I'm working for HELP International as a Country Director in Hyderabad, India from May-August 2010.

May 18, 2010

This is a view from our balcony

The past few days have been good. Saturday was technically my graduation in the US of A I've been skeptical of them actually giving me a diploma but I checked online last night at it's official. I am a graduate. Instead of hearing Michelle Obama speak on the mall, we celebrated by going to a catholic wedding reception we were invited to. Once again, the plush velvet chairs and the bride and groom sitting on them while there were thousands of photos is a common theme. I could not get over how beautiful the bride looked. They really got clothing down here. I love the forehead jewelry with both the chains that go down the part of your hair and the bindi's. The different saris are so ornate, they are so pretty.

We made some friends there. One of these boys asked for my phone number.

We also got to go behind the scenes to see how they make some of the roti we ate.

Sunday we all slept a lot. I think I slept for 11 hours, which for those of you who know me, know that is unheard of. Between the jet lag, heat, and lack of sleep previous to those nights, we all needed it. During church on Sunday there was a freak rainstorm that lasted for 20 minutes, had strong winds, and flooded the streets with a couple feet of water in certain parts.

Sadly, it knocked out our power so from 6pm until 9am the next day we had no electricity. That means no fans. So, we closed our eyes and tossed and turned in rooms of between 95-99 degrees all night long. There was also a generator outside taunting us with this loud droning noise all night, giving our neighbors electricity and leaving us in our black hole of molten lava.

Yesterday we had a few other meetings that were really good. I think that by the end of the week we should have some good projects started. One of the organizations we are going to do a lot of work with is CARPED. They do some really great work.

We went and found a man to copy some of our keys. By hand.

Last night we played volleyball with a bunch of guys from the neighborhood and church and it was a ton of fun.

This morning we woke up at 5:30am and went to our neighborhood yoga in the park. We put our mats down next to about 30 other people and had a private coach critiquing every move, with some positive reinforcement but it was really fun. Lots of ants. They probably spent about half of the time doing meditation, which is a good way to start the day, but I'm not good at it. My mind is constantly wandering. I want to go back so hopefully I'll improve as time goes on. Oh and yes, there was about 30 seconds of trite laughter incorporated into our practice. I LOVED that part.

Today we are going to buy an AC unit!! We also are going to check out a homeless shelter around here and write a report for CARPED as well as try to meet with a sex trafficking NGO and register at the embassy. It should be a good day. We are leaving early to go help cook dinner and eat at Bharti's house.

2 comments:

  1. Sounds like buying an air conditioner is a must!! I hate being hot. Especially while you are trying to sleep.

    I am excited to see what projects you end up doing. I am sure that there are to many to choose from. Much is needed in that beautiful country.

    Yoga in the park. Sounds amazing and something that I am sure you will be doing alot of. The meditation part made me smile. You are always going a mile a minute!! I am about sure we all need help quieting our minds down at times. The book I am about done with said that prayer is when you talk to God and meditation is when God talks to us. I loved that.

    Thank you for your blog...it makes me feel connected to you and the things you are experiencing. What a adventure you are having.

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  2. i love all your updates and think about you and how youre doing all the time. yoga in the park sounds awesome. i think it would be beneficial for you to learn how to clear your mind for a small amount of time of all the craziness that is your life!! love you sista

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