Exploring...May 18

I finally went to bed around 2:30 a.m. after I got a little situated and the apartment cooled down (my mom had the air turned off while she was gone). Up at 5:30 to see my mom off to work. Can't sleep much...lots of sounds that are new to me and I am not yet settled in. Finally figured out the shower..there is no tub or sectioned off area...just use a bucket or let the water run all over the bathroom floor and then push it to the drain when finished. Ready to shower...then the lights went out in the bathroom...common in India for certain circuits to go off at random times. The power is still on in the rest of the apartment and there is a bathroom window that lets some light in. The power comes back on after about 30 minutes.

I finally head out to explore the neighborhood. I travel down a busy street. I see things written in English everywhere, but there is also another language...Hindi, I think. The sidewalk is limited and there are huge gaps in it at times. It is already very warm and it is only 9 a.m. Trash lines the street with flies swarming over it and black crows picking at the food remains. Watch your step...there are also feces on the roadside.


I am now worried that I may get sick here...what was I thinking when I decided to spend 28 days here? I hope the 4 shots and 2 sets of pills pay off and keep me healthy.

I am humbled by the poverty I see...I am so thankful to be an American! For those who complain about our country...come live here for awhile and you will see that you have nothing to complain about...how lucky we are in the USA...our poverty does not begin to touch what I see here.

I am a little scared walking down the busy road alone in this unfamiliar place...my mom had gone to work, but those that know my adventurous nature know that I had to explore. I am constantly stared by the natives, as I am the only white person I see in any direction. I decided to walk down some side streets and this was much more comfortable. The traffic was limited and I didn't feel like I was constantly going to get run over. I saw a Hindu temple and lots of local people.



Everyone (kids and adults alike) wanted me to take their picture and then they wanted me to show it to them. They loved seeing pictures of themselves, laughed with me, and thanked me for taking them.



Some of the women were carrying bricks on their head to help build this building beside the Hindu temple. They got me a cloth to put on my head (don't know what it is called, but it is what they use) and placed one brick on my head...they had 8 on their heads, but I think they thought one was enough for me! :) I just posed for a picture with them and then returned the brick to them. We laughed and they waved good-bye to me.



I have only been exploring for about one hour, but it is very hot and the tiredness of the trip is starting to sink in. I return to the apartment for a long nap...several hours. I then busy myself around the apartment until my mom comes home from work. Hungry, but not sure what restaurants are safe and not sure how to cook this India food in my mom's apartment. I eat trail mix and a granola bar from the trip and a Belgium waffle that my mom picked up during her layover in Belgium. My mom gets home and we decide to stay in for the evening. It is raining outside and she needs to catch up on sleep. She makes upma for dinner...tastes a little like couscous, but a little different texture and somewhat spicy. We talk a little and she goes to bed.

I will probably head to work with my mom tomorrow so I better get to bed myself. Tune in tomorrow for another adventure through India with me, your travel guide and commentator.

good night!