I travel back to the states Monday am. I tried to leave last night but the flight was over sold. So I have had another day in Delhi. The universe most of wanted me to. Its been well, hot but well. Most time to see the contrast of this colorful world with a big mall on one side of the street and a village on the other folks practically living on the street. I wish I could take a photo that showed the contract but I'm sure I'll be able to post some of mine once I'm back in the states.
I have not posted in a while because of my traveling and the electricity going out a bunch at the Ashram. I'll have more time to reflect on my travels during my flight that is about 15 hrs but for now here are some travel thoughts, reflections....
- being white I get charged like a bunch more then India's in ricksaw autos. You have to bargain hardcore. I've gotten used to that. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_rickshaw
- you need to go with the flow as folks are driving fast in 8 lanes of traffic and driving fast on the opposite side of the the street with cars coming at you.
- I road a scooter and a motorcycle in Hairdwar ( it wasnt as crazy with the traffic) and touched the Ganges River with my feet and hand!
- I've taken a bicycle ricksaw to Pink City in Jaipur
and used Yosif as my driver for the day in Jaipur going all around town for hrs and hrs. I paid him well and it was great to have the comfirt of one driver for the day.
- Traveling fancy style on the train you can do if you have money
- The train station in Agra - there where a bunch of kids/ young adults with Polio that I gave food to and talked with . Really sad.
- I met a Polish guy on platform 2 in Agra going to Delhi and hung out at the Taj Mahal with 2 Canadian Poles in Agra!!! The world is so small.
- I've eaten train food and see folks go to the bathroom from outside my train window. Tons of folks.
- I've used the India Toilet on the train while it was moving and am very good at it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squat_toilet
- I have not taken a bus and i'm fine with that. I have taken the metro
- I've walked a bunch on the side of the road with cars flying by you.
- I've loved my train travels and hope to visit the Rail Museum on my next trip here.
- Anuradha is a good driver
- It will be interesting to be on an American road sooner then later and see how that feels.
In general it will be interesting to feel the difference in rhythm from here to there and from there to here.
for now, signing off and will reflect more as I fly and will type more when I land on the other side of the sea.
Much peace to all from a little Internet cafe down the street from anuradhas place with cows and dogs and people and temples and mango's outside in the heat.
Laura
26 July, 2009
16 July, 2009
4 frog, ants, toes, star stickers and a clinic
The day began as the sun came up a bit after 5:30am.
Yoga, a walk, prayers and then a bit of time to write before breakfast.
As I walked outside my building this am I saw about 4-5 flogs sleeping in the crack of the door. On my way into breakfast - the dinning hall that we eat in all sitting on the ground in long rows facing each other, yesterday there were tons of ants and this am a bunch of them all eating a dead frog by the wall.
I sort of looked at it, others did also and then went on eating breakfast. I trying to not think about the many other ants all around me.
Its amazing your how your tolerance level changes in different environments.
Before 9am the day had already so much happening. I gave back mandala art work kids made, hung out playing outside and got invited to come to see the Sri Ram Health Clinic that Andrea running with her husband. A clinic for the locals. I attend from 9-11am.
wow, ok where to start...
The building was across the field from the ashram, through a gate, past a little brick pass way that a guy zoom by on this moder cycle on, past the school and then the clinic. A beautiful building with flowers all around and super clean and all. About 15 people were waiting.
I got to sit in the same room at Andrea a nurse while she talked and looked and treated each patient. wow
so much, I'll share a little. 2 girls with infected big toes, they got them cleaned and wrapped up again. I gave them start stickers. Women with pains old age or a older man with an ear infection. An amazing thing is that even thought these folks are so so poor they are so rich in so many other ways and in the clothes they wear. They are so beautiful with gems and glitter and all....One of the ha was a little 4 year old girl who got run over by a truck a few months back.
She comes in 3x a week to get her dressing changed. She could walk but her hip is out of place now. I guess she was in the hospital for a while and got surgery and all and some western folks helped pay for it. The truck driver also payed them off. Andrea unwrapped the dressing and I don't think I have even seen such a site but I guess it is healing well. she cleaned it while I held the little girls hand and the girl was so good. Ican't even image the pain she must of been in and is still in. I also gave her a sticker.
Talk also about where we come from...they would get a crayon on their way out for the visit and some would just look at the crayon like... "what is this?" for real. they didn't know. Can you image having no knowledge of a crayon? Also the Clinic takes donations of 1 Indian Rupie for meds. Check out this conversion -> 1.00 INR=0.0205220 USD some families can't even pay that much!!!
oh my goodness that is hard, really hard.
There of course are parts of me that want to just hang out at the clinic and hold the kids hands and make art with them while they wait.
I hope I have not overwhelmed to much of you. And if you feel like you would like to donate to the clinic check out:
When I came back from the clinic I cleaned up and right away kids were asking when art would start, so I got out supplies and we tissues papered over some leave bowls (that our afternoon snack was in yesterday) that just get thrown a way. I had about 20 kids and tissues paper all over the place. But it was fun and also I was really tired.
For lunch I ate a bit and then, I've been meaning to write that we compost and for about 70 people who eat we only have a paint bucket that is filled a couple inches for each meal!! talk about no waste. everyone eats really well. Meals are rice with bread and some sort of hot veggie dish.
Ok, I think that is enough for now.
I'm going to rest and then visit the local village later with Swapna.
Much Peace and I'm sure I'll have more stories to share about frogs and kids, and all.
Laura DiDi (older sister) that is what they call elders for respect :)
15 July, 2009
Do you have a cow?
That was one of the questions I was asked today by Neema... Do I have a cow? :)
She was really serious about it. I just smiled and said no but I do have a black and white cat. Ya know I should of said her name is cow!! I guess I do have a cow, she is just very, very little :)
That was just after a bunch of kids showed me the cows that we get the milk from. Also we saw a bunch of lemon, mango, pomagranite and pear trees.
The electricity goes out all the time and no one really bats and eye, we just go about doing what we are doing and then the lights and fans go on again.
Today it rained!!! one girl asked me if I like the Sunny season of the rainy season better?
I smiled again and said I like both and today especially liked that it rained. It has not rained in a really long time and the earth really needed it along with us!!!
Its been really really hot. I bath about 3 times a day and dry off in minutes just air dry.
The food is totally amazing! All homemade and we eat on the ground in the dinning hall. Tonight there were tons of ants crawling around but that did not seem so strange to folks.
The ants stayed away from our dishes which was nice of them.
I made drawn and decorated mandala's with about 20 kids today on circle paper and that was a bunch of fun. We worked on the ground and were spread out all over the place.
We take off our shoes when we enter rooms which is nice.
When I first arrived within about a few hrs I was holding a 5month old that fell a sleep in my arms and today hung out with 1.5 year old that sat on my lap. I giggle a lot with the 7 year olds and draw with chalk and chat with the teenagers.
I sleep in a big, huge building by myself because there are no other guests visiting at the moment. Its a little scary but I try not to be that scared of the dark. I think about you taan, and then I'm not so scared of the dark.
Ok, it is about 9pm and i think I will crash out we get up at 5:50 am for prayers and yoga.
love and shanti to all
laura
She was really serious about it. I just smiled and said no but I do have a black and white cat. Ya know I should of said her name is cow!! I guess I do have a cow, she is just very, very little :)
That was just after a bunch of kids showed me the cows that we get the milk from. Also we saw a bunch of lemon, mango, pomagranite and pear trees.
The electricity goes out all the time and no one really bats and eye, we just go about doing what we are doing and then the lights and fans go on again.
Today it rained!!! one girl asked me if I like the Sunny season of the rainy season better?
I smiled again and said I like both and today especially liked that it rained. It has not rained in a really long time and the earth really needed it along with us!!!
Its been really really hot. I bath about 3 times a day and dry off in minutes just air dry.
The food is totally amazing! All homemade and we eat on the ground in the dinning hall. Tonight there were tons of ants crawling around but that did not seem so strange to folks.
The ants stayed away from our dishes which was nice of them.
I made drawn and decorated mandala's with about 20 kids today on circle paper and that was a bunch of fun. We worked on the ground and were spread out all over the place.
We take off our shoes when we enter rooms which is nice.
When I first arrived within about a few hrs I was holding a 5month old that fell a sleep in my arms and today hung out with 1.5 year old that sat on my lap. I giggle a lot with the 7 year olds and draw with chalk and chat with the teenagers.
I sleep in a big, huge building by myself because there are no other guests visiting at the moment. Its a little scary but I try not to be that scared of the dark. I think about you taan, and then I'm not so scared of the dark.
Ok, it is about 9pm and i think I will crash out we get up at 5:50 am for prayers and yoga.
love and shanti to all
laura
13 July, 2009
Finally a few photos to share!
Hope you enjoy these photos to start with. It's been hard to upload stuff from the internet cafe.
But enjoy these, much peace
laura
12 July, 2009
ओल्ड delhi
here goes for a mini bit of today.
hot weather
internet cafe
eggs and potatoes
a bath and washing clothes
hot
fans
cars and cars and cars
begging kids
drinking water
metro
these seats are for ladies
mind the gap
red fort
baths
only bottled water
amazing clothes
families
McDonalds
trash
pee smell
jasmane flower smells
people
narrow roads
great food
eyes
the heat and park
no street lights
2 eggs in a paper bag
queer friends
so many worlds in one day
so many worlds over lapping in moments
passing over and around and through each other.
more now
how many worlds do you cross in a day an hr, a few minutes?
laura
hot weather
internet cafe
eggs and potatoes
a bath and washing clothes
hot
fans
cars and cars and cars
begging kids
drinking water
metro
these seats are for ladies
mind the gap
red fort
baths
only bottled water
amazing clothes
families
McDonalds
trash
pee smell
jasmane flower smells
people
narrow roads
great food
eyes
the heat and park
no street lights
2 eggs in a paper bag
queer friends
so many worlds in one day
so many worlds over lapping in moments
passing over and around and through each other.
more now
how many worlds do you cross in a day an hr, a few minutes?
laura
11 July, 2009
2 dollar clothes, cow in the street, a lizard in the kitchen and its day 2
Dear friends around the world,
It's only my 2nd day in India and it seems so much longer। Yesterday for my b-day in the afternoon
Anuradha drove us to a few markets in town. On that had very cheap clothes and other things like lichi (sp?) fruit on a branch. I got some long shirts for my travels to the ashram next week. I also bought myself a really beautiful orange patterned bed sheet. At that Market there were a bunch of folks but it sort of reminded me of Poland at the Russian market and in Israel. I think for someone who has not spent time in Eastern Europe or the Middle East it might of been much more challenging to handle but it was not that bad. I guess I don't stand out that much either because of my clothes I am wearing. Who new I had some many India clothes that would fit right into this culture.
As we parked the car, I did see my first really big cow on the street just hanging out, and on the way to the market a young girl came up to our car begging which was really intense because her hand was really bloody. There is so much going on that in a way it is hard to have it stick with you which is crazy right?
After that market we went to another one. I will get the names of the places soon. I'm bad at that part. But this market was more like artisans and crafters. I bargains for a great bag and a small print. I used the bathroom there which was clean.
Have I told you about the bathrooms? There is a hole in the ground and places to put your feet and you squat down to do your duty and then there is a little tap with a cup and you wash yourself (with your left hand). No paper. It actually was not that hard to get used to.
At this market we ate dinner (hot food don't worry) and I gave some water to a really hot cat that drank a bunch of it. As we were leaving the market I saw a dog (there are dogs all over the place) that looked like it was on its last few hrs of life. Really hard to see and just pass on. but what would I do? I tried to give it water but no response. I was really hot yesterday and today even hotter! I think today its about 98 degrees and very humid. But I am handling it. You wash up in the night before bed and in the am to stay cool.
Ok so i'm all over the place but I will tell you about my bedding. I sleep on a futon on the ground with just a sheet on top with fans going all night. It feels good and not to hot.
I woke up this am and it was hot outside and the sun shinning. I decided to cook breakfast and I opened the kitchen door to find a little lizard friend that joined me while I was cooking just hanging out on the wall.
I made us tea with milk power and I added sugar into mine. I chopped up potatoes and onions, cabbage, garlic and some herbs that anuradha added in. Oh we also added in tomatoes and cooked it a bunch until it was very hot! that is the deal much eat hot food.
Fingers crossed I have not gotten "delhi belly" yet and hope it will stay that way, we will see.
I've been drinking a bunch of bottled water as well. Lots of it!
What else to share about my adventures? I'm off to do some more exploring this morning/afternoon to an area that anuradha said feels very different. Its just around the corner from her place.
As for photos, I'm taking a bunch and still trying to figure out how to upload them onto a computer. we will see.
For now, everyone stay cool and know that I am doing well and loving it so far.
I'll write again soon,
much peace to alllaura
लौरा
ap.s. what happened when folks came to the states that street markets went a way and folks just hid a way in there little houses? I love that folks are out and about and that the inside and outside are almost like one. - much more in touch with nature.
It's only my 2nd day in India and it seems so much longer। Yesterday for my b-day in the afternoon
Anuradha drove us to a few markets in town. On that had very cheap clothes and other things like lichi (sp?) fruit on a branch. I got some long shirts for my travels to the ashram next week. I also bought myself a really beautiful orange patterned bed sheet. At that Market there were a bunch of folks but it sort of reminded me of Poland at the Russian market and in Israel. I think for someone who has not spent time in Eastern Europe or the Middle East it might of been much more challenging to handle but it was not that bad. I guess I don't stand out that much either because of my clothes I am wearing. Who new I had some many India clothes that would fit right into this culture.
As we parked the car, I did see my first really big cow on the street just hanging out, and on the way to the market a young girl came up to our car begging which was really intense because her hand was really bloody. There is so much going on that in a way it is hard to have it stick with you which is crazy right?
After that market we went to another one. I will get the names of the places soon. I'm bad at that part. But this market was more like artisans and crafters. I bargains for a great bag and a small print. I used the bathroom there which was clean.
Have I told you about the bathrooms? There is a hole in the ground and places to put your feet and you squat down to do your duty and then there is a little tap with a cup and you wash yourself (with your left hand). No paper. It actually was not that hard to get used to.
At this market we ate dinner (hot food don't worry) and I gave some water to a really hot cat that drank a bunch of it. As we were leaving the market I saw a dog (there are dogs all over the place) that looked like it was on its last few hrs of life. Really hard to see and just pass on. but what would I do? I tried to give it water but no response. I was really hot yesterday and today even hotter! I think today its about 98 degrees and very humid. But I am handling it. You wash up in the night before bed and in the am to stay cool.
Ok so i'm all over the place but I will tell you about my bedding. I sleep on a futon on the ground with just a sheet on top with fans going all night. It feels good and not to hot.
I woke up this am and it was hot outside and the sun shinning. I decided to cook breakfast and I opened the kitchen door to find a little lizard friend that joined me while I was cooking just hanging out on the wall.
I made us tea with milk power and I added sugar into mine. I chopped up potatoes and onions, cabbage, garlic and some herbs that anuradha added in. Oh we also added in tomatoes and cooked it a bunch until it was very hot! that is the deal much eat hot food.
Fingers crossed I have not gotten "delhi belly" yet and hope it will stay that way, we will see.
I've been drinking a bunch of bottled water as well. Lots of it!
What else to share about my adventures? I'm off to do some more exploring this morning/afternoon to an area that anuradha said feels very different. Its just around the corner from her place.
As for photos, I'm taking a bunch and still trying to figure out how to upload them onto a computer. we will see.
For now, everyone stay cool and know that I am doing well and loving it so far.
I'll write again soon,
much peace to alllaura
लौरा
ap.s. what happened when folks came to the states that street markets went a way and folks just hid a way in there little houses? I love that folks are out and about and that the inside and outside are almost like one. - much more in touch with nature.
10 July, 2009
b-day in Delhi, India
Hello folks,
So, I am celebrating my 33rd b-day in Delhi, India.
I arrived all safe and sound, just with a little bit of a funny belly I think because of just stressed about my arrival in a new place and all.
Anuradha and her friend picked me up and we drove back to here place on a 3 lane road with like 5 lanes of cars, bikes, folks etc. I slept pretty well and then relaxed on the roof top about 6am and then crashed out a bit more in the am before washing up, eating some toast and tea, waiting for the rain to pass (i think I brought it from the east coast) and then out for a little adventure about the neighborhood. So far so good. No really any strange looks, I bought myself some water with no problem and now i'm off to get some bread.
Not in to much of culture shock. The housing reminds me of israel a bit. I did only pass by one other white person so far on the street and there are many guys around not many women on the streets but I feel fine.
There are folks on the street selling food and goods, trash piles someone was digging in and a college around the corner, a guy peeing on the side of the road, a kid putting a wheel on a truck, a man sewing in a little shop, a women ironing shirts on the street.
The flow of folks walking and driving in a pretty amazing rhythm that it flows all together, you just have to be careful as anuradha said its not like the states where the cars will wait for you. Here you have to watch for the cars.
I'm looking forward to how the afternoon unfolds and what will be for lunch.
much peace to everyone.
laura in a little internet cafe down the street from anuradha roof top home
So, I am celebrating my 33rd b-day in Delhi, India.
I arrived all safe and sound, just with a little bit of a funny belly I think because of just stressed about my arrival in a new place and all.
Anuradha and her friend picked me up and we drove back to here place on a 3 lane road with like 5 lanes of cars, bikes, folks etc. I slept pretty well and then relaxed on the roof top about 6am and then crashed out a bit more in the am before washing up, eating some toast and tea, waiting for the rain to pass (i think I brought it from the east coast) and then out for a little adventure about the neighborhood. So far so good. No really any strange looks, I bought myself some water with no problem and now i'm off to get some bread.
Not in to much of culture shock. The housing reminds me of israel a bit. I did only pass by one other white person so far on the street and there are many guys around not many women on the streets but I feel fine.
There are folks on the street selling food and goods, trash piles someone was digging in and a college around the corner, a guy peeing on the side of the road, a kid putting a wheel on a truck, a man sewing in a little shop, a women ironing shirts on the street.
The flow of folks walking and driving in a pretty amazing rhythm that it flows all together, you just have to be careful as anuradha said its not like the states where the cars will wait for you. Here you have to watch for the cars.
I'm looking forward to how the afternoon unfolds and what will be for lunch.
much peace to everyone.
laura in a little internet cafe down the street from anuradha roof top home
08 July, 2009
India here I come!
Dear Earthy Beings, Today I will travel from boston- chicago then on to Delhi, India. I'm super excited. I have never been to India before and I will have a long flight to think/read all about it. I can't wait to share my thoughts with all of you. much peace and colorfulness Love Laura
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