My bags took four days to arrive. It is awkward enough to move to another country, let alone to do so without clothes, shoes, or deodorant. The women in the house were kind enough to lend me some of their salwar kameez, but I was not about to ask them for their towels! So, for the first few days I, well, reeked. It is funny to look back on now, but at the time it was really embarrassing. The women in the house all work at the school, some as teachers and others in the front office. They are all older than me and speak to each other in Hindi or Marathi, which was very difficult on the first days, but now I am more comfortable with them and ask them what different words mean. 
We generally sit in the house after dinner watching Hindi TV, which is really, really funny. Everything is extremely dramatic and the producers of every show love to zoom in on the face of a character and do crazy effects to show the intensity of the scene. It ends up doing the opposite and I burst out laughing right in the middle of the most dramatic moments!
A few days ago, my roommate came and she is great! She is 19, from Goa (a state south of Maharashtra), also teaches in the primary school, is a Baha’i, and is named Rupa. We were so happy to room together because we are the youngest girls in the house. I know that we will be very good friends by the end of this year. Through her, I have become closer many of the other girls in the house and the other teachers in the school. Rupa was a student at NETTI (New Era Teacher Training Institute, located about 15 minutes down the road from the high school) and this is her first year of actual teaching. For the past two days, we have been in workshops along with the other teachers reviewing different approaches to teaching and ways of infusing spirituality, healthy living practices, and respect for the environment into our lessons. It is interesting to see how freely religion is discussed here as opposed to America. The teachers range from Baha’i, to Hindu, to Muslim, to Christian, to Zoroastrian, and everywhere in between, and yet everyone works together so peacefully in order to best serve the students. Everyone acknowledges the importance of spirituality in education and all are willing to unify in order to bring that spiritual energy into the classroom. It’s really amazing. Also, there is a certain level of politeness that seems to exist in this country that is really outstanding. Every time something can be done, 3 people pop out of their seats to offer service, whether that means fetching tea for the speaker, passing out papers, or turning on the projector for the power point. It’s like they have a sixth sense for helping people out and I oftentimes find myself lagging!
Another great thing about India is the tea. Milk tea is my new addiction. It’s everywhere and always deeeeeeelicious! I’ve never had better tea in my entire life and can’t wait to learn how to make it. I end up drinking at least a cup a day and it makes me so, so happy!
The other thing that made me very happy this week was finally getting my luggage. When the man from Air India came up to the house, I was nearly jumping for joy. I pulled the luggage into the house and immediately jumped into the bathroom! The hot water geezer works in only one bathroom and everyone was asleep so I got to take a peaceful, warm shower. I have never enjoyed a shower more in my entire life! Not to be overly spiritual or anything, but that shower honestly took my understanding of baptism to a whole other level. Something as common and elemental as water literally opened up a new world to me. It renewed my sense of confidence, purpose, and dignity. I was clean and refreshed. I was now in India for the long run. My belongings were here and I was no longer a visitor, but now a resident. It was both exciting and frightening. On the one hand my stuff had finally arrived, but on the other hand its arrival meant that I was not leaving anytime soon.
India is now where I live. It is now my home.
Today I woke up before everyone in the house (my internal clock is still adjusting) and went for a short run. I brought my prayer book along and said prayers while looking out over the gorgeous Krishna valley.
Every time I looked up from my prayer book, there in front of my eyes was a stunning symbol of God’s grandeur! I felt so humbled and thankful to God for allowing me to serve in such a physically beautiful and spiritually vital place. I came back to the house just as everyone was waking. I took a cold bath in my bathroom since my hot water geezer is broken. Here, a bath means filling a big bucket with water and then taking a cup and pouring the water over you. It sounds terrible, I know, but it’s actually wonderful! You end up only using a bucket’s worth of water and it gets the job done. This was my first cold bath and it was so amazingly refreshing! Obviously it is cold, but after the initial shock, your body warms up and you end up feeling like you just jumped into a cool, clear river. I had washed my spirit through prayer and then cleaned my body with water and the result was my best day in India so far!
“I Reek” and Other Musings From My First Week…
Peace Out, Atlanta. Namaste, India.
On 14 August 2007, I flew from San Diego to Atlanta. I stayed in Atlanta until my flight to India on 18 August 2007. My time there was filled with errand running, but more importantly gave me some priceless time with my beautiful, love-filled family! 
The trip to Atlanta was a great decision, because it served at a great transition to India. I was gone from my normal home, so I started to get used to that feeling, but I was also in a familiar place where I was surrounded by support and love. While in Atlanta, my grandmother decided to get me a traditional Indian outfit. We ended up getting a simple and beautiful salwar kameez at a sari store in Atlanta. 
My last night, my aunt and uncle invited a bunch of people over for a bon voyage party and they all sent me off with their love, support, and prayers.
The next day, my dad and grandmother took me to the airport with a one-way ticket to Mumbai in my hand. My flight schedule was to fly Delta from Atlanta to New York and then change to Air India flight 102 in New York, which would stop in London and then connect to Mumbai. After checking in with Delta, I said my goodbyes and “I love you”s to my dad and grandma and headed to the New York flight. The flight took about 2 hours and upon landing in New York, I boarded my flight to London on Air India.
I immediately knew that something had changed when I got on the plane. First of all, the scent in the airplane was a heavy, savory musk, a welcome change to the scentless Delta flight. Second, the wallpaper was a shimmery, floral design with paisley and vines.
Third, the bathroom was fully equipped with a communal bottle of mouthwash, that is, one bottle for whoever felt their breath needed refreshing! As I settled into my seat, I was thrilled. My concept of normalcy was bending and adapting to this new environment. Mind you, I’m simply on a plane in New York! As the plane took off, I said my final goodbye to the U.S.
In the air, I suddenly realized where I was, what I was doing, and what it all meant (a little late, I know). I was alone as an adult, beginning my independent life. However, this independence is not a sad or lonely kind. It is surrounded by love of my family and friends, but most importantly by the guidance of God. So though I was physically alone, I felt completely safe and happy. The love of my dear ones and the presence of God are with me and thus, I am alone and yet I am not.
The rest of the flight was great, full of new snacks (goodbye pretzels and peanuts), funny Bollywood music videos, and delicious in flight meals (for once!).
We arrived in London about 5 and a half hours later and boarded the next plane to Mumbai! On that flight, I got a full row and ended up just sleeping, eating, and listening to my iPod. I did, however, meet a nice lady who did not speak English but found my attempts at Hindi very entertaining. I offered her some M&M’s (thanks Karin), which aren’t commonly sold in India and she gave me some silver, mint-flavored candy. She also showed me her thumb, which had two tips and two fingernails and let me take a picture. 
She was very sweet and later gave me a hair clip. All I had to give her were some bracelets, which she refused until I insisted.
8 and a half hours later the wheels of Air India flight 102 touched down in Mumbai! Upon arrival, and after about an hour and a half of asking questions and being sent all over the airport, I found out that my baggage was not on the flight. Somewhere along the line it had been misplaced. Tired and eager to get on with the rest of my journey, I filled out a luggage report and told them to send it to me in Panchgani once it surfaced. Another guy on my flight, Nash, had lost his luggage and he really helped me figure out what was going on. Although English is an official language of India, I could not understand a lot of what was said to me. Nash was Indian, but worked in the U.K. so he was a true godsend in translating what was going on. When we left the airport, he even invited me to come to his wedding in Mumbai (many people still call it Bombay) on 21 October 2007!
A teacher from New Era, the school in Panchgani where I will be serving, picked me up from the airport along with his sweet family. We got in their car and drove 5 hours through the night to Panchgani, a small town high on a hill. I could not see much of India during the drive because it was dark, but when the sun rose, India woke up! Women came out of their roadside shacks and began fires for breakfast, while men crossed the highway heading on their way to work. We finally reached Panchgani about 5 hours later and I was taken to my room (the bed with the pink pillow is mine).
The house is on campus and is laid out in suite style with 4 rooms containing 3 beds adjacent to one main room. There is also a kitchen and two bathrooms, both without showers, just buckets and a faucet! So long 15-minute showers! 
I changed into my Indian outfit (which I luckily packed in my carry-on luggage) and headed over to the main office to meet Santha, the man who had helped me organize my year of service. He introduced me to all the people in the office and told me where I would be serving. At the moment, I will be teaching English in the primary school and working in the Junior Youth Empowerment Program. I also will be choreographing for their Youth Dance Workshop, a group that examines various social ills through dance, theatre, and song. That is the plan for now, but Santha explained that I am encouraged to feel out the school and local community and contribute however I see fit. In other words, this is the plan for now, but if I see a new or more important need, I am welcome to serve there! He then helped me with some logistics of opening a bank account and reporting my stay to the consulate. Most of the day, however, was filled with meeting people, getting settled, and exploring Panchgani. I’ve never, in my whole life, not once, ever been in a town like Panchgani. I really can’t describe it. I’m simply at a loss for words. But, know that I really enjoy being in town and will post pictures later that will hopefully illustrate what I cannot.
That night was the Baha’i 19 Day Feast and I met my new Baha’i community. It was amazing because all the way in India, the Feast is run in much the same manner! “Dear Friends…” introduces every address and smiles abound. The warmth of the Baha’i community is universal and a welcoming attitude is ever present. Though I knew no ones name, I felt like I was in the company of friends and family. During the social portion many people came up to me and introduced themselves and offered to teach me Hindi and Marathi. There are many youth in this community because New Era Teacher Training center is only about 15 minutes from the high school. I met two awesome girls from Dubai, one of whom is related to a woman in my Feast group in San Diego (if it’s a small world, it’s a microscopic Baha’i world). Leaving, I felt totally happy, safe, and protected. I know that the Baha’is of Panchgani will be a big part of my life here and I loved meeting all of them. I can’t wait to start getting to know them better and serving the greater Panchgani community with them.
I fell into bed exhausted and passed out to the sound of monsoon rain dancing on my roof.
The Point…
Many of you have asked me why I have chosen to take a year off before entering college and my answer has gone through many evolutions. At times, I am taking this year off in order to rest up before jumping into the academic rigor of college. At times, this year is my opportunity to learn about another culture first hand and, in doing so, learn about myself. But, to be completely honest, those answers are secondary to my main purpose. So here it is, the reason for my year of service…
SERVICE, of course!!! Over the course of the next year, I am committing myself to a life of service. In my opinion, selfless service to others is one of the most important elements of this life. I believe that each person is a reflection of God, and that when one serves a fellow human being, that person is truly serving God. We all give service in different ways and this year is my way.
So, the answer to your question is service. The point of this year is service.
