in my village of Sellipati, there's a lot to recall. I've had the priviledge to participate in several activities. Nearly every day, I wake up before 6am and pick brinjal with one or two other members of my host family. The brinjal is less exciting than the big, purple vegetables I am used to, but I have made an important discovery. The brinjal is white, oblong and remarkably similar in appearance to eggs. No wonder it is called eggplant!
On Sunday we conducted the eye camp for people for 20 or so surrounding villages at the nearby government secondary school. I served as unofficial photographer, ambassador from the U.S., Very Important Foreigner and as an American participant in the eye camp. Apparently the eye camp was expecially for old persons, the oldest participant being 96 and still getting about on his own. Amazing! I have some really great pictures, but I think it is beyond this computer's ablilty or the browsers's ability to post them. I also got a lovely tour around the school compound with a few of the students. We visited two temples (chapals [shoes] off, pigment dotting forehead) and peered into the inner rooms.
Though the humidity here is very oppressive, we've been lucky enough to also have some rain (and reprieve from the heat) accompanying it. It rains most evenings at least briefly and cools the air for a time.
My host family has been extremely kind. They continue to make sure I have the best of everything- the best bucket for picking brinjal, the best teacup, etc. etc. They've also taken to stringing night-blooming lilies and pinning them in my hair. Really very sweet and I smell good for once!
Today is the first day that I'm venturing out into the town by myself. I was dropped off here, but I will walk myself home in an hour or two. I think with the few trips that I made here I can do it without getting lost. And hopefully I will be able to travel here more frequently than before. We'll see how it goes.
I've been enjoying myself greatly in our little neighborhood. I rarely leave the house, but the neighborhood usually ends up coming to me/us. I think my house must be a gathering place for a lot of the village. Women often come by to use our large mortar and pestle or to visit and meet me (often staring, smiling and some speaking in Tamil that I don't understand). Once, when the power went out for a couple of hours (this has happened a few times since I've been here), a group of people gathered around our two LED lamps to chat or prepare food. Women and children often bring the smallest children to see what reaction they will have upon seeing me. I am the first white person they've ever seen. They probably don't even know that white people exist. Needless to say, I still often incite tears or at least suspicious looks. But finally, yesterday, the most beautiful baby I've ever seen let me play with her and hold her. It only took 5 exposures for her to get used to me. Actually I think she was attracted to my camera, but I'll take whatever love I can get. Especially from her- Achina.
Alright enough writing and still no pictures. I will try another internet cafe next time and see if I have any luck at posting.
On Sunday we conducted the eye camp for people for 20 or so surrounding villages at the nearby government secondary school. I served as unofficial photographer, ambassador from the U.S., Very Important Foreigner and as an American participant in the eye camp. Apparently the eye camp was expecially for old persons, the oldest participant being 96 and still getting about on his own. Amazing! I have some really great pictures, but I think it is beyond this computer's ablilty or the browsers's ability to post them. I also got a lovely tour around the school compound with a few of the students. We visited two temples (chapals [shoes] off, pigment dotting forehead) and peered into the inner rooms.
Though the humidity here is very oppressive, we've been lucky enough to also have some rain (and reprieve from the heat) accompanying it. It rains most evenings at least briefly and cools the air for a time.
My host family has been extremely kind. They continue to make sure I have the best of everything- the best bucket for picking brinjal, the best teacup, etc. etc. They've also taken to stringing night-blooming lilies and pinning them in my hair. Really very sweet and I smell good for once!
Today is the first day that I'm venturing out into the town by myself. I was dropped off here, but I will walk myself home in an hour or two. I think with the few trips that I made here I can do it without getting lost. And hopefully I will be able to travel here more frequently than before. We'll see how it goes.
I've been enjoying myself greatly in our little neighborhood. I rarely leave the house, but the neighborhood usually ends up coming to me/us. I think my house must be a gathering place for a lot of the village. Women often come by to use our large mortar and pestle or to visit and meet me (often staring, smiling and some speaking in Tamil that I don't understand). Once, when the power went out for a couple of hours (this has happened a few times since I've been here), a group of people gathered around our two LED lamps to chat or prepare food. Women and children often bring the smallest children to see what reaction they will have upon seeing me. I am the first white person they've ever seen. They probably don't even know that white people exist. Needless to say, I still often incite tears or at least suspicious looks. But finally, yesterday, the most beautiful baby I've ever seen let me play with her and hold her. It only took 5 exposures for her to get used to me. Actually I think she was attracted to my camera, but I'll take whatever love I can get. Especially from her- Achina.
Alright enough writing and still no pictures. I will try another internet cafe next time and see if I have any luck at posting.
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