It has been over a month since my last post (I knew I would be bad at this blogging thing), and since I last wrote I finally purchased a return ticket! I am now just two short weeks away from the end of my trip. After four months of living here, leaving comes with mixed emotions. I'm excited beyond words to spend the holidays at home with my family, but I will be sad to leave India, especially when it has blessed me with so many amazing people, opportunities, and experiences.
Things I will miss:
-The people!
-Fresh coconuts
-The colors. From temples, to saris, to floral garlands draping recently puja'd rickshaws, bright colors are inescapable
Things I will not miss so much:
-Hand-washing everything
-Bucket baths
-My nightly serenade of barking dogs, honking rickshaws, and howling monkeys
-Constantly covering my knees and shoulders and being on the lookout for unwelcome advances from nefarious individuals
Things I will miss:
-The people!
-Fresh coconuts
 |
| Oh sweet nectar of the gods |
-The colors. From temples, to saris, to floral garlands draping recently puja'd rickshaws, bright colors are inescapable
-My favorite coconut-loving street dog Roger
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| What a dapper fellow |
-Daily chai with my amazing new roommates
-My students
-My students
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| Cute little monsters |
-Dosas
-Pollution-enhanced sunsets
-Pollution-enhanced sunsets
 |
| #NoFilter #SmogFilter |
-The amazing Saturday "eats and sweets" that I never thought I'd get to enjoy in India (rose and honey creme brulee, gyoza, pear frangipane? yum.)
-Harrowing rides through Indian traffic and the accompanying adrenaline rush
-My guru, Saraswati, one of the most inspirational women I've ever met! Kicking butt and taking names at 72 years old.
-My guru, Saraswati, one of the most inspirational women I've ever met! Kicking butt and taking names at 72 years old.
Things I will not miss so much:
-Hand-washing everything
-Bucket baths
-My nightly serenade of barking dogs, honking rickshaws, and howling monkeys
-Constantly covering my knees and shoulders and being on the lookout for unwelcome advances from nefarious individuals
-Haggling with rickshaw drivers
-The ever-lurking threat of food poisoning, especially when fresh vegetables are involved
-The ever-lurking threat of food poisoning, especially when fresh vegetables are involved
-Blowing black soot out of my nose after spending any considerable amount of time outside
-Leaning uncomfortably over weirdly and inconveniently designed Indian sinks
Setting out for this trip I dreamed of filling my passport, yet somehow I'm coming back with just one new stamp. Still, I don't regret a single moment of the four months I've spent earning that stamp... plus there's always next trip ;)
