Maitri

Today was my first day at work.  The office is a good 15 minute hike and located down a small alley.     Halfway through the day, after lunch, one of the women in the office brought in what looked like a sponge cake with bright green peppers on it and bowls of what looked like mozerella cheese.  The pepper cake thing was delighful, it was moist and flavorful with just the right tang (we were warned against takiang any peppers, SPICY!)  My fav ended up being the mozerella cheese things.  It was like a sponge cake swimming in sweet milk.  

Co-workers

Spicy!

Yuuumy-yummie yum, yum

Sarah, Liz, yours truly, and Anita (from the office)

At the end of the working day I got to spend some time with the kids in the Maitri school.  I had no idea what I was doing and the woman just told us to teach them basic math and english.  The little girl I was with (besides being the cutest thing EVER) approached me and with a perfect American accent said, "Hello, my name is Gita."  That was the extent of her english but she knew most of the alphabet.  I tried to help her learn the sounds of the alphabet so to help illistrate this I wrote out, C A T. She copied me as I made the sounds but I didn't think she knew what she was saying.  After sounding it out a few times I pointed to the word and said, "meow".  She repeated the way I said meow perfectly and was cute as a bug but I think I taught her that C A T spells "meow". 

Roomies

Sarah

   Liz

Liz and Sarah are their names and for the next 4 months they will be my best friends.  Both girls are much younger than I am but they both insist that I don't look old (I think that's good!?) Sarah is pre-nursing at the U and Liz is taking the LSAT in February wanting to work in international law.  They got here a week before I did and have already started working at Maitri.  By coming first they overlapped with the other interns and were able to get the 411 on cultural basics for our area, like catching a rickshaw and where to not eat after they both got sick (thanks guys for getting that out of the way for me!)  I always feel weird and clumsy when I meet new people, especially where as they have been together for a week alone, then I show up.  To sound like a smarty pants, we are in the forming, storming and norming phase but they are a little more normalized in their relationship, I'm still an outsider.  I am sure I have nothing to worry about as they are both genuinely sweet girls. Sarah has beautiful, long red hair, and a beautiful voice.  In every picture of Liz she looks like the pic that should be in a frame at the store.  She goes a hundred miles an hour and thank goodness she is excellently prepared!  As for me, well, I guess I will just have to trust in my confidence and hope I don't come off too weird...just yet. 

Katie's Grand Day Out

I finally got to leave the apartment today!  India is one crazy place I'll tell you what!  I was really nervous about riding in an auto rickshaw.  First because I feel guilty and second wasn't sure if my voluptious buttox wouldn't fit!  I had nothing to worry about and it didn't feel as dehumanizing as a bike pulling rickshaw.  Sarah (roomie #2) still has to take it easy after her stint in the hospital so roomie #1, Liz took me on the town.  I bought my first Indian outfit(s) today (keep en eye out tomorrow for pics!) and a bindi!  There are so many small alley's and shops scattered around it really is a shoppers paradise!.

(My first rickshaw ride!)

The difference in class is so extreme!  For instance, you either drive a rickshaw or a Mercedes, live in a palace or a garbage dump. The little interaction I have had with people today was very positive.  I never have to open or close a door in a public place and everyone is helpful and kind.  The staring is a bit weird though.  Today we had lunch at McDonalds.  I know, I know, I came all the way to India to eat at McD's??  BUT, the food was crazy good.  McD's is considered a "higher class" kind of place and was spotless and gleamingly clean.  All of the patties were chicken (duh) but I am hoping to try a lamb burger soon.  I can't believe I'm here and plan on relishing EVERY second!  Stay tune for more... xoxo

Laxmi

I just met Laxmi, she is the maid that will be doing the cooking and cleaning while we are here.  She is almost 9 months pregnant and super sassy, I loved her immediately!  She is currently in the kitchen making me a cup of chai tea that will be followed with a wonderful yellow curry, over rice.  I feel weird having a maid making me dinner but it's nice knowing I have something safe to eat.
 

Don't drink the water!!

Guess what I did last night!? DRANK THE WRONG WATER!!!!!  The moment I got into the apartment I went to the sink while calling over my shoulder to my roommate, "sink water is filtered and ok, right?" "yes".  So, I filled up my Nalgene bottle and finished it in one gulp.  This morning I went to fill my water bottle again and I noticed to the right of the sink a large cooler holding a bunch of water.  I didn't see this last night.  Again, I DIDN'T SEE THIS LAST NIGHT!  Liz (roomie number 1) comes in with, Anita Singh, one of the women I will be working with.  I bring Liz into the kitchen and say, "Uh, am I supposed to drink this water or this water?"  Needless to say, I drank the wrong water.  I started to cry.  Poor Anita kept saying over and over again, "you will be ok, you will be ok, I promise."  Liz then told me if anything I would just get a bug.  Just get a bug!  Sarah (roomie number 2) is in the hospital ICU after eating some bad chicken and I am just sitting at home waiting for what promises to be a long day in the bathroom.

Ham on Rye

"Aunt Katie, ya know how you're going to New Delhi?", "yes".  "Don't forget to try the ham on rye!!"  And so I am here, "trying the ham on rye."  I left The America's yesterdayish, 2 days ago-ish??  Who knows. I feel like I am in a time warp (gotta put my hands on my hips...!!) I spent a fantastic week with part of the most fantastic family on earth, being shown all of the ol' Marman church stuff and it was, to sum up in one word...AMAZING!!  It felt so strange to leave Pennsylvania knowing I wasn't going home, and won't be for a long time.  Well, I am off to bed... I think? Or is it taking a nap?  Grrrr....I'll figure it out!

GOOD NIGHTish!