Day 60. Going with the flow

 

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Going with the flow

An open lab today allowed the students to catch up with their peers on the use of the technology that is introduced during the first couple of days of the program. While students checked equipment in and out with Miriam the rest of us worked on Windows Movie Maker. A quick word on Miriam, this young lady has really impressed me. She wants to be a teacher and she shows all the signs of being an excellent one. She has a good way with the students without being too stern. The other student that has really impressed me is Vince, not too surprisingly he is Miriam’s brother. He is very willing to try just about anything. He has imbedded himself into the student body so well that sometimes it is hard to find this tall American boy in a group of students from St. Xavier’s.

Since it is a Saturday we only held ½ day of classes. This gave the team a chance to get out and experience a little more of India. Explore we did! After lunch Miriam, Ashley, Dr. Byers and I headed out in a rickshaw. Yes all four of us in this one little vehicle. It was fun and we laughed a lot. It felt good. Fr. Vinayak had instructed the driver to show us many sights. The driver obviously took this to heart. He pulled over a number of times so that Ashley and Steve could jump out and get pictures of the area. Ashley had grabbed a video camera and held it to the side of the rickshaw as we traveled the streets. It makes me a little motion sick to watch – but truly gives a good view of just what the area is like. There just is no way to describe it any other way – it has to be experienced.

Our first stop was the market in the walled city. I am sure if I traveled to this market a few more times I may be bold enough to stop and purchase something from the shops. But to borrow a phrase from Ashley it was like “sensory overload”. The sites, sounds, and smells took on the senses like a tsunami hitting. People crowded the streets that were already full of rickshaws, bicycles, motorbikes, dogs and cows. The shops – and there were plenty ranged from fine silk fabric hanging in and around doorways to piles of plastic imports made in china. Kitchen items, clothing, food, spices, car parts, you name it and the item could be found in these streets.


The phrase "show no fear" became the mantra for the day. One thought I had as I boldly led the group was that this could only be compared to one of our malls at the height of Christmas shopping, but now add in about 3 times the number of shops and throw all of the merchandise on tables in the mall area. It was truly something. We walked around for about an hour and then decided to head back. We had all figured we would make it to the college and relax a little before dinner.

But Fr. Vinayak had other plans for us. He must have instructed the driver to take us to a number of malls because even though we had told him a number of times to head back to St. Xavier’s he kept on driving to different locations. We stopped at one mall that had a McDonalds. We headed in and had a coke while we relaxed in surroundings a little more familiar to our heads. For a couple of seconds it almost felt like we were in the states. Until you looked at the menu, all the items were vegetarian. Big Macs couldn’t be found – but a Big Veggie burger could. Ashley and Miriam had their picture taken with Ronald McDonald. We walked through the mall. At the back of the mall was a replica of the Eiffel tower. I knew this because it was labeled Eiffel tower in case you would be confused with another similar structure.

Back to the rickshaw and with a request of “St. Xavier’s” we were off to another unknown destination. We traveled through many streets. Ashley and Steve were thrilled when we saw a camel at the side of the road. Being a good driver he did a U-turn and stopped the rickshaw. For those of you who just read that and didn’t think anything of it – imaging doing a U-turn in rush hour traffic on the expressway. I was very impressed how well he was able to avoid busses and other vehicles as he maneuvered his way over to the camel. We all poured out of the back of the rickshaw and took turns taking our pictures with the animal. It was huge. Sadly it was covered in sores and had flies all over it – this animal needed someone to take care of it – but we all agreed we could never get it back home in Ashley’s luggage.

Back in the rickshaw and with a mighty “St. Xavier’s, please” we were off to points unknown. We were laughing at the thought that we may never see the college again when he pulled up outside of yet another mall. While we were out and stretched we called Fr. Vinayak and asked him to please ask the driver to return us. We promised that we would not be bored back at the college.

After another half hour and many close calls on the streets we arrived safely at the front door of St. Xavier’s. Steve paid the rickshaw driver. Cost for a four-hour ride through the streets of Ahmedabad….250 rupees – about $9 American dollars – including tip. Amazing.

My day was not over yet – I still had a business meeting with Dr. Thorn and Fr. Vincent. I grabbed a quick shower and dressed for the occasion. I like it when I use everything I packed so this was a chance to wear the nicer clothes I brought along. We met with Fr. Vincent in his office about the future of the program between our two colleges. He was very happy with our current program and wants to see it expanded.

Fr. Vincent’s office is a large area with many display cases of trophies, trinkets and electronics equipment that create a sort of technology museum. We sat on some very comfortable couches. I took notes while Bill relayed the wishes of Marquette University. After an hour of talking we left for dinner. We went to Barbeque Nation. What a neat place. Each table has a hole in the middle that a hibachi type grill fits in. The waiters bring skewer after skewer of meats, fish, cheese and vegetables to roast over the coals. This is only the appetizer. Once you have had your fill of this they remove the grill and the group is invited to the buffet area. Rice, salads, sauces and more vegetables as well as meat dishes can be chosen. It is all you can eat and we could have easily stayed for days feasting on the good food. But we didn’t. After dinner was finished we made one last trip to the buffet area – but this time for deserts. One of my favorites here is deep fried whey dipped in syrup. It almost tastes like a plain donut hole dipped in warm maple syrup. You can’t eat too many or you will be sick…so I had one. The ice cream is also a treat – it is very sweet and creamy. This dessert table had a sundae bar.

When we were finished the bill was paid. Surprisingly for this upscale restaurant with all the food and attentive waiters the bill was only about $10 each. A good price for a good meal.
We arrived home about 11pm. It was a very long, fun, eventful day. So I headed to sleep before I wrote my blog, again, a little late on the entry.

It is starting to be easier to fall asleep. I am not sure if I am becoming used to the outside noise and the firmness of the mattress or if I am just that exhausted. In any case, good night from India.