One of my roomies is from Istanbul and goes to UNC. He made a comment yesterday: "when I went to the states for the first time, I thought how much my home town sucked. But this place (we were in downtown Jodhpur walking along the shops) really sucks. It makes Istanbul look like heaven." I was really taken aback... It put in perspective very quickly how blessed we are in the states and how much the entitlement attitude many people have annoys the heck out of me.
Between that and the discussion we had about castes and helping the Dalits, I'm even more fired up about being here and trying to make an impact.
The simplicity of life here is very attractive though. Since I'm the 1st guest in the hotel that's awake, I get to see the staff as they rise and start their day. Many sleep in the driveway on cots and act as security and take advantage of the cooler night weather before the rain starts. Just checked the weather, looks like we'll start getting rain on Tuesday. Makes sense, since we've had cloud cover yesterday and this morning. Mumbai is already getting soaked.
Bought some sandals yesterday, but we'll see if I wear them once the rain starts. For today, I'm sticking with socks & sneakers.
Walking through Old Town in Jodhpur, I was taking in the sites and filming a little bit when all of a sudden I feel something slam into my tailbone and lift me up a few inches. I thought I was getting jumped or mugged and was ready to turn and start swinging! Well, turn I did to find myself staring at a 500 pound plus bull with 7 inch horns. Guess I was walking too slow for him. I quickly moved and the bull meandered away without giving me a second look. I was so stunned I didn't even think to get a picture of him, but the other 5 interns and Sukie were all laughing and asking if I was OK.
On our way to dinner we saw a moving party. A flatbed truck was rigged up with some lights and speakers and the local cricket team was shouting and waving trophies around as a crowd followed and danced behind the truck. Tolison, one of the other interns, got dragged into the dancing & I taped him boogying with the locals.
Had a great dinner on a rooftop in Old City and we could see all of Jodhpur lit up at night.
cooking classes in jodhpur!
old city clocktower
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Hey babe! Just reading your blog on my short lunch break. Wanted to tell you, I completely agree about being really annoyed with other Americans who have the "entitlement attitude". Honestly, I have met other interns from all over the world, and the other Americans really are the only ones with that attitude that I have encountered so far. The only thing to do is represent our country the best we can and show people that not everyone thinks that way! Hope you are learning so much! Miss ya!
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