India

2008-07-24T23:47:00.002-04:00

I got home this morning after two days of traveling. I am sick at random. I thought I was just jet lagged but I have a fever. Hopefully I don't have some crazy Indian sickness.

2008-07-19T05:27:00.002-04:00

Everything is finally and I'm leaving on Tuesday and will be back in the states on Wednesday. I am sad to be leaving but at the same time I am so relieved. I have been really enjoying my last few days in India. We went to this restaurant today across from our college that was called Sparky's. It is made to look like a 50's dinner and owned by a guy from Cleveland. How weird is that? Ohioans are everywhere!!! I ate Nachos in India!? They were pretty good. Sunday night we are going to the movies to see a Bollywood film which should be fun. I guess Bollywood films are like 3 and 4 hours long with absurd dance scenes. Last night we went out to a club with one of the Indian students and it was the most swanky place I have ever been. It had two floors with huge lounge couch sitting areas and AC which was on full blast. India is a very diverse country because yesterday we also went to a domestic court hearing where most people in room were not wearing shoes. Here you can see extreme differences in how people live with in only 5-10 miles of one another. You can drive along the coast and see fisher men's houses ( which are bamboo huts on the side of the road, no toilet no running water just a hut) or you can drive through the middle of the city and see million dollar high rises. It is hard to find such dramatic differences with in a 10 mile radius in America.

Chennai

2008-07-17T01:43:00.002-04:00

This is the first access to intranet that I have had since I came to Chennai. So a lot has happened so far. I have been sick for about 5 days now and it blows. I am also really home sick. I'm having great experiences but am just really miserable. I am leaving India early on Tuesday the 22. I can't take it anymore. I wish I weren't sick and could eat because that would make this trip easier. I feel like a failure.. I know a lot of people are disappointed in me but I just need to go home. Sorry....

2008-07-12T05:50:00.002-04:00

So this morning I woke up and went to the Taj. I mean how many people get to say that? I would just like to give my self some props real quick. I have not complained this whole trip about bathrooms, being hot ( when I say hot I mean being so sweaty I might as well just pee my pants or take a shower in my clothes because there are that wet) taking cold showers and many other annoyances. I just had to take a second to be proud of my self. I don't know if I can take 3 more weeks of this but I will for sure give it my best effort. The food isn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Really it's too hot to eat most of the time anyway. I miss my friends and family. I hope to upload photos soon so everyone can see what I'm seeing. India looks very much like how you would picture it. It's pretty dirty but beautiful at the same time.

Side note : So I feel like a movie star or something because everyone wants to get there picture with a white girl. It's kind of weird but cute when whole families come up and ask for a picture.

Last night the girls and I gave in to our American tummy's and had to eat pizza. We went to Pizza Hut and ran in to another group of American girls who were in India working at different orphanages. They were not only all college age American girls they were also from Ft. Wayne Indie and social work majors. I could not believe it!! We got the dates for when they will be in Chennai and are going to meet up with them. How crazy right?

Well I must go for today but I miss everyone and love reading your comments.

First Day

2008-07-08T08:47:00.001-04:00

Today was my first day in India. My flight was alright. The Airport was a bit of a culture shock because it seemed disorganized. The driving is crazy here! I used my first squat toilet today and I love it. It is way better than western toilets b/c you don't have to touch anything nasty you just squat. I saw everything in Delhi from temples to Parliament buildings. I got my picture taken with the most adorable little boy today. He wanted to get his picture taken with me because I am a Westerner. We are all very tired and have a long 5 hour drive to Jay-pur (i spelled it how you say it) in the morning.

2008-07-04T17:27:00.002-04:00

Today we had a family get together today . It was in honor of the 4th but I like to think it was mostly in honor of me and my leaving the country. One of my uncle's got my a gift that included Imodium, Pepito and Rolaids. Everyone thought that was pretty funny. It just made me think about how much I will hate the bathrooms in India. I have pretty much come to the conclusion that I will basically be miserable in bathroom terms. I have two days till I leave and I'm a little nervous for the 15 hours I have to spend in an airplane. I am also somewhat nervous for the 50 min that we have between airplanes in Chicago.

Pre-Trip

2008-07-02T23:48:00.003-04:00

I currently have only 4 days till I leave for India. I am not very excited right now because I have so much to do. I hope that I can see everyone before I leave. I feel somewhat nervous about my trip because I feel as though so much will be different and new.