As you can tell, I'm a little behind. It has been an awesome few days though. So I'll give you the low down:
On Friday, we went to the colonies!! Folks, I was so excited because is basically the reason why we are even here in India. But unfortunately I wasn't feeling tip top so I was just the photographer for the day. Tomorrow (Monday, July 29) I'll hopefully actually be working with the people with leprosy. We go to many different colonies and the one we went to on Friday was small. Every volunteer in the group had a different job. Some do the washing, some do the wrapping, some do the cutting, some do blood pressure, some to eye drops. We're not trying to heal leprosy, that can't really be done. We're trying to stop the spread of it, bring them hope and provide opportunities for their children.
There was one man who had a bad wound so they were really working on it and he starting crying. Just silent tears coming down his face. It ripped my heart out. Ripped it right out.
Something that I realized is how normal these people are. Because of the social stigma they are banished but they are exactly like every other Indian I've met during my time here. They're normal Indians who happen to have some wounds. They were so normal. I expected them to look super sick and sad, and maybe they will in other colonies, but in this one, they were just like everyone else. It was actually really eye opening. I'm excited to get more involved in the colonies.
When we got back we had play time and play time just keeps getting better and better as we get to know the kids more. Isaac, this little punk who always punches people in the kidneys, was pushed over by another child and he started crying. It was so sad but so cute because normal he is this crazy little kid so...he has a heart, he does!! Then there's Praveenkumar. This kid. He just gets me. He's so cute and so quiet. He reminds me of one of my kids from the daycare that I absolutely loved.
That night us volunteers jammed into one room and watched Despicable Me. Bonding.
On Saturday, we had a free day so we went to Mamallapuram. It's like a beach town. We did some shopping, ate some food (WE ATE BEEF), walked around the beach, got our picture taken with half naked men, and made a gypsy friend. Let me explain. Of course, we have had our picture taken with many many Indian men because they have approached us. And naturally, it happened again at the beach. But it was so uncomfortable because I won't go into detail, but they were barely wearing clothes. So awkward, but so funny. Another adventure from India. When we were walking, this little girl named Nandini was trying to sell us necklaces. We didn't want to buy them but she said she needed 10 rupees to buy some rice. So we gave her fruitsnacks. Then she followed us the rest of the time and she was so nice and cute. She was 10 years old. She followed us to the beach, we asked to wade with us in the water so she did, then she taught us how to blow through seashells and make whistling sounds. Guys, it was so cool. I was genuinely interested. Then she just hung around with us and we took some pictures, she sang some songs, we laughed and we made a little friend. She never once asked to buy her necklaces again, she just hung out with us. It was just an awesome experience. Maybe one of the most awesome ones I've had thus far. And I was amazed at her English. It was so good and she was a gypsy so I just didn't really expect that (Not that I actually know anything about gypsy's).
When we got back to the Elephant House we stargazed on top of the roof and talked about our bucket lists. Bonding.
On Sunday, we went to church 2 hours away. LDS church and I was really excited because I've never been to like an international branch before. Well folks, the church is true. It really is the same everywhere you go. This one lady who spoke was a powerhouse. And here's one of the best parts...we wore sarees. Well, it was good for like 15 minutes and then I wanted to rip it off. I don't know how women in India work and walk around daily in those things!!! It is a task and a workout! All part of the experience though.
We also took a rickshaw and had an awesome, CRAZY rickshaw driver named Boba. It was a new rickshaw and had this giant speakers in the back so he was playing this crazy Indian music and he drives crazy on purpose. I felt like I was on a roller coaster. And he screams and yells and laughs crazily and when he was joking he would talk like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. He was SO funny. By far the funnest, oddest rickshaw ride yet. He asked if we were coming next week, we told him yes, and he said he would pick us up at the Mormon church at 12:15 and he'd drive us next week. Then Chris was being an awesome missionary and took advantage of this situation and told him to come at 11 and go inside to church with us, and then give us a ride. He said he went to another church with his family but he said he might come in. It was a cool experience but he better be our driver next week!
Also, the church building is immaculate. It looks like a temple. Gorgeous. And in the crazy city it really sticks out because it's clean!!
That evening we danced in the rain, played Mafia and had a joyous time.
I probably forgot stuff but I'm behind so that's all for now!
Over and out.
On Friday, we went to the colonies!! Folks, I was so excited because is basically the reason why we are even here in India. But unfortunately I wasn't feeling tip top so I was just the photographer for the day. Tomorrow (Monday, July 29) I'll hopefully actually be working with the people with leprosy. We go to many different colonies and the one we went to on Friday was small. Every volunteer in the group had a different job. Some do the washing, some do the wrapping, some do the cutting, some do blood pressure, some to eye drops. We're not trying to heal leprosy, that can't really be done. We're trying to stop the spread of it, bring them hope and provide opportunities for their children.
There was one man who had a bad wound so they were really working on it and he starting crying. Just silent tears coming down his face. It ripped my heart out. Ripped it right out.
Something that I realized is how normal these people are. Because of the social stigma they are banished but they are exactly like every other Indian I've met during my time here. They're normal Indians who happen to have some wounds. They were so normal. I expected them to look super sick and sad, and maybe they will in other colonies, but in this one, they were just like everyone else. It was actually really eye opening. I'm excited to get more involved in the colonies.
When we got back we had play time and play time just keeps getting better and better as we get to know the kids more. Isaac, this little punk who always punches people in the kidneys, was pushed over by another child and he started crying. It was so sad but so cute because normal he is this crazy little kid so...he has a heart, he does!! Then there's Praveenkumar. This kid. He just gets me. He's so cute and so quiet. He reminds me of one of my kids from the daycare that I absolutely loved.
That night us volunteers jammed into one room and watched Despicable Me. Bonding.
On Saturday, we had a free day so we went to Mamallapuram. It's like a beach town. We did some shopping, ate some food (WE ATE BEEF), walked around the beach, got our picture taken with half naked men, and made a gypsy friend. Let me explain. Of course, we have had our picture taken with many many Indian men because they have approached us. And naturally, it happened again at the beach. But it was so uncomfortable because I won't go into detail, but they were barely wearing clothes. So awkward, but so funny. Another adventure from India. When we were walking, this little girl named Nandini was trying to sell us necklaces. We didn't want to buy them but she said she needed 10 rupees to buy some rice. So we gave her fruitsnacks. Then she followed us the rest of the time and she was so nice and cute. She was 10 years old. She followed us to the beach, we asked to wade with us in the water so she did, then she taught us how to blow through seashells and make whistling sounds. Guys, it was so cool. I was genuinely interested. Then she just hung around with us and we took some pictures, she sang some songs, we laughed and we made a little friend. She never once asked to buy her necklaces again, she just hung out with us. It was just an awesome experience. Maybe one of the most awesome ones I've had thus far. And I was amazed at her English. It was so good and she was a gypsy so I just didn't really expect that (Not that I actually know anything about gypsy's).
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| Nandini teaching me how to shell whistle. |
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| Our little friend, Nandini. |
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On Sunday, we went to church 2 hours away. LDS church and I was really excited because I've never been to like an international branch before. Well folks, the church is true. It really is the same everywhere you go. This one lady who spoke was a powerhouse. And here's one of the best parts...we wore sarees. Well, it was good for like 15 minutes and then I wanted to rip it off. I don't know how women in India work and walk around daily in those things!!! It is a task and a workout! All part of the experience though.
We also took a rickshaw and had an awesome, CRAZY rickshaw driver named Boba. It was a new rickshaw and had this giant speakers in the back so he was playing this crazy Indian music and he drives crazy on purpose. I felt like I was on a roller coaster. And he screams and yells and laughs crazily and when he was joking he would talk like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. He was SO funny. By far the funnest, oddest rickshaw ride yet. He asked if we were coming next week, we told him yes, and he said he would pick us up at the Mormon church at 12:15 and he'd drive us next week. Then Chris was being an awesome missionary and took advantage of this situation and told him to come at 11 and go inside to church with us, and then give us a ride. He said he went to another church with his family but he said he might come in. It was a cool experience but he better be our driver next week!
Also, the church building is immaculate. It looks like a temple. Gorgeous. And in the crazy city it really sticks out because it's clean!!
That evening we danced in the rain, played Mafia and had a joyous time.
I probably forgot stuff but I'm behind so that's all for now!
Over and out.
Absolutely wonderful Blog Mary!!!!!!!!!!!!! Loved it and Love YOU!
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