The high point of that day was stopping at the juice stop across the street where I finally fulfilled my intense craving for mango lassi. It was made with whole mangos, yogurt, ice (which I probably shouldn't have had, but I was okay) and sugar... some are also made with rose water, it was delightful. Sam had watermelon juice which was made entirely of chunks of watermelon blended into a blender and it was so delicious as well. After we got our juice we started back at the office and were stopped by what I thought was a parade. There was chanting and drums filling the air and bright flowers scattering throughout the streets. I was thrilled that a parade was approaching and anticipated its passage with excitement. However, I quickly realized it was a funerary procession. I am pretty sure this was the first time I had ever seen a dead body in person. In the truck the body was surrounded by grieving faces, and was fully revealed. It is, however, wonderful that their culture was celebrating life with a parade and festivities.
After the procession went through |
After returning to the FRRO, the officials decided to exert their authority and send me home for the evening, only to return early the next morning for a mere signature! In the morning, I met a really interesting woman from Egypt though, and we were able to keep an interesting conversation. She explained to me that she had been in India for 12 years, and was there on a "self-exploration" mission through yoga and spirit. She had always dreamed of going to India since she was a young girl, and once she arrived she never wanted to leave. She went on to say that the officials did not appreciate this response when they asked her what her purpose in India was. One authority said, "can't you do this in your own country" but, of course she said she couldn't.
Luckily, I was able to leave the FRRO on Tuesday around 1pm and go to work after getting lunch. The parels (to go meals) are actually given in little plastic bags which makes it a little difficult to eat, not to mention when I asked for a plastic spoon they gave me an tiny ice cream spoon that held all of 5 grains of rice at a time.
Parceled lunch |
I am so happy at PremaVidya, and have officially received my permanent project. I am a little nervous and overwhelmed by it, but am still SUPER excited. PremaVidya currently works with 112 schools, and is expanding next year to a total of 500, all throughout the state of Karnataka. Our goal is to not only find a way to collect qualitative and quantitative data in a cost-effect manner, but also to find a way ensure that they are able to still reach the breadth and depth of their current quality, after they have scaled to 500 schools. Our advisor Darshana has really high hopes for us and I hope we can fulfill her expectations. The quality team that we are working with is so much fun! They play light Bollywood music in the background all day, and
sometimes dance at lunch! They are all really good dancers. Friday is sports day, so after a little work we are all going to play Cricket, it sounds great! I am not used to this type of working environment, but am adapting well.
Today, on the way to work we stopped to get snacks from a little snack shop nearby the office. I felt a little tug on my backpack as I was waiting in line, I turned around to see Navee and a giant cow waiting in line with me! Before we knew it the cow was pooping right next to us. Luckily, Navee and I were just outside the splash zone and were protected by a motorcycle. Kristen, however, wasn't so lucky. We all had a good laugh and Kristen was able to take care of the splatter with a wetnap. Work was really successful today, and I was able to develop a better understanding of what is expected from us throughout the next 5 weeks. Also, I could not be more excited to go out into the field with a school manager next week. This way I will develop a much better understanding of how PremaVidya works in schools!
On the way home today the bus was packed, as always, and I ended up standing next to an adorable little girl who was sitting beside her mom in the seat next to me. Throughout the ride the little girl first progressed from blankly staring at me, to mustering a little smile. She would make eye contact with me, and then shyly nuzzle into her mom, but she kept glancing back. She then started making a little kissy face at me and by the end of the ride we were laughing and making funny faces at each other. She was so sweet, and I cherish all of the little interactions that I have had like that!
Braids at work |
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