Let Us Be Inspired By Two-Wheelers!

Something else I have realized, no matter what you have to carry, it is possible with a motorcycle, scooter, or bike. Have a family of four? No problem, you can all fit on one scooter. Need to deliver four televisions? No problem, just bungee them to the back of your motorcycle. Just bought a new full sized mattress? Don’t worry, just tie it to some scrap lumber, and bungee that to the back of your bicycle. Anything we think we need to do with four wheels, is possible with two!

Is Honesty Always Necessary?

One thing I’ve noticed about people in India (I don’t want to sound like I know all the people in India, I’m only speaking of those who I have met) is that they are always completely honest. At home, I think people will have no issue telling someone they look good, even if they don’t. But here, people say exactly what they think. Like when I put my glasses on in school for the first time, a classmate looked at me and just said, “You don’t look good in specs.” Well I didn’t really care, because I would rather see the board than look ‘good’, so I left them on. Then the girl next to me said, “You should really get more delicate frames. How much did those cost??” Again, I didn’t ask her opinion, but she gave it anyway!

Some More Great Businesses in Indore

“Cerebral Heights” a Board Exam training center
“Polite Plywood” a lumber shop
“Digital Needs” a DVD rental shop
“Café Bake Well” a fast food joint (?)

The Unfortunate Mess of Tuesday Morning

After being here a month, I thought I was getting used to the daily task of walking to my bus stop. See, my host family lives in a colony; it is a small collection of houses off the main road so life is a little quieter. Every morning, Pranjal and I have to walk to the main road, cross the street and hop over the cement divider, and go to our bus stop, which is an Indian sweets shop. Last Tuesday was like any other school day; walking to the bus stop means precariously avoiding the stray dogs and cows. But more importantly, we have to avoid the fresh cow patties that nearly checkerboard the streets.
I was considering not even telling this short story, to save my own embarrassment, but I’m trying to look at the event in a purely humorous way. Well anyway, after crossing the divider, I made sure to avoid stepping in a cow plop, the size of a serving tray. Then behind us, someone sped by, either in a rush to work, or just enjoying their foreign-made car. And just my luck, as the car’s wheel went through the pile of dung, three little plops were sent flying onto the back of my school uniform. Pranjal got hit too, and at the time we were so disgusted, we couldn’t even see the humor in the situation. All day, I felt uncomfortable, even though I had cleaned off my uniform. I guess these exchanges really do teach you how to deal in any situation!

A day in the life of the atypical Sathya Sai student...

In my last post on my school, I didn't explain the meditation at my school, so at my mom's request, here goes...

On Monday and Thursday morning, the school has a "sitting assembly." This means that all students, grades 5 through 12, walk barefooted across the soccer fields, to the schools assembly hall. Students and teachers all sit on woven mats on the floor, facing the stage, where giant photos of Sai Baba are hung, and decorated with fresh flowers. On Mondays, we are led through a 20 minute meditation, and Thursdays, we observe the 'puja' or worship of Sai Baba. Both days, the school joins together in the singing of 'bhajans' or hymns. Because I don't understand the words of these religious songs, to me they are like lullabies. So every Monday and Thursday, I get a nice relaxing nap! The other four days of the week, we have "standing assembly" around the atrium of the school, where we listen to a "story of the day" and the "moral of the day", listen to the principal complain about the noise level during school, sing, and pray.

Some observations about the school:
-We are required to only write in blue pen, for no specific reason.
-My BS teacher (BS stands for Business Studies...not what you were thinking) pronounces his class as "Buz-nis-a Study".
-The dining hall is next to the windows of my classroom, and everyday, I start getting hungry at 10 AM, when they start preparing lunch...Yum!
-The girl with the best grade in my class is called the "topper".
-My accounts teacher had to explain that an account for "Narain Bros" is not said "Narain Brose" but "Narain Brothers".

Byebyes To Pearly

Sadly this week, I found out that just 5 days after I left home for India, my kitty Pearl died at home. All of you who know Pearl, know that her and I weren't the best of friends. But no matter how many times she scratched me, or jumped up on the counter to drink the dish water, or knocked over the garbage can, and no matter how frustrated I got her, she had been a part of our family since I was 5. And she was really the definition of "feline", smart, independent, and full of attitude. I am sad that she is now gone, but I know that she passed peacefully, in a place she loves.

How Have I Been Here A Month Already?!?!

The following are just some "snapshots" into my life here in Indore, so I can lend you my eyes, and you can see what I see! I've been a witness to so much in this past month, some that put a smile on my face, some that make me cry, and some that just make my jaw drop, and say "Wow, so this is the real India." My daily experiences are not all exciting, but I want to write about them anyway, so you can read them now, and I can read them in ten years!!!

1. Last Saturday, I went with my host brother and host mom to see a Hindi Bollywood film Love Aaj Kal.."Love Today and Yesterday." I really enjoyed the movie, even though I could only understand all of 5 words, the story line was pretty simple, and the music was great!!!
2. I have also gone to the free one hour yoga class, that is held every day at a Jain hostel that is across the street from the community where my house is. The class is made up of about 8-10 women all middle aged, and a little "roly poly", and taught by a very old Yogi. He was impressed with my flexibility, and my ability to stay in lotus, and to rock front and back in the bow position. It was a great experience, and now I'll be going every week!
3. I gave my presentation in a conference room. It was attended by about 100 Gynecologists and Obstetricians, and an equal number of guests. We got there around 9 PM, listened to a few speakers, and then I made my speech around 10:30. My speech went well, and I remembered to speak slowly and clearly, as my accent is particularly difficult for most Indians to understand. It was a little distracting though to have three photographers and a video camera surrounding me! After I spoke, the Society presented me with some mementos of the night; a bouquet of flowers, a crystal light catcher, and some almonds!
4. Today, on the bus ride home from school, I was staring out the window, and saw right on the highway, a bare-footed, white-bearded, loin-clothed man, maybe in his eighties, herding over 300 black and white sheep! How I wished I had my camera!!!