The Monkey in the Program House
On Saturday morning I arrived at the program house at 7:30 for breakfast. I noticed on the roof opposite the program house a greater number of monkeys than usual. I went into the program house and sat down. A minute later, a monkey ran in the door, grabbed a bunch of bananas off of the table, and ran out. It all happened so fast. When I looked outside I saw him mockingly eating the bananas on the opposite roof. A subtle reminder that I'm not in the United States anymore.
Our 7:30 breakfast, 10:00-5:00 work day, 6:00-8:00 Hindi schedule continued as usual this week. On Tuesday Hannah and I bought bikes and rode them to work on Wednesday. What is riding a bike like in Beneras? It's crazy. There's not an organized pattern of traffic that the bicyclist falls into place with, there are no bikers' lanes, and there is a number of unfamiliar obstacles that regularly present themselves. By unfamiliar obstacles I mean cows and water buffalo (who don't seem to move much, biker or no biker), and the bicycle and autorickshaws that run the road. Tom led Hannah and I from his
motorcycle to work so that we could learn the route. There aren't many turns, but I am direction-ally challenged and I am in India so I expect the learning process to be a long one. I somehow managed to get lost at one point while Tom was leading us.
The festival season is approaching. This gave Mackenzie, Hannah, and me a good excuse to go sari shopping--something we've been anticipating since before we even got to India. We found a recommended store in a crowded part of town, and when we walked in we found sari heaven. Red couches surround shelves upon shelves of fabrics from synthetics to silks on three stories. I bought my first sari, and am not revealing any details about it until I wear it.
I have been pretty sick for the past few days but I am happy to say that I am feeling much better today. I made a visit to the doctor. He was very nice, and didn't rush to throw me in the hospital, so I am very thankful for both of those things.
I'm including mostly pictures of the ghats and the Ganga Ji. I have yet to take very many pictures of the city itself or my homestay.
On Saturday morning I arrived at the program house at 7:30 for breakfast. I noticed on the roof opposite the program house a greater number of monkeys than usual. I went into the program house and sat down. A minute later, a monkey ran in the door, grabbed a bunch of bananas off of the table, and ran out. It all happened so fast. When I looked outside I saw him mockingly eating the bananas on the opposite roof. A subtle reminder that I'm not in the United States anymore.
Our 7:30 breakfast, 10:00-5:00 work day, 6:00-8:00 Hindi schedule continued as usual this week. On Tuesday Hannah and I bought bikes and rode them to work on Wednesday. What is riding a bike like in Beneras? It's crazy. There's not an organized pattern of traffic that the bicyclist falls into place with, there are no bikers' lanes, and there is a number of unfamiliar obstacles that regularly present themselves. By unfamiliar obstacles I mean cows and water buffalo (who don't seem to move much, biker or no biker), and the bicycle and autorickshaws that run the road. Tom led Hannah and I from his
motorcycle to work so that we could learn the route. There aren't many turns, but I am direction-ally challenged and I am in India so I expect the learning process to be a long one. I somehow managed to get lost at one point while Tom was leading us.
The festival season is approaching. This gave Mackenzie, Hannah, and me a good excuse to go sari shopping--something we've been anticipating since before we even got to India. We found a recommended store in a crowded part of town, and when we walked in we found sari heaven. Red couches surround shelves upon shelves of fabrics from synthetics to silks on three stories. I bought my first sari, and am not revealing any details about it until I wear it.
I'm including mostly pictures of the ghats and the Ganga Ji. I have yet to take very many pictures of the city itself or my homestay.
beautiful photos. Please don't go into that water:(
ReplyDeleteI want a sari.
ReplyDelete4 things
ReplyDelete1) "a greater number of monkeys than usual" whatttt?
2) as a someone who is also direction-ally challenged... step away from the bike
3) did you even own/ride a bike here?
4) have you noticed the parallels between you and dorothy? (the fever, monkeys,the bike, strange new place, dalia lama aka The Oz.)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete...and you're lost and you're trying to find your way
ReplyDeleteI put your bike on craig's list
ReplyDeletehahaha thanks momma lamson for your faith in me and my bike!
ReplyDeleteHope you are still feeling better!!! Nothing speaks more to the fact that you are in a foreign country than your recital of the monkey business! And, honey - those pictures are great...keep 'em coming, okay? Love you...
ReplyDeleteI am feeling better, thanks! Thank you for your comment love you and miss you!
Delete