Hello, hello!
Where to begin today? My most recent encounter seems appropriate. This afternoon I took a walk down the 'The modern supermarket,' the bi level store where I purchase my everyday items (relative term), ranging from a tiffin container (a tightly sealing stainless steal container for storing rice, with and insert that goes on top for storing a curry separately) to ALL OUT, the chemical cocktail insert for an infuser that I try not to ponder while I sleep mostly mosquito free, to an ayurvedic menthol-y balm used to sooth headaches, in addition to groceries. This afternoon while I was on a mission for some more granola style cereal, I was somewhat taken back to look up an see a fellow white skinned creature standing in the isle, inspecting the boxes of granola. We spoke briefly, and it turns out that she is an American who's parents live in north Africa. She has been staying in Vijayawada for about a month, (like me!) and is planning to be here for another two months. We have exchanged contact info, and I am happy to have yet another friend in this city!
To catch you up briefly, the workshop I was set to begin last time I sent along a conglomerate of carefully, albeit it quickly, arranged words, went really well overall. It was a unique experience for many reasons, the most striking of which was the language barrier. My students did not speak English, a few key phrases aside, and Kumar Raja, the man who was assisting in translation and I often have a hard time understanding each other. So my instruction often turned into an amusing game of over exaggerated charades coupled with a good deal of pointing at things and emphatically repeating two to three words. I did see a marked improvement in their skill lever over the course of the three days, so in that, I feel something must have been getting through :)
They are now completing their final scripts which Dr. Deeksha and I will review before they begin filming. Keerthi was so pleased with my facilitating skills that she has appointed Abraham (another man in the office, whose English is slightly easier for me to follow) to arrange another workshop. This time I will be teaching staff from local NGO's. Currently, I am editing the film my first group of students shot during the field practical session held during the workshop. It is an short expose on unruly pedestrians darting in and out of traffic that will be used in schools to teach traffic safety. I smile knowing that I am often a culprit of this tango with local traffic, but I keep that to myself.
I ventured out for dinner in town last night. (with Gouri, Shalini (hostel mates), and Pria (Oxford PHD student)) We went to a restaurant where we enjoyed as much food as we could stomach (literally) under a soft breeze created by ceiling fans.( If we had opted to sit in the adjacent air conditioned room, it would have cost us each 10 rupees more). I was able to enjoy some delicious local favs, enhanced by flavors from the likes of ghee, coconut, and extra rich curd, that are often absent at the mess hall due to the cost. I ate so much that I was not sure I would be able to leave the table, but once back on the street I managed to find room for a cup of sugar cane juice, dressed up with some lemon and ginger. YUMMMM
Tonight the four of us will head back out to see an Indian classic movie called Maya Bizarre. The starring actor recently "expired, as they like to say, so the movie has re-entered the theaters. I am equally curious about the theater and the movie and oh so thankful that Gouri is both able and willing to keep me in the language loop. After the movie we will do some sampling at a nearby tiffin bar, where they serve over 30 kinds of dosas. Large, very thin pancake looking breakfast/ snack item.
That being said, in addition to me again becoming aware of the time, I will finish here for today. I have some new cloths waiting for me at the tailor, which i would like to pick up before we go. I picked one up yesterday, and she did a great job. I am excited to see the other two. She seems to be using extra care with my cloths, and even offered to put elastic in my pants as I am "not used to tying knots like the Indian women do." I declined, but the gesture was sweet, nonetheless.
LOVE TO YOU !
Haley
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