First Impression (I'm sure one of many)

King Humayan's tomb. (New Dehli)
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I'm in India!   And for those of you who were worried...I'm safe and with my group.   The flights were easy - no delays at all. Fourteen and a half hours did not seem as long as I thought it was going to be, though I did watch The Corpse Bride twice (and two terrible bollywood films). The airline stuffed food down our throats...we were served 3 meals plus snacks - and it was pretty good!   but enough about the flight...  

After spending my last night at home obsessing with my parents about details and hearing repeated warnings about safety, I had been sufficiently scared about my arrival in the airport. According to my mother, what I really needed was to grow three extra arms during the flight so that I could manage bags, valuables, and all the dangers that might attack me once I set foot in India.   The airport in Dehli is not really like any other airport I've been in - the smells and the art were the first thing that I noticed. I was met by two leaders from the SIT program who garnished me marigold garlands. The air in Dehli is dirtier than any air I've ever breathed. I could feel the smog in my lungs. (I also discovered later that when I blew my nose - it was slightly black).  

Coffins in Humayan's tomb
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But, I Mr. Aadhar brought me to a cab which looked like it was something out of the 1960s. Though, I'm still unable to figure out the make of the car - all they say on them is American Classic. The traffic if unbelievable... I don't know if it's the driver's duty to avoid other objects/people/vehicles or if it's their responsibility not to get hit! Plus you have unusually shaped things in the road like giant flat beds filled with bulbous sacks of hay, camels, elephants, tons of bicycles and mopeds. Our teachers have told us that pedestrians probably rank at the bottom in terms of right of way on the road. Anyways, to sum it up, cab and rickshaw rides feel like a theme park ride (you close your eyes in the back seat and hope the breaks are working).  

Our SIT center (this is the beautiful building we get to have our classes in - when we're not travelling)
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We spent our first two nights at a guest house in Dehli. Each morning we woke up early to breakfast in the garden. Yogurt, papaya, toast, and eggs. It is an incredibly peaceful way to start the day.   In Dehli, we visited Humayan's Tomb - which is famous for its architecture. The Taj Mahal was based on it. I will have pictures for you...but at the moment I forgot the chord that connects my camera to the  computer... you'll have to see them in a few days. We also visited the Craft Museum - though we did not have enough time to really look around. They have samples of all different forms of art (paintings, sculptures, shrines, instruements, ceremonial objects) plus they have artists there to perform and exhibit how their work is made.  

Our Tiki lounge in the center. This is where we have yoga in the mornings, morning chai, and lunch.
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Street life is incredibly stimulating - I don't know how else to describe it yet. I can't stop looking in every direction and if I look to long in one direction I've missed so much right next to me.

I'm just beginning to be experience begging. In India it's everywhere - which I knew. However, I think this will be one of the most difficult things for me. During my time interning at National Coalition for the Homeless, I learned a lot about how to speak, look, and understand homelessness and begging (in America). This has all been turned upsidedown here. There are two forms of begging here - one is connected to Hinduism. There is a tradition of giving to the old, sick, and to mothers at shrines or temple. However, all other forms of begging are seen as unacceptable here. There are beggar kings who use women and children to beg for them. They are not able to keep most of the money given to them. We have been told to ignore them - not to look, smile, or greet them in any way. I think that most people would have a hard time with this, but I feel like my brain spinning to figure out the right protocol - which goes against my natural reaction. Just thoughts that I'm having...

Central Park (Jaipur)- I've gone walking here a few times so far. There's a polo field attached to it that I think we will be attending a match at later.
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I have to keep this brief... I'm now in Jaipur. We visited our home institute/school building today. It is unbelievably pretty. I'll describe it more in future letters. Tomorrow we start Hindi and on Sunday we move in with our host families!  

 I hope all is well with all of you. I miss you (but not too much yet - I'm having too much fun). Write me lots!