July 17th

I've been meaning to write for a while now but whenever I begin to write, something always seems to come up (or the power unexpectedly shuts off...). Between the classes, coursework, social obligations, meals, discussions, and meetings, we're oddly busy here. It's been almost three weeks here in Umarkhed and things are beginning to feel a little more comfortable and routine. The thing about living in a place like this, is that things never seem ordinary. The minute I think I have the area figured out and that I've adapted, something happens to surprise me. Whether good or bad. There’s always something new.

A ton has happened in the past couple weeks that I would've liked to been able to write about. We had a huge group of junior college girls come to the house and give us all henna (called "mendhi" here). We went to a sari shop and each bought saris that are being tailored at the moment. We ended up going upstairs to the sari shop owner's apartment and received chai and were able to sit in the air conditioning for a while. The owner's daughter came home as we were leaving the apartment and was so happy, it made all of our days. She kept saying "I'm so surprised you're here, I'm so happy. I'm going to tell all of my friends that you were here and they won’t believe me. Please don’t forget about me, I won’t forget about you” This type of interaction isn’t actually uncommon and it can feel strange, but it definitely makes us all feel like what we’re doing is worth it. It's also a great feeling to feel so welcomed and accepted in an area where we are trying very hard to be respectful. 

Eating south Indian food three times a day for a month is not easy (and definitely not easy on the body). We were finally able to get things like milk, eggs, and bread to be brought to the house almost daily. Now we can opt out of some meals and cook our own, although the options are still limited. My roommate and I also worked out a plan with Santosh, our favorite security guard, to come and cook tandoori chicken once a week. Our professors were worried that he would feel uncomfortable with this, since the staff here feels obligated to do anything we ask. But we’ve formed friendships with many of the employees here, like Santosh, and we are able to cook together without it feeling so much like an obligation for him.

Most days can be somewhat difficult. Some days we are not allowed to leave the house, some we have tons of work, and some it’s too hot to really do anything. It’s also difficult living in a house with 10 people, constantly having staff around, and constantly being watched.  But I’m making a point to find the positive in every day, or at least gain a lesson from that day. A lesson that I’ve learned this week is to be grateful for the small things. I think that in an area like this, you have to find the silver linings. Things like being brought chai in the morning because the house staff, like Dipak, know we love it. Like getting a couple hours of cool weather so that you can sit out on the porch and work. Like getting smiles from the younger girls on campus, remembering names and faces, and feeling like you’ve made friends and connections with people here. And like finally being able to make clear connections between readings or lectures and our experiences here in Umarkhed. I think we're all finally feeling a connection the the area, the community, and the work we're doing. 

July 7th

The first week here was crazy and kind of a blur. There has been so much to adjust to, so many surprises, bumps in the road, and factors that did not occur to me or that I did not expect. I don't think that the people of Umarkhed were ready for a group of 10 Ohioans to invade their city. If I understand correctly, we are the first Americans that the majority of the people here have ever seen. This is clear everywhere we go. Every place we go, even if it's just right outside of our house, we get massive amounts of attention. At times it can be overwhelming and confusing, especially for someone who already gets uncomfortable in social situations. But at this point, I've become somewhat used to the attention and comfortable with it, and I've realized how kind and well-meaning everyone here is.

The first thought I had when we arrived in Umarkhed was that it's nothing like anywhere else I've ever been. It's less developed and further from American culture than anywhere I've traveled before. But what makes India stand out and seem worth it is the people. I think that people are confused and surprised to see a group of American females, but all they want is to talk to us, help us, and do absolutely anything that they can to make us feel at home. I've noticed that Indian culture is all about hospitality, family, friendship, and togetherness, which I love. Individualism does not seem to exist in India, and that is something that I am still adjusting to. But it's only been a week and I've already met people who I know I'll cry when I have to leave. This culture is one that is extremely hard to adjust to, but it's an amazing one once you start to understand it and accept it. 

These pictures show the types of stares we receive when going into town. Obviously subtlety is not valued in India. 

Week 1

I can't believe that it's only day 5. We've only really been here at the college for 3 days, because traveling took up so much time. It feels that we've been here for weeks, and at the same time, everything feels so new. The settling in and adjusting is the hardest part. I'm not sure that I'll ever get used to hard beds, mosquitoes, spicy Indian food 3 times a day, and 95 degree weather. But the only option is to try. I've realized that with experiences like this one, there are two options. One is to focus on the negative and let it swallow you up to the point where you've shut out and dismissed anything positive. This is definitely the easiest option because it takes way less effort. The other option is to be as positive as humanly possible. To embrace the hard beds, the heat, and the insects, and to brush it off. To look at rural Indian culture as something novel and fascinating, rather than shocking and frustrating. 

On the flight to Mumbai, I sat next to a kind and talkative man from south India who recommended I watch a movie called 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'. He said that it would give me a realistic view of what Indian culture is like, and that it would help be understand India a little more before I arrived. The movie follows 6 retired British people who were seeking something new and exotic, so they travel to the city of Jaipur in India. The trip is not at all what the travelers expected and each of them has a great amount of trouble coping and adapting to their surroundings. One of the main characters who has recently gone through a hard time, decides to become positive, to embrace Indian culture, and to make the absolute best of her situation. At one point the character says, "Initially you're overwhelmed. But gradually you realize it's like a wave. Resist, and you'll be knocked over. Dive into it, and you'll swim out the other side." So I have decided to dive into it. To cope, and even more, to thrive. I know that as long as I try my best to adapt, I will have no regrets, and I will swim out the other side.