First few days

I’m finishing up my third full day in Delhi and although its been only a few days, and you may already have lost me to India. Mostly, my heart has been filled with the beautiful children at Ashish.

Although photo updates will most likely be the norm, I did want to share a bit about my first few days in India. I truly feel like I have entered a new world. 

My flights from Chicago to Newark and then to Delhi went swimmingly. I left Newark at 8:30 PM on Saturday and expected to arrive in Delhi around 8:30 PM on Sunday night (14 hour flight + 10.5 hour time difference). I managed to fetch a window seat in the economy plus section (much more comfortable than my initial seat assignment as a middle seat faaarrrr in the back), so I was able to curl up against the window, read, and sleep. Indian food was also served on the plane (with vegan options!), which was pretty exciting. My plane arrived about an hour earlier than expected, so I took my time getting off the airplane, freshening up in the restroom (I was looking ROUGH after a 14 hour flight!), and getting my bags. Their immigration process was highly efficient, and put O’hare to shame (sorry, Dad!), so I made it through in no time.

I had been a little apprehensive all along about finding my way after I got off the airplane, but my friend, Kim, assured me that she would had no problem finding me in the arrivals area—pretty sure that I’d stand out in a sea of Indians. Since we arrived early, I wasn’t expecting them to be in the area so I planned to just hang tight in the arrivals area. But then time went by, and it was approach 9:00 when I began to get a little anxious and started catastrophizing only mildly. I had Kim’s phone number, but was clueless about making international calls on my phone, so I started asking some of the airport employees about where to find a phone. All of them responded by saying “No” or by somehow indicating that they did not understand me. Eventually, a kind man who was waiting for an arrival for the Canadian embassy must have noticed the panic on my face, and offered for me to use his phone. I responded with so much relief, but just then, Kim ran up to me and hugged me. It was SUCH a good feel to embrace familiarity during a moment of panic and discomfort.

Not only was I greeted by some American friends, but my first night also involved visits from cockroaches, geckos, and too many mesquitos--everyone in India LOVES to stare at the Americans. I wasn't too bothered by this though, and was just excited to finally be here. My first night of sleep wasn’t terrible, given the time difference, but the jet lag did set in during the following afternoon. I pushed through the entire day on Monday though, determined to acclimate myself, and I was pretty successful.

Monday was my first full day at Ashish and was spent mostly just familiarizing myself with the centre and observing in classrooms. In a lot of ways, it felt like the typical first day at a new job—trying to be extra friendly and taking it all in. I’m determined to know the names of all of the staff and students, and though I’m generally pretty good and remembering names, it especially difficult due to the unfamiliarity with Indian names. One great thing about the first few days at Ashish, is that I met a new friend, Carolyn, who is a former teacher at Elim, and is now teaching in Thailand. She had planned a visit that overlapped with my stay, so it was fun to get to know here and also have another “new person” for the first few days of Ashish. We had a great time shopping at "Second Chance" (the thrift store that is part of Ashish) and finding some traditional Indian clothes, creating some handmade jewelry, and getting to know each other and everyone at Ashish.

Second Chance Thrift Store

Carolyn's handmade jewelry

Tuesday and Wednesday I returned to Ashish, spent more time getting to know kids and staff, and began some of the early stages of a few of my “assignments” while I’m here. Mostly, I spent time making myself present in the classrooms and getting a chance to spent quite a bit of time with the awesome students in the vocational program.

Although its only my third day, I already have so much to say about Ashish, which will hae to be saved for another day. I’m spinning with thoughts and emotions, all while feeling a sense of peace and contentment.

 

More to come...