Where am I?
I don't know about you guys, but I wish we were back there.
December 17, 2009
December 16, 2009
One Last Photo Update
One last photo update to round off our semester
Nate, Raul, Hannah, Annie, and Nora in Tibetan class with our language teacher Nimala
December 15, 2009
Blizzards in Wisconsin
For the last several days I have lived as a hermit, barely venturing out into the snow covered and freezing world of Wisconsin. I have sat in our home slightly numbed, yet relaxed. Every time I come home it seems natural for me to just slip right back in to where I was before. The problem is that I never want to do that. Doing that means abandoning the past experience: the challenges, the moments of exultation, the change and the growth. And so, every time I come back, I try to fight that initial impulse to slide back in. Sometimes it works, and sometimes I could use a bit more practice. Either way it really helps me when I have a venue to express these ideas to the world. Sometimes that venue is friends, sometimes it is family, and sometimes it becomes a journal or blog entry. But, I find at least, that the process of turning these thoughts and feelings into something external is just as much part of my experience as the events themselves. And much more fulfilling as more and more time passes! Its an interesting feeling now, to look back over old journals and see in what ways I have changed.
As for the here and now, my mind does still not fully comprehend that we are no longer together, nor in India. I wake up, at times, expecting to experience the familiar cacophony of sights, sounds, and smells that were constant Indian companions as much as the group. And in realizing again that I am now in Wisconsin, can't escape a small feeling of loneliness. But as such, I try to fill my days with as much activity as possible--there are too many things to do here (and in one's mind), and precious little time. So, as we have said before: go and live! Take advantage of all these offerings and opportunities that your lives are rich with. You are all at an amazing point in your lives where you have the freedom to experience as much of life as you want. Do it!
And let us know how you are doing! We would love it. If you ever want to chat, feel free to shoot me an email or give me a call (608-784-9760). As of right now, the only things I'm busy with are watching a few movies and reading a few books--interruptions are highly appreciated.
One more thing. I did a quick search online for reentry material, and these are several of the best ones that came up. Perhaps they can help shed some light on a new world:
http://www.worldlearning.org/OurWorld_documents/SITStudyAbroadReentryToolkit.pdf
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0507/coming_home_from_study_abroad.shtml
http://international.missouri.edu/studyabroad/after/cominghome.shtml
http://www.travelabroad.com/alumni/reentry.html
http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/ump/sap/reentry/cominghome.htm
And if anyone is thinking about writing about their experience, there are quite a few opportunities for publication and to win small awards through competitions. This is just one of them:
http://www.abroadview.org/webzine/index.htm
Phir Milenge
Kai
December 12, 2009
Article for Contact
[I wrote this article for Dharamshala's community publication Contact as part of my Learning and Ideas for Tibet ISP in McLeod]
A Story of Hope: Dorje Rinchen
By Andrew Weaver
In my eighteen short years on this earth, I have never been shot, tortured, or beaten. I have never watched any of my friends die. I have never tasted the cold fear of death, or the bitter uncertainty of exile. I have never been forcibly separated from my home or family, and have never worried that I might not see either again for the rest of my life. I have never known true pain. I have never known true suffering. And until quite recently I imagined, through the frosted-glass distortion of my comfortable, Western upbringing, that my inexperience with these horrors was not uncommon. Safety was simply a norm for me, and I never thought to consider it any kind of treasure, any kind of privilege. After all, I told myself, I live an average life, don’t I? And most other kids like me live average lives, too. Real torment didn’t befall any but the very few and very unlucky. I was narrowed within my own head, blissful and blind, my brain bubble-wrapped by all the things I took for granted. But on November 17, 2009, when the curious machinations of life happened to lead me to McLeod Ganj, India, I found myself suddenly stripped of every comforting delusion, every shadow of every lie. The mirrors in my mind were shattered, and for the best and the worst, I saw the truth.
December 11, 2009
Answer to riddle (8)
Example
December 09, 2009
Group Update from Varanasi
We've arrived in Varanasi and the student-led portion has begun! The roles we'll be assuming for the next few days are as follows: Raul and Andrew--co-coordinators; Annie--budget manager; Nora--leader log keeper and Global-LAB communicator; Hannah--transportation manager; Jackie and Kai--team chumps.
We are all still quite sorry for the early departure of two of our group's members, and we agree that nothing feels the same without them. But even though it's a different trip in their absence, we're trying our best to remain present and enjoy the crazy, beautiful city of Varanasi.
We are staying in a guest house along Assi Ghat, and have already explored a number of delicious restaurants, visited a bizarre armor/carriage/fabric museum, sucked some fumes during an impromptu block printing workshop, and strolled along the hazy ghats. And we've only just begun.
Most of us cannot believe that the trip is finally winding down. Personally, I am at this point constantly steeped in a bittersweet soup of joy, sadness, confusion, frustration, anticipation, nostalgia, and, most of all, absurd, tragicomic bliss. And things roll on. . .
November 30, 2009
I am not an animal person
I am not an animal person. Barking dogs kept me awake at night in Leh.
Jaipur's post-monsoon mosquitoes were the bane of my existence.
We were not amused by our room-mate mouse in Bharatpur
and severely alarmed at the prospect of a 'rat temple' near Bikaner.
That the group was distracted by some birds at the Keoladeo National Bird Sanctuary
is really rather disconcerting to say the least.
Sadly, they haven't yet repaired the windows which broke
when I screamed upon discovering that monkeys had enjoyed my snacks too.
McLeod Ganj is still searching for the cat
which chose the unfortunate location of my sleeping bag for its daily nap.
Dodging an obese cow as I circumambulate the temple of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,
and pondering the law of karma and the principles of reincarnation
I remember that it could have been my mother in previous lives.
Not sure where these thoughts are taking me
and overcome with longing for smoked salmon,
I resolve to enjoy the worldly pleasures that I have been lucky enough to be exposed to with
a new mindfulness and appreciation for what I have.
Andrew in the Woodcarving Studio at Lha Shing
Nora in the Thangka Painting Studio
Group Photo at Tushita
November 26, 2009
An Auspicious Thanksgiving in Dharamsala
Dear friends and family, Happy Thanksgiving!
It is a beautiful, cloudless November day here in McLeod Ganj. From the street one can hear the resonant and unmistakable voice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama echoing from his temple at the heart of the city, where he has been giving public teachings for the past three days. The outer environment seems to be in perfect accord with the joyful quality this holiday inspires within us, a group of Americans far away from home on Thanksgiving Day.
Tonight, we will all share a Thanksgiving dinner together. This day is doubly auspicious, for it is also the anniversary of the Mumbai attacks, which shook the core of Indian society one year ago today. Over a menu of pumpkin soup, vegetable quiche, mashed potatoes and apple pie, we will come together to celebrate and give thanks for our multitude of blessings.
The celebration of Thanksgiving is particularly poignant here, in the midst of a refugee community - indeed, our freedom and privilege are felt strongly on a day like this. With this in mind, we raise our glasses to all of you, our family and friends abroad - we miss you and wish we could all celebrate together. Thank you for all of your love and support, and from the bottom of our hearts, Happy Thanksgiving!
November 25, 2009
Outside of Gyuto Monastery, following our visit with HHK
Meeting with His Holiness Karmapa XVII
November 22, 2009
My name is Emilie - remember me?
My dearest blog - I am so sorry to have abandoned you for so long. Truly not intentional and PLEASE take it as a good sign, I've been so busy these last several days, ok, weeks, but I have not forgotten you.
To make up for lost time I shall try to condense each of the last three weeks into a series of concise yet nonetheless meaningful phrases which will hopefully quench your thirst for information.
Majnu ka Tillah (Delhi)/Amritsar (the Golden Temple):
EWWWW! Trying not to breath through my nose to avoid pungent odour of river behind guest house; running around wearing plastic animal masks shouting "HAPPY HALLOWEEN" to bewildered Tibetans; Truth is God - thought provoking visit to the Gandhi museum; rocked to sleep on overnight train and woken up by biting cold and calls of 'Chai! Chai-ye'; continuous chanting coming from Bose speakers placed all around the Golden temple; feeling of cleansed wet feet on cool marble; crushed in the masses of people lining up for chappati, channa masala, dal and delicious rice pudding, shelling mounds of peas; "BHARAT MATAJI!" profound sense of patriotism for India of which I was not aware a Wagha border.
Tushita Meditation retreat centre:
stoic 5:30 am yoga classes; religious experiences = hot bread rolls and homemade peanut butter; staggering into the daylight after inhalation of toxic chemical combination from toilet cleaning - the best job EVER!; endless experimentation of ways of sitting comfortably on the cushions then giving up because face it - your behind is going to hurt; moments of hilarious silence; is truth permanent? a question to tear your brain apart BEWARE.
McLeod Ganj (Week 1):
"TASHI DELEK!" my greeting to the older inhabitants of Dharamsala as I cheerfully pass them and various cows on my morning Kora walk; the Hindi teacher incapacitated by a coughing fit as I mistakenly say the F word instead of 'fourteen'; 'King Kahn' the 24 hour Bollywood movie fest celebrating Shah Rukh Kahn, relished every evening with a bowl of thukpa, my sponge brain soaking up as much information about Tibetan culture, religion and politics as it can hold from any source: the woman selling momos on the street, the Tibetan Women's association, the Karmappa...; an initial sigh of pleasure as I take my first shower of the week which quickly turns to wild howling as the water becomes COLD COLD COLD COLD COLD; rooftop yoga;getting kicked out of the Tibetan Refugee centre for asking questions 'without authorisation', nutella.
Ok that's enough for now. I need to keep some things unsaid and unknown otherwise there will be no motivation to pick me up from the airport and welcome me back into your house... :-)
Meditation Session at Tushita
The room was enormous, crowded, and noisy. I had no idea how I would possibly make myself heard over the din and flow. Colors streamed into currents around me. The throng's countless members grabbed at each other, punching and tugging, shouting into the open air and running frantically. I set the small footstool I had brought with me onto the floor, and stepped up--one head above the crowd. I looked into the storm of commotion, closed my eyes, swallowed hard, and spoke.
"Excuse me. . ."
Not a single pair of legs slowed. Not a single voice died.
I tried again, a little louder: "Excuse me."
Again, nothing.
"Excuse me! Please, everyone. . . hey. . . EXCUSE ME!"
A handful of them stopped and turned. I kept yelling. "STOP! EVERYONE JUST STOP AND LISTEN TO ME! LISTEN!"
More of the them stilled. Eventually, the better half of the room stood watching me, and, slowly, the rest followed.
A tiny flicker of encouragement shone in the back of my mind. I puffed out my chest and raised my chin, squirming behind my best rickety expression of confidence. As soon as the room had become completely silent, I addressed the group.
"OK, um. . . I know we don't do this very often, but. . ."
Bullets of sweat began rolling down my temples. I choked on my own breath, and picked up on a softer note.
"I'm going to need you all to. . . leave for a while."
The words dropped like sparks into gunpowder. At once the crowd surged forward and shook the room with their bellowing.
"Leave! Who do you think you are?"
"We'll never leave!"
"Get down from that stool! We'll do whatever we want!"
"You leave!"
"NO!" I yelled back, with so much force I startled even myself. "Sit down and shut yourselves up! We're all going to clear out of here for a bit, OK? Boss's orders."
"Boss's orders?" one of them cried indignantly. "But. . . but. . ."
"That's right," I said. "Boss's orders."
The crowd's mood immediately shifted from rage to childish grumpiness, and I smiled for my victory. One by one, they began to whine.
"But I can't leave now, I just can't! I was on my way to meet up with Childhood Memory #2,563 and head on over to visit Nostalgic Feeling #490."
"And I was going over there to chat with Anxious State #4, Mental List #45,528, and Vague Sense of Dissatisfaction #12. I want to talk to them. I have to!"
"Who cares about that! We three were in line with a meeting for Creative Impulse #108. We're Inspiration C, Assorted Holiday Reminiscences #6 and Reasoning Skillset #1,890. And, you see, we need--we simply need--to speak with him as soon as--"
I cut him off: "No. Alright? You don't need to speak to anyone right now. Just sit down and be quiet. This will all be over in about forty-five minutes. . ."
With that I began my long and tiring sentry over the room and its crowd, squirming where they sat, for the longest three-quarters of an hour I've ever known. And each time one of them opened his mouth to speak, I silenced him harshly, wondering if the rippling crowd would actually hold, or if they would finally boil over, erupt once more, and swallow me whole.
November 19, 2009
Greetings from Morocco Fall '09
Assalam Aleikum India!
We just got out of class and our heads our spinning from learning the Arabic alphabet. We're back in Fes and thoroughly enjoying our homestays where we can unpack and eat yummy home cooked meals. Right now Lindsay and Katie are working on Moroccan cooking as their ISP and have made some delicious bread and eggplant dip. Lexi is trying to master caligraphy and loving it, even though it requires lots of practice. We're all headed to Rabat this weekend to check out Katie S.'s old stomping grounds and then we begin our student lead portion before we get back to Fes for the Eid Kbir!
Hope everything is going well in India!
From, Morocco
November 18, 2009
3 States, One Blog Post
Hey everyone! Tashi Delek! I know its been awhile since Iv last blogged (I think that can be taken as a good sign, Im so busy doing interesting things instead of spending my time in an internet cafe).
Jaipur: My last week in Jaipur was just as good as the first. We actually ended up staying in Jaipur a few more days then we originally planned, and I remember when Saloni and I found this out at the farewell dinner we both started bobbing up and down in our seats(out of joy). Its easy to say I was very upset when the day finally came that we had to leave. I ended my ISP by teaching one yoga class for shivani, scary yes, but it made me realize how much I actually knew (even though there is still a lot I still don't know).
The Golden Temple: absolutely mind blowing. It was really incredible to see such a large group of people working together and efficiently. We were lucky enough to stay within the temple complex and although we were foreigners I still felt very welcomed. Going to eat in the mess hall was an experience within itself, its something you really have to see to believe: 1,000s and 1,000s of people being fed for free throughout the entire day and night, 24/7. The last day when I was feeling better I helped wash dishes for awhile, and it was really interesting to be standing there washing a dish and realize that non of the hundreds of other people around you also helping wash dishes are required or even asked to do so. I feel like I learned just as much about people in general as I did about Sikhs during our stay in Amritsar (I promise that statement makes some level of sense in my head).
Dharamsala: Tushita, what a way to start off our stay in Dharamsala. I've never had to THINK to such a great extent in my entire life. I think there were lots of "ah-ha" moments for everyone accompanied by many "I would like to rip the hair out of my head I'm so confused." regardless of how much we learned about Buddhism it was impossible not to learn something about yourself during those 10 days (considering we were asked to observe silence). All and all I think it was a really important part of my trip so far.
Now that we are back from Tushita our days have been pretty busy (and awesome). I have moved in with my new homestay family and they are great. We've had a few days of Tibetan classes so far and I have decided that the most challenging word thus far would be "I": Nga. For some reason I am unable to pronounce this word correctly and I hope that by the time we leave that will change. Besides that small glitch it seems to be going rather well. For Buddhist Philosophy this week I am working from a root text "The Three Principle Aspects of the Path" By Je Tsong-Khapa and hopefully next week we will begin "The eight verses of the Training of the Mind" by Geshe Langri Thangpa. Emilie and I went to yoga together a few days ago and our instructor sean is a beast (in a good way). Right now I am waiting to hear back from students for a free Tibet which might take the slot of my yoga class but nothing has been decided yet. We have a private audience with the 17th Karmapa tomorrow and I can not wait!
November 17, 2009
McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala
After an amazing and through-provoking ten day "Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism" silent retreat, we have finally arrived in McLeod Ganj. Also called Upper Dharamsala, McLeod Ganj is the home of the Tibetan Government in Exile, as well as the largest Tibetan refugee population in India. Located at 7000 ft above sea level, the winter is already upon us, and sunny days are interspersed with days of chilly rain, low-hanging clouds and early sunsets.
We are very fortunate to be once again joined by our local coordinator Peter Sonam, an absolute dynamo with whom the amazing connections between our students and the local community lie. All of our students have moved in with their third and final home stay family of our trip, and will be active members of their new Tibetan families for the next two and half weeks.
November 14, 2009
What I learned at Tushita:
May all beings have happiness
and the cause of happiness.
May they be free from suffering
and the cause of suffering.
May they never part from the happiness
that knows no suffering.
May they dwell in equanimity
free from attachments and aversions.
To those near and far.
November 07, 2009
Photo update from Kai
The guys at Ajit Foundation in Bikaner, Rajasthan, having a discussion with a few of the local AF members
November 04, 2009
From the Golden Temple to mountain mediation
Dear all,
After two nights in the dorms at the Golden Temple, lots of communal food, and a regimen of vegetable cutting, chapati rolling, and dish washing, we have returned to the mountains to start our 10 day Buddhist meditation retreat. We arrived in Dharamsala this afternoon, and will head to the Tushita retreat center by mid-day tomorrow (November 5th). As the retreat strives to maintain an environment of self-reflection, we will not be using any electronics or communication devices, except for emergencies. As such, we will be out of contact until the evening of November 14th.
I hope that everyone at home will also take a few moments to reflect with us, as we enter into our retreat, on where they have come from and where they are going.
Tashi Delek!
Kai
November 03, 2009
Writings from the train to Amritsar
[Reproduced from my personal journal. Sleeper train to Amritsar: 1 November 2009]
They want me to turn the lights off. I don't mind. The darkness is better for these kinds of thoughts, anyway.
Try to picture it, I tell myself. Try to conceive--really conceive--where I am right now. The shadowy corner of a hinged metal bunk, worn smooth by the press of so many thousand strangers who have lain here before me. A darkened carriage with barred windows. The orange glow of night slipping across my face. The song of motion, bent straight ahead toward some unknown promise. An ocean of steel.
We ride as one through the crush of night. Strangers united by a vanishing point. Through the sway and tilt of gathering speed, sleep washes us from the dreamless world. My eyes sag, and close. And close...
Swift plunge into a pool if ink. Black waves lap over me, and I sink. The show begins: quiet trees and the sting of morning's mist; my father's footsteps behind me. Sunlight's play through red glass. A table set for eight; the dry silence of wooden walls and one summer afternoon, and peace. A class of children laughing; the proud sweat of a defiant blush. The majesty of jagged mountains, and one stone heart. A dog. A family. A river. The warmth of comfort and safety.
My eyes open.
I look past the windows, and notice the empty rush of the world begin to slow. And slow. And slow.
Suddenly, the trees and sky are gone, and the light of a crowded station blooms from the dark. I blink for the light. We stop, wait, for one minute, three minutes, five minutes. Not a sound breeches our cabin. Worn eyes set into worn faces file past--stream and tide of color, bursting, shifting, gone. I look to the stone platform muddied by so many transient steps, and make out two silent silhouettes. Black puppies, thin and alone, huddled together. Pairs of legs shuffle to pass them. They watch me, study my eyes as the train lurches into motion. Metal grinds against metal, and they tremble. We slide out of the station, and they disappear into the crowd. Night reclaims the windows. The train gathers speed. The memory is gone.
How often have I ignored the importance of the present, the adventure in my own life? Smells of acrid steam and the cool wind. Pinpricks of light streaming past. I never thought I'd live to see a moment like this one. And as I ride the crest of time's wave, carried by two rails away from the advancing brink of the past, I promise myself that I will never again forget: I am the hero of my own story.
Exploring Amritsar
The group arrived safely in Amritsar. They will spend the next couple of days exploring the Golden Temple and sikhism and doing service at Langar, the temple's free kitchen. They will also watch the Wagah border ceremony and will discuss non-violence while visiting the Jallianwala Bagh Gardens, the site of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in 1919 where over 1000 people were killed during a peaceful protest.
November 01, 2009
Kai's Photo Update
Emily shows off her dance moves for her presentation
Update from Nate
Dear World,
I have been somewhat reluctant to blog for quite some time now. At first it was because I had nothing constructively positive to say, and then because I felt this trip was such a personal experience. I’m not sure where I stand now. I am monumentally happier with myself after coming to India. It happened during our trek, where a feeling of empowerment swept over me as we ascended miles and miles of mountain terrain. Not only did I think I wasn’t capable of such a trip, but I thought I would loathe every minute of physical exercise. Looking back I would have never thought possible my current mindset of love for myself.
I feel my time here is taken differently than everybody else, since I come from a total collapse of college. But I can tell you that I have risen to such a happy place, I now feel anything is possible. Though I am somewhat reluctant to express this to the world, and admit I write this half under pressure from the leaders, I am nevertheless happy with my thoughts and freedom. Much love to my parents, who will definitely read this, and to my friends, who will hopefully not read this. I’m excited to soon continue on with my life.
October 28, 2009
Student ISP Presentations!
Incredibly, our three weeks in Jaipur are coming to a close. It has been a whirlwind experience - daily lectures, field trips, Hindi lessons and ISP meetings ... phew! How have we managed to accomplish so much? It feels like we have been here for months!
On Monday, each of our students made presentations/performances from their Indepedent Study Projects. The leader team was blown away by the depth and breadth of the presentations. This is one of the mos gratifying moments for a leader - to see the students take learning into their own hands, make the most of it, and then share it with the group.
Annie began the presentations with an explanation of her personal connection to the ancient practice of Yoga. She then taught the group the Sun Salutation, a series of yoga asanas (postures) designed to balance both the physical and elemental body. Emilie followed with a talk on different dance traditions in India, from Bollywood to Classical style. She then performed two beautiful dances, the first in the Bollywood style, and the second in the classical style. Indian classical dance relates storytelling through movement, and Emilie then explained the symbolism of her dance.
Andrew and Nora led a joint discussion on jewelry design and jewelry making, and led a short class in design. They had all of us create sketches of jewelry, and then commented on each piece - from the structural integrity to the design elements. Hannah then took the stage, and performed a famous song from a well-known Bollywood film, sang it entirely in Hindi, and then translated it for us.
Nate followed with a series of three traditional ragas on the sitar, as well as a fusion song her wrote himself. It was amazing to see his comfort and fluidity with an instrument he had only first laid eyes on three weeks ago! For the final presentation, Raul brought the group to Tagore Hospital, where has has been volunteeting daily. Raul gave us a full tour of the hospital, led a discussion on the privatization of Indian health care, and introduced us to both the hospital staff and several patients with whom he had made friendships.
The students all put a tremendous amount of heart and soul into these projects, and it was a complete joy on our behalf to witness the fruits of their efforts. Again, readers, you should all be very proud of the accomplishments of Team India - and still not even half way into the trip!
Tomorrow (Thursday) we say goodbye to Jaipur and leave for Bikaner, a Rajasthani desert town on the ancient silk route. In Bikaner, in between visits to forts and palaces hundreds of years old, we will volunteer with the Ajit Foundation, a local NGO which runs programs for underprivileged children. More from the group soon!
Photos from the ISP presentations on their way this evening ... !
Jackie Dennis
Program Director
October 23, 2009
And so it goes...
So our time in Jaipur is drawing to an end and we are in the process of determining what our final destination will be. At this point we are torn between rishikesh, Varanasi, and lucknow. The name of lucknow itself seems very enticing to me (ha ha).
Before we leave Jaipur we are each going to present something for everyone else about our independent study projects. Since I am studying Hindi I think I'll just either say things that don't make any sense and no one will know the difference or I'll make fun of everyone else and they won't realize it. But I'm only kidding about that. All of our hardwork and learning will be exciting to witness.
I haven't gotten lost since last time.
October 21, 2009
On the crowded streets of India, poems spring to mind
Mai Samjha Nahi -- a limerick
There once were some trav'lers in Jai-pur,
Who spoke Hindi bad 'nough to cry for.
When asked what they knew,
They said "Not a clue,
But see now that's what we have Kai for."
October 20, 2009
A view of students' ISPs
The students have begun their second week of ISPs, and things are coming along quite nicely.
Hannah continues with her advanced Hindi class with teacher Harsh Ji. She can already count from 1 to 50--no small feat at Hindi does not follow the same simple rules we use in English!
Nate has progressed incredibly quickly on sitar. Here Nate and his teacher do a bit of improvisation.
Variety! - that delicious spice in my food...
I am following quite a tight schedule at the moment: wake up at 6:30 for a re-energising early morning run, arrive at Shivani's at 8 for internet, Hindi class at 8:30, chai break at 9:30, lecture at 10 then field trip, lunch, ISPs and back home by 6 in time to start cooking dinner and then sleep ready to start all over again tomorrow.
Beyond the mildly hectic nature of such an ambitious schedule which I love and keeps me very much on my toes, I perhaps surprisingly feel no sense of repetitiveness...
Of course part of this is no real surprise given the huge amount of thought that went into designing such an amazing schedule from the Global LAB staff and local coordinators, for example the wide-reaching scope of our lectures (from Jainism to hand block printing techniques)and the related field trips; or the eclectic mix of restaurants where we eat a much-awaited lunch (from a small long-established South Indian coffee house to Pizza Hut).
However I seem to find variety in situations where I would not expect to. It seems that my home stay family enjoys testing me every morning when I go out for my run and so have created a different obstacle course every morning for me to leave and get back into the house. One day the front door is locked and all the windows being barred, I was trapped! Another day I made it out of the house until the front gate which was locked and the key nowhere to be found (I promptly scaled and jumped over the fence), and yet another day having successfully exited the house and gone running, I returned to find all the doors locked. I am somewhat surprised by the extent of concern for security in what appears to be an extremely safe neighborhood by any standards (but then again what do I really know?)
Indian home cooking, unlike restaurant cooking has the potential to be repetitive. But I beg to differ – who knew there were so many different types of dal? And even the ever present component of any Indian meal, some sort of STARCH! offers much potential of variety for the creative cook: beyond rice, there are many different types of chapatti (bread): roti, naan, parantha, puri, poppadums...
I am learning that these little surprises cannot really be planned for so its not worth trying to. Better to accept the unkown and see what happens...not easy for a control freak but definitely much more exciting!
October 18, 2009
Celebrating Diwali in Jaipur
We are fortunate this year that our time in Jaipur coincides with the Indian holiday of Diwali, or The Festival of Lights. Diwali is a particularly special holiday in this diverse nation, as it is a national holiday celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Newar Buddhists alike. For the last few days, the local community has been ushering in Diwali by decorating their homes, offices and business with lights, flowers and candles - and of course, the most delicious part of Diwali - sharing homemade Indian sweet with neighbors, friends and family. Attached please find some photos taken this morning, with everyone dressed in their holiday finery.
For those of you unfamiliar with Diwali, below is a brief explanation. President Barack Obama's excellent and well-informed Diwali video is available here.
October 17, 2009
Happy Diwali
It has been exactly a week since we have arrived in Jaipur. I feel as though it is summer again, it is so warm and sunny here almost all the time (there is the occasional nightly shower). I have such an amazing home stay family and I have become so close with my homestay sister so quickly that I can hardly believe that it has only been a week. Our days have been packed but extremely exciting. We have started out Hindi lesson and it is fair to say I am rather terrible, but I have been enjoying it non the less. My family always helps me review at night and I am sure they find my attempt at speaking hindi as humarous as I do. All of our lectures have been so different, and our speakers never dissapoint, they have all been extremely knowledgable in their respective topics and I can't believe how much I have learned in just one week. I have especially enjoyed our lecture on Jainism and I hope to learn alot more about it during my stay in Jaipur and from my family. I have started my ISP of yoga with shivani and it has truely been inspirational due to her commitment to not only teaching me asanas but the philosophy and lifestyle which are essential to the practice of yoga; we have also been practicing some meditation and I look forward to our morning visits to the ashram this coming week. Today is Diwali and I have been wearing a sari, bindi and bangles for the occasion. FIreworks and crackers have been going off all around the city for days now and I will miss the decorations of lights on every building after the holiday has passed.
October 16, 2009
Directionally Impaired
At least that's what I am. The neighborhood that we are staying in-Shyam Nagar is very confusing, but I'm certan that only one such as me would be able to get his or herself lost for 45 minutes. Yesterday morning I went for a run at 6 before any of my homestay family was awake. I ran along the main road for about a half hour and then decided it was time to go back. That's when it hit me; I had no idea where the heck I was. So about forty minutes later I was about to just fall down and start crying when lo and behold! There was Emilie out for a run as well! "Hannah!" she said. "Emilie! Oh my God!" I said. So we went to Shivani's house and I got very good and detailed directions back to my homestay house from Shivani's husband. I was so relieved when I saw the gate. Yep.
October 15, 2009
Multimedia from Ladakh to Jaipur
More photographic (and video) evidence of our journey so far:
Our camp at night, illuminated by a waxing moon.
October 13, 2009
ISP's begin: Nate learning sitar
October 10, 2009
Arrived in Jaipur
Namaste, friends and family ...
Only a few days after leaving the mountain hermitage of Ladakh, we arrived this afternoon to a very warm welcome in the Pink City of Jaipur. The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur will be our home for the next three weeks.
Our students have already moved in with their new home-stay families, and will begin their Hindi language classes first thing Monday morning. We will have classes six days a week: the morning is comprised of Hindi class, and a daily lecture followed by a field trip. In the afternoon, we will have lunch together as a group, and then split up for our Independent Study Projects (ISPs). Every Sunday is home-stay day, time for the students to rest and spend time with their new families.
Our students are doing the following ISPs:
Andrew: Jewelry-making
Hannah: Advanced Hindi
Emilie: Bollywood dance
Raul: Volunteering in a local hospital
Annie: Yoga
Nate: Sitar
Nora: Jewelry-making
More photos and videos to come!
Jackie Dennis
Program Director
A triumphant return from the Markha Valley trek!
At Kang Yaze
Jullay to our friends and family!
Yesterday morning we completed our eight day trek through the glorious Markha Valley, and returned to our home base in Leh, Kidar Guesthouse. Sunshine and apple pie awaited us, and everyone has been catching up on much needed rest, laundry and emails. Spirits are high, but it is bittersweet to contemplate our goodbye to Ladakh tomorrow morning. After three weeks exploring this beautiful region, we will return to Delhi to begin the next phase of our journey together. But first, to recount the trek ...
Our trek began in Chilling, at an atitude of approximately 12,000 feet above sea level, and culminated with the final crossing of Kang Yaze pass at more than 17,000 feet. For eight days and seven nights we followed the River Markha through valleys of willow, poplar and seabuckthorn, all turning brilliant shades of autumn gold, orange and red with each passing day.
Continue reading "A triumphant return from the Markha Valley trek!" »
October 06, 2009
THE TREK: SUPERFINE
We're back! The trek was out of this world, nothing we saw looks comparable on anyone's camera. I am going to miss waking up in a tent and having one of my friends bring me tea (and if i was really lucky wake up to a rendition of a Beatles song :) ) No doubt it was difficult at times but completely worth getting to the top of that pass. I'm pretty sure that there is nothing better than standing on top of the world and eating a Perk ("Have a chocolaty perk and take it lightly). A highlight would have to be our dance parties around the fire at night with the staff: "The fire has a really good wood to dung ratio going on right now"- SUPERFINE. It is also very important for everyone to know that Emilie, Kai, Kunchock and I were a dominating force at charades, so naturally we won in the tie breaker. We're back in Leh now, and it seems like its turned into a ghost town while we've been gone. The popplers are starting to turn golden, and even though I will miss Ladakh I feel like its time to leave, and go explore the rest of India of course. I ate my last meal at Gezmos today with Nora and Hannah, and despite falling into a food coma, it was incredible. Well, I am off to meet everyone for dinner and then I am going to spend one last glorious night at Kidar House.
Signing off from Leh for the last time,
Annie
Back to Delhi
Today is our last full day in Ladakh. Tomorrow we leave for New Delhi in the morning. We are all happy to keep moving, but I'm sure we will all miss the beautiful mountains. The trek was an amazing experience, albeit a physical challenge for some of us. We ended the trek with a dance party and card game show down for some chocolate perks that aren't actually tasty at all. Namgyal had sent us some chocolate cake, so we had a bit of a feast. We said goodbye to the cooks and ponymen, got in the jeeps, and left the trek in our past. It was a great time for all of us to get to know each other better and soon we will all be off on our own. We are very excited to go to Jaipur and at least I am excited to take Hindi lessons. It will be a big change from Ladakh, but I'm certain it'll be a great experience.
Kiki Soso La gyal lo! (warrior cry to be shouted out three times when reaching the top of a mountain pass or peak)
The jingling of pony bells and the humming of their carers...I open my eyes and see only darkness as I am deep within my down sleeping bag. I close my eyes again ready to sleep a little longer when "What would you do if I sang out of tune..." erupts into the cold morning air and a cup of steaming tea is thrust into my hands.
Soon I am breathing heavily as I attack a harsh ascent one foot at a time, energised by my peanut butter breakfast. Is this becasue of the high altitude or because we are shouting out Beatles songs accompanied by Kai's harmonica or both?
Discussing favourite books, I take in serene, expansive valleys thick with red and gold poplars, skipping over streams (and sometimes falling in!). The dramatic views over the surrounding rocky and snowy peaks are conversation-stopping and remind me ominously of where I am.
Generous servings of delicious hot food over card games and readings of The Alchemist are relished before a celebratory dance party with our guides around a fire, featuring the classic song "Missed Call".
The lessons from this awesome Himalyan adventure are clear:
1 - From our inspiring trekking snack: "Have a chocolatey Perk and take it lightly!"
2 - From our beloved Beatles: "I get by with a little help from my friends..."
October 05, 2009
Return from the Trek!
Just got back to Leh from eight days of trekking. Instead of writing about how it went, I'm going to reproduce my daily journal entry from the final night:
September 28, 2009
Out of Contact until 10/5
Dear friends and family;
Jullay from beautiful Ladakh! As you can see from the many posts from our students, our time in Ladakh continues to be fruitful and packed with new experiences. Fresh out of our first homestay, the group is gearing up for our trek through the Markha Valley, starting tomorrow morning.
Our trek will take us into the Himalayan mountain range, along the banks of the Markha River, over 18,000 ft passes, through nomadic settlements and small villages, and into the heart of ancient Ladakh. You can find information about the Markha Valley, view some photos, and "follow" us on our journey at: www.markhavalleytrek.com.
We will be out of email and mobile range throughout the trek, and will be back in touch on Monday evening, 5 October, with stories and photographs to share.
Until then!
Jackie Dennis
Program Director
September 27, 2009
Home again?
This is our second day back in Leh. When we first arrived at Kidar house it felt like we just arrived home from vacation or something. My homestay family in Domkhar was really awesome, and of course Namgail placed me with Kunjock (sp?) because he could speak amazing english, and who knows what would have happend if I was unable to blabber for large parts of the day. Its nice to be back in Leh but I do definatlly miss walking up and down the road and seeing montains, cows, the river and farmiliar faces instead of storefronts and trucks, I cant even imagin being back in Delhi right now. We laid out all of our gear for the trek yesterday afternoon and I think everyone is getting pretty pumped (and also a bit nervous). We leave tomorrow morning! My goal for the afternoon is to find warpaint with Nora for the trek, wish us luck!
Love from Leh,
Annie
Yay for the trek!
I really enjoyed the home stay in Domkhar. What seems particularly special was the transition that took place between my family and I in less than a week. The family and their habits initially seemed like a clue I could not decipher: I felt isolated when they spoke to each other all I heard was an incomprehensible stream of sound, I was surprised to see the very dignified looking grandmother burp loudly in mid-sentence and keep talking without any apology (ok, maybe I have seen this somewhere else before…) and bewildered to see the daughter start making hundreds of momos (Tibetan dumplings) at 9 o’clock at night. But quickly I noticed patterns in their behavior and speech and moreover I recognized many of these patterns. While sitting with many village women in the shade sorting apricot kernels, I could tell when my home-stay mother was telling a funny story before the laughter erupted throughout the group; I soon knew when she was speaking about me before the heads turned to look at me in curiosity. Although the mother spoke no English, my Ladakhi phrases limited to ‘can I help you?’ how are you?’ and of course ‘ju-leh’ allowed us to reach a mutual understanding. I could tell she appreciated my enthusiastic help cutting vegetables and many dough based dishes, and I was really touched by her generosity and hospitality, making me generous packed lunches daily and giving me a special cup of hot milk knowing I was not a huge fan of the butter tea.
Having said this, I am now very excited about the special group time, the physical and mental challenges and the jaw-dropping vistas that the trek will bring. The group will be happy to know that I can already feel a song coming on: CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN…!
From Delhi to Domkhar
Julay Everyone,
A few pictures from our journey so far:
The guys read newspapers in Fab India while the girls shop (things aren't as different as they seem)
Emily, Hannah, and Raul pose inside the Red Fort in Delhi
The group on the tarmack at Leh Airport--one of the highest airports in the world at 10,600 ft
Beautiful Leh valley
Andrew, Emily, and Hannah surrounded by Tibetan prayer flags at the top of Leh Palace
The group (minus Annie) in front of the "Mani" wall we repaired as part of a service project in Domkhar village
The students with their homestay families in Domkhar
With many more to come!
September 26, 2009
Back from Homestays at Domkhar!
We just returned to home sweet home--good ol' Kidar House--from one week of homestays in Domkhar Village! Everything about the past week was wholly eye-opening. I learned a great deal about myself, my perspective on life and how to live it, the meaning of community, the importance of human connection, and most of all, about what it truly means to get my white, American ass flat-out HANDED to me in Ladakhi volleyball. I grew to love my homestay family and left them eternally grateful for everything they taught and did for me.
I can't wait for the upcoming trek! It will feel so good to get some long-awaited hiking in.
Jule, y'all.
September 19, 2009
Heading to Domkar
Julay Everyone!
As we wrap up our third day in Leh we are getting ready to head to homestays in Domkar village tomorrow. The students will each be staying with a Ladakhi family and participating in household chores, barley harvesting, and whitewashing gompas. As Domkar is fairly remote, the students will not have access to phones nor internet for the next week. We are all looking forward to a peaceful and stimulating experience.
Julay Julay!
Kai
Oh la vache!
This French expression means 'oh my gosh!' but literally means 'oh the cow!'. As I was sitting here in a cyber cafe in Leh, the capital of Ladakh, a group of 3 cows casually strolled down the street, basking in the sun as cars and pedestrians cautiously moved out of their way.
Love for Leh
This is my first post everybody!! Today is our third day in Leh (but more like my second because I slept the entire first day away) and I'm enjoying it more every hour. The guest house we are staying at, "Kidar House," is one of the most peaceful places I have ever been. Emilie and I have a wonderful room that overlooks the mountains and the beautiful garden outside, not to mention the sun warms up the room every morning. The warmth of the sun and coolness of the air makes this one of the most ideal and relaxing climates (although it does get a bit chilly in the morning: no worries emilie and I have been keeping warm in our matching -20 degree sleeping bags). I have grown to love mint tea over the last few days and my favorite snack has come strait off the apple tree in the garden of our guest house every morning. We are heading off to the Leh Palace in just a few hours and I am looking foward to the view! Hopefully I will have a nice picture to share with everyone on my next post.
Until next time,
Lots of Love from India,
Annie
Delhi to Leh (!)
I cannot imagine a greater contrast between two cities than that of Delhi and Leh. Delhi is an explosion of sights, sounds, and smells. Dogs, cows, lights, shops, stalls, markets, rickshaws, autos, cars, bikes, birds, trash, voices, and more than anything people, all around and blending into each other. The place is simply alive. Leh, on the other hand, is quiet, peaceful--alive in a very different way. The locals are relaxed and friendly, with easy smiles, and everything around us, from the gardens to the pale sunlight to the Himalayas guarding the horizon, is born of humanity and communion.
A few of us had a very interesting talk last night. It started as a discussion of the slowly broadening modernization of Ladakh; morphed into a discussion about capitalism and consumerism; took a turn into a philosophical discussion of selfishness, good, and evil; quickly grew to concern the nature of man and what separates him from the rest of the planet; drew in topics of consciousness, intention vs. consequence, instinct vs. cognition; and spun quite out of control from there. It was easily the best night of the trip so far, and I feel that those of us who participated in the exchange chalked up another level of depth to our building group relationship. Similar such talks to come, I hope...
I've had so much mint tea in the past two days, it's leaking out my eyes and ears.
September 17, 2009
Arrived Safely in Leh
Jule!
Namgial, our Local Coordinator in Ladakh, has reported that the group arrived safely in Leh. After an early morning flight from Delhi, they were welcomed at the airport by Namgail and his team and are now enjoying the cool, clean air of the high Himalayas.
Since Leh is at an altitude of 3500m (11,500 ft), the group is now resting at the guesthouse in order to let their bodies gradually acclimate to the altitude. In a day or so they will be out exploring the sights of Leh and beyond.
More soon,
Deb
September 16, 2009
A day in Old Delhi and several modes of transportation
Today we explored the vibrant chaos of Old Delhi, its key sights and its diverse and characteristic modes of transportation.
Continue reading "A day in Old Delhi and several modes of transportation" »
Old Delhi
Today was official ODD--Old Delhi Day!
One fact that became immediately evident as we left Wongdhen House this morning: dressing in traditional Indian clothing makes walking around the streets infinitely less uncomfortable. There is no escape from looking like a westerner, but simply neglecting to dress like one--the North Face shirts and fanny packs and cameras--helps a great deal.
We navigated the mad streets of Old Delhi (a real-life game of frogger, as Kai put it), saw the Red Fort, visited Gandhi's burial site, learned how very clearly to say "No, thank you, I don't want any," & much inbetween and along the way.
Notes:
Raj Kachori doesn't quite deserve it's title as "King of Desserts," but it does make an interesting analogy for the country of India.
If shoes do not stay on feet, they will be stolen.
Great inscription in "Hall of Private Audiences" in Red Fort: Agar Firdous bar ru-e-zaman ast, Hamin ast a hamin ast a hamin ast. If there is paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.
~Andrew
Happy, healthy, safe and sound in Delhi
Namaste to our friends and family!
We are currently staying in the Tibetan quarter of Delhi, where each moment brings new sights, sounds, scents and tastes. Since our arrival on Monday night, we have spent our time exploring the ancient markets and mosques of Old Delhi; having a few spontaneous Hindi lessons; getting outfitted in Indian clothes; sampling Tibetan and Andra Pradeshi cuisine; and sleeping off a touch of jetlag.
Our whirlwind tour of Delhi ends tomorrow morning, when we fly to Leh, the capital of Ladakh. At 11,950 feet above sea level, Ladakh lies on the border of Tibet and shares it's mountainous landscape, architectural style, religion and dialect. By Saturday, our students will be beginning their first home stay in the rural Ladakhi village of Domkhar, volunteering at the local school and helping their new families with the barley harvest. Our cultural immersion has begun!
Continue reading "Happy, healthy, safe and sound in Delhi" »
Pictures from Orientation
Meet Team India: Kai, Hannah, Emilie, Jackie, Annie, Nora, Andrew, Raul, and Nate.
The India and Morocco groups get to know each other better.
What To Know Before You Go: Emilie and Annie demonstrate how to use squat toliets! How is this working for you now that you are in India?!?!
Closing Circle: Students and leaders from India and Morocco along with Global LAB staff reflect on the orientation and share their thoughts on the upcoming adventure.
Ready to Go! All of us at the train station in Gladstone, New Jersey, before rolling to the airport for wheels up, bound for India and Morocco!
And the journey has begun...
September 14, 2009
Safe in Delhi
We just received a txt message from Peter, our Delhi Local Coordinator, informing us that the group arrived safely in Delhi. After a delicious meal of Tibetan momos, they are off to bed to get some rest before exploring the city in the morning. Stay tuned for updates from India as the adventure begins!
Deb
Greetings from Deborah Friedman, Director of India Programs
Hello Everyone!
As Director of India Programs, I will be the primary point of contact between the leaders in the field and Global LAB. Having led the India Spring 2009 program, I know that the students will have an incredible experience. This is truly a program of a lifetime! Over the course of the semester, I will be supporting the group from here in the USA. Be sure to keep checking the blog as I will be updating it when internet is inaccessible for the group. Please feel free to contact me at deborah@global-lab.org.
Here is a little bit more about me…
Continue reading "Greetings from Deborah Friedman, Director of India Programs" »
September 12, 2009
Retreat
Team navigation exercise
We are preparing ourselves for one of the most exciting journeys of our lives, from squat toilets and personal space to interpreting what it means to be a tomato. And drinking lots of tea has kept us warm in the midst of cold and wet. Raul was a bit late in coming but now that he's here we're all fast friends and Nate was entertaining us with his small guitar. Our leaders are awesome. All of our clothes are wet. We've shared and compared music tastes. We're looking forward to getting on our way tomorrow and excellent on flight movie options. Awesome! (internal weather report). We're so excited.
India bound...
September 08, 2009
Trekking Gear: A Message from Namgial, Global LAB’s Ladakh Local Coordinator
Hi. I cannot wait to meet the Fall 2009 India Semester Group! Before you depart from the states, I want to make sure that you have the proper gear for the trek. Because of the extreme weather conditions and the rugged Ladakhi topography, it is very important that you have appropriate clothing and equipment. Please make sure you pack according to the packing list previously provided and please do not forget the following items as they are important for the trek:
- Internal Frame Backpack
- Daypack: A smaller day backpack
- Sleeping Bag: “mummy” style and have a temperature rating between 0 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Sleeping Pad
- 2 Water Bottles
- Head Lamp: Flashlights are okay, but headlamps are more convenient.
- Down Jacket
- Outer Shell: Water-proof or gore-tex, ideally light-weight and breathable.
- Sweater/Fleece Jacket
- Thermal Underwear: 1 top, 1 bottom.
- Gloves & Warm Hat
- Hiking Boots
- Visor/Sunhat
- Sunglasses
ISP Options: Download and Read
Now is the time to begin thinking about what you would like to do for your Individual Study Projects while in India. Please download and read the attached document containing some options. We will also have some time to discuss this during orientation. In order to make the most of our time in India, we like to match you up with your ISPs quickly upon arrival in each location. So, it is helpful if you start thinking about what interests and excites you now.
September 07, 2009
Kai Introduction (Assistant Program Director)
Namaste Vidhyarti
First off, let me welcome you to what will surely be a challenging and richly rewarding semester in India. I feel excited and privileged to be able to share these next several months with you as you embark upon a journey of both self and world discovery. India is a place of incredible diversity and incredible humanity. It is a place that seems to elude definition, a place of constant movement and adaptation. If you haven’t yet, try to take some time to read/watch/listen to some of the recommended books and movies (http://global-lab.org/mt/BBFall09/2009/07/check_out_these_books_films.html). India can be entirely overwhelming at first, but the more you have read and seen, and the better you are prepared for it, the easier it will be to take in. The God of Small Things is one of my favorite books (and also one of the most vividly descriptive books I have ever read), and Satyajit Ray’s film Pather Panchali gives an excellent look into early 20th century rural India.
Continue reading "Kai Introduction (Assistant Program Director)" »
September 05, 2009
Namaste from Shivani, our Jaipur Coordinator
• Researcher • Educator • Meditator •
Shivani holds her masters in Science of Living. Her area of interest is research and experimental work in the field of education, teaching and training methods. She is currently working on her doctoral degree on developing non-violent behavior among children. As an educator, her major focus is value education among children and youth. She delivers lectures on themes like education, non-violence, yoga & meditation at several institutes.
She closely interacts and observes the practitioners and preachers of ahimsa ("to do no harm") and self-discipline. Thus she regularly visitsJain monks and nuns to draw upon inspiration from the ancient teachings. Her increasing curiosity has led her to actively participate in peace walks, seminars and camps organized at various spiritual platforms.
She is a strong believer and practitioner of yoga and meditation. She has crafted a unique minimalist lifestyle for herself to live in peace within and harmony with the environment.
Tashi Delek from Peter, our Delhi and Dharamsala Coordinator
Hello. My name is Sonam, but you can also call me Peter. I was born on the 10th of March, in 1979, in small village called Changthang Nyoma in Leh, Ladakh to a family of nomads. At a young age, I was sent to the Tibetan Childrens' Village School located in the town of Choglamsar, in Ladakh. After the 10th class, I completed two additional years at a school in South India and then completed my college-level courses at Delhi University in the field of Business. In March of 2000, I started to work in the travel business IATO (India Association of Tours Operation) company at New Delhi as a travel coordinator. I stayed with the company for six years.
Two years ago, I started my own travel business company at New Delhi in the name of SP Travels 24/7. I now work with a dedicated team, which combines the dynamism of youth with the experiences of age, to ensure a memorable tour experience to our clients. This work has allowed me to develop a good relationship with the native people. I look forward to sharing with you the actual lifestyle and culture of the people you will meet.
With regards,
Sonam (Peter)
September 04, 2009
Greetings from Namgial, Ladakh Coordinator
Julay!
My name is Rinchen Namgial. I come from Domkar village, which is 118 km west of Leh, Ladakh. I grew up in that village, and received my high school education there and you will enjoy homestays there. Afterwards I moved to Jammu for higher secondary school and college. I graduated in history, geography, economics and English. Later I went to Jammu University where I studied Buddhist philosophy.
To support my studies I worked as a freelance guide for the local travel agencies in Ladakh. This started my interest in working with people from different countries to help them understand Ladakhi culture.
Since then I have worked as a translator and guide with many different organizations, schools and universities, and with different travel agencies. As a guide, I have been leading treks since 1990 in Ladakh, Zanskar Valler, Changthang, Sikkim, Nepal, and Tibet. In 1996 I started the Yama Adventures travel agency, which is based in Leh, the capital of Ladakh. In addition to Ladakhi, I am able to speak English, German, Tibetan, Hindi, and Nepali.
As a guide/coordinator I have worked with the Smithsonian Institute, Earthwatch, Indian Wildlife Institute, and Agclon College from Switzerland. As a translator, I have worked for students from Oxford, Berkeley, Wisconsin, Oregon, New York, Michigan, Toronto and Ulm University in Germany with their research in Ladakh.
Over the last several years, I have been working with "From Brahma to Buddha" semester students and my experience with them has been wonderful. We have worked on many cleaning projects including the monastery area in Leh near the Palace and Namgyal Tsemo, at the base of Stok, at Tsokar and in the Markha valley. I have also arranged Independent Study Projects with a thangka painter, woodcarver, musician, Amchi ( local doctor), and Buddhist lama to give teachings. I have also introduced students to local community leaders to speak about different topics such as cultural information, Buddhist philosophy, etc.
I have coordinated treks, cultural trips to monasteries, and home stays as well. Sometimes I have been going as a translator when the groups visit Oracles and high Lamas. I truly enjoy sharing the knowledge I have gained with visitors, and making sure that they have a pleasurable and rewarding experience in Ladakh. I enjoy working with Global LAB semester students, and look forward to meeting you this fall in the Himalaya and helping you learn more about Ladakh.
Namgial
September 03, 2009
Odd & Interesting Facts About India
- The oldest references to firewalking go back more than 3,000 years, when ascetics in India walked on embers to test and purify themselves.
- India is the largest producers of films in the world. Over 800 full length feature films are produced every year in 14 languages. This amounts to more than TWO FILMS being produced EVERY DAY!
- McDonald’s India doesn’t serve beef — only chicken, mutton and fish. Holy cow!
- Approximately 3 billion movie tickets are sold in India every year.
- The only country in the world that has a Bill of Rights for Cows is India.
- Bananas were discovered by Alexander the Great in 327 B.C. when he conquered India.
- India has the most post offices in the world.
- The Indian election in 1984 was the largest election of any country.
- The material to build the Taj Mahal was brought in from various parts of India by a fleet of 1000 elephants.
- India used to be the richest country in the world until the British invasion in the early 17th Century.
- Barbie’s boyfriend Ken was not sold in India until recently because it clashed with the traditional arranged marriage.
- India can be divided into three distinct geographic regions: the Himalayan region in the north, which contains some of the highest mountains in the world, the Gangetic Plain, and the plateau region in the south and central part.
- The republic of India was once referred to as ‘Aryavarta’. The phrase went out of usage long back, though its occurrence is common in ancient texts. Aryavarta means the Land of Aryas, Arya in Sanskrit meaning Noble.
- Bhaarat, the official name of India, has an interesting etymology In Sanskrit, “bha” means knowledge or light, and “rat” is a verb for ‘doing’. Bhāarat is thus ‘the one in search of enlighntenment or knowledge.’ Bharatavarsha also means The Land of Bharata, and The Cherished Land. The name Bharata means The Cherished One in Sanskrit. The name derives from the times of Vedic civilization after King Bharata, who also finds mention in the Abhignana Shakuntalam
- One village called Mattur in Shimoga district of Karnataka, India still uses Sanskrit as the primary spoken tongue!
- The word shampoo entered English in the late 1700s, with the meaning “to massage” with its origins in Hindi where “champna” or “champo” implies to “press or to knead.”
- The game of snakes & ladders was created by poet Gyandev, in the late 13th century. The original name for the game was ‘Mokshapat.’ The ladders in the board represented virtues and the snakes were vices.
- The word ‘Khakhi’ originates from an Indian word for mud. During the 19th century, British soldiers stationed in India noticed that when their white service uniforms became stained by a type of mud there was a tan, camouflage effect. The term was coined from the natives word for that particular mud.
- The great Indian epic, the Mahabharata, traditionally believed to have been dictated to Lord Ganesha by Ved Vyas, is eight times longer than the Iliad and Odyssey combined.
=>Malayalam is the only spoken language in the world whose name when spelt in English is a palindrome.
- The oldest surviving written grammar for any language is believed to be the Tolkāppiyam (தொல்காப்பியம்), a grammar of the Tamil language, written around 200 BCE by Tolkāppiyar.
- 1650 is the approximate number of dialects in India.
- 22 languages are officially recognized by the Constitution of India.
Semester Itinerary
Please note: the below itinerary is planned months in advance and may change due to group interest, health and safety concerns, or other factors beyond the control of Global LAB.
In United States:
Sept 11 - 13: Group orientation at Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center
In India:
Sept 13 - 14: Flight: Newark to Delhi
Sept 15 - 16: In country orientation, introductory language lessons, and visits to key cultural and religious sites in Delhi
Sept 17 - 20: Arrival in Leh and introduction to Ladakh; Ladakhi language lessons and walking tours of Leh Old Town and Shanti Stupa; day excursions to Thiksay Gonpa and an audience with the Sabu Oracle; guest speakers to include local political figures, intellectuals, religious leaders from both Buddhist and Muslim communities, and youth activists
Sept 21 - 26: Homestays and service work in Domkhar village. Excursions to Alchi and Likir Monasteries. Possible visit to SECMOL.
Sept 27 – Oct 4: Trek in the spectacular Himalaya.
Oct 5 - 6: Return to Leh. Visits to Tsemo Gonpa and Leh Palace.
Oct 7: Delhi. Activities: Visit to Naz Foundation; Bollywood cinema; Nizammudin Sufi Shrine
Oct 8 - 9: Travel to Agra. Visit the incomparable Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Keoladeo National Park, Agra Fort
Oct 10 – 31: Travel to Jaipur, Rajasthan. Jaipur homestays, ISPs, language study, and possible desert excursions to Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Udaipur. Possible village excursion to Chomu and service work with Vidya Gram International School. Guest speaker series on Non Violence, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism with possible audience with Jain monks and nuns.
Nov 1 - 3: Travel to Delhi. Train to Amritsar, site of the Sikh pilgrimage center the Golden Temple, experience nightly ritual flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah Border, Jallianwalabagh
Nov 4 – Dec 5: Travel to Dharamsala. Orientation to the Tibetan exile culture. Homestays in McLeod Ganj, Independent Study Projects, Tibetan language lessons, and riveting guest speaker series focused on the experiences of Tibetans living in exile in India. Possible audience with His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa. Introduction to Buddhism retreat at Tushita Meditation Centre
Dec 6 – 10: Student-led portion: Example are Rishikesh or Varanasi (to be determined by students)
Dec 11 - 12: Return to Delhi
Dec 13: Flight to USA
September 02, 2009
Toiletries, etc
Namaste!
By this point, all of us at Global LAB hope that you are all putting the final touches on your preparation for the upcoming program. As you are packing, we continue to encourage you to PACK LIGHT!
In particular, we would like to point out the enormous variety of name brand toiletries available in most of India. Almost every toiletry that you can imagine - shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, face wash, combs/brushes, hair care products, moisturizer, body lotion, razors, shaving cream, deodorant, Q-tips, chapstick, make up, ibuprofen, antacids, etc - is WIDELY AVAILABLE at a FRACTION of what it will cost to purchase in the US or Europe.
Many familiar brand names are available, as well as quality Indian brands. Take advantage of this, and please only bring TRAVEL-SIZED toiletries to India! There will be ample opportunity to replenish our personal supplies. We would like to discourage our students from bringing industrial-sized toiletries on the trip! We will be moving around a lot during the program, and lighter packs = happy campers.
This being said, I have found that the following four items are very difficult to locate on a regular basis. If you require any of these products, we suggest you bring enough to last for the duration of the trip:
- sunscreen above 15 SPF
- feminine hygiene products
- contact lens solution
- dental floss
If you have more specific questions about packing, please address them to the Global LAB staff, or comment on them below in this blog posting.
Kai and I will be contacting each of you this week to touch base and answer any final questions you may have. Until then, good luck tying up the loose ends - away we go!
Jackie Dennis
Program Director
September 01, 2009
Annie Introduction
Hi my name is Annie and I’m 18 years old. I’ve lived in Harrison New York my entire life. I am going to Middlebury in February. I love art, live music, snowboarding, and spending time at the beach. I’m really excited to meet everyone and I cant wait for our amazing trip to India!
Andrew Introduction
Hi, everyone! My name is Andrew. I live in Chagrin Falls, Ohio and, until three months ago, attended Chagrin Falls HS. I graduated in June, and I’ll be attending Middlebury College as a “Feb” starting in February 2010. I love to read, write, and think, and I plan to study English and Philosophy at Midd. I am a very outdoorsy type of person (not to mention a member of a very outdoorsy type of family), and I basically live to camp, backpack, rock climb, etc. I play the drums, snowboard a ton in the winter (I really want to learn how to ski, too), and have a rather obsessive passion for long-distance running. I have a black belt in a South Korean martial art called Kuk Sul Do, and finished up twelve-years of Boy Scouting by earning my Eagle Scout award last fall along with a few of my friends. I am very creative and spent the majority of my younger childhood drawing, painting, writing and building things (LEGOs essentially defined my existence). I am interested in filmmaking and virtually every type of art.
I am really excited by the opportunity we’ll have to study Buddhism and Buddhist meditation on out trip to India. These subjects have long fascinated me, and I am very eager to learn about and experience them in the region of the world where they are most culturally influential.
August 31, 2009
Food for Thought
We hope you are actively thinking about your upcoming adventure and want to offer you some different perspectives on travel, cultural awareness, and documenting your journey.
Check out these links for starters. And feel free to comment, share your own links, ideas, questions...
5 Reasons Why Slow Travel Beats Going on Vacation
August 29, 2009
Nate Introduction
My name is Nate . I am 19 years old living in the Albany New York area.
My interests are in Buddhism, art, music, and culture. I actively paint, play tennis, and enjoy the outdoors.
Hannah Introduction
When I was going into the third grade my family and I moved to Japan. It wasn't an extremely radical move for us since we had lived across the United States in in Delaware, California, Rhode Island, and Virginia. Japan, however, was quite different from anywhere I had ever lived in the United States. We spent only three years there, but those were the years that really shaped my personality. I learned a lot about Japanese culture. The experience allowed me to become very open minded and intuitive.
For this trip to India the group will probably make the trip that much more exciting. We will be arriving on the same foot and we will all be motivated to learn and undoubtedly be able to help one another along the way. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I would be idiotic to pass it up.
Nora Introduction
I have lived in a one square mile town on the coast of New Jersey my entire life. For most of my friends, graduating high school will mean moving out of their parents' houses and going to a college 20 minutes away. This, however, for me is unimaginable. There is far too much in the world to see and experience to even consider staying on the East Coast and committing another 4 years here. Previously, I have gone to other countries, but this has only made me want to go to more, to do more, and to stay for longer periods of time. I have always wanted to go to India and can't wait!
Raul Introduction
My name is Raul and I am a current senior attending KIPP Houston High School. Currently I am residing in Sugar Land, Texas, with my father. I consider myself to be a helpful, intellectual, and passionate individual. I am immensely grateful that I have been given the opportunity to take part in this study abroad program due to all the possibilities it entails; I hope to learn more about new cultures and to take part in a new way of life.
Emilie Introduction
Hi! I am 18 years old, French American, and have been living in London most of my life. I love sports, the outdoors, cooking, music and TRAVELLING. I am so excited to meet everyone and to discover India.
August 28, 2009
Directions to Orientation Site, September 11
Hi India Semester Students:
Below is information about how to get from your domestic flight into the New York City area to Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center in Port Murray, NJ, the site of our Pre-Travel Orientation starting on September 11th. We're aiming to have all of you meet up to catch the same train from Newark Penn Station. If you haven't booked your domestic flight yet, flying into Newark (EWR) would offer the easiest transfer with JFK and third LaGuardia (LGA) being the second and third choices, respectively. Please book your flights in the morning so you can meet at the Newark Penn Station train station to catch the 3 pm train to High Bridge, NJ (on the Raritan Valley Line).
Please let us know how you are getting to the retreat center on Friday September 11th. You can email Michelle at michelle@global-lab.org with that information as soon as possible.
For those of you who would like to drive to the center directly, please follow the directions from the retreat center's website.
If you're flying into Newark, make your way to Newark Penn Station where you will catch your train out to High Bridge, NJ on the Raritan Valley Line. You can purchase your ticket at Newark Liberty Airport, hop on the Air Train, and arrive at Newark Penn Station to catch your train to High Bridge, NJ (the last stop). The train departs Newark Penn Station at 3:06 pm and arrives at High Bridge at 4:27 pm. A Global LAB staff member will meet you at the High Bridge station and help you transfer to the retreat center.
If you're flying in to JFK, you need to catch the A Express subway train from the airport to New York Penn Station where you will purchase your train ticket for High Bridge, NJ on the Raritan Valley Line. You'll want to catch the 2:37 pm Northeast Corridor (NEC) Line train to Newark Penn Station. There, you will switch lines and take the 3:06 pm train to High Bridge which arrives at 4:27 pm. A Global LAB staff member will meet you at the High Bridge station and help you transfer to the retreat center.
If you're flying in to LaGuardia, you can take a fairly short cab ride into New York Penn Station where you will purchase your train ticket for High Bridge, NJ on the Raritan Valley Line. You'll want to catch the 2:37 pm Northeast Corridor (NEC) Line train to Newark Penn Station. There, you will switch lines and take the 3:06 pm train to High Bridge which arrives at 4:27 pm. A Global LAB staff member will meet you at the High Bridge station and help you transfer to the retreat center.
Don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions you might have before we all meet together at the retreat center.
--Michelle
August 27, 2009
Greetings from Jackie Dennis, Program Director
Dear students:
On behalf of everyone at Global LAB, welcome to the adventure of a lifetime.
Sifting through piles of articles and requesting books on Development Issues in Ladakh from my local library on a balmy August morning, I breathlessly anticipate the advent of our upcoming semester abroad together. My tremendous excitement about our semester stems from my intimate association with and deep love for the multiple destinations on our itinerary. As an undergraduate, I spent a year living, studying and bicycling through Nepal and India with the University of Wisconsin, and since then I have returned seven times to this beautiful region for graduate study, work and play.
In 2001, I received my BA in Comparative Religion and Asian Studies from the University of Vermont, and in 2007, my MA in Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies from Naropa University. I have trained as a Tibetan language translator and interpreter for the past nine years, which has allowed me a unique entrance into the Tibetan Himalayas – and which I have taken advantage of every step of the way. As a global citizen, I find that language learning is the single most important aspect of integrating into a new culture. In addition to Tibetan, I have studied Hebrew, Sanskrit, Hindi, French and Spanish – and I try to use them all whenever and wherever possible.
My academic background, language ability and passion for travel led naturally to directing study abroad programs throughout the Himalayan region. I have been leading programs in Asia since 2007, and I learn just as much about myself and the regions we travel as each student with whom I travel. It is the exceptional vision of Global LAB to integrate into each of our programs the core values of global citizenship, self-exploration, leadership and skill building. Meaning? Prepare to reorient your compasses, open your hearts, learn new languages, expand your worldview, rethink your personal identity, eat with your hands, sleep under the stars, question privilege, stalk Himalayan peaks and experience new cultures from the inside out.
We will all get to know each other very well in the upcoming months. As you finalize your preparations for the trip, I would like to encourage all of you to read as much as possible about the Himalayan region, the cultures and religious traditions. Start thinking of potential ISP's, of what intrigues and interests you.
I will be contacting each of you in the upcoming weeks to check in. Between now and then, please feel free to contact me with any questions, greetings, concerns, packing advice. And congratulations again to each of you for making this life-changing decision.
Tashi Delek,
Jackie Dennis
Program Director
mobile: 917 921 7778
email: jackie@global-lab.org
August 11, 2009
IMPORTANT INFORMATION NEEDED TO REGISTER FOR CORE INSURANCE
To be enrolled in the CORE Travel insurance program (which is provided as part of your Global LAB tuition) please send the information requested below to our administrative assistant by August 16th: aaron@global-lab.org
1) name, relationship and contact phone number(s) for an emergency contact at home
2) your home address, including zip code
This insurance policy is quite comprehensive and covers you in the event of emergency medical expenses as well as evacuation. Please email us if you would like full coverage details as well as options for upgrading.
You may also contact CORE directly at: administrator@coretravelinsurance.com or Tel: 518-708-4192 to consider and process the options.
As always, if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us at Global LAB. Looking forward to meeting each of you in September at pre-travel orientation.
Michelle Bos-Lun
Director of Admissions & China/Tibet Programs
Preparation/Packing Advice for Student
Below are answers to some questions that have been coming in to the office::
1) You don't need to bring an international phone card or cell phone-- public use phones are widely available (you pay by the minute and the cost is very affordable). In the event of any emergency, your program directors and local coordinators will all have cell phones with them at all times.
2) Your group leaders will be carrying a laptop which you can use for blog postings or downloading photos (don't bring your own laptop it will be cumbersome to carry and there are plenty of internet cafes if you need to email, Facebook, etc--although we encourage you to unplug and experience the local culture as much as possible).
3) We suggest you bring $500 - $1000 in "spending money". This will cover your snacks/beverages between meals/gifts/mementos and internet/phone costs. ATM cards work at many locations, but can occasionally not work for mysterious reasons--it is a good idea to notify your bank if you plan to use an ATM card so that they don't become suspicious of international charges and put a hold on your card. Do not bring more than $100 cash. Bring a money belt. Travelers' checks are a good option for India.
4) If you have not booked your ticket yet, contact sue@aviatravel.com and be sure to get on the flight your group will be on!
5) If you have not sent in your final paperwork or tuition balance, please do so immediately (send to our Woodside, NY office).
6) If you have not already done so, apply for your Indian Visa asap. You can fill out the application on-line but you need to send in your actual passport to the visa agency.
7) If you wear contacts, bring lots of solution--you might want to bring glasses, too.
8) We will be meeting for pre-travel orientation the afternoon of September 11th. More info on this coming soon!
9) If you have any questions you can contact michelle@global-lab.org or alex@global-lab.org or you can reach us by calling: 800 984 4522.
10) Keep checking the blog - new information will be going up regularly.
July 31, 2009
Insurance FAQ
In the file below you will find frequently asked questions, as well as their answers, regarding the travel insurance Global LAB provides to all program participants.
Check Out these Books & Films
Namaste Everyone,
We've collected a list of some highly recommended books and movies which might help you better prepare for your experiences in India. While we do recommend a visit to your local library (for the movies too!) to pick some of these up, we also have a small library stored in Delhi with many of the same titles listed below and much more. There is certainly more out there, so let us know what you fine.
Feel free to comment on this entry and let us all know what you've watched/read/enjoyed already!
History:
Mahatma Gandhi, (Louis Fischer, ed.) The Essential Gandhi, Vintage, 1962.
Avedon, John. In Exile From the Land of Snows, NY: A Knopf, 1984
This excellent book as it offers a clear and concise background on Tibetan culture, and details the events surrounding the occupation of Tibet by the Chinese.
Tenzin Gyatso, H. H. the Dalai Lama. My Land and My People. NY: Potala, 1983
This is an autobiographical account of the history of modern Tibet, told by His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the XIVth Dalai Lama. We also recommend any other publication by His Holiness such as Ethics for a New Millennium , The Art of Happiness and The World of Tibetan Buddhism.
Download and Read Your Program Handbook
Please be sure to read your Participant Handbook before arriving at Orientation.
Book Your Tickets!
If you have received your notification of program acceptance and have not already done so, you should book your plane tickets with Sue Lai at Avia Travel by contacting her at Sue@aviatravel.com as soon as possible to secure your spot on the flight with the group. Be sure to identify yourself as a member of Global LAB's Fall 2009 India Semester.
Packing Recommendations
He who would travel happily must travel light. - Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Lugging a heavy pack around for the entire time we are in Asia can be extremely tiresome for you, and for the rest of the group. There will be plenty of times when we'll be piling into a train or bus and we don't want to end up like this. Remember that we can find almost anything you’ll need in India, and you’ll also want to have room to pack gifts to take back to the U.S. Seriously challenge yourself to pack light, and lighter still…you definitely will not regret it! That said, you will not want to leave out any of the cold weather clothing/gear suggestions - our trek in the Himalaya will require appropriate protection against cold weather.
There will be opportunities to do “self-service” laundry where we’ll be staying.
PLEASE NOTE: We strive to be model visitors and therefore ask that everyone bring clothing that is lightweight and durable, but that also covers the body well, and looks respectable. Tie-dyed T-shirts, T-shirts sporting inappropriate phrases, cut-off jeans, clothing with rips or holes, tight fitting leggings, and tank tops are inappropriate as they show disrespect for local cultures.
BAGS
Internal Frame Backpack – Your main “suitcase” should be comfortable, durable, and as light as possible
Daypack – A book-bag to use for daily excursions.
Duffel Bag – While you’ll want to be able to fit all of your things in a backpack and daypack, an extra duffel can be handy for the trip back to the U.S. This bag should be nylon and durable.
Stuff Sacks – Light-weight and compact, using stuff sacks to separate clothes, food, toiletries for example, will bring order to your pack and allow you to pack and repack as we travel.
Ziploc Bags – Like stuff sacks, these can be invaluable for keeping things organized and dry.
How to Get Your Indian Visa
You will find step by step instructions for applying for your visa in person or by mail by going to this link.
Feel free to contact Global LAB's admissions staff if you have any questions: admissions@global-lab.org
Application Information
2009 India Fall Semester Tuition is $9,845. Tuition includes residential pre-trip orientation in the US; preparatory and educational materials; dedicated student website for program communications and resources; all logistical facilitation; all hotels and guest houses; all meals; all domestic air fares/taxis/buses/trains/boats; museum, park and temple entrance fees; Global LAB faculty and instruction as well as local coordinators, cooks, porters; all program elements (independent study projects and apprenticeships, community service projects, home-stays, guest lectures, community support/charitable contributions).
Please note: Additional expenses not covered by Global LAB include r/t international airfare and costs of domestic travel to point of departure (NYC), inoculations, travel insurance and international medical and evacuation insurance; visa/passport processing fees; personal costs (laundry, phone calls/emails, souvenirs, etc.).
Semesters are open to those ages 17-21. While Global LAB semesters are geared toward interim or ‘gap’ year students, high school seniors as well as university students are welcome to apply. No language prerequisite is required.
Global LAB accepts applications on a rolling admissions basis, accepting qualified applicants until programs are full. Each program has a maximum of 12 participants and 3 Global LAB instructors. For this reason, we recommend candidates submit their applications as early as possible.
To begin the application process, print out the preliminary application and FAQ below:
* Application Form
* FAQ
India Semester Overview: Fall, 2009
Go! Go forth to India and live! There's nothing that I've done that has been more expanding, more eye-opening, and more exciting all at once. I'd recommend this experience to anyone looking to learn a little about themselves and the world, but more about the vastness of all that there is to be learned, and the pleasure of learning it experientially.
--Julia Bloch, "From Brahma to Buddha" India semester alumna
Whenever I meet a ‘foreigner’, I always have the same feeling: ‘I am meeting another member of the human family.’ This attitude has deepened my affection and respect for all beings. May this natural wish be my small contribution to world peace. I pray for a more friendly, more caring, and more understanding human family on this planet. To all those who dislike suffering, who cherish lasting happiness, this is my heartfelt appeal.
--Tenzin Gyatso, the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet
Exploring a traditional village perched on the Tibetan Plateau. Sipping butter tea around a kitchen fire. Smelling jasmine flowers and curries sold in the bazaar. Listening to horns and bells echo over ancient monastery walls. Watching colorful prayer flags blowing in the wind on top of a Himalayan mountain pass. Throughout this cultural immersion program, we will live and study in the country that gave birth to two of the world’s major religions—Hinduism and Buddhism—and will travel amid some of the most spectacular landscapes on earth. On this journey, we will meet many of the people who keep ancient traditions and spiritual practices alive, including possible audiences with the Dalai Lama and/or the Karmapa. And at the same time we will witness and study the forces of modernization and globalization that are influencing all aspects of traditional ways of life. Though it is impossible to predict the most memorable experience you will have during the Global LAB India semester, those who choose to participate can expect to embark on a journey of discovery that may well last a lifetime.
India |