India is diverse and complex. Severe poverty is entertwined with extravagant wealth. Today was the first day that we really got out into the city. I am just coming in from a long day and I have not really had time to process all of the sights of the day. The poverty was hard for me, very hard. That is what I cannot get out of mind.
We had a day also filled with lecture about the Indian education system and Indian Art and religion. We visited Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist temples. Last night at USEFI they had a huge reception for us. Need to go think about the day- Will write more tomorrow.
Love,
M.
Reading List
- City of Joy-Freedom at Midnight, Collins Larry and Dominique Lapierre
- Holy Cow, Sarah McDonald
- Home and the World, Rabindranath Tagore
- Interpreter of Maladies, Jhumpa Lahiri
- The Bhagvat Gita, John Davies
- The Namesake, Jhumpa Lahiri
- The World Is Flat, Thomas l Friedman
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13 comments:
Glad you arrived safely, Mary. I'll check back once you've processed. Yes, poverty is so hard and devastating to see.
Hugs!
Hey Mary! I drove by your house this am and Bob was hanging up laundry on the clothesline! Life goes on in Newport News!! I am so glad you arrived safely and hope that you are getting adjusted to the weather and new environment. What stories you will have to tell us when you get back! Miss you and I will keep in touch!The picture by the lake in Chicago came through just fine! Peace, Cathy
Mary, how exciting for you! I appreciate you taking the time to share your journey with us. So far it seems like such an adventure. Glad you are safe. I checked out the map of your travels and wow, you get to see quite a bit of India. You will be such a positive influence for everyone, how lucky they are to get to know you. Larry and I will be following your travels as we travel. Please take care of yourself.
Love, Joy
Hi Mary,
I'm so glad you arrived safely. I'm sure the culture shock is mind numbing! It's great that you are doing this.
Love,
Clare
Happy to hear you arrived safely! Would like to hear what you thought of the flight. What are your accommodations like? I am getting adjusted to things here in Salem -- Sandy is enjoying being able to get in the river and splash w/o going in over her head. She's not sure if this is her new home or not, but as long as I am around she seems content.
You are doing good works there. Do not doubt that. You will see things that are troubling to you, but just know that one person can only do so much -- and you are doing your part to make positive changes!
Onward and upward.
Mary,
I am SO impressed!! I can visualize you there. I am sure the poverty is difficult to see. I'm sure you will see some amazingly beautiful things as well.
We are so proud of you and know that everyone misses you back here.
We are with you in spirit and prayer.
Love,
Mom and Dad (via Stephen)
Hey mom!
I love you and miss you and can't wait to hear about the past few days in detail. I hope you had a different and exciting fourth of july!
Love
Leecy
Hi there!
So glad you arrived and are already knee deep in India. I'm sure the contrast of life styles are mind boggeling. I'll be curious what the perception of the US is there.
Mom and Dad just left after a week of vacation. We had a great time. You know the drill, out to Long Island to see the family, lots of food and laughs. Everybody was very excited about your trip and all sent wishes for your success.
We're laying low for the 4th. Nick is preparing for the AP conference in Las Vegas next week and I am starting my applications this week.
We are continually aware of you in India as we keep tracking you on the map you posted. Its so very exciting and the blog makes it all very real!! Looking forward to reading more about your adventures and your reflections on them.
Plans are still a go for August. We can't wait to see you and get the live download after your trip.
Looking forward to your next post.
Love,
Stephen
Hi Mary! It's Nick. I'm glad you arrived safely. How well did the melatonin work for your jet lag? Spent 4th of July with George, Kate, Dina and a friend of their's who had just arrived from Egypt, and I thought about suggesting melatonin to him.
I'm sorry to hear about the poverty and its troubling effect on you. I wonder if you'll hear about social programs for the poor or antii-poverty campaigns -- anything we could use here?
I am excited to hear more about your adventures as you progress through your journey. Again, I am so proud of you. Looking forward to your next post.
I miss you!
Love,
Nick
Mary, so glad you have arrived safely. I spent the day yesterday with a Duke grad student from Madras, and we had some laughs about some of our frivolities in the US -- like cable TV programs on training mules and donkeys. . .Also uploaded the handouts for our AASL session today. Thinking of you often,
Mary K
Hi Mary,
I was so excited to read that you have arrived safely. Your time away will be filled with amazing stories to tell. I know that you are so strong and that you will find a way to process what you have seen and continue your work.
Lots of Hugs,
Edie
Fourth of July just wasn't the same with out kids in decorated wagons and dogs sporting red, white and blue accessories. I sure missed you and the Hilton parade. All is well here. I watched fireworks from Sara Kate's roof top. As you know, Im not a big fireworks person, but watching them against the capitol skyline was neat.
I can't wait to hear from you soon. I am looking forward to the Indian My Space requests :)
Love you and miss you-
Erin
Hi Mary,
-glad you are there safe, thinking of you often - went to ALA and got a pre-release copy of the book India after Ghandhi by Ramachandra Guha - to be published in August I think - I'll try to read some of it so I can talk with you wisely when you get back. Sandy
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