Entry #9
May 9, 2014
While sitting in clinic after the mountain walk, Dr. Paul asked us to write an entry in a notebook that his volunteers can write farewell notes in. I wrote a heartfelt page from both me and Greg. We then jotted down our contact info, and I obtained everyone else's also. As I was writing, Dr. Paul started making comments about how we are always welcome back and how he hopes to see us again. He is a man who does not show emotion on his face, but I picked up on his sadness in his words and tone. The great doctor will truly miss us, and I can sense that we had an impact on him just as he had a huge impact on us. I will truly never forget the man or my far-too-short week in Patti. I teared up many times today as the moment to say farewell draws nearer. I imagine that I may very well cry tonight in my hotel room in Rishekesh. It is painfully clear that we are especially admired by Dr. Paul, Rajesh, and the others. This is most likely because we are very low in the volunteer-age spectrum for CFHI, so we are wildly enthusiastic, easily astonished, and stubbornly entertaining. I think Viridner and Rita might hold special compassion for us because of age and my difficulties with eating. This makes me a special case and evokes the parents to become protective and worry over me. I do not think we will be forgotten by Patti immediately, which fills me with immense pleasure because I will certainly never forget Patti.
Moving on to less poignant topics, I am very frustrated by my available, packed clothing. I am very picky about my outfits in the first place, but I only have so many lightweight shirts and pants. I suppose it is not a big deal since I will be buying authentic clothing here soon.
We have just arrived at the hotel in Rishekesh, which has been a fast-paced adventure by itself! Let me first explain how we got here. No, I do not mean to speak about our mothers' coochies. I'm talking about how we arrived in Rishekesh. After being dropped off at the homestay in Dehra Dun, we discussed weekend plans with Mayank. Then we left with Rajesh, whom lives in Rishekesh, to catch the bus there. We took an autorickshaw (simply called an auto) to the bus. There is no station that we could see, only buses merging everywhere into the insane traffic. The auto fits 3-4 people and only reaches about 30 mph. It was very open on the sides and gave us a breezy, quick ride with all the environmental smells and sounds included. Some areas near cow dung or trash piles may smell bad, but all of India is not like this. The smells may be extremely different every 20 feet or so and not all are pleasant, but it is nothing like I was warned it would smell like. All of India does not have just one terrible smell. I am finding it interesting to explore the country with my least utilized sense.
We caught the bus as it was merging into traffic and rode for about 45 minutes or so. The area in which we boarded the bus was my first glimpse at the crowded, dirty areas often portrayed in movies. It was loud, dense, confusing, and overstimulating. As soon as I stepped off the auto, a beggar woman holding her small child's hand began pressuring me for money. She got right in my face, following me around and slightly touching me. She would not let off and it made me wonder if such methods ever work for her. Her actions evoked annoyance and anger in me, not sympathy and compassion. On the bus, we received many more stares than we have before. We were in our first truly dense population so the increase in stares was to be expected. They are so obviously curious stares, and I have yet to be harassed. I don't think this is as much of an issue as everyone made it out to be.
After arriving in Rishekesh, we found an auto that took us to a parking lot near the bridge Ram Jhula. Riding in the auto made me realize that Rishekesh is most similar to the image of India I was warned about and mentally prepared for. I am telling you now that not everyone would be able to handle Rishekesh. Luckily I am resilient, quick-minded, and easily pleased. I can handle whatever Rishekesh throws at me. Knock on wood.
I am truly grateful Rajesh was willing to play tour guide and help us navigate our way to a safe starting point for our walk to the hotel. We would have never even made it to the bus without him, and I need to use these experiences to become fluent in the art of Indian transportation. When Rajesh left, I realized it was the first time Greg and I have actually ever been completely alone while here. I hope we are ready for this huge leap of independence and responsibility. I very much feel that we are. We have made our way safely to the hotel. We were not approached by any beggars but must remain vigilant because violent monkeys wander the streets. We passed many shops and I think I will accomplish most of my shopping here tomorrow.
We booked a cab for 4:30am tomorrow. It will take us to the Kuja Puri Temple, which is high up enough to see snowcaps on the mountains as the sun rises. This sounds too beautiful to pass up. We just ate in the restaurant in the hotel, and I don't think I've ever been so happy to eat a meal before. Most of the menu was not Indian, and they even served Coca-Cola! It is a pretty nice restaurant and extremely cheap by American standards, as is everything else in India. We both order pita with hummus, pasta with red mushroom sauce, and garlic cheese naan. Everything was exquisite, and I'm overjoyed and relieved to report that I do not have any resulting stomach issues thus far. My body is officially on good terms with food from the Indian restaurant, as is my mind. Such good terms that I am going to get a Nutella crepe tomorrow and explore my food preferences later on in the day. Although I will most likely order pineapple pizza when we take Rajesh out to dinner tomorrow. We found out that the general tipping rate in India is 10-15%. As someone who usually tips over 20%, this is hard for me to comply with. The bills are so cheap that an extra 5% in tip won't affect me at all. Greg hates the idea of tipping so much and convinced me that since Indians are usually such a humble people, it is best to tip around 15%. Truthfully I would have tipped 20% had I carried smaller bills, but I'll let Greg think that I now see the light and just tip more than he realizes in the future.
I am pained to admit that I wrote a major lie in a past journal entry. I found out today that I never saw nor stood near a leopard in Patti. Dr. Paul and Rajesh were playing a joke on us. They really are marvelous actors, in all honesty. The animal and shadow we saw was a dog. Apparently a real leopard would have killed us on the spot, or so they say. Whatever. I'm just upset I wasn't near a real leopard. At least we still have Corbett! I am really excited for tomorrow for reasons involving food and shopping, two of my favorite things EVER! Rishekesh, so far, seems to be a fantastic weekend jaunt.
Moving on to less poignant topics, I am very frustrated by my available, packed clothing. I am very picky about my outfits in the first place, but I only have so many lightweight shirts and pants. I suppose it is not a big deal since I will be buying authentic clothing here soon.
We have just arrived at the hotel in Rishekesh, which has been a fast-paced adventure by itself! Let me first explain how we got here. No, I do not mean to speak about our mothers' coochies. I'm talking about how we arrived in Rishekesh. After being dropped off at the homestay in Dehra Dun, we discussed weekend plans with Mayank. Then we left with Rajesh, whom lives in Rishekesh, to catch the bus there. We took an autorickshaw (simply called an auto) to the bus. There is no station that we could see, only buses merging everywhere into the insane traffic. The auto fits 3-4 people and only reaches about 30 mph. It was very open on the sides and gave us a breezy, quick ride with all the environmental smells and sounds included. Some areas near cow dung or trash piles may smell bad, but all of India is not like this. The smells may be extremely different every 20 feet or so and not all are pleasant, but it is nothing like I was warned it would smell like. All of India does not have just one terrible smell. I am finding it interesting to explore the country with my least utilized sense.
We caught the bus as it was merging into traffic and rode for about 45 minutes or so. The area in which we boarded the bus was my first glimpse at the crowded, dirty areas often portrayed in movies. It was loud, dense, confusing, and overstimulating. As soon as I stepped off the auto, a beggar woman holding her small child's hand began pressuring me for money. She got right in my face, following me around and slightly touching me. She would not let off and it made me wonder if such methods ever work for her. Her actions evoked annoyance and anger in me, not sympathy and compassion. On the bus, we received many more stares than we have before. We were in our first truly dense population so the increase in stares was to be expected. They are so obviously curious stares, and I have yet to be harassed. I don't think this is as much of an issue as everyone made it out to be.
After arriving in Rishekesh, we found an auto that took us to a parking lot near the bridge Ram Jhula. Riding in the auto made me realize that Rishekesh is most similar to the image of India I was warned about and mentally prepared for. I am telling you now that not everyone would be able to handle Rishekesh. Luckily I am resilient, quick-minded, and easily pleased. I can handle whatever Rishekesh throws at me. Knock on wood.
I am truly grateful Rajesh was willing to play tour guide and help us navigate our way to a safe starting point for our walk to the hotel. We would have never even made it to the bus without him, and I need to use these experiences to become fluent in the art of Indian transportation. When Rajesh left, I realized it was the first time Greg and I have actually ever been completely alone while here. I hope we are ready for this huge leap of independence and responsibility. I very much feel that we are. We have made our way safely to the hotel. We were not approached by any beggars but must remain vigilant because violent monkeys wander the streets. We passed many shops and I think I will accomplish most of my shopping here tomorrow.
We booked a cab for 4:30am tomorrow. It will take us to the Kuja Puri Temple, which is high up enough to see snowcaps on the mountains as the sun rises. This sounds too beautiful to pass up. We just ate in the restaurant in the hotel, and I don't think I've ever been so happy to eat a meal before. Most of the menu was not Indian, and they even served Coca-Cola! It is a pretty nice restaurant and extremely cheap by American standards, as is everything else in India. We both order pita with hummus, pasta with red mushroom sauce, and garlic cheese naan. Everything was exquisite, and I'm overjoyed and relieved to report that I do not have any resulting stomach issues thus far. My body is officially on good terms with food from the Indian restaurant, as is my mind. Such good terms that I am going to get a Nutella crepe tomorrow and explore my food preferences later on in the day. Although I will most likely order pineapple pizza when we take Rajesh out to dinner tomorrow. We found out that the general tipping rate in India is 10-15%. As someone who usually tips over 20%, this is hard for me to comply with. The bills are so cheap that an extra 5% in tip won't affect me at all. Greg hates the idea of tipping so much and convinced me that since Indians are usually such a humble people, it is best to tip around 15%. Truthfully I would have tipped 20% had I carried smaller bills, but I'll let Greg think that I now see the light and just tip more than he realizes in the future.
I am pained to admit that I wrote a major lie in a past journal entry. I found out today that I never saw nor stood near a leopard in Patti. Dr. Paul and Rajesh were playing a joke on us. They really are marvelous actors, in all honesty. The animal and shadow we saw was a dog. Apparently a real leopard would have killed us on the spot, or so they say. Whatever. I'm just upset I wasn't near a real leopard. At least we still have Corbett! I am really excited for tomorrow for reasons involving food and shopping, two of my favorite things EVER! Rishekesh, so far, seems to be a fantastic weekend jaunt.
No comments:
Post a Comment