So, we are currently in Ahemdabad, and we just had to take an overnight train. It was pretty fun, except for getting up at 4 AM to get off the train!!!!!! We are going to a Gandhi Ashram right now so i have to go.
bye!
Hello Parents and Friends,
We’ll be leaving Madurai tomorrow morning and I wanted to post a quick blog before we get back on the road. It has been a busy three days: temple visits, a dance class, a cooking class, visits to an urban slum, a visit to the Gandhi museum, jewelery shopping, saree shopping, trinket shopping, eating and eating and eating! We also spent some quality time with some local college students and they made friends for life. There were tears on both sides today as we said our good-byes and promises to visit again were made! We are all exhausted (as usual) after long long days. So my apologies if you aren’t receiving the emails or phone calls you would like. It isn’t because they have forgotten about you, they are just very very tired at the end of the day. Some pictures from Madurai are posted below and we will try to post some more shout outs at the next internet stop. We will be traveling for the next two days and then staying in Auroville until our flight to Delhi. While our schedule will be a bit more relaxed, Auroville is very rural (much like our first week in India) and it may be difficult to find internet and an international phone line. But we promise to do our best and keep everyone in touch.
From Madurai,
Kirsten
En route from Cochin to Madurai in the Western Ghats Mountains!
At Meenakshi Temple with our SEED Volunteer Tour Gudies
With Ms. Bala and her daughters after our Bharatanatyam Dance Class!
Saying good-bye to our new Madurai friends!
We just got back from our four day stay in the Madla village, near Udaipur. It became evident almost as soon as we arrived that our stay in the village would be a life changing experience. We were greeted by many of the villagers, who we would later come to recognize as a second family of sorts. Upon our arrival (and before it), every possible measure was taken to ensure our comfort. A western toilet was built for us, complete with a sink nearby with running water. We were also afforded the luxury of running water in two shower rooms, where we took bucket baths. We slept in a communal room, and a truck delivered sleeping pads, sheets and pillows so that we could be more comfortable. The villagers were constantly interested in making sure we were well-fed and happy.
During the four days we were there, we got the chance to go to one youth resource center (or the equivalent) and one school. We taught the children games and words in english, which they clearly enjoyed, and in exchange, they taught us many games and words of their own. (I can’t figure out how to get this out of italics, and it’s time to go back to the hotel soon…..) It was amazing to witness the day to day lives of people who, at first glance, have so little. However, it became evident that we had much to learn from them, and that in many ways, they have more than any of us. They have an amazing sense of community, for one thing. For another, their happiness was not based on their material posessions, but rather on love, family, and friendship. I am so appreciative to have had the opportunity to meet people like these, and I have learned so many valuable lessons about how to live my life from them. After our four days, we said a very tearful goodbye to our new family. I can only begin to express my feelings about this experience in a blog, but I hope that when I get home, I can incorporate some of the villagers’ values into my life.We just arrived in Madurai about 2 hours ago. We had a LONG day–up and on the bus at 6am and finally arrived here at 7pm. We broke it up by stopping at a spice plantation and then at enjoyed a lovely lunch in the hill station of Thekkady. Upon arrival at our hotel in Madurai we were greeted by children from the SEED center (an educational institution in a Madurai slum) with jasmine flowers for everyone. Dinner was buffet style tonight and everyone quickly retreated to their rooms after a long journey. Tomorrow we will visit the Meenakshi Temple of Madurai and explore the city before our evening dance class. Here are the shout outs the students wrote at dinner tonight:
“Yesterday we went to the Home of Hope girls orphanage. I made friends with many of the girls and it was an overall awesome experience.” –Josh
“The orphanage was such a rewarding experience. The kids are so appreciative of everything and their hospitality is amazing. It was great to know that by making that visit to Home of Hope, we made some difference. Hearing the kids future goals and aspirations were so inspirational. Thats just what we all needed.” –Shawn
“I love the kids were meeting.” –Chris
“The girls of the Home of Hope orphanage were some of the happiest I’ve ever seen.” –Jeremy
“Hey guys! In Madurai for awhile! 10 hour van ride…It wasn’t that fun. But last night we went to the orphanage and I had a blast with a little 12 year old girl named Sandihya. I will keep in contact with her and send her our pictures. I wish I could take her back with me! I love and miss you all! Peace!” –Amy
“Hey, I miss you all a lot. I will call when I can. We are now in Madurai-just finished a 10 hour bus ride.” –Love, Molly
“Hello everyone! Yesterday 07-14-08, we went to Home of Hope and we play with the little girls and some people donated toys and other things :). Today 07-15-08: We went to a garden “Spice plantation” and we saw different plants and spices that were exciting! Well I thin thats all. I love you Mom.” –Ana
“We have been having such a great time, the people, the land and the food are all wonderful. We experienced climbing up 500 steps at a temple when staying at Sangam. Once reaching the temple, we were able to relax and enjoy the temple! Everyone has been great!” –Valeria
“We took a backwaters boat tour and had a traditional banana leaf lunch. It was a great experience and seriously beautiful. Love you mom!” –Althea
“The visit to the shravanabelagola temple was quite adventurous. We encountered a 500 step climb to the top. Even though the heat was unbearable, we worked through it and became victorious. One feels much better when they take the hard way. The enormous statue was magnificent. Our experiences were some of the best.” –Teebo
“Going to Home of Hope was awesome! The girls were so much fun and so sweet. I wish we could go back! I’ve been a little homesick, but I’m still having a great time! Our hotel in Madurai is really snazzy! 
I love you mom! See you in 13 days!” –Beth
“We’ve stayed VERY busy! Cochin is a very friendly city on the coast of the Arabian Sea. We enjoyed a banana leaf dinner and took a canoe-like boat through the backwaters of Kerala. Today we left for Madurai. We drove over the mountains and through the tea and spice plantations. We were introduced to Aryuvedic remedies. On our way to Tamil Nadu we saw fields of pineapples, rice, palms, sugar cane and peanuts. All for now! Much love to all.” –April
We are just wrapping up our 3 days in Cochin. Today we had another busy day–exploring the the backwaters and a Keralan village, eating a delicious banana leaf meal, shopping and visiting an orphanage for girls. We leave for Madurai via van at 6am tomorrow. It’ll be a 10 hour drive with a stop for lunch and a visit to a spice plantation. Before we leave Kerala, here are some shout outs from the group:
“We’ve been in Cochin now for a couple of days. So far we’ve had a tradition Kerala cooking class and a dancing workshop. Its been awesome and I’m looking forward to the rest of the trip.” –Josh
“Well everything is fun here! We’re famous :)! We have our picture on the newspaper. The picture was taken when we were dancing. By the way it was FUN! I miss you mom a lot and hello to everyone else. :)” –Ana
“We got photographed for the Indian newspaper during Kathakali dance. We also got to eat at Pizzahut! Though it was mainly vegetarian. But it was amazing! The hotel rooms are amazing here in Cochin. Very comfortable. I’m trying to get everyone presents! Love and miss you all!” –Amy
“India is amazing!” –Jeremy
“Hey, We did Kathakali dance yesterday! It was really fun-we were in the newspaper this morning. Today we are going on a boat tour and to an orphanage.” –Molly
“I’ve been having such a great time in India. I miss you all very much, take care of Ziggy! I can’t wait to come home to tell you all the wonderful stories.” –Valeria
“Yesterday we saw traditional Kathakali dancing and had the traditional make-up done. It was very cool.” –Althea
“Kathakali dancing was awesome! Lots of fun. I miss you mommy! Love you!” –Beth
“I’m having a very good time.” –Chris
“Trip is good. FInally had an American dinner last night! Pizza Hut! Still miss everyone can’t wait to get back!” –Shawn
“Kathakali went so well, we even made the local paper. The whole colaboration was very elaborate and intricate. Well played…” –Tyler
