Wednesday, November 26, 2008
An after thought..
I know I was technically finished blogging but I just wanted to let everyone know I am safe. My dad and I woke up this morning to eight missed calls from my mother. During the night a really really bad situation broke out in Mumbai. I'm sure everyone has heard. Anyway, I am sufficiently freaked out. My dad checked me into this insane hotel on airport grounds and I am very secure here. He flew out a few hours ago and I am leaving tomorrow night. Needless to say, I won't be exploring this area of town. Nope, I am going to be watching a lot of TV today and not leaving my hotel room, thank you very much. It's really sad all this happened and I'm sending out all my thoughts to those who are still in the midst of all this terror. I'm still a little scared but I am very safe in this hotel...I just can't help but wanting to get out. Anyway, I will send a little note when I arrive home. I hope everyone is safe and happy. Much love !
Ta Ta
So I am sitting in a hotel lobby in Mumbai and realizing I haven't updated anyone for while. I have been pretty sick for the last week and I guess blogging was the last thing on my fever addled mind. I'm not sure what happened but my last week at Chaitanya was a bit of a bust and I didn't leave the room much. My dad flew in a few days ago and we have been doing some pretty "touristy" things ..which for the Carr family always includes a stop at the nearest book shop. Of course, I found a few items to take home as well as a few bollywood movies. It's sad but true; I have come to love the film industry here. I think it might be the shiny clothes and the all-male dance crews.
It's weird saying goodbye. I find the way of life here beautiful. I can't really remember what it was like to cross the street without hearing an orchestra of horns or argue over the price of water. I'll let you know how I settle back into reality. It's been incredible and I am grateful for everyone I met along the way. Thanks for keeping up with my journey; I appreciate it.
adios!
It's weird saying goodbye. I find the way of life here beautiful. I can't really remember what it was like to cross the street without hearing an orchestra of horns or argue over the price of water. I'll let you know how I settle back into reality. It's been incredible and I am grateful for everyone I met along the way. Thanks for keeping up with my journey; I appreciate it.
adios!
Monday, November 10, 2008
"...and commanded the night brigade"
Okay, so I have about 30 seconds to fill you in.
I moved! Jacci and I left Pen yesterday afternoon and arrived in a new town called Khade. It's about the same size and is about an hour away from Pune. The exciting part is the new NGO we will be working at. We will be hanging out with Chaitanya for the next week and a half. Chaitanya focuses on micro-finance and targets women and youth groups. I am really excited about finally being able to learn about micro-finance and the societal implications of these micro loans. Another great thing about Chaitanya is the "Junkar" program. A junkar is an educator who is trained by Chaitanya and travels around the tribal villages helping people understand their rights. There is a lot more to this but I am primarily concerned with the legal aid these Junkars offer. This weekend Chaitanya had a conference with the Pune police force and the local women self help group's (SHG's), to help the women become more comfortable with the policemen and for the policemen to combat domestic abuse more effectively. In short ----- incredible!@!!!!
So I will give a more thorough update when I have the time but for now it's back to the books. Chaitanya also has this insane, all English text library covering from UN aid to the basics of Micro-Finance. I am a little too happy to be hanging out in a library.
Anyway, must run! 10 days until my dad arrives in India and I can't wait to see him! I hope everything is happy and healthy! Take care
I moved! Jacci and I left Pen yesterday afternoon and arrived in a new town called Khade. It's about the same size and is about an hour away from Pune. The exciting part is the new NGO we will be working at. We will be hanging out with Chaitanya for the next week and a half. Chaitanya focuses on micro-finance and targets women and youth groups. I am really excited about finally being able to learn about micro-finance and the societal implications of these micro loans. Another great thing about Chaitanya is the "Junkar" program. A junkar is an educator who is trained by Chaitanya and travels around the tribal villages helping people understand their rights. There is a lot more to this but I am primarily concerned with the legal aid these Junkars offer. This weekend Chaitanya had a conference with the Pune police force and the local women self help group's (SHG's), to help the women become more comfortable with the policemen and for the policemen to combat domestic abuse more effectively. In short ----- incredible!@!!!!
So I will give a more thorough update when I have the time but for now it's back to the books. Chaitanya also has this insane, all English text library covering from UN aid to the basics of Micro-Finance. I am a little too happy to be hanging out in a library.
Anyway, must run! 10 days until my dad arrives in India and I can't wait to see him! I hope everything is happy and healthy! Take care
Sunday, November 2, 2008
" Suppperrmannnnn"
"You are my sunshine...my only sunshine"
Here are some pictures of "Winter" camp. Every winter, CFI host's a winter camp for the sponsor children. These camps are four days long and include everything from "personality development" games to morning yoga sessions. After hiking for an hour, we finally reached the village of Virani which is in the middle of nowhere (of course it is). It is a tiny village situated on the top of a very hilly region but still is incredibly beautiful. We played games all afternoon and I was able to get to know some CFI sponsor kids. After a lovely home/mass cooked meal, the girls showed us some Indian cultural dances. The dancing was amazing but it led to a chorus of kids screaming " Katy Jacci DANCE". After trying unsuccessfully to explain to everyone that I didn't know any cultural dances from America (I have stopped trying to explain that Canada and America are in fact different countries), I was forced to come up with something on the spot. Here is the embarrassing part -- I actually did the "soldier boy" dance in front of 150 Indian children, plus a handful of social workers. ..For those of you who know this lyrical masterpiece, you might be asking...Really?! -- Yes, yes I did. I even sang a little; well the clean version.
SO ...here are the pics!!
Game time
Team leader
Katrina...The coolest cat in town
Trying to be official with Kiran
Not technically winter camp but the last day of the Diwali Festival
Here are some pictures of "Winter" camp. Every winter, CFI host's a winter camp for the sponsor children. These camps are four days long and include everything from "personality development" games to morning yoga sessions. After hiking for an hour, we finally reached the village of Virani which is in the middle of nowhere (of course it is). It is a tiny village situated on the top of a very hilly region but still is incredibly beautiful. We played games all afternoon and I was able to get to know some CFI sponsor kids. After a lovely home/mass cooked meal, the girls showed us some Indian cultural dances. The dancing was amazing but it led to a chorus of kids screaming " Katy Jacci DANCE". After trying unsuccessfully to explain to everyone that I didn't know any cultural dances from America (I have stopped trying to explain that Canada and America are in fact different countries), I was forced to come up with something on the spot. Here is the embarrassing part -- I actually did the "soldier boy" dance in front of 150 Indian children, plus a handful of social workers. ..For those of you who know this lyrical masterpiece, you might be asking...Really?! -- Yes, yes I did. I even sang a little; well the clean version.
SO ...here are the pics!!
Game time
Team leader
Katrina...The coolest cat in town
Trying to be official with Kiran
Not technically winter camp but the last day of the Diwali Festival
Anyway, the whole weekend was fun despite the fact I now have a runny nose, which was my own fault as I thought it would be a great idea to sleep outside. I can't wait for next week and the places I will be heading to. Take care !
Adios
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