Back to India
I feel like it’s unfair to neglect the fact that a little
over a year ago, when I was still in India, I said I’d “write when I got home.”
But technically, I’m doing that now.
Before now, this was my “Bridge Year” blog, where I
stream-of-consciously documented my 9 months in India (in other words, kept my
parents sane). From now on, this is going to be my travel blog (in other words,
a way to keep my parents sane when I’m not in the United States). And if I’m
ever motivated enough in the future, it might become an all-purpose blog.
I will be going back to India (again, yes, I know) this
summer on June 19th, and will come back to the United States on
August 16th (hint: a day before my birthday). I will be doing a
program called CLS (more info found here, Urdu specific info here).
In short, it is a language learning program. I will be
living with a host family in Lucknow, learning Urdu, drinking chai, and doing
“cultural excursion” activities.
To answer some questions I get a lot, here is a link
explaining what Urdu is, and a picture of a map showing where Lucknow is.
What is Urdu?! http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/other/urdu/guide/facts.shtml
What is Lucknow?!
I’m excited to be going back to India. I always knew after
Bridge Year that I’d have to go back at some point to visit Varanasi and all of
the people I love there, and hopefully I will be able to do that this time. I
really wanted to participate in a CLS program, and when I had the opportunity
to do it, I couldn’t say no. Right now I am going back because of CLS, and so
my main focus is learning Urdu.
Urdu is the official language of Pakistan, and is very
similar to Hindi, but is written in what is essentially the Arabic script. I
started learning Urdu in September at school, and since then, have become more
interested in Pakistan, and the Middle East in general.
I am home for about two weeks before I go to Washington D.C.
for a couple of days, and then to India on the 19th. I am spending
as much time as possible with my family and friends from home, and at the
beach. (It’s arguably the perfect amount of time to be home because my parents
can get just annoyed enough with me before I leave, and they feel guilty about
making me do chores.)
I’ve just started packing. Who knew I would be breaking out
my old kurtas so soon? I’m leaving as much room as possible so I can bring back
as many bangles and sari tops as possible (and souvenirs, write me e-mails I’ll
bring you something because as much as I trust the Indian Postal Service I don’t).
One of the most immediate goals I have upon arriving in
Lucknow is finding a not-too-sketchy restaurant/chai stand/something with a TV
that will show the world cup.
Another goal is to blog regularly. I’ll do my best I
promise.
The following posts based on my 2 months in Lucknow with CLS
reflect my own experiences and views. They are not based on official Department
of State, CLS Program, American Councils, or the American Institute for Indian
Studies information and views.
Lots of love,
Ada
P.S. If you want to see something really fun, click on this link!!
It’s the weather report for the next 10 days in Lucknow. So temperate.
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