INDIA!!!

So we made it!! The journey was pretty cruel (about 24 hours of travel), but we made it and that’s all that matters! Having my team with me, and my friend Brit (who is in another program north of here) to travel with was definitely a saving grace. After a very late night arrival we only got a glimpse of the city from the highway system, but it was pretty surprising. The heat was shocking so late at night. It actually felt as though there was an old furnace blasting heat down onto us. Then we just saw the highway life, which involves some homeless people sleeping off to the side in the grass, a few vendors set up in side lanes with their dogs, and random people standing along the roads (perhaps hitchhikers?). When we arrived they had cokes for us and got us all settled in so we could get a few hours of much needed sleep. We woke up early to catch the hotel breakfast. I had mango juice, this puffed fried bread, a potato curry (maybe?) and instant coffee...and another mango juice :). After lazing around for a while in the breakfast room, we decided to go exploring and so hired an auto rickshaw. The four of us piled in the back (Leah had to sit on Kidan’s lap) and went on a…how should I say it….Harrowing? Reckless? Insane? …ride through a small part of the city. Some roads don’t even have the stripes for lanes and the ones that do seem to be merely for decoration. We ended up at a random little market area we had found on the map and it turned out to be mostly city storefronts for little everyday items like groceries, fruit stands, movies, electronics, and hair salons. We found an awesome little sweet shop that we’re going to try and head back to later this week when we’ve exchanged more currency. We also have seen a few barbershops that are just a couple of poles with sheets and a chair along the side of the road. They must be popular since the only two I’ve noticed had business. Next we went to an awesome market (which I will name once I’m not exhausted and can remember) which was recommended by our trip coordinator back home, Dr. Mujumdar. It was awesome. You have to pay 20 rupees to get in (almost 50 cents) and it’s well worth it. It’s a huge stone enclosed square with vendors set up throughout selling handmade scarves, paintings, rugs, saris, and more. It’s hard to just “window shop”, because the vendors are sooo good at engaging you in conversation. If you’re not careful you will have 20 scarves displayed in various colors, a demonstration of how they are so fine they can pull it through a ring, and even have their adorable kids pandering to your (well, my) weakness for their smiles. I did win my first Indian haggle which I was almost excited about. While haggling is just the lay of the land here, it was difficult to walk away the winner when his little toddler lay asleep on blankets behind him. Ah well, it is all part of the process I guess, and he had a big grin as he handed me his drawings after our dealings were done. In the end we made it out without too much damage to our pockets…our mantra was “It’s only the first day, It’s only the first day” and finally headed home on another death defying auto rickshaw ride. A little room service later and we’re all full and back in our own rooms in the comfort of our A.C. to doze through an hour of the worst heat of the day. We are all hoping for an early night since we’re operating on very little sleep and it’s a struggle to stay up. I’m hoping when I read this later it all makes sense, because I’m barely hangin on before sleep! Tomorrow we start work and I can’t wait to find out more about what we’ll be working on. I’ll keep you updated and hopefully post some pictures tomorrow after work!