Indian Arrival

Noted on October 1, 2008 by Natanya in

I am here! India that is! Everything is so incredible. This experience so far is extremely captivating, challenging, and overwhelming. I flew into Mumbai (Bombay) 3 days ago. I spent two hours in Mumbai. Arriving in India I had some idea of what to expect in some sense from the traveling I have done before, but nothing compares to the busy streets, the overwhelming traffic and noise of Mumbai. The streets were so busy and I looked out towards to traffic and mass amount of people in surprise. In Bombay you look up towards the sky and see mirror-glass skyscrapers, and then you look towards the street to see the most unimaginable living conditions. Slums for miles-- 3 story shacks stacked on top of one another. I saw this little girl who was so thin that when she stood up her skirt fell to her feet, she quickly grabbed her clothing up and looked up and we caught eyes... she smiled the largest smile I have ever seen- sending the most heart filled emotion out into the universe.

After getting to the apartment in Mumbai, myself and the director set off for the journey to Pen where I am living. Carrying my luggage (a bag packed way to heavy with too much stuff) throughout the journey was painful and really tested my ability/strength. Three buses, three hours and three towns later after seeing a dog completely run over (I mean smashed to pieces in the middle of busy traffic and SO MUCH honking) I arrived in Pen.

Pen is so incredible! I can't believe this is where I call home for 3 months. That same day I was taken to my job for introductions.... I wonder if you can image the exhaustion i was going through--- around 24 hours of airplanes and airports, 4 hours carrying my heavy luggage through crowded streets and buses, and 12 1/2 hour time difference.... and they take me practically straight to work to meet the staff of the NGO I work with. It was craziness... but also the best and most thrilling craziness ever!!!!!!! Pen is just beautiful! The colors, the faces, the children, the loving parents of the children, the smells, the flowers, the wild dogs, the trees, and so much more. Most people just stare and the reason I think that is, is because myself and my roommate are the ONLY westerners in appears thus far in Pen. Not only are we both white, but we are both female.

There was a festival going on the last two days, where people threw pink dye/powder all over the streets and their faces/clothing and men danced to LOUD music coming from speakers in cars. There were fireworks and fire throwing. Pen is tiny though with so many people... it takes about 20 minutes to walk from one side of Pen to the other but there's over 50,000 people I believe here. Katy and I had a really hard time on the first day because we got invited to go to one of the villages to speak with a group of women and social workers, but our cook was expecting us for lunch, so we didn't know what to do!!! We are really trying to be as respectful as possible to all people here. This morning Sharad took us to some of the MANY temples we have in our little town. People were so welcoming and gave us incense and flowers to lay within the temple. I lugged my computer here all the way from Los Angles so I could keep my journal on it, and not really to much surprise... it won't turn on at all- Katy thinks the humidity broke it! oh well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! there's an internet cafe here! Everything is so peaceful and incredible. I feel honored and so thankful for this opportunity.... I get to go to bed each night listening to the HARD rain pour, dogs howling at the moon, music heard from the main street, and the knowledge that I am blessed.

P.S. A camel is giving children outside rides around the internet cafe right now!