I sit and type to you as the sun sets, highlighting the tropical humidity and smog floating in the sky. Birds, mainly India's common crow fights for acknowledgement amongst the beeping of cars, and 6:30 prayers from the mosques that are being broadcast from loud speakers. A powerful, ancient sound, reminisent of singing is music to my ears although I do not follow the Islam, nor do I understand what they are saying. It is just one of the many aspects that intregrally defines India.
I am running short of time as ususal so a short summary of where I am now and what I have been doing.
I have had approximately 9 homestays to date and with that 9 drastially different towns. I am literally seeing india in a way that is unexpected and a way that I don't live.., like a queen. I am happily struggling with this as this struggle continusously highlights my independence and dually the graciousness I have for all that is being provided to me.
The rotary members not only take us into thier home but pay for all our of food, water, snacks and the like and refuse to accept any moneies. They or their drivers also drive us around, carry all of our bags, and open my door for me (I definately struggle with this one! I can carry my own bags... stubborn girl or am I just practicing for my pack test.. ) The wives or maid servants, cook the food and wash my clothes and serve me all the food and won't let me assist at all in any way and then clean up. This is something that I am not accustomed to, to say the least.
And I have recieved more gifts and flowers at every encounter! I came here with one bag (everyone else had 2,) and I have since needed to buy a second bag for all the gifts that were given to me! The flower count is well over 125 flowers or bouguets. So much for a minimalist traveling lifestyle.
All the families are very giving and friendly and I have enjoyed staying with them..Our days are filled with visiting rotary aid projects which include safe drinking water projects, schools for all, the blind, deaf, mentally challenged. We have visited numerous universities, hospitals, farms, and major industries (the environmental nightmare for me! don't get me started!). I have been white water rafting, shopping, to an ashram, joined in laughter yoga (where I flew around the yard laughing and flapping my "wings" like a bird), meditated, met with a Swami, met a princess, toured historic mosques and moseliums, a Palace, traveled to numerous businesses, vacinated children against polio, played cricket, badmitten, went birding (amazing birds!), taken 10 gigs of photos and videos, and swam in the Arabian sea.
I am now in Goa, a travel distination for Europeans, where I have been basking in the sun and enjoying salty hair and sand stuck in my toes. I was in the water for two hours today loving life. I have another week here and then I am off to paris for a couple of days.. more stories to come.. Natasha is right.. I could go for some chocolate right now.
I am not so much homesick as I am sick of the food here. Indian food is great in moderation and I have been eating it for three meals a day for 3 weeks. If I even smell it it makes me sick.. I am on white rice right now! LOL and I haven't seen a chocalate bar or the like in 3 weeks or Salad. but life is still good! Miss you all. More to come
About Me
- Polly
- You can't tie me down.. I am off and running again traveling the world and taking it all in. Join me in these journeys.
8 comments:
I was getting a little jealous of your adventure until I saw the no chocolate part; you should have taken a stash with you! Take care, see you soon, here's a virtual Hershey's kiss (dark chocolate, natch!) for ya, mmmmwah! Carole
Hello!
It certainly sounds like you are really seeing and living the true India which is so much better than being a tourist.
Question. What is an ashram?
Loving and missing you. It seems so strange not to hear your voice. Your kitty almost gave herself a concussion trying to get to the birds on the back deck. We need to teach her about glass again. She stole Brisco's bed last night so he had to sleep in the breezeway. She was stretched out and loving both his foam and cedar bed. Brisco just stood there and looked at her and then back at me. It was a riot!
Enjoy your remaining time.
Love
Mom
Hi Polly
I am envious, sounds awesome but somehow I have a hard time seeing you being treated like a queen. I can see you now trying to pull your bags from the driver's hands. Enjoy it while you can because it will all end all too soon. We miss you at the office things are very quite around here. Have fun in Paris
Allan
hey girl! So glad we got to chat a couple of times this week. this was a great post and gave me a good vision of your experience in India. I cant wait for you to experience Paris.
Ive been having my own little adventure here. ive been to the hospital twice this week for labor checks and, although there were three babies born while we were there yesterday, I went home still pregnant. My blood pressure has decided to sky rocket the last week or so, so now i am on close watch. I had a sonogram today. They estimate the little boogerhead at 7 pounds right now. Christy's drove me to my appointment because im still contracting and i didnt want Rob to take another day off from work (one less day he can be with me and the baby at home after the birth).
I miss you and i hope you make it home on time!! But at this point who knows. They want me to atleast try and make it to the end of next week... so maybe you'll luck out! :-)
Hi Polly
Well it's going to be nice and warm up here this weekend - into the 40's they say. But -12 tonight Ugh. Long Island has been getting what they call snowstorms and cold weather so it looks like you are going to miss all the yucky weather.
Kitty says hi
We love you
Mom
TO ALLAN
I know it's Polly's website but she won't mind.
How are you??? What are you doing for fun and excitement in the office without Polly around??? She certainly adds to the energy field when she's about. She'll be coming home all rested and tan, while we're all cold and miserable with cabin fever. We did get some snowshoeing in and had a neighborhood sledding party last weekend so that was fun but I'm ready for warm weather and horsebackriding!!!
Take care
Kris
polly... still preggo here but things are starting to move along. This could happen next week, with or without help from the doctors. So maybe by the time you get home, i'll have a little one for you to play with. We miss you! In case you cant get me on saturday, try calling christy.
Hi Polly! I've enjoyed reading your blog, can't wait to hear about everything first hand and to see some photos. Have a great time in France, I am sure the culinary change will be just what you need now! Safe travels and I will see you soon....by the way, the word verification for this comment almost looks like "seeds"..strange coincidence... much love, Lauren
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