India Post #2

This place is incredible. I probably say that a lot. But there is just SO much to see, SO many people, SO many smells, sounds, tastes, sights. It's incredible.

This was a different week. Most of it was spent working on my project. I am here with HELP International. When we think of an idea for a project, we have to go through a process called a "project proposal". This requires that I spent time at our house here, thinking about all the details of my project and compiling it into a document stating why I'm doing it, how I'm going to do it, what my goals are with it, and how much  money I'm going to spend. It was slightly stressful to figure everything out, and I had to propose it twice to my country directors. But the first time, they gave so many suggestions that were very appreciated. The second time, it was accepted. That day I gave my first piano lesson. I had planned on 5 students, but only 2 showed up. Indians run on a very different time schedule. If you say 11:00, they're going to come at 11:30. It's just always like that. But, I taught those two students AND one of my country directors, Modesta, came and I gave her a lesson too! It's going to be a challenging project if I can't get everyone there when I want them there. But it's going to be awesome. Somehow, it's going to work!

Also, I got to plant THREE gardens yesterday in the slums. Two of them were for older couples, and one was for a man who was convinced that us white Americans would be good luck for his seeds. I got a sweet farmers tan and went to bed at 9:30 on a Friday night. I'm definitely convinced there's a different, hotter sun here in India.

INDIA POST #1

Hello! I am currently in West Marredpally, Secunderabad, India. And it is amazing.
Here are my adventures so far:
Day 1. The Mango.
I got to India around 3 A.M. a week ago. I slept a little, and then for breakfast, I decided to have a fresh mango. I have never had one before, and it was delicious and juicy. HOWEVER, about a half hour after eating it, my lips felt like they were swollen, I was really itchy, and I threw up. And then I felt like I couldn't breath. My first rick-shaw ride was to the Lions-Patny Hospital down the street where I spent my day. I got released at 6, after having an IV in my hand all day. (Luckily my country director Modesta took amazing care of me all day, being able to speak in the local language Telegu to all my health care providers.) Once home, all I wanted to do was shower. The water was out though, as well as the power. I just sat in the bathroom and cried, wondering what the heck I was doing in India. It was the most awful day. BUT then the water turned on, and even though I showered in the dark, it was glorious.
India got so much better.
Day 2. The Slums.
I was really introduced to the transportation here on Friday. First a rick-shaw. When you call a rick-shaw, you haggle the price with them for a while. Basically, they see that you're white and try to charge you double. So, you cut any price they say in half, maybe even a hundred rupees off of that, and you just offer it. Sometimes they realized you know what's going on, and sometimes they just drive off, almost running over your feet. Once getting a rick you try to fit as many people as you can in it. That day we fit 10 people. Technically, it was 9, including the driver, but a random local jumped on while we were driving. THEN the bus. We caught a bad day/time because it was really hot and I was squished up against a ton of women in sarees. One woman gave us all flowers, and a crazy old guy wouldn't stop talking to us in Telegu. Once we were at the slums, my mind was blown. The conditions people live in are indescribable. It is so hard. They live in a shack made of sticks and a tarp. Or a cement bunker looking thing. We had our first meeting for a girl's group a girl on our team created. It's a group of teenagers, and they were very shy. But BEAUTIFUL. These people are absolutely gorgeous.
Day 3. Sight-seeing.
Golconda Fort was built in the 14th century, and there are no rules about where you can or can't climb. So we were climbing all over the place. It was awesome. We also went to some Tombs of some kings. They were like mini Taj Mahals. Amazing. I think the most hilarious part of the day is the number of times we were stopped as a group and asked if they could take a picture of US. We are like celebrities here. I don't think people see white people very often. Especially me and a couple other girls with our lighter hair, we are novelties. THEN on request of many of the seasoned members of the team we ate at Papa Johns for dinner. BUT I did have a Tandoori Chicken Pizza. India pizza. It was awesome.
Day 4. Church and Monsoon.
So they have a pretty sizable ward here. They just created the Hyderabad Stake, and we literally live down the street from the Stake Center. It is an awesome building. I walked into the chapel and immediately was asked to play the piano for them. It was great. Relief Society was interesting since the teacher would say something in English and then translate it into Telegu right then. On the way home from church, we discovered that Monsoon season had started. Which was rather gross as we trekked the lakes of who knows what in the streets. LUCKILY, showers are a daily thing here, which I am so grateful for! It really made me realize how wonderful cleaning someone's feet during Christ's time
Day 5. Training Day.
We had training at home most of the day for all 6 of the new people. We had lunch at a place called Om Shanti, and I had some amazing Paneer Tikka Masala and Naan.
Day 6. LEPRA and SAPID.
We met with two of our partners and ate at Om Shanti again. Then Girl's Group again. Wonderful.
Day 7. CARPED and MV.
We met with another two of our partners and ate at a place called Paradise for lunch. They're famous for their Chicken Briyani, and they put WAY too much on my plate.
Day 8. Today!
It's all about project planning today. I am working on a plan to teach piano to some members of the Church here. Lots of details to figure out, but I'm really excited. I'm going to Girl's Group later. I love it!

India is a place everyone should experience. There are so many hard things. Yesterday a beggar was pulling on my arm while I was inside a taxi. So many rancid smells. There are piles and piles of garbage everywhere. So many crazy sounds and sights and tastes. It's humid. It's a small space to live in. But it is wonderful. All the children say hello to us. All the women wear gorgeous sarees every day. There are so many extremes. Such poverty, but such beauty. Such horrible smells, but such wonderful smelling food. Such annoying honking, but such a beautiful language. Such scary looking beggars, but such kind smiles and pleading eyes.

This place is incredible.