Day Four - Sirsa

Apparently India on a budget means taking a 6 hour bus ride with wall-to-wall people and no air conditioning in 105 degree weather for about US$2. Needless to say it was hot, uncomfortable and people stared at us for 6 hours. We eventually made it to Sirsa where we had three phone numbers for the family we are to stay with. We were told to call from the police post in the bus terminal and they would pick us up. However, all of the numbers were switched off. To make a long story short, we spent two hours in the police station being fed and given endless amounts of tea while policemen and passers-by all pulled out their cell phones and called everyone they knew to find out where the family lived and how we could get ahold of them. After three hours, they managed to get an address and loaded us in a three-wheeler with an old man that spoke no English who slowly drove us to the farm. When we arrived, no one was there and a ton of villagers who also spoke no English set out to help us. They brought us chairs, water, a fan and pulled out their cell phones to figure out how to help. I was amazed at the generosity and kindness of the people here. Everyone went out of there way to help and while I was completely out of my element, I knew they were looking out for us. They even kept trying different languages on us to see if we would know one of them, but unfortunately as an American, I really only know English. Long story hopefully shorter, we managed to get ahold of the brother of the man we were to stay with and are currently enjoying his generous hospitality.

Today he took us out on their family farm and told us so much about organic farming. The whole time I couldn't help but think about a woman at the orphanage in Kenya that I worked at, Liuba, who once made the comment that Americans live in the sky and know nothing of the ground or soil. It's so true, and I'm excited to learn all I can to begin to correct this in my life. They know so many great techniques for growing healthy, bountiful crops without chemicals or products. They know which natural plants are poisonous to pests and which plants, when added to the soil, help other plants to grow strong and healthy. In Human Services a wrote a paper on Monsanto and had we talked a little about chemical companies exploiting farmers with their genetically modified products and chemicals. It was interesting to hear the perspective of an Indian farmer, who, as it turns out, studied Political Science at university.

That's all for now. I want to keep this brief as possible for you. Laura and I are safe, happy and healthy at the moment and completely enjoying this experience. We have not been put to work yet, for we are waiting for the family to come home that we are actually staying with. But soon, I'm sure, we'll be sweating not just from the heat, but from the labors of the farm.

Day One - Delhi

Laura and I arrived safely in New Delhi in the wee hours of the morning. Everything in our trip went smoothly...easy flights, no lost baggage, driver waiting at airport. We slept for a few hours and then woke up to start our first day.

Delhi is so much like Nairobi in many ways. The streets are similar, as is the driving style. Many of the sites and images in the city are exactly what one sees in Nairobi, perhaps a little more crowded. Street vendors and shops, endless advertisements, and people walking through traffic with no fear. In this way, this city seems shockingly familiar to me and somewhat comfortable. There is still the recognition that I am out of my element and in a place I have never been. But seeing familiar sights has certainly eased my heart and mind. The main difference that I've noticed is that I have not found centralized shopping centers here like they have all over Kenya. In Kenya, you can go to a Nakumatt and find anything you need: clothing, food, laundry soap, cell phones. I have yet to see anything as convenient in Delhi.

Needless to say, I am excited for us to get beyond the city and begin our work as WWOOFers. On Saturday we will take a bus to Sirsa, which is a few solid hours from Delhi. The bus will most likely not have air conditioning and will be miserable. But I'm excited to meet the family that awaits us in Sirsa and begin volunteering and experiencing Indian culture in a more intimate setting. Stay tuned for updates.

On The Cusp...

It is my last day in the US before my trip. Tomorrow morning we begin the long journey, eventually arriving in New Delhi in the wee hours of the morning on the 24th. I am as prepared as I can be at this point. From my experience thus far, WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is an excellent avenue for people interested in volunteering abroad on a tight budget. Throughout our trip we will be living on three different organic farms for extended periods of time, immersing ourselves in the lifestyles and cultures of the families that live there.

It is also my understanding that, especially in Nepal, WWOOF will also provide the opportunity to volunteer in non-farming capacities. I hope to be able to engage with the local schools as well as volunteer in a capacity related to HIV/AIDS. With all the work I've done and experience I've gained related to HIV/AIDS in Kenya through The Slum Doctor Programme and my personal travels, it will be interesting to compare what is being done in these countries. According to the CDC, India is second only to South Africa in estimated number of HIV-infected persons (of course, with such a large population this statistic is a bit unfair). One thing I found particularly interesting from the CDC is that India is developing a youth-focused training curriculum as a preventative method. That is definitely something I hope to investigate while traveling.

Laura and I leave from Denver at 8:20am. For those of you who know me, you know how difficult that will be. So for now, I'm off. And hopefully the next time you'll hear from me I'll be in India.