It's the Final Countdown

1 week left. In exactly 1 week, I will be back on American soil. I can’t believe these 3 months have flown by so fast. I have learned an incredible amount and my mind might explode if I try to comprehend anymore. I feel like it’s the week before exams and I have been taking 20 credits of 500 level philosophy and gender studies courses. I have always enjoyed writing essays for exams but have really re-kindled a love for writing, especially on socially, controversial topics. I love hearing everyone’s thoughts even there are many disagreements because their arguments also steam from an experience or up bringing. I have added it onto my life bucket list to ‘have something published.’ It may be an article, a short story or research findings but most likely it could be about these sensitive topics of education, arranged marriage or gender differences.

This past week we had some time for holiday since it was Holi so I became even more cultured on many subjects. I have taken a western religions class but this week was my eastern religions class. Most conversations had, were centered around Hindu traditions and the stories behind every ritual or festival. Next were discussions about the origins of Buddhism. I got the chance to visit Bodgaya where the tree is, that’s said where Buddha received his enlightenment. Next came discussions on Islam. Two of my friends’ fellows joined for a boat ride on the Ganges and evening snacks. One is very passionate about his being a Muslim and will share his beliefs with anybody so we challenged him on the importance of religion and why Islam? In Patna there is a big population of both Muslims and Hindus so it makes for an interesting society. It used to be very dangerous in that area but in the past 5 years it has really settled down and progressed. The danger isn’t due to a war on religion but rather a competitvity for land and resources. Bihar is one of the oldest civilizations in the entire world so there are many, many people living there and everyone is fighting for their space and basic needs. The normal human being isn’t born a thief but rather it’s in times of need or desire where the mind set changes. This leads into another point of national pride and hope in the human race. Indians have so much national pride often displaying the flag, being honored to join scouts and guards and often singing the national anthem very proudly with fists at each side. However, the people don’t have hope in their own kind. Yes, it all stems from a history and experiences but still there is something missing. When I was headed off to travel everyone was very, very worried about me. Understandable that I am a white, American girl traveling in India but I had my mobile and steady head on my shoulders with vast travel experience packed along. As they would give my travel tips I would already have that knowledge plus more to add on to it. I’ve done my research and made sure I knew what I was getting in to. I didn’t run into even one problem in my 11 days of traveling. I found everyone only the kindest and most helpful along the way. Most people speak English so I could ask questions if I had any.

During my travels I got to experience many wonderful things! There’s an instant connection when traveling as a foreigner with other foreigners. There are perks such as special fast lines and tickets while at the same time the locals try and rip you off. For those of us who have been living here for a while we can read the scammers and smell a rotten deal from a mile away. Needless to say it was great meeting other travelers and crazies off exploring the world just like me.

Celebrating Holi on the rooftops

Watching the festivities down below

The banks of the the Ganges in Patna

80 ft. tall Buddha in Bodgaya

The tree where it’s said, Buddha received is enlightenment

The gate before entering into the Taj Mahal

Sat in the grass enjoying the sun and tourist watching for a couple hours

 

Outside the main Agra station; how kind are they?

My holiday was wonderful but now I am ready to enter my last week with full force moving forward. I have hit that spot where I am excited to go home yet just finally am feeling the breakthrough in the culture, with the people and at work. I am constantly looking to expand my mind and learn more about life happening around me. As much as this was a vacation it was more of also a learning experience, about myself and how I handle different situations.

My Bucket List for India:

Ride a Camel

Ride an Elephant (Saving this for my trip to Thailand)

Be involved in a festival: Holi, the Kite Festival, Republic Day

Attend a wedding

Learn enough Hindi to engage in small talk

Master the art of not using utensils

Learn 5 Bollywood dances; Still didn't reach 5 dance however, songs in general I have learned

See the Taj Mahal

Have a successful internship (I'd say so!)

Simply Enjoy Life! To the fullest, you bet!

My time here in India has been nothing under amazing. I have been living once in a lifetime experiences and meeting the most amazing people. After 3 months of living here, everyday things still happen where I simply must smile and laugh. Living in India is a day to day learning experience and the only thing that gets you through is an open and flexible mind and a sense of humor. I am thankful to everyone who has taken me and made me a part of their family for they made my time here so special. Who knows where the wind will lead me next but as for now it’s back to America. Back to Oregon. Back to Portland, my good ol’ stomping grounds. The final countdown, of my last days here in India has begun so I’m making it count. Next time I write it will be from back in the USA. ~Anna

“To travel is worth any cost or sacrifice.”  ~ Elizabeth Gilbert Eat, Pray, Love

That Famous Blue CIty: Jodhpur

Who wants to read alot of writing?? Not me! Pictures with explanation will do just fine! Here's my mini trip to Jodhpur, "The Blue City." Some say the Brahmans originally painted their houses blue in order to show their status while some say it was simply to keep the house cool, being in the desert.  Either way it has become tradition to paint the houses blue and so becomes “The Blue City.” 

Highlights include: A park with a fountain that changes colors and has music synced to it.  It was playing a remixed mashup of “Shots, shots, shots” as we circled around.The night I also had chicken for the 2nd time in almost 3 months. It was SO TASTY!!! or it was actually awful and I just have really missed it. 

 Jodhpur is very popular for HandiCrafts so one morning we went and visited a shop. My manager's sister is one of 3 designers whom their company is one of the biggest suppliers for World Market. I got to witness workers hand-painting each item and bending the iron for tables and chairs by hand. When they say "hand painted" they literally mean it!  It was cool seeing products that were just chosen and will be seen in the stores in the next few months. The only downfall tho this visit was seeing the buyers verses retil price. A very nice side table that would be sold in the USA for $200+ is bought from the manufacture at $26.00. That's going to make it difficult back home, oh boy!

Mehrangarh Fort, the most famous fort in India. It's up above the city and can explore the entire structure. We wandered in and around this fortress while traditional music played on the pathways.

Looking up at the fort from the market

The view of the Blue City from up in the fort

The City Palace was very beautiful, which is now a 7-star hotel. Amidst the admiration, trumpets started blowing and drums were being played. Evidently it was a VIP person entering the hotel who got their own processional into the hotel, I was jealous to say the least.

The beautiful city palace

The next amazing place I encountered on my trip was Mandore Garden, in Annie word's, Monkey Garden.  Thousands of monkeys now hang out there because people feel it a responsibility to go and feed them. Normally monkeys frighten me but in the garden they were quiet friendly and I was just able to let them eat peanuts out of my hand. There was only one really angry monkey but other than they were great and in numerous amounts!!

 

Over coming my fear of the Monkeys

I am a fan of food. That's one of the truest facts of life. They always say one of the best ways to experience the culture is through the food and so one afternoon I spent eating my way through the market and experiencing all the food. Lassi is a great yogurt based brink in many flavors like mango or lemon. One of the most famous lassi places was right in Johdpur so naturally we had to try now as well ad might've indulged in a couple at that.


One thing on my trip bucket list was to ride camel. Well, that is now crossed off! So awkward when they stand up and sit down 'cause they do the front feet and then back feet. I managed to hold on though and didn't completely make a fool of myself, yet. :D

He's my new friend cause I didn't fall off, almost, but held on.

A few other highlights were watch a Hindi movie in the cinema. It was called Queen and no I couldn't understand all of it but yes I loved every moment of it.There is SUPER tight security and actually take an elevator underground to the theaters. It was so nice and the chairs super comfortable with an amazing sound system. I was very impressed indeed!
My trip to Jodhpur was absolutely amazing; full of so much wonderful food, shopping, history and pure joy, especially seen from a small child's eyes. This is my bucket list for India I wrote before I left. I have only a few weeks left and am close to crossing everything off. How am I doing??

My Bucket List for India:

Ride a Camel

Ride an Elephant

Be involved in a festival: Kite Festival was the best, Republic day was fun and Holi is coming in a week! Woohoo! Annie's dream world #coloroncoloroncolor

Attend a wedding

Learn enough Hindi to engage in small talk: Mastered that Introduction, food and numbers, animals and understanding simple chat

Master the art of not using utensils: master might always be questionable.... ;)

Learn 5 Bollywood dances: I’ve got 2 down 3 to go. Oh boy!!

See the Taj Mahal

Have a successful internship: So far YES! But still have 3 weeks left

Simply Enjoy Life!


I have had one week in the office after my mni holday and am now headed off on vacation for about another 10 days. I have many things on my list for these 10 days but am leaving my schedule wide open and fancy free for change. If I like one city more, I'm going to hang out there. I will hopefully be a master of the Indian Railway System by the time I get back to Sirohi. Until I return then, with more stories, experiences, and discovering more beauty throughout the world ~Anna

“Travel brings power and love back into your life.” - Rumi

!!! Surprise !!!

Coming to India, I prepped myself for many things going wrong: probably losing my luggage, my bank card not working, getting terribly sick (like everyone does) or at least something small. Up until now, I had it free sailing and without problems. My ISAC (India Study Abroad Center) boss came to visit for a few days so that was great. We were counting weeks and days until I left and realized that the number of weeks from start to departure flight was 13 weeks, we had on record only 12 weeks and that’s what I had paid for. My IE3 coordinator, ISAC boss and I had all missed this somehow. An extra large sum of money was needed to stay until my departure flight  so the next step was to find an alternative. We weighed all my options and decided it was best to move up my departure date. So, SURPRISE I'm going back 11 days early and will be back on that freedom soil April 4. 6 weeks sounds like, “Cool, I’ve got some time here still.” But, 5 weeks is like “I’m leaving so soon!” Now comes the realization to truly cherish every moment here and take it all in.

Part of enjoying all these little moments are my morning runs. At first, I was nervous to go running because it’s just not something you see here. Everyone reassured me it was fine, and besides, it was just another silly thing the foreigner in town does. Running gives me time to not have to think about what somebody is saying to me in a different language or what kind of custom I am breaking. I go at 7am before the sun gets too hot so it’s just me, my running shoes and the pavement (and the peacocks/parrots). Lately, it’s turned into the original Olympic Marathon. As I run through the villages, people cheer and barefooted children run alongside or try to race. It’s always a challenge dodging cows, herds of dogs, the huge vegetable carts or the zooming motorcycles. One thing I find very funny is that for about 1/4 of a mile of the road, there is a cobblestone sidewalk. Normally, I associate cobblestone streets with my city in Germany or parts of Europe, but they use bricks for many things here so, I guess why not? Right?!

I’m glad that through my weird and foreign ways I bring joy and laughs to those around me. My manager always says that I am so expressive and passionate about things. #1. I find that Americans are generally more expressive through emotions and body language than Indians and #2. My personality is more outgoing than most Americans so it’s like a double dose of excitement over here.

               These were the few faithful students while everyone else was at the fair

In a Team Balika Training. The girl standing next to me is already planing to gain political power, and is well on her way. What a girl!

                                                   Some are just too precious

        One of the main streets into market

Even though I’m headed home a week earlier than expected, I’m glad everything worked out and if that’s the worst of my troubles, I’ll take it! In a month, I’m headed back and I’m excited to get back to real life but I still have lots to do here ie. vacation and meet a few more little smiling faces. ~ Anna

“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” – Laozi