(From February 2)
UGH friends, I promise that I haven’t abandoned you!!! My
homestay has no WiFi, and the school’s WiFi is quite fickle. For instance, I
brought my laptop yesterday to post my blog from two days ago, but WiFi only
worked on phones. So, I brought my phone today in order to get connected—but
only laptops connected today.
It doesn’t make any sense, I know, so please don’t ask me to
explain.
It’s been a long couple of days. Getting used to a new bed
(which Sally and I share), new sounds and sights, a new neighborhood… It’s
exhausting. Couple that with school hours of 9 AM to 5 PM, and you’ve got
yourself a tired Aubs falling asleep during guest lectures.
I sucked up my exhaustion to explore the street markets
yesterday with a few friends. I bought myself a couple of items, and also
bought gifts for some family… (looking at you, Si and Grams!!!)
More fun than the actual buying was watching Caitlin haggle.
Vendors would insist that a frock be sold for 800 rupees (about $12). Caitlin
would look them straight in the eye and say, “200.”
They would act appalled, shocked, disturbed, angered, and
the entire time, Caitlin would look at them with cold, heartless eyes.
I even got a little bit uncomfortable during some of her
bargaining, thinking that these obviously were worth more than $2.50, but guess
what—after a few shops, she got them down to 200 rupees.
Also in exciting news—I took my first bucket shower
yesterday!! WOW! Instead of standing underneath a wasteful flood of water from
a shower nozzle, I went the ~Indian way~ and filled a giant bucket with hot
water and used a tiny small cup to actually wash myself. I was worried it would
be cold, or inconvenient, or difficult, but I actually didn’t mind it at all.
10/10 would recommend again (especially if that’s the only way to get flicks of
cow poop off of your feet).
Last night, after another scrumptious dinner by Host Mother
Shiman, Sally and I settled into the couch to watch the Discovery Channel show
called “Belief,” narrated by the one and only Oprah. The show uses case studies
around the world to display global religions and faith systems. It’s a
fascinating show, and I really enjoyed it, but even cooler than the actual show was realizing how blessed I’ve been
to visit so many of the sites they display!! Flashes of the Wailing Wall, Dome
of the Rock, and Indian Hindi festivals felt familiar, while photos of Christ
the Redeemer excited me for next month’s travels. I continue to be awed by the
incredible fortune I’ve been lucky enough to stumble upon in my ability to
travel and explore. The hard work, love, and support of my parents, my Israeli
host family, my grandmother, my sisters, my friends who encouraged me to take a
chance, follow my wanderlusting itch, and study abroad… I would have neither
the bravery nor the foundation of love necessary to achieve my dreams without
all of you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.
Even though I’m kind
of finding out.
I have to admit, I’ve been a sourpuss these past two days.
The struggles with internet, my inability to take advantage of the texting plan
that my parents bought me, my “off-the-grid” status from 5 PM to 9 AM... People
probably think I’m a spoiled brat.
But honestly, it’s not about social media, or planning
trips, or even following the results of the Iowa caucus. I’m just absolutely
desperate to be in touch with my family. Being in such an unfamiliar,
overwhelming, shocking place in conjunction with the isolation from my loved
ones (physically, verbally, etc. etc. etc.) is breaking me down, man. I’m kind
of a mess. I’m seriously doing my best to hold it together, but I’m only myself
when I have access to my fam. Probs because I need their constant teasing and
ridicule to keep my head from getting too big (only partially kidding). I
really do miss them, though. Hoping that communications improve and that I’m
able to get ahold of them soon.
Today, I visited a public school on the outskirts of
Ahmedabad. It was absolutely heartbreaking. Located less than a half-mile from
a trash-burning dumpsite, the school is regularly unattended due to the
constant illnesses of the children because of the heavy pollution. In the
“backyard” of the school is another trash-sorting dump site, and murders take
place often in the streets between the school and the children’s homes.
How does one emotionally and mentally comprehend the tragedy
of such a situation? How can I even begin to understand the hardships a fourth
grader has to endure in order to sit down in a classroom when her mother and
father work as contracted laborers and may not make enough money for her
dinner? How does a fourth-grade boy function in an academic setting when his
entire family has been uprooted from its home due to government rezoning and
placed in a slum forty minutes away? Comparisons are impossible; I find myself
standing in shock and disbelief, desperate to think of a solution. What can be
done? How can I help? What can I do?
At the beginning of our program, we were told that we would
be shielded from dangerous things but not from disturbing things. I have come
to understand what that means. I know that it is for the best. I know that I’m
learning lessons and meeting people that will forever imprint themselves on my
mind when I make decisions in my career and personal life. I continue to
believe that individuals can make a difference: for example, we met a woman
today who began her own informal school called “Slum Shine” that meets on the
side of the street in completely impoverished areas and teaches children that
may not otherwise have access to education.
How can one not believe in miracles and goodness and action
when one hears a story like that?
So, despite the hardship and despite my discomfort and
despite my lack of access to WiFi, I am glad I am here. This is, for the
moment, the place and the program and the mindset in which I belong.
Ending on a ~cool~ note: this past summer in Israel, I read
a few books (historical fiction, non-fiction, the Bible, everything!) set in
Israel or about the country. It was absolutely one of the coolest things about
my experience. I felt immersed in the culture and history; I would read a
passage about a Jerusalem marketplace while settling in at my rooftop hostel
overlooking the Dome of the Rock and feel completely at one with my world. SO,
I decided to do the same thing here! Shoutout to JStodds (aka my dad) for
finding one incredible novel about each of the countries to which I’ll be
travelling. I’ve started with Midnight’s
Children by Salman Rushdie, a novel set in the early years of Indian
independence (1947 onwards). I’ve already noticed that words from the book are
tossed around in daily life, and that the information I learn in classes
directly contributes to my understanding of the novel’s background. It’s basically
the coolest thing I’ve ever done.
Tonight, Sally and I will be finishing some homework (maybe)
and watching TV and reading (way more likely). Hope that all of you have had a
fabulous few days!
Finding my way,
AubStod
Hope you had a nice learning experience! :)
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