update from sweaty Jodhpur

Update from sweaty Jodhpur

It’s 10:45 p.m. and I’m sweating with a headlamp on… the rains came and the power is now out.  Frequent power outages are common occurrences in India. 

Much has happened since I last wrote… I dodged my 1^st sand storm, moved in with my host family, started work at UNNATI and now am experiencing my 1^st back out. 

After experiencing a fantastic thunder and light show, I dined by candlelight with my family, put on deet (when the rain comes…so do the mosquitoes and when the power is out…the windows are open), popped 2 Tylenol PMs hoping I can sleep in this intense heat.  I’m living a true Indian experience!

I adore my host family and am so glad I have 7 year old ‘Shree to be my Hindi tutor.  She is so sweet and patient as I practice by asking her…”what is your name?” and “I need a bottle of water” over and over and over again.  She loves the Go Fish game I brought her and I practice my Hindi numbers as we play.  She speaks and reads English very well.  I’m jealous.

I walk (5- 10 minutes) to the UNNATI office.  Everyone is so nice and treats me well even though communication is very difficult.  The 1^st day my supervisor Chaudanji (ji is a sign of respect as in Ghandiji) talked to me for hours about the organization and opportunities for my involvement.  My head hurt from trying to listen so hard to his “Hindinglish”.  I will learn as much as possible over the next couple of days by observing and reading and then will present a project plan on Monday.  Day 2 we went out in the field so I could observe a training session UNNATI was hosting for Dalit (untouchables) block leaders.  It took about 2 hours to reach the village, so I got to see the Jodhpur desert and my 1^st camels. There were about 25 participants representing 12 villages at the training.  They sit on the cement floor because they are not used to and thus uncomfortable in chairs and after sitting on the floor all day (11-5); I realized that I really, really like chairs.  It was interesting to observe the training although I didn’t understand anything that was said.  I was just able to watch body language, listen to their voices (tone, cadence) and witness the discussion.  After being asked to give a “speech” at the end (that was funny!)…We drove the 2 hours back home. 

Interesting conversation was interspersed throughout our road trip…

Chaudanji:  What is your George Bush doing?

Me:  I don’t know… he’ s retired, on vacation.

Chaudanji: I don’t know much about your new Barak Obama but I do think you deserved better than George Bush.

Me:  Thank you.

 

Chaudanji: What do you eat at home?

Me: ummmm… salad, veggie burgers, and I like to eat Indian at home too (note to self, need to vary menu when I get home)

 

Chaudanji: Is there a recession going on in America?

Me: Yes, we are having economic difficulties.

Chaudanji:  What does that look like?

Me: People are losing their jobs, taking less wages, losing benefits….

Chaudanji: hmmm… I think it’ll go on for another 2-3 years.

Me:  No comment

 

Chaudanji: What are the best jobs in America? 

Me: Best jobs? In terms of salary? Working conditions? Prestige?

Chaudanji:  In India, doctor is best job and government jobs are 2^nd best

Me: I don’t know if we have a “best” job.  People like different jobs for different reasons.  Business people or executives are highly regarded.  Also doctors….

Chaudanji: Not government jobs?

Me: No, not really.

Chaudanji: Unless you are Barak Obama?

Me:  Yes…Obama has a good but challenging job (Later I discover, he has a framed picture of Obama on his desk)

 

So…. I think the field visit helped me “bond:  with my new Indian boss and I’m ready for day 3 or work.

 

….If I could only go to sleep!

 

PS.  For a visual…I’m sweating so much that the bracelets that the village women tied on my arms are bleeding.  My arms are a glistening pink, red, and blue.

 

Also, the tailor “lost” my fabric, so I don’t have my new Indian clothes yet.  “no problem, no problem” I was told.  So you’ll have to stay tuned for those fashionable photos…

 

Hope you are all well.  Thinking of you while I sweat!