July 1-8

Hi,
First I want to thank you for all of the posts to the blog. It helps to fend off the homesickness knowing I have so many friends and family with me in spirit. I will try to condense some of the insights I have had over the last few days. We have a very intense schedule each day. We start very early and usually don't finish up until maybe 7 and then I try to get into town to call the girls or commune with the culture. Accommodations- are very upscale www.tajhotels.com in case you are interested. We are waited on hand and foot. For example, in the gym as you work out they bring you water, fresh juice and some kind of very nice smelling cold face cloth. Service I definitely did not know existed. Pictures-I haven't taken very many. There is something odd that I am experiencing in capturing daily life here. It feels intrusive and voyeuristic to me. So, I am still working on this one. No picture can ever convey what I have seen here. Poverty-This is a part of life everywhere and giving handouts in this situation, for reasons I won't go into here will not help. I have been praying every morning and just working on cultivating compassion for those who need it. I will find an organization to help out and do that when I get back to the U.S. Culture-It is very different here not better or worse then the U.S. just different. I have been trying to view things by looking through the eyes of an Indian and putting my self in their place. Daily routine-we hear alot of lectures. Schools-I am not ready to say what I am learning form Indian educators just yet. However, the India people are most generous and welcoming. Everywhere I have been the love people from the US we are highly regarded. Particularly in the school environments. Before we left Delhi we say some amazing dancers http://orissagov.nic.in/culture/odissi.htm We visited an educational site that promotes cultural literacy in the schools throughout India. I am finding that a sense of culture/family and God are very important here in school-Hmmmm. Yesterday we traveled here to Varanasi www.varanasi.nic.in.This morning we took a boat ride on the Ganges to experience the morning prayer service(4am), and funeral process. Later today we are traveling to Sarnath. This is where Buddha gave first sermon. I am going now to walk in the beautiful gardens in the hotel before going to Sarnath.There is just so much to process in my mind, but not enough time to think about it. Very intense.
Much Love for now,
M.

July 1 New Delhi

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.