Roses and Smokeless Chulas

Okay, just to update you. Yesterday we went to the village Ghote, about 10 minutes outside of Pen. It is situated in this gorgeous valley, surrounded by lush green fields and waterfalls. It is so beautiful here, sometimes I can't speak ( I guess that would be a first). So we arrived at this village which has been under the CFI community development plan for three years and were able to look around. It is pretty obvious, compared to other non developed villages, that funding has been designated to Ghote. As much as this village has paved roads and a community hall, it still retained that rural quality. Basically, the ways and practises of tribes people in southern India had not been assimilated in the development process. Every minute I spend with the CFI staff members and listen to what they have to say, I really do learn something new. The unique thing about the community development team is that every member was born and raised in a rural village. They don't barge in with urban idea's and biases and there is never a sense of pity from the CFI workers. The tribes people are incredibly proud of their land and people. I have a lot to learn about introducing development into communties. Well one thing that I have learnt to say is " Goay Chan Ahey", which means " your village is beautiful" in Marati ( the local language). It proves to be pretty useful in the chai tea negotiations.
So I have had a pretty incredible week visiting the tribes that surround Pen. This weekend, my roommate and I are heading to Pune to visit a meditation resort. I will report back from my Zen like state.
Finally, I am trying to think of a funny story. The language barrier proves to be quite funny ALL of the time, especially when you find out you might actually be engaged to 12 year old ( I'm not kidding). Jacci and I were at the beach in Alibuag and this young guy walked up to me. We were chatting about India ( well about the food and cricket) and I asked him how old he was. For some reason this question stumps EVERYONE! This is how the conversation went. Lets call him Bill.
Katy - " How old are you?"
Bill - " Cricket"
Katy - " No no, what age are you?"
Bill" " Ahhhh umm about 80 to 92" ( He looked 15)
Katy " oh Okay great thanks!"

I have to try really hard to control my laughter. I am only a month in and I have a six pack
Anyway, adios!

The joys of the internet

It took me two hours but....finally I have pictures up on Flickr!. So type in " Katy Emma Carr" and press "people". Enjoy!

Finally...

I have some pictures. I will upload the

rest to Flickr..so go look!



This is the guest house in Pen where I am currently living.




A street in Mumbai --->








Three pictures from Takwe, a tiny village I stayed in for a week.









I know it's not many but I will put the rest up. It has been huge pain finding somewhere to upload my ever expanding photo collection. I am enjoying my time here in Pen. My local "coordinator" Sharad, who evidently speaks very basic english, has been taking me around on his motorcycle and showing me the sights. This week I have been going to villages around Pen and seeing how CFI's projects are coming along. I will be spending the next few weeks with the Community Development department. Basically, CFI chooses an entire village to sponsor and they help to create things such as school and health facilities, basic permanent housing and sustainable economies within these villages. Although the language is a major barrier, it is pretty incredible to see the progress that has been made in some communities. In the next few weeks, I will be spending some time with the HIV/Aids awareness and prevention department. I will report back with any interesting stories. Adios!

Flame throwers...

NO joke..Walking to the internet cafe, I very nearly was set on fire. Yes! Welcome to Pen! I have finally arrived here. Pen is a town of about 60, 000 and about a three hour bus ride from Mumbai. It is famous for the mass production of Ganesh idols. It is so gorgeous here. I can't believe it. The fire thing? Just a celebration. Maybe a typical " Hey it's friday, lets go toss around fire!"... or not. I guess I'll never know.
Anyway, just a little update. I spent the last few days in a very rural town called Takwe. Literally in the middle of nowhere. I'm talking sleeping mats and buckets of hot water to wash. It was an amazing experience...besides the "standing in the rain waiting for the bloody autorickshaw to show up " moment. I stayed with a lovely couple who took very good care of me. I arrived in Pen yesterday afternoon and was shown around the CFI (Children's Future India) offices where I will be interning for the next ten weeks. They have some amazing programs that I cannot wait to explore. I have the weekend off, so I will probably be getting lost in Pen. I have to run...I think the cafe is closing. My story of the week----- In Takwe, I was standing besides the side of the highway in the torrential rain and I happen to quickly glance to my left. What did I see? A farmer scrubbing his cow in a near by pond. I don't mean a light shower... I am talking a full on scrub down with a heavy duty brush. Made my day. Pretty funny. Take care! adios

Train Spotting.

Mumbai has been really fun and I have really enjoyed hanging out with the women in the film and media program....some perks include 4 hour Bollywood movies and krumping with Zoe (the aussie) in the middle of our room. It's been quite a treat. We had some time to kill last night, so we all went to the newest mall in town ( pretty typical, I know but apparently it was a sight to see).  It was your average mall. Not not really...It was five stories high and made entirely out of glass...... but the best part was finding the Mecca of doughnut stores. This place " Mad for Doughnut" is a company out of Thailand and the doughnuts are incredible. They even have savory doughnuts with cheese and herbs. It's amazing and was the highlight of my day. Yeah, I like carbs THAT much.  So, back to reality---- I was supposed to be heading out to Pen (the place I will be for the next two and half months) tomorrow morning but it turns out that the other girl in my program won't be there for another week......So....Safeena (the lady who runs ISAC) offered to put me up in her house and said I could spend the next week teaching English at the local orphanage. I am pretty excited about this., plus I will get to finish up the weekend here in Mumbai. So there are all my various updates.  ..OH plus, I was blessed by a eunuch on the train today. I was sitting on the train when this manly looking woman wearing a sari clapped and touched my head. After inquiring about this ritual ( I was thinking " oh that's nice, someone is blessing the train"), I was told that no one will hire eunuchs, so begging and randomly blessing strangers is their only means of income. So I handed him/her five rupees and was officially 'blessed'. Nice ..right?      Adios

"Did you leave anything behind"

.....and the answer to that question is..YES! I did. To avoid looking like a total moron, I am actually going to withhold the specifics. Just know that my first hour in Mumbai started with a little bang. After my two days of traveling and hanging out in airports, I have finally arrived in India. It's ridiculously humid here but I have yet to see any rain. I am spending the weekend in a guest house with a few other girls. It's pretty central in this area (by that I mean I have bottled water and diet coke next door). I have spent some time wandering around and creeping on strangers....nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing too exciting to let everyone know about. ..... Making some tea now! adios

PS I will be uploading pictures soon. Spot the tourist.

Peanut butter.... ?

I think it's incredibly endearing that my dear mum cannot throw away my jar of peanut butter ( which obviously conflicts with the organic, natural theme of the fridge) because she already misses me. Anyway, I am currently on hour 6 of my marathon wait at heathrow aiport. Being the completly neurotic nutjob that I am, I refused to trust T5 with my luggage and felt the need re-check it.....I didn't want to pull a Noami Campbell and kick someone when my precious cargo didn't arrive. That is officially my interesting story of the day.sigh. I am going to cry and drown my sorrow in a venti frappucchino. I'm just joking, I will probably just journal instead ( a big shout out to Chris Gaines for the inspriration). Anyway! . ....On a side note.......Ian Curtis or Nick Jonas?.. Adios