hello New Jersey!
Julia here. We are having a fabulous time here in India unfortunately it is still not up to our speed internet wise and even the best of place have the power go out on them, add some rain into the mix and the internet isn't even an option. So I just wanted to let you know that if you don't hear from us here on the blog its because we're unable to get reliable internet access but we will try and get the girls to email you when we can.
so a quick run down of the things we've seen and done since Wednesday:
-Our baggage arrived!! Slowly but surely starting on Wednesday our luggage came, a bit wet for some but nothing a wash and line dry doesn't fix.
-We went on the Pune Challenge-we had to flag down our own rickshaws! and find certain places in Pune. Great fun.
-We saw some tradition Maharashian (I don't thing that's spelled correctly, sorry, the state Pune is located) dancers. They were just amazing! Amy filmed some of it and hopefully we can put it into the blog, once we get home, for all to see.
-International night was a big hit (enough of our bags had come so we had plenty of things to show and share)
-Our saris came on Friday and we all learned how to tie them ( Mrs. P needed loads of help!) before we had a traditional feast and ended the evening with a play, The Giving of a Daughter. An amazing day, that also included mehendi (henna tattoos) and Rangoli, a tradition art practiced by the women of India, the beautiful designs are made of colored chalk and put outside of the front door for good luck.
-We also learned some yoga, which had a few of us bent father that we thought was possible, great for getting a rush of energy!
-Having watched a Bollywood movie (Dhoom 2) we then learned a Bollywood dance. Amazing, beautiful and if you want a work out this is it! We were all a bit sweaty when we were done but we were also laughing.
-We celebrated Maura's b-day at Sangam and on the train. The staff at Sangam baked her a cake and gave her flowers.
-30 hours on the train!!!! It was long and draining but we finally made it -back- to New Delhi.
-We saw lots of amazing sites in Delhi, beautiful buildings and the smallest street in Old Delhi.
-plus all of the wiring in Old Delhi is just -wow- if an electrician from home saw it they'd have a heart attack.
-Animals seen thus far: cows, oxen, water buffalo, goats, horses, mules, donkeys, pigs/boars, camel, elephant, parrots, monkeys, gazelles, chipmunk like creatures and of course lizards. In fact Mrs. P got a midnight call to exterminate a teeny tiny lizard from the girls room, her response "do I have to?"
- the Taj Mahal is more beautiful and detailed than words or pictures can express.
-in India we're the tourist attraction. With our very white skin and our matching clothing children laugh and families want their picture taken with us. We do stand out a bit.
-Today we had nonIndian food much to the delight to many of our stomachs.
-We're ending the day at a very lovely hotel and with a puppet show.
And now I'm off to bed we have an early start tomorrow.
PS the girls are enjoying the shopping very much, it never gets old! Look for really great souvenirs when they get home!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
July 3
Hey all, Amy here. We are starting to take turns posting to the blog to get a different perspective on the experience!
Since it is monsoon season, and it rained heavily last night and was forecast again for tonight, the staff was fearful for our safe journey to the old part of the city. We were supposed to spend the morning getting sari's, punjabs, bangles, etc. in the old part, and then travel to the newer part of the city in the afternoon for silver street. However, we just went to the new part and did all of our shopping this morning - suprise the rain never came. Only drizzles! We also went out for lunch. Some of us enjoyed Indian restaurants, but others unfortunately wanted to go to Pizza Hut, Mcdonald's etc. (I don't think they were part of our troop!)
We met with the tailors this afternoon, so he and she will be making our saris and returning them to us. We will then have a change of clothes since we still have no luggage! We will be VERY colorful for the traditional dinner on Thursday night at Sangam.
This afternoon, we also learned more about the new focuses for WAGGS worldwide as well as spritiuality at Sangam. we were given 45 minutes of silence to explore ourselves/the surrondings in silence. It was harder for some of us (EVA!!!) than others. My roommate Gabbie wrote an amazing poem that we will share when we get home about Sangam. I think it moved us all.
Most of us are still healthy, some are experiencing a little discomfort, but nothing too severe.
That's all for now, keep praying for the arrival of luggage!!!!
-Amy
Since it is monsoon season, and it rained heavily last night and was forecast again for tonight, the staff was fearful for our safe journey to the old part of the city. We were supposed to spend the morning getting sari's, punjabs, bangles, etc. in the old part, and then travel to the newer part of the city in the afternoon for silver street. However, we just went to the new part and did all of our shopping this morning - suprise the rain never came. Only drizzles! We also went out for lunch. Some of us enjoyed Indian restaurants, but others unfortunately wanted to go to Pizza Hut, Mcdonald's etc. (I don't think they were part of our troop!)
We met with the tailors this afternoon, so he and she will be making our saris and returning them to us. We will then have a change of clothes since we still have no luggage! We will be VERY colorful for the traditional dinner on Thursday night at Sangam.
This afternoon, we also learned more about the new focuses for WAGGS worldwide as well as spritiuality at Sangam. we were given 45 minutes of silence to explore ourselves/the surrondings in silence. It was harder for some of us (EVA!!!) than others. My roommate Gabbie wrote an amazing poem that we will share when we get home about Sangam. I think it moved us all.
Most of us are still healthy, some are experiencing a little discomfort, but nothing too severe.
That's all for now, keep praying for the arrival of luggage!!!!
-Amy
Monday, July 2, 2007
Monday - 7/2
Today was our first full day at Sangam. Participants are in patrols and have scheduled duties each day. My group - Hara - will be the servers for the days meals. Other duties are Flag ceremony, reflections and Snapshot. Snapshot is simply stating in a few words what we did that day. And of course we try to attch a photo. This will be published on the Sangam web site later.
Our packs are still missing so the infamous New Jersey group went shopping at Pune Center. Pune Center is a small dept. store. Basicaly the middle class shop there as they can afford the price of clothes and other items. Most of us purchased skirts, underwear and flip flops.
It is wise to have flip flops or sandles because yu must remove your shoes before entering the Sangam hall or when visiting other facilities in the area like Maher.
Because we had to shop for clothes we missed the Laughter Club session and much of the lecture on Indian culture. The group split into 2 and visthed either Maher or Ishwari. - two social organizations for women. Ishwarie was founded by Sister Mederio for the purpose of training women in the rural area of Phulgaon. The young ladies are taught some practical skills such as sewing that would allow them to be somewhat indepedent -- at least more confident in themselves. One the the benefits coming out of this program is to postpone marriage so that the girls have time to mature and as I said have self-confidence. Many of us purchased items made at the center such as handmade greeting cards.
The trip to Ishwari took about 1.5 hours..The ride was bumpy, hot and of course it was raining. At times I was not sure the bus would be able to ride thru the flooded sections of the rode. I am amazed how people in India drive. Cars, bikes, rike shaws, trucks all compete for the same piece of the rode. You are so close to each other that you can literally touch the next vehicle or have your hand severed if left out of the window.
The day rounded out with three guest speakers on Holistic Living.
Just some random comments...
Because of the rain the electricty here goes out. We had two brief outages while I am typing this post. Yes it has rained A LOT. I think I saw a bit a the sun this morning for maybe 10 minutes.
An umbrella is a must and of course our umbrellas are in out lost packs. We have be borrowing umbrellas from the staff.
Much of the food at our meals is Indian and rather good. It is an experience "trying" the various dishes. Yesterday we had, I think, spinach soup. It was green and I was told it was spinach.
Tonight was the Indian version of the taco!
Did you know that a sign that a women is married is the necklace she wears around her neck.
She will also have a red dot on her forehead.
Tomorrow we will go to Phule Market and purchase materials (cloth) for our saris which will be made for us by a local tailor.
OK the lights went out again and several bats are becoming annoying so I will post this piece before I lose it all together.
Oh.... I apoligize if there are missing letters in words. The keyboard is old and sometimes when I hit a key it does not register.
Our packs are still missing so the infamous New Jersey group went shopping at Pune Center. Pune Center is a small dept. store. Basicaly the middle class shop there as they can afford the price of clothes and other items. Most of us purchased skirts, underwear and flip flops.
It is wise to have flip flops or sandles because yu must remove your shoes before entering the Sangam hall or when visiting other facilities in the area like Maher.
Because we had to shop for clothes we missed the Laughter Club session and much of the lecture on Indian culture. The group split into 2 and visthed either Maher or Ishwari. - two social organizations for women. Ishwarie was founded by Sister Mederio for the purpose of training women in the rural area of Phulgaon. The young ladies are taught some practical skills such as sewing that would allow them to be somewhat indepedent -- at least more confident in themselves. One the the benefits coming out of this program is to postpone marriage so that the girls have time to mature and as I said have self-confidence. Many of us purchased items made at the center such as handmade greeting cards.
The trip to Ishwari took about 1.5 hours..The ride was bumpy, hot and of course it was raining. At times I was not sure the bus would be able to ride thru the flooded sections of the rode. I am amazed how people in India drive. Cars, bikes, rike shaws, trucks all compete for the same piece of the rode. You are so close to each other that you can literally touch the next vehicle or have your hand severed if left out of the window.
The day rounded out with three guest speakers on Holistic Living.
Just some random comments...
Because of the rain the electricty here goes out. We had two brief outages while I am typing this post. Yes it has rained A LOT. I think I saw a bit a the sun this morning for maybe 10 minutes.
An umbrella is a must and of course our umbrellas are in out lost packs. We have be borrowing umbrellas from the staff.
Much of the food at our meals is Indian and rather good. It is an experience "trying" the various dishes. Yesterday we had, I think, spinach soup. It was green and I was told it was spinach.
Tonight was the Indian version of the taco!
Did you know that a sign that a women is married is the necklace she wears around her neck.
She will also have a red dot on her forehead.
Tomorrow we will go to Phule Market and purchase materials (cloth) for our saris which will be made for us by a local tailor.
OK the lights went out again and several bats are becoming annoying so I will post this piece before I lose it all together.
Oh.... I apoligize if there are missing letters in words. The keyboard is old and sometimes when I hit a key it does not register.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Arrive in Sangam
We will made it to Sangam. This will be very short post as I have been up since 3:30 India time and traveling by plane, public bus and a rickshaw to about 6 pm (India time and when we arrived at Sangam). Another long travel day and in the rain.
I have to say that we have a number of bumps in the road but people have been very helpful. Today we did not have coins to call Sangam. Someone gave us money and an agent for Hotel reservations at the Mumbia airport allowed us to use his phone (free) to call Sangam several times to arrange for transportation to Pune.
Luggage is still lost so if it does not arrive tomorrow we will purchase some basic stuff to get us by. Staff and fellow scouts have been very helpful ..sharing shampoo, contact solution etc.
So it is really not all that bad. OK I am off to bed ..will fill in trip details later.
I have to say that we have a number of bumps in the road but people have been very helpful. Today we did not have coins to call Sangam. Someone gave us money and an agent for Hotel reservations at the Mumbia airport allowed us to use his phone (free) to call Sangam several times to arrange for transportation to Pune.
Luggage is still lost so if it does not arrive tomorrow we will purchase some basic stuff to get us by. Staff and fellow scouts have been very helpful ..sharing shampoo, contact solution etc.
So it is really not all that bad. OK I am off to bed ..will fill in trip details later.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
June 30th New Dehli
Yes that is right 6/3o- New Dehli not Sangam....not yet anyway.
We are in India... just not in Sangam ..yet. A longggg story but the short of it is.
Left Phila sitting in the airport or on the runway till 11:30 pm. Storms in the area caused that delay and for a slightly longer flight...flying around the rain. Arrived in London and circled that airport for 30 or so minutes. Between the two we missed our connection.
Thought we had flights out or so we were told by Brit Air staff. Not so and that resulted in us
trying to find connecting flights. Spent over 2 hours in security lines to finally get to someone for the connection. a flight was found but not till 9:45 that night. So for the next 7 or 8 hours we toured Heathrow and ate a light lunch/dinner compliments of BritAir. Interesting airport Heathrow is - lot of up scale stores!
Learned from a fellow scout who happended to work at TGI Fridays about the bomb threat and the reason for the heightened security level. So that is why we stood in that long line and people were constantly running to their flights!
Ok so now we are boarded on JetAir - a very nice airline. Sat on the runway again waiting for people to clear security. Leave not at 10 but sometime around 11:30 - least I think that was the time. Long long flight-- 8 plus hours. It is morning and we are circling Mambia. Apparently there is a raging storm below and there is no visibility to land. The airport is closed. Getting low on fuel so the plan is to fly to New Dehli - 1 1/2 hours away and re-fuel. When we get to New Dehli we learn that Mambia is still closed.
We are transported off the plane and learn that our packs are not with us. Where they are is a mystery. Good thing we packed spare clothes!Spent another hour processing lost baggage claims.
End result we are staying in New Dehli and awaiting a flight back to Mambia. The airline has put us up in a very very nice hotel so we can at least sleep vertically! Wow!!!
We are tired and slighty sore from sitting for almost 36 hours. To say the least it has been an adventure!!!
Just learned that we are leaving 4:30 am India time for the airport and to Mambia. Maybe...just maybe we will get to Sangam. Now it would be nice if our packs were there as well.
We are in India... just not in Sangam ..yet. A longggg story but the short of it is.
Left Phila sitting in the airport or on the runway till 11:30 pm. Storms in the area caused that delay and for a slightly longer flight...flying around the rain. Arrived in London and circled that airport for 30 or so minutes. Between the two we missed our connection.
Thought we had flights out or so we were told by Brit Air staff. Not so and that resulted in us
trying to find connecting flights. Spent over 2 hours in security lines to finally get to someone for the connection. a flight was found but not till 9:45 that night. So for the next 7 or 8 hours we toured Heathrow and ate a light lunch/dinner compliments of BritAir. Interesting airport Heathrow is - lot of up scale stores!
Learned from a fellow scout who happended to work at TGI Fridays about the bomb threat and the reason for the heightened security level. So that is why we stood in that long line and people were constantly running to their flights!
Ok so now we are boarded on JetAir - a very nice airline. Sat on the runway again waiting for people to clear security. Leave not at 10 but sometime around 11:30 - least I think that was the time. Long long flight-- 8 plus hours. It is morning and we are circling Mambia. Apparently there is a raging storm below and there is no visibility to land. The airport is closed. Getting low on fuel so the plan is to fly to New Dehli - 1 1/2 hours away and re-fuel. When we get to New Dehli we learn that Mambia is still closed.
We are transported off the plane and learn that our packs are not with us. Where they are is a mystery. Good thing we packed spare clothes!Spent another hour processing lost baggage claims.
End result we are staying in New Dehli and awaiting a flight back to Mambia. The airline has put us up in a very very nice hotel so we can at least sleep vertically! Wow!!!
We are tired and slighty sore from sitting for almost 36 hours. To say the least it has been an adventure!!!
Just learned that we are leaving 4:30 am India time for the airport and to Mambia. Maybe...just maybe we will get to Sangam. Now it would be nice if our packs were there as well.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wednesday, June 27 - Thursday, June 28
Well some of us are ready, however there are a few members who will burn the midnight oil ...packing, treating their clothes or making swaps. Eva just dropped off part of my uniform - a white blouse which is now soaking in the infamous Everglades Outdoor Protective Clothing Treatment Insect Repellent. Stuff sounds nasty but we are told it works!
I was up past 12 midnight making swaps. Simply forgot about that agenda item. My swap theme is a Daisy.... With my daughter's wedding being all about daisies I thought it was a fitting swap.
Below is a basic outline of the order of events...
Fly out from Philadelphia to London. Quickly change planes and fly from London to Mumbai. From Mumbai we will take a chartered bus to Pune and our first stop - Sangam World Centre. Sangam is one of four World Centres of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
The troop will be attending the following program:
Holistic Living (7 days): July 1-7
Improve your sense of well being through healthy living and eating. Learn yoga and meditation in the safe, serene surroundings of Sangam. Discover thousands of years of Indian culture, philosophy and spirituality as you experience ayurveda, vegetarian cooking, Indian massage and natural medicine.
I think I can speak for Eva,Linda in that we look foward to the "serene" surroundings and especially the Indian massage. Last week, Eva's daughter graduate from high school, my daughter's wedding was on Saturday -June 23 and Linda has been working 10 to 12 hour days.
In addition, to the Holistic Living events, we will experience the excitement of Indian life such as visiting a family in Pune, trying Indian food, visiting an outdoor market and, of course, go sari shopping.
When we leave Sangam on the 7th, we will be on a guide tour for approx. 11 days visiting cities such as Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Pushkar, and ending in Mumbai.
Spent today -Thursday- running with Linda dropping off last minute materials to parents and buying last minute items. Discovered we had no double A batteries in the house and I needed to have pictures developed for my family album which we share with our host Indian family. No time to put it together now so I leave that for the 15 hour plane ride
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
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