Birla Mandir and more

This weekend was pretty busy for me. I did a little shopping because I was in need of clothes, but more importantly I had the opportunity to go to Birla Mandir, a Hindu Temple in Jaipur. The Mandir is dedicated to Vishnu and Laksmi. It is completely made of white marble. Approximately 10,000 people visit this temple in one day. It was really a beautiful sight. I also had the opportunity to visit a few smaller mandirs, but none were as grand as the Birla Mandir. Unfortunately I was prohibited from snapping a  picture of the instead. Today I will have my first table lesson. Tin Tal:)

Monkey

I was going to get my visa registered and I saw some monkeys. Thought you would all enjoy:) Classes are going well and I am learning so much. Since I was placed in intermediate I have a lot of catching up to do but I will survive. Today it is finally cooler outside because it rained last night! Maybe I can do some walking around.  

Bapu Bazaar

Is a very overwhelming place. my second visit was much more enjoyable ( i bought shoes and a camis-salwaar). The two photos of plants are from a hotel called Clarks Amer which is near my homestay.

Lodi garden in Delhi

finally in Jaipur

I am finally starting to get settled in. I will start living with my homestay family today, but otherwise I have been staying in hotels (first in Delhi and then in Jaipur). It took approximately 6 hours via bus to go from Delhi to Jaipur. Driving in India is very different from in the States. Honking is used for signaling and warning people that you are driving up behind them, and signaling…well I am not sure what it is used for. In Delhi I was staying in a lovely hotel (Vivanta by Taj), but other participants that have been to India before that this area was atypical of India (little traffic and smell). Now that I am in Jaipur I know that this is true. There are good smells and bad smells and there are always cars, rickshaws, bicyclists, and motorcyclists everywhere. Sometimes there are no lines on the road, but when there are lines no one seems to drive them anyway (it makes for a lot of adventure). I have seen camels, monkeys, cows, stray dogs, and lots of mosquitoes.

Jaipur has some amazing bazaars, which I will hopefully be able to explore soon. To say the streets and bazaars are crowded would be understatements…there are literally people everywhere. I do not think that any picture, story, or film that I have seen or heard about India has captured the complexity of the culture and the country.

Okay so from the time I wrote “culture and the country,” I have experienced much more of Jaipur! Aaj (today) I went to the bazaar and was overwhelmed by the people, smells, and sights…more on this to come

Pre-Orientation: Washington DC

Hello Friends & Family,

I am almost ready to go to India. I do not know how ready I am to speak in Hindi (I have had the opportunity to test my skills and there is a ton of room for improvement). I have already met some amazing people who have studied and learned multiple languages in India, and all over the world. Tomorrow I am off to Chicago then to Delhi where I will experience my second orientation. Then I will proceed on a very long bus ride to Jaipur (don't worry there is air conditioning). I will have Hindi classes Monday-Friday from 9am-1pm and will be living with a host family. Nervous...yes...excited...most definitely!

Phir Milenge!