Ahmedabad, Here We Are.

I don't know what day it is, or what time it's supposed to be, or how exactly I'm going to remember not to rinse my toothbrush under the tap water, but I do know one thing--I'M IN INDIA!

I honestly feel like I've slept away my last two days, because of the dramatic time change and my unfortunate divorce from the sun during the entirety of Monday, January 25. I know that all of the rest will be worth it when I have the energy to explore the city tomorrow!

So, our group clambered onto the most GIGANTIC plane I have ever seen in my entire life at around 11:30 PM on Sunday, January 24th, EST. Seriously, every row held ten seats, and we were in the 82nd row on the first level of the plane! Insanity.

Anyways, I popped a melatonin pill as soon as I settled in and konked out for almost ten full hours (with little meal breaks, of course). We arrived in Dubai, UAE, at 10:30 PM (UAE time), Monday, January 25th. Because of our plane delay, we found ourselves rushing through the Dubai airport in order to reach our connecting flight.

Although many of us had secretly hoped we'd miss our flight so that we'd have the opportunity to explore Dubai, we were all pretty relieved to actually make the flight once we realized how exhausted we were! It was pretty insane--the workers at this airport barely even glanced at my passport as I rushed through security and onto the plane. I wonder if that's the nature of being in a large, relatively "safe" group. Better than being categorized as a 5 on the Israeli "danger" scale of 1-6!!

After a two hour flight, we finally arrived in INDIA!!!! at 3:00 AM local time, Tuesday, January 27th. I essentially lost my Monday!!! We were so disoriented upon our arrival, but the group managed to get through immigration (another stamp, yay!), security, baggage claim, and another security check. Our country coordinators for the program met us at the airport and shepherded us onto a coach bus that would drive us to our hotel.

Driving through the streets of Ahmedabad, India, at 5 AM was absolutely enthralling. I don't think I'll ever get used to or tired of the "newness" of travelling. Whether it's Israel, or Costa Rica, or India, the first drive through a country thrills and enchants. I felt myself soaking in the views of the city with my parched, dry mind; I drank in the sights, scarcely blinking in the fear that I'd miss something.

The world flashed by, with only momentary glances to capture the essence of the city. Shanty-towns of plastic tents set up on medians and in parks, with small fires to warm the slumberers. Newspaper deliverymen sitting cross-legged on the sidewalks, folding their wares in preparation for morning. Dogs (!!!!) roaming the streets in search of food. I couldn't get enough.

We arrived at the hotel around 6 in the morning and divided into rooms of six people each. The hotel is pretty stunning--it's set up suite style with kitchens, bathrooms, and quaint bedrooms in each "room." We decided to stay up for another hour in order to watch the stunning sunrise--

And chow down on a delicious Indian breakfast.

After eating our fill, we promptly went upstairs for a "nap" and slept from 8:45 AM to 3 PM.

It was glorious.

We woke up yawning to some commotion at our door--one of the host family's daughters had come to introduce herself to us and get to know us! Vishma is extremely sweet and is actually going to be Caitlin's host sister--so I'm sure I'll be seeing her all the time.

After another meal of incredible Indian food, Caitlin and I wandered outside to see how beautiful the weather is. Here's a hint--it's perfect. My frozen hell of two weeks has been rewarded with balmy weather in the 80's, and I could not be happier.

We turned the street corner to check out the monkeys about which we'd heard stories. Oh my god--they're huge. Like, not ape size or anything, but definitely the size of a small child. There were about a dozen of them inhabiting the front yard of the home next to our hotel. It was freaking nuts!!! We watched for about two minutes--until some of the monkeys legit started screaming at us and chasing us. I'm not ashamed to say I may have pushed Caitlin towards the monkeys in order to give myself a head start in sprinting away.

If you look closely, you can see that the monkey in the forefront is holding a little baby!

Throughout the day, we saw plenty more wildlife. There were chipmunks that legitimately jumped onto us; cows (COWS) that roam the streets (seriously--they're just walkin' in the road); peacocks; and a multitude of birds. No mosquitos, though--yet!!!

After lunch, we were treated to a beautifully touching welcome ceremony in which we were given a bindi (the red dot on the forehead), a gorgeous floral necklace, and a shower of pink flower petals, after which we lit a scented candle. It was such a stunning way to be welcomed into India and into our first country.

We had about an hour and a half of introductions and question and answer, and then a group of us(of which I am a part) gave an hour-long presentation and discussion on some readings. Yeah--a graded presentation. Sometimes, it can be difficult to remember that I'm technically in class!

After a quick dinner, we all retreated upstairs to get some rest. I, for one, am practically delirious from exhaustion--but honestly, what's new. Tomorrow will be an absolute adventure, as we are exploring the Old City of Ahmedabad. While I'm still slightly in shock and disbelief, it's just beginning to sink in--I'm in INDIA!!!!

Stoked as can be,
Aubrey

PS thanks for getting through my word-dense post--hopefully when I'm less exhausted, I can write posts with way more pics!

Here I Go

OH MY GOD!!! On my way to India!!! I can scarcely believe that the day I’ve been looking forward to since receiving my acceptance in early May of 2015. I am about to begin traveling the world!!!—but of course that couldn’t begin without some bizarre mishaps the day of leaving.

me: hey life!!! Could I have an uneventful day of travelling???

life:

First of all, yesterday’s blizzard missed breaking New York City’s previous all-time snowfall record by only 1/10 of an inch. It was a wild storm!! And while I did of course bring boots with me to weather the storm—they broke last night, so I was trudging through the snow today in sneakers. My toes practically froze.

me in real life

My friends and I also went through the trying process of shipping all of our winter clothes back home. At FedEx, they charge an extra $7 if they “pack the box for you,” so my good friend at the shop (shoutout to ____, can’t say her name because I don’t want her to get in trouble) explained that I was going to pack the box, as she just happened to leave the tape riiiiiight next to me.

i see you, girl

Too bad I’m a legitimate idiot and couldn’t figure out how to use the tape roller, so she had to help me do the entire thing.

literally her looking at me like

But my friends and I got our coats and gloves and scarves sent into the void as we spent our last few hours in the sub-freezing temperature wandering the snowy streets in light jackets. I did get to watch Jenn step into half a foot of icy slush, which was pretty fun.

We stocked up on the essentials--

And ate some Italian food to stave off the cold.

Upon returning to our hostel, we took refuge in an upstairs lounge for a few hours to kiss our boyfriends goodbye and catch up on The Bachelor. (okay, the last one was only me. And only the first one was Caitlin.)

We all piled onto a bus to mose on over to JFK airport. Just imagine—30 college students and 3 faculty members, packed for a trip around the world, attempting to fight through airport security after a day-long ban on flight travel. Combine the stress of that with my intense lone wolf status and my unwillingness to allow another individual to dictate any part of my travel experience since I've travelled alone so often, and you've got yourself a fun time.

*gif so fun yay*

Seriously, I yelled at my family in the Costa Rica airport about printing out my ticket for me. I blamed it on my lack of coffee (which it partly was), but it was mostly because I like to control every little detail of everything ever.

Honestly, though, it wasn’t even too shabby. Emmanuel was an absolute homie and hooked up Caitlin and me with sweet seats AND a rewards membership. YOU ROCK, EMMANUEL FROM JFK.

Too bad another TSA worker managed to ruin my mood only moments later. Joyful, bouncy little Aubs flounced to security and noticed that the worker was looking a little down.

“Do you ever get bored doing this?” she asks with sweet, pure innocence.

“Yeeeeep,” he replies gruffly.

Aubs' face

“I wish I could do something to make this more exciting for you!! Is there anything I can do?” she inquires earnestly.

Aubs' face again

He looks at her, smirks, and then tells a joke so offensive and dangerous and rude that she dares not repeat it on the internet.

It was literally insane, guys. Everybody around me dropped their jaws to the ground. Just a reminder that even honest attempts to spread the joy can be met with downright meanness. BUT DON’T LET THE GRUMPS DIM YOUR SUNSHINE. Ya know what I mean?

Anyways, we managed to find a Shake Shack for dinner and enjoy our last beef for at least four weeks.

me to cows

We then encountered a Jamba Juice, so I obvs had to slurp down my last smoothie that I’ll sip for the next few months.

The ladies behind the counter were extremely rude, though—probs because they didn’t even know how to make my favorite smoothie and I had to teach them.

Three months of working at your favorite fast food place can come in handy when they remove the best items from the menu.

I also picked up an insta-follower which is always a pleasure. Successful wait in the airport.

I’m now sitting in front of security, waiting to begin my trip around the world. EEEEEP! I am over the moon!!! (Almost—I haven’t quite gotten on the plane yet.)

Leaving you with a head scratcher that a few of us came up with standing in line, bored: can there be a verb without a noun? As in can there be a “be” without a “being”? Or “living” without a “life”?

Ponder these questions for the next twenty or so hours that I’m travelling. I’ll give ya my thoughts after a melatonin-fueled daze of exhaustion and slumber.

IN ONLY AN HOUR, YOUR FAVORITE WORLD TRAVELER WILL BE AT IT AGAIN.

Catch ya on the flip side,

Aubs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jonas

Guys, I can attest from personal experience (aka today) that humans do indeed hibernate. But what is there to do besides eat, sleep, Netflix, repeat, when snow is piling up outside with 40 mile-per-hour winds whipping the flakes into your face? Seriously, I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz when the tornado rips up her house.

being whipped away

This morning, I went downstairs to the kitchen to prepare some breakfast for myself and the rest of the IHPers. I fried two packs of bacon and basically ate one of them myself bc duh, that's what I do. Everybody seemed surprised by the fact that I cooked TWO WHOLE PACKS for thirty people, and I was like, "lol this wouldn't even satisfy the Stoddard fam for a Tuesday morning breakfast."

when I make Sierra or Moo a pack of bacon

The rest of my morning was me chillin' in bed--

Eating food, and watching Netflix. 

Later on, after dinner, Caitlin and I were absolutely desperate for coffee, so we legit made a Mount Everest-trek to the Dunkin three blocks away. I had snow up to my knees and my hair was frozen and I couldn't breathe because Caitlin was making me laugh so hard with her freak-outs about the blizzard. We legit got lost in front of the hostel, because walls of snow were blocking the sidewalk and we couldn't see since the snow was whipping our face and both of us were gasping for air. I cannot wait to escape this place. Which will be TOMORROWWWWWW.

That's right!!!! We fly out on Sunday at 11 PM for Dubai, away from this cold and snow and blizzardness. Yay!!!!

Also, after my post the other day about my smiling being unappreciated, I'd like to amend the assertion that no New Yorker appreciates my joy. I walked to Dunkin Donuts yesterday and flashed my happiest smile at the worker that looked like she was having a rough time. She grinned back, and said "your smile... it's nice." I was immediately like--

*tears falling from my eyes*

It honestly reaffirmed my dedication to spreading joy and love and metaphorical sunshine, no matter the reception or the silly looks that people give me. One person smiling back makes all the cold looks worth it! Use this as a reminder for yourself that smiling at others, that dancing along to a street performer's music, that living a joyful life, is one of the simplest but most impactful ways to change the world for the better.

Spreadin' the joy,

Aubrey

Psych

You might think it's my last day in the states, that I'm packing up all of my belongings, and that I'm reminiscing on how much I'm going to miss the United States.

But alas...

Nope. Winter Storm Jonas is hurtling towards New York and threatens to drop 12-18 inches of snow by Sunday morning. Which means... Our flight has been cancelled, and I'll be stuck in New York City until Monday, or even TUESDAY.

Other people are like,

But I'm feeling like,

why is this happening to me

Literally, I cannot handle this cold and winter and blizzard snow. How am I going to handle this?

... I mean that's rhetorical, because I love my fellow IHPers so much that I know their company and their amazingness will get me through this time.

Anyways, a summary of my last two days. Yesterday, my class visited Hudson Yards, a luxury development in Manhattan with apartments in the 8-digits--

the beautiful proposed Hudson Yards!!!

Their Vice President spoke with us for about an hour, and most of my classmates had some really pressing, intellectual, and critical questions about the impact this development would have on the city. Caitlin and I, on the other hand, were like--

where do we sign the lease???

Later that night, Caitlin, a bunch of friends, and I traipsed over to a laundromat to wash our clothing. It was a ~thrilling~ experience, especially as Caitlin and I had never actually been a laundromat before. The owners were half-intrigued, half-unamused with the antics of six random non-New Yorkers. 

Today was our final day of programming for New York. It included a trip down to Midtown East in Manhattan to a non-profit on the 19th floor of a beautiful building. We discussed our academic experiences over the last few weeks, and then presented some info on India--including a fun Bollywood dance. 

We had a delicious Italian farewell dinner and are now hunkered down in the hostel for the next day or two as the snow begins to fall. A bunch of us in the group spent the night dancing in the basement and having a fun time. 

I'm exhausted, so I'm wrapping this up quickly--but I'm very happy, very cozy, and feeling so loved. 

With my whole heart,

Aubrey

Sit-Downs, Senior Citizens, and Smoothies

Remember how I told you the other day that I'm starting to get a handle on this whole 8-10 hour days? I take it back. By 3 o'clock this afternoon, I was like--

Regardless, I have learned so much in the past two days, and I feel evermore lucky to have been granted the opportunity to travel on this program. 

Yesterday, I started off the morning with a few other ladies in downtown Manhattan as we battled against the bitter wind and cold through -2 degree windchill to meet with a representative of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United. The cold had me like

and I complained quite extensively, I'll be honest. However, our meeting with the rep made the Arctic trek worth it. We learned about how 9/11 affected the restaurant industry, about the issues facing restaurant workers today, and about how New York City handles its restaurant business. Having worked at Jamba Juice as a service worker (though not quite a "tipped" worker), I found the conversation very interesting. It also reaffirmed my gratefulness for my prior experiences as a service worker, in addition to my former roles as housekeeper and tour guide. You learn so much about how to treat people through others' poor (or positive!) treatment of you. Plus, I can make a sick-ass Razzmatazz.

Speaking of Jamba Juice, I am pretty appalled at the food limitations I'll be experiencing in India. Because of the dangers of Indian water for Westerners without the bacteria to handle its effects, I will be unable numerous dishes and foods for the next month. No meat or fish; no thin-skinned fruits or vegetables; no dairy; no room-temperature or cold food.... I basically cannot eat. As a Californian, bred to enjoy kale, carnitas, and SMOOTHIES, I will probably have the most trouble attempting to adapt to such a strict diet. All of these East Coasters complain, and I'm like--

BACK TO NY: Immediately upon return from our labor site visit, we were told that we had to commence our discussions with other groups. Everyone else had been given about an hour to eat lunch and relax, while our distance from the meeting point, as well as our lengthy meeting, left us two minutes. I know this seems like it isn't a big deal, but when you're expected to be mentally engaged from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, the loss of an hour-long lunch break can be practically equivalent to heartbreak. We were basically speed-eating like--

Anyways, for the next four hours, I was given a lot of information about housing in NYC and other topics that can sometimes be difficult to digest and can be especially difficult to examine critically without bias. Even though I have some (read: a plethora of) issues with Harvard and its educational system, one thing I can credit it for is its help in developing my ability to think critically. I'm usually pretty decent at assessing information given to me and analyzing its viability, biases, and potential shortcomings. Because of the "experiential" approach of my study abroad program and the fact that I am meeting with individuals outside of academia that have very clear personal goals and priorities (beyond that of simply providing an unbiased learning environment), I am consistently finding this skill to be crucial.

Too long, didn't read version: thanks for some things, Harv.

me @ Harvard

I get more and more excited about the potential of traveling with this incredible group of people the more time that I spend with them. Though I've only known them for a week, we've opened up to each other already about our hopes, dreams, goals, fears, personal faults, experiences, and even baby names. I am basically in love with the idea of globetrotting with the twenty-nine other students on this program. ILY @ all of ya.

Today was another insanely busy day. We began with a visit to NYCHA, aka New York City's Housing Authority. 

me and the seal for NYCHA!

One of my study abroad program's alumni actually gave us a fascinating presentation on the state of public housing in New York, and I was like super stoked about it. There was one point, however, that will forever live in my memory as a moment of absolute shame.

She asked how many years it had been since 1935 and I legitimately YELLED out, "79!!!!!"

I was all proud of my speedy math skills--

"I'm, like, kinda smart, guys."

And it took me a few seconds until I was like--

omg.

It's 81. Not 79. I am an idiot.

But like, it's totally fine. I have a calculator on my phone.

From our visit to NYCHA, a group of us started to wander through Manhattan to check out some historical sites and buildings. I was really excited, and my friends laughed at my antics, even as I tried to hold it in a little bit.

me when I saw the FBI building

Sally, a practically-native New Yorker, gave us a tour of the skyline, along with some information about the numerous city and federal buildings around us.

The glass building is the One World Trade Center

New York City's FBI building (woah)

We also checked out a stunningly touching memorial for New York African-American slaves. In the process of building City Hall only a few decades ago, developers encountered the remains of 419 enslaved men and women from the 17th and 18th centuries. The ground was consecrated as a memorial--a seriously stunning one. 

"for all those who were lost; for all those who were stolen, for all those who were left behind; for all those who were never forgotten."

about 5 burial mounds for the bodies

I was incredible touched by this memorial. Slavery and its aftermath hold not only my intense academic interest, but also a very personal investment, as I'm a descendant of Louisianan slaves. Memorials like this remind me of the resilience and fortitude and bravery of my ancestors, and the debt to which I owe their strength to live on and persevere.

We then walked over to the Brooklyn Bridge, which connects Manhattan to Brooklyn with a stunning view.

woah!

artsy, huh?

that's me

padlocks on the bridge--just like in Paris!

My group then hightailed it to Brooklyn for a meeting with Ridgewood-Bushwick Senior Citizens Center, an organization that assists seniors in finding affordable housing and meeting their basic and recreational needs. The breadth of this organization, its workers' dedication to not only the rights but also the joy and happiness of their clients, and the passion that the representatives brought to the meeting made me super excited. I'll be honest, though; about an hour and a half into the meeting, I found myself faltering a bit. Even though I'd had an ice cream cone right before entering--

I was experiencing a bit of a caffeine-deficiency. However, when one of the women mentioned that her niece would be attending Harvard this coming fall, I was like--

yay!

Immediate engagement. I love talking to future/potential Harvardians and giving them advice and excitement and reassurance. I was sure to pass along my email and promise information. 

From there, I trekked back to Queens for a dinner with some alumni. They asked us to introduce ourselves, and I swear this transaction took place.

Me, with my normal pep: Hi! My name is Aubrey, and I'm from Southern California--

Alumni, with slightly stony face: Oh, well then, I guess that explains all the smiling.

I was like--

And he was like--

And it basically just epitomized my experience in New England and the Northeast in general. I just do not fit in here.

The dinner was fantastic, though, and the awesome alumni gave us tons of advice and info and even added us on Snapchat.

I've been writing now for about an hour, and I should be doing a ton of homework and readings now, but meh. Though we were supposed to start at 10 AM tomorrow, our program director forgot to include a section of training in orientation, so we now are meeting at 9 AM instead. Literally all thirty of us looked like this upon hearing the news--

It was quite the moment of solidarity. So, since I'll be up and at it in approximately eight hours, I think it's about time for me to go to sleep. Love you all oh so much.

Keeping my Cali status,

Aubs