Kohyil

Saturday is play day!  Today we went to Mamallapuram which is a beach town and was once a 7th Century  city port here in Southern India.  They have temples (Kohyil) and carvings and it is thought that this was once a school for stone cutters and sculptures.  We were able to walk around some of the areas before it was time to shop.  As soon as the bus stopped and the doors opened we were set upon by people selling tourist things.  I bought this little stone ball that has some Hindu images on it.  He kept trying to get me to buy this Kama Sutra poster but I finally got him to drop the topic after he flipped through all of them and I still wasn't interested. I felt this little stone carving was a good compromise.

Berlyn, Julie and I.

Sometimes you really have to embrace your inner Indiana Jones and run away from giant rolling boulders. 

This rock is called Butterball.

After we went shopping to get some sandals but the shop we wanted wasn't open so I purchased 3 churidars which i was able to pick the fabric and have made that day.  We went back a few hours later and they were just coming off the sewing machine.  I've since tried them in and they are huge... but what ever.  They will flow in the 112 degree heat.

Typical India street.

Just chillin' on the sidewalk.

After the temple area we went to Ideal beach which was about 5 miles away from shopping. 400 rupees later we were sitting on the beach and ordered some veggie burgers and french fries. And by veggie burger I mean a potato burger.  We also went swimming in the sea before we went up to the pool.

The water may have been warm but it was amazing! So amazing that we stayed in the water for over two hours.

Everywhere we go you see these mini little temples that have such amazing colors. 

Driving in India is always amazing.  I never want to close my eyes because I will miss something. India is such a beautiful place and I wish there was a way to clean up the garbage a little more.  Here is a typical side of the road shot.

Everyone shares the road here.  They honk the horn to warn for any type of passing.  Motorcycles can go either direction on the street and you drive so close to other vehicles you can high five the other passengers.

This is the craziest part of driving.  This would never happen in the US.  The green bus ahead of us can't fit any more people in the bus, so what happens?  They hang off the side.  This bus was driving and at one point truly almost tipped over it was so side heavy that they had to pull off the road and reconfigure, meaning some people were left there until they could run and jump on the next passing bus.  We saw today people laying on top of the cab of a truck because there were no other spots available.  I wish I could have gotten a better shot of just how tipped this bus really was.

I'm looking forward to next weekend where we get to go to Ponducherry which is a french colony beach town.

Maampazham

The Rising Star campus is covered with Mango (Maampazham) Trees that are heavy with fruit.  I've had a little while I've been here and they are slowly getting more ripe.  I'm told that when they get ripe we might get some monkeys on campus.  I hope they don't come because I plan on eating every single one of these on the trees if the kids and others don't beat me to it.

This morning was absolutely beautiful so I went to so sit in the sun for a little bit.  Before I went out I made sure to grab my water bottle that I put in the freezer.  Now not all freezers get cold enough to freeze things so I put my bottle in there with that in my mind.  Well when I went to get it this is what I have... a popcicle.  The water expanded in the bottle and pushed the stopper up and the water filled the plastic cap and froze. It was a happy treat for me this morning.  Ice water, sun and a nice breeze. 

Here are some other random pictures over the past few days. 

Me planking on the roof before dinner.

This is Karthik.  He and his three brothers came in to do some English testing before school started. Berlyn and I were the lucky ones that got to play with them the whole morning they were here.

This is Moorthy and his Annnnan (older brother) Ashok is in the back taking his test.  Moorthy is so sweet and is such an acrobat.  He loves to flip and pop and bounce everywhere.  You will see him standing on his head or hands rather than his feet.

The kids start coming tomorrow and we are all anxiously waiting for them.  We can't wait to play!  

Thinamum Kuli

Thinamum Kuli means "bathe daily" which is sound advice living here. Here is a short tour of the bathrooms here.  Before you think a "squatter toilet" or a bucket shower are scary or strange... they really aren't that bad.  It's all good and I'm not just saying that.

Squatter  Toilet 

Bucket Shower

I also got out the good camera today and started taking some pictures around the Elephant House where I live.  Below is the view from the roof that is overlooking the cistern, Walk of Hope and the School Building. To the right is the soccer field and the track.

We eat dinner every night on the roof with the volunteers that are here for the 1-3 week programs. Its really nice on the roof because there is always a breeze. We talk and share our highs and lows for the day.  Day 1 seems to be the day where the low is always the heat.  Don't worry, I'm on day 4 and it seems to be getting better.

Our  Elephant by the front door.

View from the kitchen to my room that is behind the pillar and up to the roof canopy.

Part of my responsibility as the Sponsorship Director includes maintaining the Sponsor board in the Volunteer Hostel. With a team effort I was able to update and add to the board.  There are so many kids that need sponsors, so if you are interested  click the link at the top of the page.  

The kids are coming back this weekend.  Everyone here on campus is impatiently waiting for them to finally get here!!  Let's get this party started!!

Nandri

I was asked by a friend what India was like and if it was beautiful.  My answer is - India sneaks up on you and is so very beautiful.  I think whenyou land and see it for the first time you are overwhelmed with all that's on the surface.  You see thousands of people, motorcycles, buses, traffic, garbage and garbage burning.  It's hot and you are immediately uncomfortable and have a layer of sweat constantly.  But then slowly the layers peel off and you meet the people and have experiences that make it so those things fade and you are left with beauty.  You are still covered in sweat but you see beauty.

The people here are amazing.  They are quick to smile and wave to perfect strangers.  Their face lights up when you use there language and want to learn about their culture. Niyeem came to hook up our printer for us and when I said thank you in Tamil he almost fell over with pride that we would take the time to learn some of his language.

The people of India are beautiful, every shape and size. The colors of the saris are bold and their smiles so bright and they are so quick to help.  I was able to meet Vanilla Mary this past Sunday on our way to church.  Its a 2 hour van ride to and from Chennai so we were all able to spend some quality time together.  Vanilla Mary has two energetic and intelligent boys, Stephenraj and Michaelraj.  Their English is so good and they love to watch WWE, movies and take pictures with their cell phones. Michaelraj was often caught making faces at the people passing by. They have such a quick wit and are so funny.  When I was taking out the rubbish, Stephenraj tried to lift Dane into the bag, as he was clearly rubbish too. They just make you smile.  Vanilla and her boys will be coming back to Rising Start Outreach this weekend for the start of school.  I have a feeling this place isn't the same without them and I am so excited to have them here.

In total on Sunday I think we took about a 5 hour car ride and you might think that was a long time but with this group of people- it was a really good day.

Vanilla Mary, Carl, Julie and Stephenraj

Berlyn and Danielle

When we finally made it home- stuffed from 3 large pizzas and 3 orders of the best garlic bread sticks I have ever eaten (brought to you by Domino's) we went back to work.  We had to stop and get some jasmine for the volunteers to wear in their hair for the next morning.  The jasmine is individually wrapped with string and is cut into strips and pinned into your hair.  I got to wear one today.  I loved the smell but I kept forgetting it was there and when it would move on my head I kept thinking it was an insect landing/attacking me. I kept ducking to get it off only to realize that yet again I had made a fool of myself...  Happens frequently here/anywhere.

Nandri means "thank you".  I want to say thank you for an amazing day.  There are no words to fully express this place, its one of those things you must experience.  At church one of the speakers was talking about one day he had to go into this air conditioned office to make a delivery.  It was such a hot that day and he was so tempted to sit there and be comfortable in this office; but he realized that that would accomplish nothing just sitting there.  For him to move forward in his life he needed to acclimate to the heat.  Only by going out in the heat was he able to accomplish the work he needed to do.  So we like him need to step out into the heat of the day (no matter how appealing that A/C is) and do some work and with the refining heat become the people we were made to be.  That is my goal while I am here- step out in that heat and make a difference.  A difference in myself and hopefully for others.

Nandri to all of you who helped me get here, I hope to do you proud.

Vanakkam!

Today was a kind of preparation day where we were getting ready for the group coming in on Monday. Today was filled with making beds, organizing the churidar closet and checking off lists.  So here is a little tour of the Elephant House.  

Courtyard

Walk of Hope

We were thinking of something fun to put on the doors for the volunteers to know what rooms they are going to be in.  So we had one plan but that got scrapped so we thought it would be nice to use the Tamil greeting on the door (Vanakkam).  So I looked up how to write it and then started putting them all up, then I thought I should double check it with one of the locals and she wrote it nice for me so I could copy and she told me I needed to have an additional letter in there so I added it.  Next thing I know that extra symbol was scratched out on my door.  So now I have NO idea what is right and who knows what I have written on my door.

And the reason that Julie and I have a dino on the door is because we are the oldest volunteers here... for the moment.  We will have to adjust as the time goes on :o)  We are silly girls

What day is it?

In total I think my travel was about 36 hours from door to door. I am so happy to be here finally. My new home for six months! I've already made some new friends, seen interesting things I think you will only see here and had some great food. All in all my travel days were exhausting but worth it.

Few items of note:

1. I hate LAX airport
2. Munich is probibly one of the most beautiful places. Granted a saw it from the air but it was so pretty. The alps weren't so bad either
3. Customs is like taxes... It's always there.
4. India is hot
5. I'm thankful for a bed
6. Most european airlines are way better than United.

And with that good night! Here are some pictures for your enjoyment:

About 30 hours of this....

Munich... you look perfect!

Getting ready for dinner

Dinner!!