handing out gold pieces they were thrilled. The caps from the Fisher Cats went over well with the boys they were all beaming and the girls looked beautiful in the scarf material that Keepsake Quilting donated and the scarves that Kristy gave me. The material that Cheryl Bonner gave was given to the woman of the village to be used as they saw fit. Crissie also did the unthinkable. She trade her baseball cap and watch for the brick layers scarf that he had worn each day for the past ten days. He was quite sure he got the better deal but Crissie was sure she got the better one. I just hope she doesn't end up with lice!! She wore that scarf proud though. The villagers were appauled. They called the brick layer a black man. They did not seem to be impressed (mostly the guys were bothered by it some of it may have been jealosy) The women of the village presented all of the women of our team with a beautiful scarf and the men were presented with a turban. Here are villagers that have nothing giving us gifts. It was very humbling. At around 6-7 we headed back to the farm for dinner. I am still not feeling quite to par. Eating very sparingly but that does not seem to help so I need to start the Cipro. Bags need to be packed & on the bus by 7 for we are headed to Delhi for the day then in the evening we take the train and head to Ramthambor. It is 11:45 so I need to get to bed.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
February 1st is NID in India
2/1/09
Today was NID in a village about 1 hour away. All along the way the yellow banners were hung wherever we went which advertised for the days event. The village was larger than I expected. We first went to the hospital where Linda will be staying for 2 weeks upon our groups departure. She will be doing massage therapy for some of the children who have been inflicted with Polio. She will stay right at the hospital I think. We took an abbreviated tour. There was a poster hung that said "Save the girl child". When I asked about it I was told with the technology of ultrasounds mothers were finding out the sex of their baby and if it was a girl terminating the pregnancy because the girl child adds nothing to the family unit. The male stays with the family and helps to support it financially. Upon meeting the dignitaries they had us go to a small village to do immunizations for about 30 min. Then we went back to the hospital for a ceremony. They bused in a bunch of kids brought in from the slums for vaccination and had the star cricket player from India there to promote the NID by providing photo ops and having him do the drops as well. After the ceremony we headed to the village where we would spend the day. ½ the group worked the first village & ½ worked in a second village. Sean and I worked together we walked to the 10 different stations that were set up all around the village. They had a hard time understanding why we would want to do the work of immunizations so they had Sean and I just inspecting. Upon returning to the main building we started at they put us all in a room in the back of the building. When Sanjev showed up he asked what was going on. When I said that we haven’t done anything yet he immediately scolded the two guys that were working with us and took us back out to one of the booths off the beaten path and drummed up a ton of children to be vaccinated. So I was able to do quite a lot. It was a powerful feeling and it felt good to know that I was helping to prevent each child from contracting Polio. I was able to save a few vials one for me and one for the incoming District Governor Michael Swinford. Traveling around India you can see the prevalent signs of Polio on the streets where people are hobbling around on their hands because their legs are not working. It is very sad and humbling to see them trying to get around and function in society. Upon returning to the main building 5 girls were off to the side and one of the officials came up to me and asked if I would come over and meet with them as they would really like to meet me. I went over and met with them of course they did not speak English so I just shook their hand, smiled and said Namaste. Then we went back to the hospital. Sean and Kim went to use the facilities while the rest of us went to another building. They ended up taking their own tour of the main floor of the hospital where they said there were rats the size of chipmunks as well as blood stained beds in the hallways. Upon eating lightly we headed out. When we headed for the bus there were about 6 monkeys picking through the trash so I was able to get a picture. Apparently they were eating the trash from our lunch plates that the doctors from the hospital had just throw out on the ground. I couldn’t believe that these educated people would do this. All in all it was a very worthwhile day and I am glad to have been a part of it and I now have a better understanding of how an NID works and how Polio is spread from one person to the next. We are headed to the farm for dinner so I need to run. While we had dinner we got a chance to talk with the doctor and someone who works for WHO(NGO)about the day. They explained that the reason we did not do as much as we thought we would be doing is because the Rotary clubs in India do not do much in the way of hands on just write checks. So they assumed the same from us no hands on. Sanjev did explain that our presence is very powerful and has a huge impact on impressing upon the villages that this is important. So important that we would travel half way around the world to participate in this day. They were very appreciative that we had come. They are looking at doing an NID every 6 weeks. It is tough to determine dates way in advance for as Polio cases crop up they need to incorporate those specific villages with a heavy presence.
Today was NID in a village about 1 hour away. All along the way the yellow banners were hung wherever we went which advertised for the days event. The village was larger than I expected. We first went to the hospital where Linda will be staying for 2 weeks upon our groups departure. She will be doing massage therapy for some of the children who have been inflicted with Polio. She will stay right at the hospital I think. We took an abbreviated tour. There was a poster hung that said "Save the girl child". When I asked about it I was told with the technology of ultrasounds mothers were finding out the sex of their baby and if it was a girl terminating the pregnancy because the girl child adds nothing to the family unit. The male stays with the family and helps to support it financially. Upon meeting the dignitaries they had us go to a small village to do immunizations for about 30 min. Then we went back to the hospital for a ceremony. They bused in a bunch of kids brought in from the slums for vaccination and had the star cricket player from India there to promote the NID by providing photo ops and having him do the drops as well. After the ceremony we headed to the village where we would spend the day. ½ the group worked the first village & ½ worked in a second village. Sean and I worked together we walked to the 10 different stations that were set up all around the village. They had a hard time understanding why we would want to do the work of immunizations so they had Sean and I just inspecting. Upon returning to the main building we started at they put us all in a room in the back of the building. When Sanjev showed up he asked what was going on. When I said that we haven’t done anything yet he immediately scolded the two guys that were working with us and took us back out to one of the booths off the beaten path and drummed up a ton of children to be vaccinated. So I was able to do quite a lot. It was a powerful feeling and it felt good to know that I was helping to prevent each child from contracting Polio. I was able to save a few vials one for me and one for the incoming District Governor Michael Swinford. Traveling around India you can see the prevalent signs of Polio on the streets where people are hobbling around on their hands because their legs are not working. It is very sad and humbling to see them trying to get around and function in society. Upon returning to the main building 5 girls were off to the side and one of the officials came up to me and asked if I would come over and meet with them as they would really like to meet me. I went over and met with them of course they did not speak English so I just shook their hand, smiled and said Namaste. Then we went back to the hospital. Sean and Kim went to use the facilities while the rest of us went to another building. They ended up taking their own tour of the main floor of the hospital where they said there were rats the size of chipmunks as well as blood stained beds in the hallways. Upon eating lightly we headed out. When we headed for the bus there were about 6 monkeys picking through the trash so I was able to get a picture. Apparently they were eating the trash from our lunch plates that the doctors from the hospital had just throw out on the ground. I couldn’t believe that these educated people would do this. All in all it was a very worthwhile day and I am glad to have been a part of it and I now have a better understanding of how an NID works and how Polio is spread from one person to the next. We are headed to the farm for dinner so I need to run. While we had dinner we got a chance to talk with the doctor and someone who works for WHO(NGO)about the day. They explained that the reason we did not do as much as we thought we would be doing is because the Rotary clubs in India do not do much in the way of hands on just write checks. So they assumed the same from us no hands on. Sanjev did explain that our presence is very powerful and has a huge impact on impressing upon the villages that this is important. So important that we would travel half way around the world to participate in this day. They were very appreciative that we had come. They are looking at doing an NID every 6 weeks. It is tough to determine dates way in advance for as Polio cases crop up they need to incorporate those specific villages with a heavy presence.
Bong smoking in India
Smoking a bong is a very common thing in India. When you drive through villages there are men sitting out on the front stoop of their businesses or homes smoking these very large bongs. I never saw any women smoking. They don't have time for they are off doing all the work (that of 10 men) In these bongs I am not clear as to weather it is primarily tobacco they are smoking or otherwise as you see men sleeping a lot in their rope beds, again in front of their homes or businesses! We all got our try at smoking a bong the women's was tobacco (and the bong was much smaller) I have not gotten a straight answer as to what the guys were smoking! Yes that is our illustrious PDG Chris Parkinson having a pull.
Day in Delhi
1/31/09
Today we spent the day in Delhi looking at a project that was completed a couple years ago. It was a technical center for girls that teaches them computer, English, henna, beautician, painting, making garments and embroidery. They have put 1000 girls through the center so far. The girls did henna on all of the women of our group then they did a public presentation in front of all the villagers as well as us. Then the students performed various dances and things for us. It was great. Then we headed to a restaurant to have lunch with the Delhi West Rotary club. Upon getting on the bus I started to feel ill. It was all I could do to keep it together until we stopped. Upon arriving I immediately jumped off the bus and headed for the facilities. After my stomach calmed down I joined the rest of the group. They provided us with a huge lunch and their wives came as well. We met an ambassadorial scholar from the US who had been in India since July. She is due to leave in 2 months. After leaving the restaurant we headed to a do some site seeing of a temple with a tour guide. After about 5 minutes we stopped to get some cameras for some of the people in our group. While waiting on the bus I again needed to use the facilities. I asked Ragu if he could find me a bathroom. He ran around going from business to business trying to find me one. He finally found one on the 5th floor of a nearby building. At this point Ragu was my night in shining armor. It was all I could do to climb the stairs. Upon arriving at the facilities it was worse than a porta-potty. Crissie came with me and upon looking at the facilities I looked at Crissie & said no way I can't use this! but she encouraged me to use it anyways "You can do it!" I had to be brave. It was the most disgusting place I had ever been. Cockroaches climbing everywhere...I held my breath and held the walls!! Then I found out the toilet did not flush I said OMG! Crissie informed me I needed to fill the bucket near the toilet with water and throw it in the toilet. Upon doing that it went everywhere. What a mess! so there I am with my little tiny Kleenex trying to clean up my mess......It was pathetic. I knew there was no way I could stay with the team so Sanjiv, who had already headed back home, turned around and came back to meet the bus in New Delhi in the UN section. Sanjiv was a true gentleman for upon picking me up we headed for the 5 star hotels to use their facilities. We passed the palace where the President lives as well as the UN. This section of New Delhi was so beautiful. Upon entering the 5 star hotel they checked the car for bombs. I went into the bathroom and was met by 2 attendants. They had mahogany toilet seats and gorgeous marble floors. The attendants opened the door for me so there I am in the bathroom with 2 attendants waiting outside the stall to service my EVERY NEED (when all I wanted them to do was wait outside) and me in the stall trying to be ever so quite. I think if I had asked them they would have accompanied me into the bathroom stall. Upon exiting the stall they got my soap for me, turned on the water and then handed me a towel to dry my hands. We went to the restaurant and had lime fizzy water with sugar and salt added to try and settle my stomach. It was actually quite good. After leaving we had to stop one more time at the Crown Plaza. Sanjiv said these places get $700-$800 per night. They were awfully beautiful. I would feel guilty staying in one of these places for less than a mile away, people are living in tents made of plastic, sleeping in the dirt and picking through the garbage for food. Apparently I was not alone in feeling ill. Sean and Chris both come home under the weather as well.
Today we spent the day in Delhi looking at a project that was completed a couple years ago. It was a technical center for girls that teaches them computer, English, henna, beautician, painting, making garments and embroidery. They have put 1000 girls through the center so far. The girls did henna on all of the women of our group then they did a public presentation in front of all the villagers as well as us. Then the students performed various dances and things for us. It was great. Then we headed to a restaurant to have lunch with the Delhi West Rotary club. Upon getting on the bus I started to feel ill. It was all I could do to keep it together until we stopped. Upon arriving I immediately jumped off the bus and headed for the facilities. After my stomach calmed down I joined the rest of the group. They provided us with a huge lunch and their wives came as well. We met an ambassadorial scholar from the US who had been in India since July. She is due to leave in 2 months. After leaving the restaurant we headed to a do some site seeing of a temple with a tour guide. After about 5 minutes we stopped to get some cameras for some of the people in our group. While waiting on the bus I again needed to use the facilities. I asked Ragu if he could find me a bathroom. He ran around going from business to business trying to find me one. He finally found one on the 5th floor of a nearby building. At this point Ragu was my night in shining armor. It was all I could do to climb the stairs. Upon arriving at the facilities it was worse than a porta-potty. Crissie came with me and upon looking at the facilities I looked at Crissie & said no way I can't use this! but she encouraged me to use it anyways "You can do it!" I had to be brave. It was the most disgusting place I had ever been. Cockroaches climbing everywhere...I held my breath and held the walls!! Then I found out the toilet did not flush I said OMG! Crissie informed me I needed to fill the bucket near the toilet with water and throw it in the toilet. Upon doing that it went everywhere. What a mess! so there I am with my little tiny Kleenex trying to clean up my mess......It was pathetic. I knew there was no way I could stay with the team so Sanjiv, who had already headed back home, turned around and came back to meet the bus in New Delhi in the UN section. Sanjiv was a true gentleman for upon picking me up we headed for the 5 star hotels to use their facilities. We passed the palace where the President lives as well as the UN. This section of New Delhi was so beautiful. Upon entering the 5 star hotel they checked the car for bombs. I went into the bathroom and was met by 2 attendants. They had mahogany toilet seats and gorgeous marble floors. The attendants opened the door for me so there I am in the bathroom with 2 attendants waiting outside the stall to service my EVERY NEED (when all I wanted them to do was wait outside) and me in the stall trying to be ever so quite. I think if I had asked them they would have accompanied me into the bathroom stall. Upon exiting the stall they got my soap for me, turned on the water and then handed me a towel to dry my hands. We went to the restaurant and had lime fizzy water with sugar and salt added to try and settle my stomach. It was actually quite good. After leaving we had to stop one more time at the Crown Plaza. Sanjiv said these places get $700-$800 per night. They were awfully beautiful. I would feel guilty staying in one of these places for less than a mile away, people are living in tents made of plastic, sleeping in the dirt and picking through the garbage for food. Apparently I was not alone in feeling ill. Sean and Chris both come home under the weather as well.
Friday, February 13, 2009
3 levels of poverty in India
After some thought and consideration I have come up with 3 levels of poverty in India that is evident to the naked eye; Poor Very Poor and Dirt Poor. One can be poor and struggle to put food on the table and live in a modest one room shack made of clay or cow dung and have a motorcycle as a means of transportation and several personal belongings including a change of clothes and a blanket for the cold nights. Then there is very poor where they are living in a tent , have a couple of personal belongings including a ripped and tattered change of clothes and if they are lucky they have a bicycle as a means of transportation but still struggle to feed the family at least twice a day many times sending the children out to beg or teach them to be acrobats to perform and then ask for money. The children are at risk in these environments. Then there is the dirt poor they live under plastic tarps or nothing at all have no belongings to speak of and live from one trash pile to the next searching for any scrap of food they can beat the pigs or cows to and resort to begging for food or money from strangers. This environment also puts the children in a very vulnerable position with no shelter or food for them to speak of.
Our important meeting with the woman of the village
1/30/09Started our day at 8AM. We walked from the farm to the job site again. Today was Linda’s day to play queen as she came down with something and had to spend the day at the farm recovering. Saw the monkeys but they were not amenable to getting their picture taken. We finished the front wall today. After lunch the senior women of the village asked us (the women)to come and meet with them. Upon arriving we sat with them while Sanjiv translated. There are 1,250 women and girls in the village of which 400-500 will be using this facility. They would like at least 2 more facilities built at other locations in the village. The women currently are walking several miles to bath in the river (with their clothes on) and several miles in the opposite directions to go to the bathroom in a field. They are very anxious for us to finish the building so they can start using it. Those who use it will have to pay something to do so, although that has yet to be determined. The money that they pay will be used for the up keep of the building as well as to hire a guard for the building. The head of the village is a women but is not seen by many. In all of the dealings with the Delhi West Rotary club they never were able to meet with her, they had to go through the husband. I don't have a feeling one way or the other as to weather she is just a figure head or weather she does have some authority within the village. It would be quite a feat if she did have authority seeings how women seem to be so oppressed in the village. We talked about what foods we grew in our respective parts of our countries as well as education. Upon leaving we found out the men had gone to play a game of cricket so we headed to the field. Crissie gave her hand at hitting & pitching. On the way to the farm it struck me as to how funny it was how all of the large commercial trucks are decorated to the hilt with stickers, garland, colored lights and flags. They seem to take great pride in the vehicle they are driving. The sunsets and sunrises are absolutely spectacular. None of the pictures I took did them justice. We can also see the Mere Space Station with binoculars from the farm. The nights have been cool I’m guessing around 50 with a slight breeze. Tomorrow we are headed to Delhi to see a school project that was completed in the slums with a matching grant. In the afternoon we will go to a temple.
A somber day in Chahalka
1/29/09
Today our day started at 8AM. Slept best I’ve slept since arriving. Great breakfast at the farm then we walked to the village instead of riding the bus. Of course I forgot the camera and the monkeys were out today! They just sat on the side of the road on the large stones near the quarry and watched us walk by. We also passed a camel drawn wagon. We are walking tomorrow as well so I need to remember the camera. The job site was more of the same; passing bricks and mortar all day. We are making great progress on the building. We found out at the end of the day that when the monsoon rains come the water comes pouring down the slope just above the building and they had not made any provisions for this. So not sure how this is going to be worked out. I did not do a good job of pacing myself at lunch time with my water intake so I ended up having to use the “facilities”. Basically what it was was a brick structure that you went into and squatted and there was a plastic PVC pipe that was at the base of the wall so upon doing your thing it went out the pipe and down the small embankment then down the road. Sean and Kim guarded the door for me and upon me starting Sean yells “they’re looking in the pipe!” so I immediately pull up my pants and everything went everywhere. I was soaked! When I resumed the giggling started as they saw my "business" flow out the pipe and down the embankment. Oh the joys of a developing country. No one ever warned me of the bathroom facilities in India. A HOLE in the floor does not constitute a toilet How on earth do women of this culture even begin to use these facilities with saris and scarves that consist of 10 yards of material without getting it all over everything. At the end of the day we got the Frisbee’s out and played that for a while then we went to the family’s home to pay our respects because of their loss of one of their daughters’ just days earlier to dehydration. The child was 1 ½ years old. It was a very somber but moving experience. We sat and all had Chai that they prepared for us. I think they were moved by the fact that we wanted to come and pay our respects. The parents held good composure for us while we were there. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Parents are not supposed to outlive their kids. I cannot imagine burying one of my children. The travesty of it all is that it was completely preventable. We all embraced the mother prior to departing. After our departure she collapsed and wept. Then we headed for the bus. After getting on the bus the camel man approached the bus to inform me that his camel had died. He was very upset about it and so therefore there was not going to any camel rides. We have to have Sanjiv find out when and why the camel died. That was not clear. Dinner was wonderful but late-goat (mutton) I think. Looking forward to the NID on Sunday.
Today our day started at 8AM. Slept best I’ve slept since arriving. Great breakfast at the farm then we walked to the village instead of riding the bus. Of course I forgot the camera and the monkeys were out today! They just sat on the side of the road on the large stones near the quarry and watched us walk by. We also passed a camel drawn wagon. We are walking tomorrow as well so I need to remember the camera. The job site was more of the same; passing bricks and mortar all day. We are making great progress on the building. We found out at the end of the day that when the monsoon rains come the water comes pouring down the slope just above the building and they had not made any provisions for this. So not sure how this is going to be worked out. I did not do a good job of pacing myself at lunch time with my water intake so I ended up having to use the “facilities”. Basically what it was was a brick structure that you went into and squatted and there was a plastic PVC pipe that was at the base of the wall so upon doing your thing it went out the pipe and down the small embankment then down the road. Sean and Kim guarded the door for me and upon me starting Sean yells “they’re looking in the pipe!” so I immediately pull up my pants and everything went everywhere. I was soaked! When I resumed the giggling started as they saw my "business" flow out the pipe and down the embankment. Oh the joys of a developing country. No one ever warned me of the bathroom facilities in India. A HOLE in the floor does not constitute a toilet How on earth do women of this culture even begin to use these facilities with saris and scarves that consist of 10 yards of material without getting it all over everything. At the end of the day we got the Frisbee’s out and played that for a while then we went to the family’s home to pay our respects because of their loss of one of their daughters’ just days earlier to dehydration. The child was 1 ½ years old. It was a very somber but moving experience. We sat and all had Chai that they prepared for us. I think they were moved by the fact that we wanted to come and pay our respects. The parents held good composure for us while we were there. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Parents are not supposed to outlive their kids. I cannot imagine burying one of my children. The travesty of it all is that it was completely preventable. We all embraced the mother prior to departing. After our departure she collapsed and wept. Then we headed for the bus. After getting on the bus the camel man approached the bus to inform me that his camel had died. He was very upset about it and so therefore there was not going to any camel rides. We have to have Sanjiv find out when and why the camel died. That was not clear. Dinner was wonderful but late-goat (mutton) I think. Looking forward to the NID on Sunday.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The ABC's of driving in India-Anything goes!
There are no words to describe the chaotic symphony that goes on in the streets of India. We are driving on the left side of the road with drivers on the right. There are tractors pulling huge loads that are over flowing, cows roaming where ever they may as they are holy so can wander and roam freely eating from where ever they want, camels pulling enormous loads, pedestrians, bicycles, took tooks with people hanging off what is suppose to seat maybe 4 people have 15 hanging off, rickshaws (bycycles)carrying several people or a large load , pick ups with 50 or so people in the back, mangy malnutritioned dogs , filthy buses with standing room only, motorcycles with whole families on them I saw up to 5 people on one mc (only the driver wears a helmet for if there was an accident of course the driver would be the only one hurt not the children or infants who are on board, commercial trucks with huge loads and people piled on top of the load-they don't know the meaning of a weight limit and oh yes cars. Everyone seems to allow for the chaos as it doesn't appear that there are tempers flaring with everyone driving about an inch from the tailgate of the vehicle in front of them. And of course you can not function in the traffic if you are not laying on the horn every five seconds....you would not survive a minute if you didn't use the horn you would be eaten alive. They must need brakes replaced once a month. If there are 3 painted lanes on the road they have created at least 5-6 lanes and many times can be seen creating an additional lane on the side walk. You can pass anyone any where at any time as long as you use your horn consistently while you are passing. The more you use the horn the happier everyone is. Even the large commercial trucks and took tooks have written on the back of their vehicles PLEASE HONK HORN or PLEASE USE HORN. They also have written PLEASE USE YOUR DIPPERS AT NIGHT (instead of dimmers) It is utter chaos! Then watch out for the countless MEN drivers who pull over to the side of the road anywhere and relieve themselves where ever they may. How lovely! If it runs it is allowed on the road. India where anything goes
The holy city of Sohna
1/28/09
Well no sign of the spider….thank goodness. I woke to singing from the temple. It is eerily magnificent. Religion is such an integral part of there existence and every day living. Such a compassion for all of the many god and goddesses. I have much respect and admiration for their devote dedication. Off to the work site. Today we started on the above ground walls. The boundary controversy was solved so we could start the back wall. The facility will have 35 toilets and I think several common shower areas I’m not clear on that. In what I have seen of rural India so far the women seem to be the backbone of the country. They do all the work while the men seem to lounge around, sit on their haunches, sleep, pay cards, get stoned and chat. The children are taking care of the children because the mothers are off taking care of the household. The women and older girls generally do not like to have their picture taken. Every time I try to get their picture they run away or cover their face. We had a nice treat today and went to the holy village of Sohna this afternoon and were able to walk through the villages tiny narrow streets to the temple. There are approximately 30,000 people in this village. Before entering the temple we had to take our shoes off. I was able to get a few girls to let me take their picture. In the temple they have hot springs which you can bath in. There is a women’s and men’s section. We went to the women’s section and found them not only bathing but also washing their clothes. Sean dared to venture to the springs with Elias which is something I dont think he wishes to do again in his lifetime. He said it was the most disgusting thing he has ever done. It was very dirty & dingy but the women and girls that were there seemed to truly enjoy it. Then we had a monk or the holy men as they are called who aspire to pray and ask for money for they believe that the world will provide for them, who was writing Uh mm in Hindi on our hands he also wrote Cassandra down both of the insides of my arms. This temple was built around a monk who lived under this very large tree that still stands on the property and near the hot springs. They build the temple around him because they believed the springs supposedly had magical healing powers. So people pay 20 rupees to use the spa which they feel have many healing powers. We were able to go around the temple and Sanjiv taught us about the many different gods and their purposes. It was quite fascinating. While walking back to the bus we were able to watch the “omelet man” make omelets. It was very interesting. We also went by several tailor, the bank (very primitive-tried to get a job but it was run by men only why does that not surprise me!) and shoe repair places. We stopped for some quick photos in the market and Elias thinks several of them were proposing marriage so we quickly headed on our way. Then back to the farm for dinner.
Well no sign of the spider….thank goodness. I woke to singing from the temple. It is eerily magnificent. Religion is such an integral part of there existence and every day living. Such a compassion for all of the many god and goddesses. I have much respect and admiration for their devote dedication. Off to the work site. Today we started on the above ground walls. The boundary controversy was solved so we could start the back wall. The facility will have 35 toilets and I think several common shower areas I’m not clear on that. In what I have seen of rural India so far the women seem to be the backbone of the country. They do all the work while the men seem to lounge around, sit on their haunches, sleep, pay cards, get stoned and chat. The children are taking care of the children because the mothers are off taking care of the household. The women and older girls generally do not like to have their picture taken. Every time I try to get their picture they run away or cover their face. We had a nice treat today and went to the holy village of Sohna this afternoon and were able to walk through the villages tiny narrow streets to the temple. There are approximately 30,000 people in this village. Before entering the temple we had to take our shoes off. I was able to get a few girls to let me take their picture. In the temple they have hot springs which you can bath in. There is a women’s and men’s section. We went to the women’s section and found them not only bathing but also washing their clothes. Sean dared to venture to the springs with Elias which is something I dont think he wishes to do again in his lifetime. He said it was the most disgusting thing he has ever done. It was very dirty & dingy but the women and girls that were there seemed to truly enjoy it. Then we had a monk or the holy men as they are called who aspire to pray and ask for money for they believe that the world will provide for them, who was writing Uh mm in Hindi on our hands he also wrote Cassandra down both of the insides of my arms. This temple was built around a monk who lived under this very large tree that still stands on the property and near the hot springs. They build the temple around him because they believed the springs supposedly had magical healing powers. So people pay 20 rupees to use the spa which they feel have many healing powers. We were able to go around the temple and Sanjiv taught us about the many different gods and their purposes. It was quite fascinating. While walking back to the bus we were able to watch the “omelet man” make omelets. It was very interesting. We also went by several tailor, the bank (very primitive-tried to get a job but it was run by men only why does that not surprise me!) and shoe repair places. We stopped for some quick photos in the market and Elias thinks several of them were proposing marriage so we quickly headed on our way. Then back to the farm for dinner.
The camel guy & the fire
1/27/09
Well didn’t get much sleep as I was up watching for the spider who appeared again at 1:00. They said they would fumigate the room while we were away on the site. Breakfast on the farm was lovely as usually. Elias went to Delhi with Sanjiv to talk with the Rotary club about the project. So we flew solo today. After working for a while a fight broke out over the back corner of the building to the point that it turned into a fist fight and bricks that had been laid were being pulled out and thrown aside. We stopped working on that corner and focused on the rest of the building. Not too long after that a fire broke out there was some debate as to what started it. Some say a match; Kim thought it was because the pile of grass that was peeked up in a pile was touching the electrical wire. Radu and Mohammad were our helpers with the mortar today. Radu is very demanding never allowing for any breaks (especially my baby fix breaks!) He is being paid to be there yet wants me to do all the heavy lifting for him so there is a constant power struggle going on. Mohammad on the other hand is very easy going. I am an expert mortar maker now with all the practice I got today. We got all 3 brick walls finished up to the ground level. I finally met the camel man in person Rockmashine (spelling?). He has a very special whistle with his fingers. When he started whistling I started whistling. He was very excited so we sort of have whistling shoot offs throughout the day. The kids are always trying to get me to whistle as well. After whistiling I usually have a mouth full of sand particles stuck in my teeth. Yumm! He is such a pleasant mannered man and I believe he has some sort of status in the village. He has tiny gold implants in the center of his teeth & he has a beautiful smile. He has promised to take me for a camel ride I am very excited about the possibility. We were happy to have had an early dinner and got back to our hotel by 7:30. Kim was gracious and washed my hair which was fantastic. Sean was nice enough to put up with me.
Well didn’t get much sleep as I was up watching for the spider who appeared again at 1:00. They said they would fumigate the room while we were away on the site. Breakfast on the farm was lovely as usually. Elias went to Delhi with Sanjiv to talk with the Rotary club about the project. So we flew solo today. After working for a while a fight broke out over the back corner of the building to the point that it turned into a fist fight and bricks that had been laid were being pulled out and thrown aside. We stopped working on that corner and focused on the rest of the building. Not too long after that a fire broke out there was some debate as to what started it. Some say a match; Kim thought it was because the pile of grass that was peeked up in a pile was touching the electrical wire. Radu and Mohammad were our helpers with the mortar today. Radu is very demanding never allowing for any breaks (especially my baby fix breaks!) He is being paid to be there yet wants me to do all the heavy lifting for him so there is a constant power struggle going on. Mohammad on the other hand is very easy going. I am an expert mortar maker now with all the practice I got today. We got all 3 brick walls finished up to the ground level. I finally met the camel man in person Rockmashine (spelling?). He has a very special whistle with his fingers. When he started whistling I started whistling. He was very excited so we sort of have whistling shoot offs throughout the day. The kids are always trying to get me to whistle as well. After whistiling I usually have a mouth full of sand particles stuck in my teeth. Yumm! He is such a pleasant mannered man and I believe he has some sort of status in the village. He has tiny gold implants in the center of his teeth & he has a beautiful smile. He has promised to take me for a camel ride I am very excited about the possibility. We were happy to have had an early dinner and got back to our hotel by 7:30. Kim was gracious and washed my hair which was fantastic. Sean was nice enough to put up with me.
Children of India
The children I have seen in in India are happy, resourceful, witty, shy, strong (because they have to be to survive) and all beautiful. No matter how dirty, unkempt, naked, scrawny, bewildered with fear or curiosity, runny nosed they all are they still fill the heart with a spark of happiness and hope. They will be the change that needs to happen in India. It has to start with the women and children for the men are just not getting it done! When they look at you with the questioning look and you smile at them and they return the smile it can't help but warm the heart. They are the face & the future of India. They need something to aspire to so as not to feel trapped in the world of years gone by. There is much work to be done to turn there futures around.
Rebublic Day in India
1/26/09
I didn’t feel like I got much rest felt like I was going to over sleep. I got up at 4:30 to a Hindu mantra echoing over an intercom system at a nearby temple. Today is Republic Day in India. So it is a national holiday. We started the day at 7:30 by heading to the farm for breakfast. On our way in there was a good size group of monkeys sitting on the side of the road couldn’t get a picture as I was on the wrong side of the bus and the roads are miserably bumpy. We arrived to the village by about 9:30AM for a ceremony at the technical center that was created by last year’s Dream Team. Upon crossing the school yard I noticed a casket. We found out later that a child of 1 1/2 years of age had passed away from dehidration. What a travisty for the family and village.
I didn’t feel like I got much rest felt like I was going to over sleep. I got up at 4:30 to a Hindu mantra echoing over an intercom system at a nearby temple. Today is Republic Day in India. So it is a national holiday. We started the day at 7:30 by heading to the farm for breakfast. On our way in there was a good size group of monkeys sitting on the side of the road couldn’t get a picture as I was on the wrong side of the bus and the roads are miserably bumpy. We arrived to the village by about 9:30AM for a ceremony at the technical center that was created by last year’s Dream Team. Upon crossing the school yard I noticed a casket. We found out later that a child of 1 1/2 years of age had passed away from dehidration. What a travisty for the family and village.
At the start of the ceremony Elias was asked to do the India flag then the students all sang the Indian national anthem. Upon entering the computer lab each male student was asked to stand up state their name and their father’s name, how much school they had completed, age and what they had learned over the past 6 months. When asked about girls attending class I was told that girls are allowed to go to school through grade 5-6 they then are taken out of school and are taught how to keep a home and are married off by the ages of 12-14 years. The girls are having babies as young as 12. What a life to aspire to. The women here appear to do all the work. It is the women’s job to get the water for the family from the town well then carry it back to their homes on their heads. Some even stack two cantinas on their heads. It is just amazing! Then they are responsible for getting wood so the scavenge these bushes that have thorns on them up to 3” long and bundle them up and carry again on their heads. In many circumstances they travel great distances to get the bush and then carry the bundle back to their homes. Then they are responsible for rounding up the cow dung, patting them into patties and then letting them bake and dry in the sun. Every patty maker has her own design. They also use the patties for building houses and houses that store the dried dung as well as for fuel. After the ceremony we went to work. We did cement again and laid bricks. It was very warm in the sun. It definitely felt warmer then yesterday. It probably seems warmer because we (the women) are expected to wear long sleeve shirts, pants and a head covering at all times. I was able to hold a couple babies today. One was relatively young maybe a month or so. He relieved himself on me so when I handed him to Crissie I told her his back and bottom were wet. Not 10 min. later he proceeded to relieve himself again getting Crissie soaked. The boys are quite enamored with Crissie. She is the youngest of the group and her blonde hair and fair skin just captivates them. So while doing cement today Crissie was at the beginning of the assembly line and every time she bent over her tattoo on her lower back would show. She had quite an audience of children all pointing and staring at it. We left the village at about 2PM so we could attend a celebration in another village. We arrived in the village and were welcomed with garlands of marigolds again. The women place the garlands on the women in our group. I had 3 put on me one women even kissed my feet. We then all sat down with the village council and they pulled out this tall long bong. The council all had a pull on it then Elias was asked to join in. Then Sean and Chris smoked from the large one I was then asked so I was given a small bong. Wasn’t sure what it would taste like but it tasted like regular tobacco. I don’t think the guys bong was tobacco though! After that we looked at a building that they would like renovated and also got a chance to look at their 7 classrooms and the building of their new Mosque. We all then jumped into a steel wagon pulled by a tractor and headed off for the wrestling match which was already underway. Upon arriving to the games the games were stopped and all eyes were on us. There were probably 2000 men no women at the event. The sea of men parted as we entered the arena. It felt really weird. We were given front row seats to the event. We were then asked to go out in the middle of the dirt field and meet the two final teams in the running shake their hands and then have our pictures taken with each team. It was hard to follow the rules of the game as it was kind of complicated to know what counted points wise and what didn’t. There were 2 teams of 5. 4 of them stayed on the field at all times with their hands joined making like a wall the one member of the apposing team would try and break the wall and pick one of the 4 to try and take down in a wrestle. They were safe if they managed to get back to the middle of the field to where there was a white line. They also had a running race where 2 of the oldest men there had a running race twice around the field. There appeared to be some sort of a prince present sitting up on this structure behind us. He was heavily guarded and looked to be a young teenager. After the match we headed back to the hotel. I decided to bow out of dinner so I could catch up on this and try and get some rest but I have just encountered my first very large spider! Small tarantula is what it looked like. The size of a large mouse. Help me god. I thought I was going to have a breakdown! I was sitting on my bed typing when some movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. So I leaned over the bed to look into the bathroom where I saw the movement go. As soon as I leaned over the huge spider scurried across the floor and back under my curtains that goes out to the balcony. I totally freaked standing on my bed shrieking. I ran down to the front desk and they came down but could not find the spider. I am so nervous now don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep knowing that is in my room. They came to my room and plugged something in one of the outlets that is supposed to keep mosquitoes and spiders away. I don’t hold much hope out for that. Better sleep with the lights on
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