For the first time since arriving here, I didn't have time to post the last two days. Being busy is a very nice feeling after so many days of boredom, especially when it's a fun busy.
Today was my second day working at Manavya. On Saturday I went for two hours and today I was there all day. I ride in a van with others who live in Pune. Though I don't understand most of what's being said, it's nice to be around people who aren't related to me for a change.
The children seem excited to have me there, both because I give them attention and because I'm a novelty. The girls want to know all about me and the boys seem to want to protect me. Gotta love kids.
They really are a lovable group. Well, most of them. There's always a bad apple or two in the bunch. It's so easy to forget that these children are sick, because they are so incredibly happy and smiley and rambunctious. They are all aware that even with medication their lives will be short. So they are embracing the time they have. It's inspiring!
Starting Wednesday they will be in school all day during the week, so I won't be able to go play with them. Instead I'll be working in the office learning the administrative side of the organization. Sounds boring but looks good on a resume.
Yesterday I spent the afternoon with hubby's best friend. Wow was it good to talk to someone (close to) my age who speaks fluent English and totally gets the outside perspective of this family. We chatted over coffee, hit up a bookstore and a crazy grocery store that carries lots of imported items, and watched a movie. Movies in India are awesome. Though the choices were limited (because, this being India, the Hindi movies do not have English subtitles) I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The new X-Men movie is not half bad, just fyi. Even if you're not into the comic book movies (I definitely am not).
When you buy tickets to a movie here, you get assigned seats as if you were going to see a play. And, like a play, there's an intermission halfway through the movie where everyone runs to the concessions stand. But the most interesting part was before the movie started. I'm sitting there, minding my own business, when all of the sudden everyone jumps up out of their seats. The Indian flag appeared on the screen and the national anthem played. I have never seen even a single Indian stand so erect in my life, nevermind a group of about 200. It was incredible! They all stood straight and tall, shoulders back, perfectly still like soldiers at attention. And they sang! No one was looking at their phone, or commenting to the person next to each other, or any of that. It was honestly a little surreal to watch. As soon as the anthem was over they returned to normal, slouching in their seats, yelling across the aisles, letting their phones ring for far too long before answering.
I feel so much more at home in India now than I ever could have imagined possible during that first trip. Anyone who has known me for five minutes knows I don't like dirt, I don't like bugs, I don't like crowds. So I should basically be allergic to India, right? But instead I'm completely at east about it. Step in a puddle wearing sandals? Oh well, my foot will dry. Flies perching on every part of my body regardless of whether I'm moving or stationary? Eh, let em perch. Children who just ran barefoot through the mud and/or the bathroom trying on my shoes? I was planning to throw them away when I go home anyway, no biggie.
I think part of it is that I was more prepared this time. I knew what to expect, and knew things like not to bring my favorite flip flops because they would be destroyed, and not to bring my regular purse because it too would be destroyed. I basically brought only clothes that were bought in India the last time, plus one pair of jeans and some tshirts. My sneakers, which only come out of hiding for the gym and will be going through the washer as soon as I land in the U.S., ratty flip flops for wearing around the house and sandals that were bought in India that I never wear. With the exception of the sneakers, the shoes are going in the trash on my way to the airport. Same with the purse I'm carrying here. And some other things I'm sure. So I don't feel as tense when whatever I'm wearing gets dirty in a way I know will never come clean. It's no big deal. And the dirt and crowds and touchy feely people are just part of the package. It can't do anything to me that will last, so why worry? That mindset (which I really hope sticks) is a huge part of making this an experience and not just survival. And I'm lovin it.
Today was my second day working at Manavya. On Saturday I went for two hours and today I was there all day. I ride in a van with others who live in Pune. Though I don't understand most of what's being said, it's nice to be around people who aren't related to me for a change.
The children seem excited to have me there, both because I give them attention and because I'm a novelty. The girls want to know all about me and the boys seem to want to protect me. Gotta love kids.
They really are a lovable group. Well, most of them. There's always a bad apple or two in the bunch. It's so easy to forget that these children are sick, because they are so incredibly happy and smiley and rambunctious. They are all aware that even with medication their lives will be short. So they are embracing the time they have. It's inspiring!
Starting Wednesday they will be in school all day during the week, so I won't be able to go play with them. Instead I'll be working in the office learning the administrative side of the organization. Sounds boring but looks good on a resume.
Yesterday I spent the afternoon with hubby's best friend. Wow was it good to talk to someone (close to) my age who speaks fluent English and totally gets the outside perspective of this family. We chatted over coffee, hit up a bookstore and a crazy grocery store that carries lots of imported items, and watched a movie. Movies in India are awesome. Though the choices were limited (because, this being India, the Hindi movies do not have English subtitles) I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The new X-Men movie is not half bad, just fyi. Even if you're not into the comic book movies (I definitely am not).
When you buy tickets to a movie here, you get assigned seats as if you were going to see a play. And, like a play, there's an intermission halfway through the movie where everyone runs to the concessions stand. But the most interesting part was before the movie started. I'm sitting there, minding my own business, when all of the sudden everyone jumps up out of their seats. The Indian flag appeared on the screen and the national anthem played. I have never seen even a single Indian stand so erect in my life, nevermind a group of about 200. It was incredible! They all stood straight and tall, shoulders back, perfectly still like soldiers at attention. And they sang! No one was looking at their phone, or commenting to the person next to each other, or any of that. It was honestly a little surreal to watch. As soon as the anthem was over they returned to normal, slouching in their seats, yelling across the aisles, letting their phones ring for far too long before answering.
I feel so much more at home in India now than I ever could have imagined possible during that first trip. Anyone who has known me for five minutes knows I don't like dirt, I don't like bugs, I don't like crowds. So I should basically be allergic to India, right? But instead I'm completely at east about it. Step in a puddle wearing sandals? Oh well, my foot will dry. Flies perching on every part of my body regardless of whether I'm moving or stationary? Eh, let em perch. Children who just ran barefoot through the mud and/or the bathroom trying on my shoes? I was planning to throw them away when I go home anyway, no biggie.
I think part of it is that I was more prepared this time. I knew what to expect, and knew things like not to bring my favorite flip flops because they would be destroyed, and not to bring my regular purse because it too would be destroyed. I basically brought only clothes that were bought in India the last time, plus one pair of jeans and some tshirts. My sneakers, which only come out of hiding for the gym and will be going through the washer as soon as I land in the U.S., ratty flip flops for wearing around the house and sandals that were bought in India that I never wear. With the exception of the sneakers, the shoes are going in the trash on my way to the airport. Same with the purse I'm carrying here. And some other things I'm sure. So I don't feel as tense when whatever I'm wearing gets dirty in a way I know will never come clean. It's no big deal. And the dirt and crowds and touchy feely people are just part of the package. It can't do anything to me that will last, so why worry? That mindset (which I really hope sticks) is a huge part of making this an experience and not just survival. And I'm lovin it.
Sounds like you're having such and amazing time Caro!! I am so excited and happy for you!! Enjoy it and keep the stories coming :)
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