HOME!

Ok, so quick update to at least finish off my trip although I will be talking to many of you in person about this soon.

Following Corbett National Park, where I went on two jeep safaris and an elephant safari, failed to see a tiger, although supposedly drove by, and felt the elephant tremble because one was nearby, our group took the train back to Delhi. I managed to repack while in Corbett with only a slight interuption by the monkeys who ripped my purse- ohh well! In Delhi, time flew by. We had an AMAZING Punjabi inspired lunch by a famous chef at Brown Sahib. Delicious. Multi-course fancy meal that made everyone much further appreciate Indian food :)! Didn't do much sightseeing although was fortunate enough to go to a Delhilite's house for dinner who was also the person Samia and I stayed at upon returning for our travels in India.

After our going away dinner with the group, Maresa, Katie, Steve, Samia and I took a car to Agra. Terrible driver. He did not know how to use the brake pedal and slammed it to the floor everytime a brake was needed- which was too often considering the traffic. We did however make it to Agra late in the evening to our hotel. We woke up and went to our rooftop where we saw the Taj Mahal through the smog. Beautiful. After breakfast we walked down and through. Beautiful. Breathtaking. I don't know what else to say! I can see why it is considered one of the wonders of the world. Men have a lot to live up to now! (Considering it was built for a wife, for those of you who don't know).

Afterwards, we went to the train station to find that our train was delayed for 12 hours. After several hours we arranged a car instead in order to gt to Jaipur. I was getting sick, but felt fine. It was just my voice that left me in Jaipur. While in the pink city we saw Amber Fort, a beautiful Mughal Empire structure and went outside of the city to ride camels in a nearby village. I also took advantage of the cheapest silver in the world.

From Jaipur we flew domestically to Goa after making it through the ridiculous amount of security checks. Goa was beautiful. The Mexico of India for Europeans and Russians. It was amazing. A great break of sun and beach before coming back to the northwest winter. We lived only a five minute leisurely walk to the Baga Beach. We failed to see the old Portugeuse colonial architecture up close, although did appreciate it from the car. However, the majority of our time was spent on the beach, and getting in last minute shopping. Awesome! Great way to conclude the trip! From there, we flew back to Delhi where I had a day, went to a famous kebab restaurant and enjoyed our friend's luxurious home.

Now I'm back and adjusting to the Western ways of life. Less chaotic, more schedules, technology, etc.

I am very fortunate and appreciative for all of my experiences and people I met during my travels and hope only the best for them, although I hope to see many again in the future if time and schedules permit!

Time is winding down...

Only another week at Sonapani in the hills! My roommates and I just took a nice leisurely walk to the Kilmora shop for scarves made locally, and enjoyed the sunset over the mountains as we were walking back. I'm going to Nainital this week to get souvenirs and see the lake. Then off to Corbett National Park to see the jungle and ride an elephant before getting back to Delhi. From there I'll go to Agra to see the Taj, head west to Jaipur and then fly south to Goa for a little R&R and beach time before heading back to the states. All in 3 weeks. Crazy! Then I'm home... exciting!! I'm looking forward to every minute. I don't know how much I'll be on the internet beforehand, so that's just a quick lowdown, and maybe I'll be able to update this in the meantime... no guarantees.

Kasialekh, Kumoani Wedding, Finals, Reetha

Well, I have been terrible about keeping this up lately! Not much time in between the homestays, and in between with a final, presentation and a nonworking internet modem, it makes it difficult! Ohhhh India. Anyway, what I've been up to...

Stayed at the Madhvi's again for our second homestay and work in Kasialekh. Surveys went well and I am getting really good information! Two of the girls from the program I am staying with, Sam and Nikki, got sick and had to go back. Amma, the grandmother of our household, her nephew was getting married just up the hill and I ate dinner, breakfast and lunch at the groom's house! I would have gotten henna again, but realized I had lots to do. Their was lots of dancing, tea, great food, and a live band. Such a cool experience! We followed the groom up the valley to the road where he arrived on horseback to catch his car to the bride's house before going to the temple. I was offered a spot on the bus to go, but declined.

Upon returning to Sonapani, I booked my tickets and hotels for my travel after the program. I will go to Agra to see the Taj, Jaipur in Ragasthan, then Goa for some R&R before my journey back to the states! I also managed to write my final paper, bake cookies and bread, and do a final presentation. Joyous...

This week's homestay was in the Reetha area, much closer, where more fieldwork was conducted. It's citrus season in the hills and at many villager's houses they had orange trees that were offered with chai at their homes! Very yummy. I was also able to milk the cow at my house!

Walking back tonight, the sunset was gorgeous. There were just enough whispy clouds over the mountains that when the sun was setting, the sky was illuminated pink along with the very clear view of the Himalaya. I am spoiled.

Just have to make a final presentation for CHIRAG after a few meetings and then we will be pack and be off to Corbett National Park! This last month is going to fly by, but I'm ready for it! Things are getting a bit monotonous.

Mukteschwar & Lall's

Today was a perfect way to start the weekend. Yesterday, we had class, and then a guest lecture by Dr. Pathak and a slide show presentation of the Himalaya from Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Tibet. Beautiful pictures and it reminded me of trekking despite the wide cultural variations across the region. Very beautiful though! Nevertheless, today Jill and I walked to Mukteschwar (about an hour and a half walk uphill) where we bought random chocolate treats (I want to make cookies!) and a bandanna type thing and soap. We intended to get lunch but weren't hungry. We figured we could pick up a samosa at a shop on the walk home. On our way back, on the trail we saw a troop of black faced monkeys! Lugars I think they are called. Anyway, there were about 20 of them, adults and babies! We stood for about a half an hour just watching them. On our way back, we were picked up by Rebecca in a car who was heading back to Sonapani (although we were only about a half an hour walk away) and jumped in. On the trail to Sonapani, we saw the students who were going to the Lall's (the founders and creators of CHIRAG) and were invited to come because not enough people signed up. So we turned around and hoped back in the same car we had just gotten out of. I joined the group and we spent the afternoon chatting with Lakshmi and Kanai over tea, cake and treats. Wonderful! They are such interesting people! Anyway, I just got back, am going to do some reading and then enjoy dinner and hopefully a movie tonight. Good life :)

Homestay & Fieldwork

I spent the last two nights and three days in the Kasialekh area, staying in Sunkiya and visiting homes and interviewing in Buribana. It was great! A very new experience, and I am excited that we will be staying with the same family next week. The rainy/misty weather today however, made walking along the first village trails between houses, rather than the main concrete village trail, slippery. Other than that, I got a lot of good interviews and information for my internship project. The house we, myself, Nikki, Sam and Shruti, stayed at, The Madhvi's, was a typical village home, cows and kitchen downstairs, unattached bathroom, lots of sitting outdoor space and corn drying out on the roof. I tried to make chapatti, but failed. It is a lot harder than it looks! Or I just didn't get the hang of it. We had simple meals, chapatti and a vegetable for breakfast, packed it to go for lunch, and more chapatti and another vegetable for dinner. All of course accompanied by tea, in addition to tea at interviewees homes throughout the day. I am happy that my questionnaire is just about agricultural insurance and nothing personal as some other people's project questions entail.

Update

One stop shop for Pictures from traveling
Check out my collages there! I love them :) I want to make a book when I get back!

On another note: went climbing today and cleaned and set some great bouldering routes!

I register tonight! Looks like I will be taking a guitar class, an environmental studies class, and my task force regarding political participation in the EU.

I start my internship more aggressively this week. No more meetings to set up meetings, although I am sure that will happen (much of my past week). I have prepared a survey for farmers, and am meeting the the Block Development Officer tomorrow for questions (essentially a city council member/governor). I also will be doing a homestay Wed-Fri for the next three weeks in order to complete my fieldwork with an interpreter. Eeek! I'm a bit nervous since I have never done one before, although am looking forward to it in some respects.

Subadra Channa, a former Fullbright professor is visiting this week and will be giving a guest lecture. Should be good! Also this upcoming weekend, Shekar Pathak, known as the "encyclopedia of Uttarakhand" will be coming, in addition to a cultural group (whatever that means! I'll find out!)

We had a late Halloween celebration the other night where we carved pumpkins and apple bobbed! I put an OM symbol in my pumpkin and failed at the apple bobbing. I had never done it before! It was such a pleasant surprise! I was reminded that I will be missing Thanksgiving, which I am rather disappointed about :( Particularly because we will be on our homestay. Talk about being as far removed from my family and even the familiar on a holiday!

Not much time left at Sonapani, due to the homestays, and we will be heading out to Corbett National Park in the beginning of December. I don't mind the idea of this last month going by fast, although no worries, I am enjoying it!

Halloween Weekend

So this weekend we went on a field trip! Such an eventful weekend, although it was great to get away nonetheless. First, we went just outside of Almora to go to Panchuchuli, a women’s weaving center where we saw the whole process of imported Tibetan pashmina wool being made into scarves, shawls, etc. The cleaning, the spinning, the weaving; all by hand. Afterwards, we continued up north to Kausani where Lakshmi Ashram is, an all girls Gandhian basic education boarding school. The hotel we stayed at had a beautiful view of the mountains we see from Sonapani, except two hours closer. Breathtaking. The following day we went to Lakshmi Ashram and did morning chores with the girls. I helped sort rice. I never felt so intimate with rice before. Then we had down time when they had free time or shower time and then it was lunch. Maresa and I walked around and were guided by one of the girls. She turned out to be a great photographer too! After lunch, we had a question and answer time with the students and then more down time while they had class. It was then time for performances where we sang a few songs, and were presented with various plays, songs and dances from the Lakshmi girls. Then it was a late dinner and back to our hotel! After a lazy morning, where I got a great hand spun and hand woven sweater, we headed to Jageshwar, a Hindu religious pilgrimage site. We arrived just in time to go to a temple near our hotel before dark. The holy forest was beautiful and reminded me a lot of the northwest! In the morning we walked around some more and saw the archeological museum before heading to Almora for lunch, then getting back to Sonapani in the evening. It was a spectacular weekend! Very much different than any Halloween I have ever experienced! Ohh and I got through a lot of the book I’m reading; The God of Small Things.

This week we are down to class twice a week, and bumping up our time in our internship. My primary internship is helping develop an agricultural insurance scheme that can be supplemental to the present government insurance scheme after identifying gaps, etc. I am likely going to Almora early in the week for a meeting. Exciting! My secondary internship will be interviewing individuals in the community regarding perceptions of community leadership, from either side of the power spectrum. Should be interesting! I will continue my volunteer work at the Simayal school, Reetha campus, CHIRAG farm and school.

Pictures
Panchachuli
Kausani
Lakshmi Ashram
Jageschwar