India has, so far, not been what I expected. I find myself wanting to compare all the things that I see to my trips to Uganda. I want so badly to experience India for what it is and not as a comparison to an African nation but I’m sure I will get there soon. After all, India proves to be nothing like Uganda and I’m learning that every day with every word I speak in Hindi, every water faucet I turn on, air conditioned building I walk in, camel or elephant I see, toilet I flush, or light I turn on without it failing. Of course Uganda has most of these things, but I am less shocked and appreciative when I come across them here in Jaipur. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely appreciate the AC in 110 degree Farenheight weather, but I definitely expectt it. The one thing both countries do have in common is their hospitality of the locals, their constant staring at foreigners, and their curious nature. Recently I arrived back at R.C. Gupta’s house (my host family) after class and three girls living here were insatiably curious and started calling me Didi (big sister) immediately. Brianca took me out to go buy some towels and made me talk to her male friend she called on the phone while we were walking. I tried to use Hindi as best I could but minor faults in inflection complicated all of my sentences. I’m starting to get frustrated and while my classes are definitely helping me, I have found myself getting worn out easily. Yesterday I had two Personal Tutorials in which you can work on anything you want, one on one, with one of the professors. In one PT I started going through my daily activities using all the different tenses, but by the second tutorial I just chatted about everything and anything with Prem Ji. I even explained to him how I hurt my tailbone and how it affected my 10 mile race in D.C. That was a hard story to tell in Hindi and I failed gloriously. I have to keep reminding myself that I am still barely 2 weeks into my year long program and, with time, I will speak more clearly. Prem Ji and I also had an intense bargaining moment over a pen in the classroom and I ended up walking away because he wanted to charge me too much for it. PTs are definitely harder than regular classes and I got to endure 2 hours this week. After my PTs a few of us went to Crosswords (a bookstore) and Anokhi (a coffeeshop and clothing store) far from our school. The boys went to play basketball, and I am thrilled I decided not to partake. This weather is no joke and an outdoor game of hoops sounds like a death wish here.
More later, I am off to sweat it out in my bed, hoping the numerous references to sweat and heat don’t make me sound too gross over here in India. I bathe every day and Mo can account to seeing me quite “clean” via skype. Can’t say much for her though as she had just woken up and barely working on her first cup of coffee. Hot stuff Mo.
I miss you all, for those who are reading this! Hang out on skype so we can chat! I am on twice a day catching some people either when they wake up early or are up pretty late. Or I have a phone and you can reach me at Country Code 91-756 822 1769.
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