So the hotel we stayed at in Madurai, I would never stay at again. Truly scary. But I was able to sleep and had to get up far too early Thursday morning to get ready for the wedding and catch the train. I am really glad I didn't have to wear a sari. Those girls had to get up much earlier and get help to get ready. I am not sure how I feel about the train yet. I wasn't particularly comfortable in the seat, but the ride was much smoother and quicker. I tried to nap a bit but wasn't very successful and every time I looked up the same guy was watching me. He wasn't subtle either. Its been interesting to see how bold some Indians are and how scared others are. There have been times when a few of us have been sitting done eating, or waiting for a bus and someone will just walk up to us a stare like we are animals at the zoo. It doesn't matter where we are. Then there are other times when they will run away or children will hide behind their parents.
The wedding wasn't very long but the process was. We got there at around 8:45am. Breakfast was provided, but none of us were really hungry at that time. All we wanted was coffee and biscuits. No starbucks or coffee shops to be found. Only one coffee shop found in Kerela and I'm am taking my dad there for the chocolate cake. I think I may have said that before. The Wedding that was suppose to start at 10am started at 10:45am. Yay Indian time. Nothing ever starts on time. 5 min usually means 15min. By this time I was hungry. The hall that the wedding was held in had some 500+ people crammed in. I think about 40 volunteers were there. Most of the girls were wearing saris. Again I am glad I wasn't. I would have fallen and would have had no prayer in the bathroom let alone an Indian toilet. The ceremony lasted about 45min. I have no idea what was going on until the vows. that was obvious. It was all in Tamil. From the wedding we were supposed to head back to Madurai and catch a a bus to a University that we had an appt at. With lots of running we still didn't get back to Madurai in time to catch the bus. As it was we didn't get back to Madurai till after the appt was suppose to start and the University was another hour bus ride. We just headed back to the farm. I got stuck next to a rather large Indian man who I couldn't figure out if he was a creep or just really didn't have enough room. Thinking possibly a bit of both. He didn't fit in the seat at all and his shoulders were wide enough to pin me back in my seat. His elbow spent a good portion of the ride back jabbing into my breast every time we hit a bump. Bumps come multiple times a minute. Once I changed my position he decided to go to sleep and kept leaning into me. I didn't not enjoy this ride home. Usually men will not sit next to a woman on a bus unless they are married or family. Yay for being a westerner.
Thursday was another day at the farm. This was a nice change of pace. It has become a very relaxing place for me. At least when the children aren't all over the place wanting to play or help. Usually play. Thursday morning was the start of a series of lessons and projects we are including the kids in while they are on holiday. We started by finding out explaining conservation and went on to discuss why plastics are bad for the environment. They all sat on the steps with their notebooks and pencils ready to take notes. They seemed to understand with translation all we were trying to get across. When asked if they enjoyed the lesson they said that they did. We'll see if they come back next week. At the end they asked us all for our autographs. Printed and signed.
The plan for the weekend was suppose to go to work Friday morning on the farm then go on another Projects Abroad planned volunteer weekend. I have decided to stay on the farm for the weekend. Need some quiet time and need a break from travel. I think I actually get to sleep until 8:15 tomorrow. Breakfast is at 8:30am. I am usually up at 6:15 so this is sleeping in. Anna and Ashok left today so I have the room to myself which is nice during the day. Like having a roommate at night. There is another girl starting on Monday so I won't be by myself for long.
The wedding wasn't very long but the process was. We got there at around 8:45am. Breakfast was provided, but none of us were really hungry at that time. All we wanted was coffee and biscuits. No starbucks or coffee shops to be found. Only one coffee shop found in Kerela and I'm am taking my dad there for the chocolate cake. I think I may have said that before. The Wedding that was suppose to start at 10am started at 10:45am. Yay Indian time. Nothing ever starts on time. 5 min usually means 15min. By this time I was hungry. The hall that the wedding was held in had some 500+ people crammed in. I think about 40 volunteers were there. Most of the girls were wearing saris. Again I am glad I wasn't. I would have fallen and would have had no prayer in the bathroom let alone an Indian toilet. The ceremony lasted about 45min. I have no idea what was going on until the vows. that was obvious. It was all in Tamil. From the wedding we were supposed to head back to Madurai and catch a a bus to a University that we had an appt at. With lots of running we still didn't get back to Madurai in time to catch the bus. As it was we didn't get back to Madurai till after the appt was suppose to start and the University was another hour bus ride. We just headed back to the farm. I got stuck next to a rather large Indian man who I couldn't figure out if he was a creep or just really didn't have enough room. Thinking possibly a bit of both. He didn't fit in the seat at all and his shoulders were wide enough to pin me back in my seat. His elbow spent a good portion of the ride back jabbing into my breast every time we hit a bump. Bumps come multiple times a minute. Once I changed my position he decided to go to sleep and kept leaning into me. I didn't not enjoy this ride home. Usually men will not sit next to a woman on a bus unless they are married or family. Yay for being a westerner.
Thursday was another day at the farm. This was a nice change of pace. It has become a very relaxing place for me. At least when the children aren't all over the place wanting to play or help. Usually play. Thursday morning was the start of a series of lessons and projects we are including the kids in while they are on holiday. We started by finding out explaining conservation and went on to discuss why plastics are bad for the environment. They all sat on the steps with their notebooks and pencils ready to take notes. They seemed to understand with translation all we were trying to get across. When asked if they enjoyed the lesson they said that they did. We'll see if they come back next week. At the end they asked us all for our autographs. Printed and signed.
The plan for the weekend was suppose to go to work Friday morning on the farm then go on another Projects Abroad planned volunteer weekend. I have decided to stay on the farm for the weekend. Need some quiet time and need a break from travel. I think I actually get to sleep until 8:15 tomorrow. Breakfast is at 8:30am. I am usually up at 6:15 so this is sleeping in. Anna and Ashok left today so I have the room to myself which is nice during the day. Like having a roommate at night. There is another girl starting on Monday so I won't be by myself for long.
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