oo ek dum mast mazaa ma chu (I am absolutely fine!)
I feel like doing a mini lesson in Gujarati of common sayings just for fun:
su chale che (what's up?/what's going on?)
barrabar (alright)
theek che (its ok/its alright)
saaru (okay/good)
saras (good/fine)
Saal Mubarakh (Happy New Year)
fari madi chu (will meet again)
tamari tabiyat kevi che (how is your health?)
-That is it for now- until next time, remember, never stop learning...
So, now for my weekend update! Saturday evening was wonderful. I went to my grandma's old society once again, and this time around, I met almost everyone in the society! I went to 5 of the homes to see our family friends. I was very happy to see them all, and they were very delighted to be able to talk to my parents on the phone. I called my mammi pappa from my mobile, and the conversations lasted a hefty amount of time! My mom got to talk to her childhood friends and neighbors who are just like family! It was great! I found out one of their sons is getting married in January, so I have a wedding to attend while I am in India. I am very excited to be going! I will get to go to a wedding in India after ages, and this time, I actually know the person getting married, and the whole society (in Gujarat, people call a neighborhood a society) will be there, so I am excited. Each family's home I went to-they fed me food, so I was so stuffed at the end of the night! I got so drowsy!! Just then though, one of the neighbors made me cold coffee! It did not help as much as I was very sleepy in half hour again! I saw the little girls I used to play with when I had visited India in the past. They were the most adorable little 2-3 yr olds back then. Now, they are older, but still, very very sweet. Them and their older sister still remembered me, so I was surprised! I went to see my grandma's best friend (also those girls' grandma). They now have a younger brother too, well he was a baby last time I saw him! The older girl and I used to sneak out and go drink coconut juice because no one would let me go alone, so I would take her! God bless them-their family is so simplistic and I am inspired by their joint family living in that one house. That grandma who I call ba (grandma) is so sweet. I saw my grandma in her. My grandma and her were like sisters. She was sleeping at my grandma's home the night my grandma passed away. My grandma had a strange aura or feeling, so she asked her friend to stay over that night so my grandma is not alone. Her friend noticed something was not right with my grandma and got help that night, and next thing- the whole society is looking after my grandma taking her to the hospital. She passed away later. Her memory remains in everyone who I talk to about her.
Now, I go everywhere alone in the City! People trust me enough now to go as they know I am familiar with the roads and all. I went to the city shopping area (Madvi) Ghadiaripaur (the area famous for bangles and accessories), and it also has a Amba mata nu mandir. I went there to get bangdis (bangles). I ended up getting more stuff like cook books in Gujarati for my mom. Anyway, from there, I went to see my grandma's cousin brother, and his family (also my family!). It was nice, and we had a nice time. Then I was going to go in a rikshaw to station, and bus to my other cousin's house, but my uncle was like he'll drop me off as they were heading in that direction. I gave them the directions, and they were so surprised that I knew how to get there. They were like you have been here a little over a month, and you have memorized all the roads and directions. I am still learning, but some of the areas I am more familiar than others. After all, taking rikshaws everywhere is bound to teach you new paths.
I finally went to my cousin's house that I had stayed with last month. We all took naps. They were cleaning their house for Diwali, so they were tired. Anyway, after that, we went to see my other uncle's family who had come from Australia. We just all happened to be in town, so we got to see each other! My cousin's (2nd cousin's) little girl can walk!! She is only 9 months! Such a cutie! After that, we went to Race Course circle and had Chinese bhel (mix of Chinese noodles, rice, and Manchurian!) and Italian Cheese pizza at the lahri. There were bunch of road side carts lined up, and a crowd full of people enjoying their Sunday evenings out! It was delicious food! I didn't get the pani puri as the water is unhygienic, but the other foods were cooked thoroughly with a lot of heat. I haven't got sick yet from eating that food. Some places are more hygienic then others, but then again, I am in India, I am going to live my life fully! I know which places are okay to eat at which I should avoid. It is all about knowing the area and community.
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| Dhiraj Hospital- feels like a hospital in the tropics-well it is. It provides many services for subsidized costs. It is a private hospital, yet it is operated by a trust, so the services are much more affordable and reasonable for many people included tons of villagers. |
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| Canteen at Sumandeep Vidyapeeth-has my type of food! |
Today, I met with the research director at the university here at the hospital/university in India. We will be planning out the activities more. There are many possibilities. I am looking forward to it. I had also gone to meet the principal again of the Nursing school here. This time, I finally got a tour. He was very generous in telling me about the school and all, and I was very impressed. One of the instructors (who seemed like my age!) showed me around and explained things about the college. Again, I was very impressed. They were very kind to me, and I think that is what I will remember the most.
Then, I got veg maggie (Indian noodles) at the canteen! I love those noodles! For 20 Rs (approximately less than 50 cents), I think it is a good deal!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1odcNKyfZJU
How I feel. Live freely. I am having a blast-time of my life here! :) sometimes, I feel like extending my stay, so I can get more and more involved. There are so many possibilities, and I am so thankful to have studied Nursing. It has given me the scope to be here and do all of this. I am even more thankful to have stayed connected to my Indian culture and heritage, so I can come here and speak the language, fit in, understand the culture, and live here like a local! It was always my dream and goal to come back to India, and now I get to live the life here! Walking couple km to get rikshaws, walking in the city, going to the villages, seeing family and friends, celebrating the holidays. I moved to the USA when I was 7 yrs old, yet I remember so much, and I am creating many new memories too! :) I plan to track down one of my childhood best friends-lets see how that goes! I haven't seen or heard from her in 15 yrs! but in India, you ask around, and one person is bound to know another person that knows the person you are looking for. The land of familiarity.
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