Catch Up
I have to apologize to those that have stuck around long enough to be reading this post, for neglecting to write for so many days. I am very happy to be maintaining contact with everyone in the states whether that be through e-mails, facebook messages, or phone calls. So I apologize for my recent lack of updating on what I am doing here.
It feels like October ended just a few days ago. But here we are in the middle of November, with Diwali behind us and Thanksgiving quickly approaching. I have continued my Program House, Guria office, Guria school, Hindi class schedule since the beginning of November, which I am happy to report was only interrupted by Diwali rather than sickness. When I go to "work" in the office, a lot of what I do is not what I would call work. We talk a lot in the office. A simple question to Ajeet Ji about the price of art therapy cards turns into an hour and a half conversation (or lecture might be a more accurate word) about the corrupt machinery that is the Indian government. At times, I've been frustrated because things don't always get done on a timely basis, and communication (even in English) is often drawn out and ineffective. Nevertheless,
I love going to the office and love talking to Ajeet Ji and Tom Sir (another full time volunteer from Ireland) because I always gain a new insight or learn something new. Recently Hannah and I have been working on making improvements to the Guria website and blog, selling art therapy cards, and getting in contact with past volunteers and visitors.
In the week leading up to Diwali, we started preparing for our Guria after school center Diwali celebration. Hannah and I were put in charge of a building each, and a pack of children to decorate the building with. The kids in my building decided it would be a wonderful idea to make "clay world" and then light it up with dias on the night of the celebration. I was not as excited about the idea, but I let them bring in buckets of clay and begin construction. In about 20 minutes I found myself caked in clay. My arms, feet, and hands were completely covered in dirt. My pants were stained with brown streaks and marks. I had clay on my face, courtesy of the kids building with me. And I was having a lot of fun. I wasn't excited about the idea
of being covered in clay before it happened, but once I was in the middle of the construction project I thought that "clay world" was a great idea. The week continued with preparations: making signs, writing on walls, gluing colored paper to buildings, and making Rangoli art. The kids in my building were extremely competitive, and the prize of the title "better building" was of the utmost importance (so important that at one point they snuck into the other building to steal ideas). Our Diwali celebration was a success; all of the children had a great time. There was a large display of fire crackers that, at times, came dangerously close to the crowd. But the kids didn't seem to notice how many times they came close to being burned, and really enjoyed the display.
On the day of Diwali I wore my sari for the first time, and spent the night celebrating with my host family. The sari is still a mystery to me. It consists of a small blouse, a skirt, and a stretch of fabric. The fabric is wrapped around the skirt and then draped over the blouse. I don't understand how women wrap their own saris, how they walk and work comfortably in saris, and why I never see any Indian women struggling with keeping their fabric from unraveling. But I have to admit, I really like saris. I can't wait to wear mine again, and buy another one.
For my host family, the most important part of Diwali is the puja, or Hindu prayer. To prepare for the puja, my host sister and I made a Rangoli art peacock on the floor of the living room. After that, everyone washed themselves and dressed up. On a table next to the Rangoli art were two small effigies of gods (Ganesh and Lukshma), sweets, and books. Behind the table was a small tulsi tree. During puja, a member of my family would take a plate of dias, move it in circles in front of the table, remove a dia and hold it for a few seconds, pray, and then set it in front of the table. My host family told me that the books are to bring knowledge to the family, the sweets are to bring a steady supply of food, and the Tulsi tree to bring good health. I really enjoyed learning about the importance of puja and what it means to my host family. After puja, my host sister and I lit tons of dias and put them all over the outside of the house. Our house was completely lit up from the rooftop, to the bottom floor with dias and strung lights. And because everyone else in Varanasi was too, we went onto the rooftop and set off fireworks. If I hadn't seen the exploding colors in the sky, I would have sworn someone was shooting a gun outside. The fireworks went off all night. Everyone was infected with the
spirit of Diwali, especially the kids setting off fireworks directly below my window into the early morning.
The other day we got to go on a sunrise boat ride during the Chatt Puja. People gathered from all over Varanasi, and outside the city to take part in the puja on the Ganga Ji.
Upcoming events we have planned include a trip to Kujaraho which I'm very excited for.
Until next time
Ada
I have to apologize to those that have stuck around long enough to be reading this post, for neglecting to write for so many days. I am very happy to be maintaining contact with everyone in the states whether that be through e-mails, facebook messages, or phone calls. So I apologize for my recent lack of updating on what I am doing here.
It feels like October ended just a few days ago. But here we are in the middle of November, with Diwali behind us and Thanksgiving quickly approaching. I have continued my Program House, Guria office, Guria school, Hindi class schedule since the beginning of November, which I am happy to report was only interrupted by Diwali rather than sickness. When I go to "work" in the office, a lot of what I do is not what I would call work. We talk a lot in the office. A simple question to Ajeet Ji about the price of art therapy cards turns into an hour and a half conversation (or lecture might be a more accurate word) about the corrupt machinery that is the Indian government. At times, I've been frustrated because things don't always get done on a timely basis, and communication (even in English) is often drawn out and ineffective. Nevertheless,
I love going to the office and love talking to Ajeet Ji and Tom Sir (another full time volunteer from Ireland) because I always gain a new insight or learn something new. Recently Hannah and I have been working on making improvements to the Guria website and blog, selling art therapy cards, and getting in contact with past volunteers and visitors.
In the week leading up to Diwali, we started preparing for our Guria after school center Diwali celebration. Hannah and I were put in charge of a building each, and a pack of children to decorate the building with. The kids in my building decided it would be a wonderful idea to make "clay world" and then light it up with dias on the night of the celebration. I was not as excited about the idea, but I let them bring in buckets of clay and begin construction. In about 20 minutes I found myself caked in clay. My arms, feet, and hands were completely covered in dirt. My pants were stained with brown streaks and marks. I had clay on my face, courtesy of the kids building with me. And I was having a lot of fun. I wasn't excited about the idea
of being covered in clay before it happened, but once I was in the middle of the construction project I thought that "clay world" was a great idea. The week continued with preparations: making signs, writing on walls, gluing colored paper to buildings, and making Rangoli art. The kids in my building were extremely competitive, and the prize of the title "better building" was of the utmost importance (so important that at one point they snuck into the other building to steal ideas). Our Diwali celebration was a success; all of the children had a great time. There was a large display of fire crackers that, at times, came dangerously close to the crowd. But the kids didn't seem to notice how many times they came close to being burned, and really enjoyed the display.
Guria firecrackers
clay world at night
India Rangoli Art
G-U of GURIA
Sahid Bhagat at night
Rangoli art
On the day of Diwali I wore my sari for the first time, and spent the night celebrating with my host family. The sari is still a mystery to me. It consists of a small blouse, a skirt, and a stretch of fabric. The fabric is wrapped around the skirt and then draped over the blouse. I don't understand how women wrap their own saris, how they walk and work comfortably in saris, and why I never see any Indian women struggling with keeping their fabric from unraveling. But I have to admit, I really like saris. I can't wait to wear mine again, and buy another one.
For my host family, the most important part of Diwali is the puja, or Hindu prayer. To prepare for the puja, my host sister and I made a Rangoli art peacock on the floor of the living room. After that, everyone washed themselves and dressed up. On a table next to the Rangoli art were two small effigies of gods (Ganesh and Lukshma), sweets, and books. Behind the table was a small tulsi tree. During puja, a member of my family would take a plate of dias, move it in circles in front of the table, remove a dia and hold it for a few seconds, pray, and then set it in front of the table. My host family told me that the books are to bring knowledge to the family, the sweets are to bring a steady supply of food, and the Tulsi tree to bring good health. I really enjoyed learning about the importance of puja and what it means to my host family. After puja, my host sister and I lit tons of dias and put them all over the outside of the house. Our house was completely lit up from the rooftop, to the bottom floor with dias and strung lights. And because everyone else in Varanasi was too, we went onto the rooftop and set off fireworks. If I hadn't seen the exploding colors in the sky, I would have sworn someone was shooting a gun outside. The fireworks went off all night. Everyone was infected with the
spirit of Diwali, especially the kids setting off fireworks directly below my window into the early morning.
outside my house
my room
The other day we got to go on a sunrise boat ride during the Chatt Puja. People gathered from all over Varanasi, and outside the city to take part in the puja on the Ganga Ji.
Upcoming events we have planned include a trip to Kujaraho which I'm very excited for.
Until next time
Ada
I love seeing the pictures of your room.
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