New to New Delhi

The first great Indian adventure was driving into the city from the airport. After 15 hours in a plane (flying north directly over tip of the mitten state), sleeping 10 hours and talking to my lovely seat companion Marla, we made it to Delhi, through customs (no lost bags) and were met by a enthusiastic man and shuffled onto a bus. And the driving is just like you would expect: steering wheel on the right, driving in the left lane, obeying no traffic signals and following the indian rule of the right-of-way; whoever has the least to lose goes.


Delhi was a whirl but somewhere in there we were introduced to the social benefits of chai, saw the president's house, parliament and were pulled over. We did walk around the corner to explore the Sikh temple and were escorted through by a wonderful old woman. The temple was welcoming and full of people of all ages; babies, toddlers, grandparents and teenage boys. We also had roof sit #1

The drive to Jaipur was most interesting. We could feel the shift into Rajasthan: brighter colored saris, camels, goats and cows cows cows. Entering Jaipur we went through the Pink City and saw our first elephant.

Jaipur is great--the few parts of it I have seen. Our school [MSID office] is in a great neighborhood a few blocks away from a busy market. There are malls and parks and shops and people people people and cows. Our hotel in Jaipur was the sight of roof sit #2

That covers a lot of logistical things, so let me mention the social.

There is a lot of staring, but it doesn't feel probing, just curious. Children exclaim HIHOW AREYOU! while they run by and grab your hand and men zoom past on their motos honking their horns. The food is delicious (and agrees with my system *knock on wood*) and our professors are fantastic. The women are articulate and full of wisdom (especially the woman who will be in charge of the Arts and Culture track internship) and our program coordinator aka the "Herder of American College Kids" is wonderful.

I am learning a ton already from this program filled with global studies international relations development majors...but I have come to the conclusion that they are all feminists and have yet to come to this realization. I will help them reach enlightenment.

I move into my homestay tomorrow morning. I am going to have a 6 year old sister and 5 year old brother!

I am happy and overwhelmed but satisfied and ready to be here for a while.

love~ellen

quote of the moment: "India smells like a sauna" ~Josselyn