Reflections and such.

April 19, 2008

This trip is giving me so much time to think, perhaps too much. It’s not that we aren’t doing anything but a lot of time is spent waiting, in discussion, or in reflection. Our weekly assignment is a 3-page paper reflecting on our readings, class time, and what we experience here, all pertaining to sustainable development. For me this is particularly pertinent since sustainable development is the focus for my life’s career and goals. Constantly thinking about the realities and uncertainties of sustainable development is meaningful and exhausting.

Last week we sat down with the original founder of CHIRAG (the organization we are working with), Kanai-Ji. He is 83 and sharper than me. One of the most incredible souls I have ever met. He told us about starting the organization, his challenges, and his view of development. His accomplishments in life shine through his contentedness and comfort in old age. I aspire to be as knowing and hospitable as him and his wife at their age.

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I’ve also been reflecting on how I value friendship. I’m remembering how much shared experiences mean. It’s the accumulation of those moments that builds a friendship, whether through stories shared or actual events. And more importantly, how the friendship supports each individual to be happy and grow. One friend’s mistake is another one’s lesson. What one admires about the other encourages them to achieve. Differences in opinion make each re-examine self-principles and ideas.

It is not necessary to see eye-to-eye on all topics, but simply to respect each other for those differences. In fact, I believe the strongest friendships can come from people with many differences. It is someone you can connect with despite these differences that cultivates a true friendship.

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So besides Corbett National Park here’s what’s happened in the past 2 weeks:

2 weekends ago I went to the nearest city, Nainital, with Amity and David. The whole group went for the day but they opted to pay jeeps to take them. The three of us decided we would rather take the local bus and stay the night. So we waited up at the road at 7:30am and hopped on the 2.5 hour bus to Biwali. From there we took a 30 minute ride to Nainital. It’s a cute city on a lake about the size of Lake Union. It vaguely resembles a Swiss town with the city on the lake and the mountains behind it. We spent a while walking around with our packs to find the best deal for a room. We settled on a room for 300 rupees/night for the 3 of us. So about $7.25 total for all three of us. It was a nice place too. We were really excited about having a TV with cable, a proper shower (we take bucket baths here), and room service! We had fun exploring the city and market. There was a protest going on by a group of Tibetan refugees that have market stalls there, which was really interesting and touching to see. Staring at a large photograph of the Dalai Lama in Northern India, while knowing he is speaking at the UW, was a little surreal. The next day we enjoyed a boat ride around the lake and took the bus back to Sonopani. It was definitely a bit of an adventure and a nice chance to get out on our own a little, away from the group, and feel a bit independent. I think the 3 of us, in particular, needed that. Everyone else seemed very happy to take a private vehicle and spend 4 hours in town.

Otherwise, we’ve been following the schedule of classes during the day at CHIRAG, and afternoons to study and relax. (Because life sounds really stressful here, right?)
We’ve been discussing our research projects for May, and I think I’ve decided to do research with the Women’s self help groups here. I’ll be interviewing women when they meet in their local groups once/month to ask questions related to when they seek out health care in their very busy lives of constantly working. Most of the women here do not even feed themselves 3 meals a day, and are chronically dehydrated because they do not carry water with them when they work in the forests collecting wood, fodder, and leaves for compost. Of the few medical facilities available, most doctors are men, making it more difficult for women to face seeking help. I’m excited to start meeting the women and hear their stories, I think it will be really interesting, culturally and personally.

And lastly, an exciting opportunity has presented itself to me. A couple nights ago two women who are living nearby and working for another nearby NGO came to Sonopani for dinner. Once is a doctor from New Orleans of Indian heritage, the other is an Indian teacher. The woman from New Orleans is a Salsa dancer. The two of them have been discussing teaching the children (ages 9-12) at the school Salsa as a way to break down some gender barriers, and foster a different relationship between the students. So they asked if I could teach them how to lead and follow, and how to teach it. In return the teacher, who is trained in classical Indian and Punjab dance, will teach us. Plus, in the end of May the NGO is planning a festival and they want to perform an Indian dance which they want me to participate in, as a way to bridge the gap between the two NGO’s. (And maybe even do a Salsa number.) I’m excited, we start tomorrow night!