Back TREK to Triund

Well Triund was last weekend but it is still worth talking about.

First, you never know much something bothers you until you realize how nice it is to not be around. What I am referring to is honking. Yes it is true, Delhi has some of the craziest traffic and honking ever, but Dharamsala isn't exactly void of noise. The narrow, steep streets make walking around more of an adventure than one may anticipate. So the hike up to Triund was so incredible and refreshing. It felt so good to get out, move, and break a sweat. After being sick and feeling at the mercy of my tireness and weakness, I was ready to test my strength.

And that we did. The hike was absolutely lovely, on a well travelled path about three hours into the mountains. When we finally reached the top, we were literally sitting in a cloud for about 2 hours, waiting for the view to open up. About two hours before sunset, the skies did clear and the view from our little hut in Triund was amazing. To one side was the Kangra valley, to the other, the snow covered Himalayas. Sunset was a beautiful array of colors. And when the moon came out, the best stroke of luck happened... we were sitting on top of the Himalayas as a lunar eclipse is about to happen. This semi-annual magical event was the cherry on top of my evening. The 8 of us that made it to this moment, huddled together to keep warm and watch a brilliant show of the universe. The rest of the evening was filled with Indian food, and about 100 cups of chai to keep warm.

The next day we woke up fairly early, ate breakfast, and came down the mountain. Only later did we realize how sore we were, but it all felt so good, and was a great break from our time volunteering- which has been more emotionally draining than expected.

The School Experience

The service week has ended and I am finally feeling good about my situation volunteering at Gamru. Unfortunately we only have one more day left with the kids.The bitter-sweetness of teaching feels more positive than it did a week ago. Now that I have handle on effective lessons, the kids are responding better and I am starting to notice small bits of progress and recognition. Also it is hard to resist the love and attention the kids give us. They are just in complete awe of the way we look, talk, and dress.

Today we went to a private Indian school, D.A.R Senior Secondary. They were the most hospitable people I have ever met, comparing us guests visiting to that of gods visiting. We went into every classroom, were given tea and snacks, and then watched an amazing dance performance by a variety of the grades at the school. Everything was very formal and put together very nicely. However, the experience just did not feel right. All of us were comfortable and entertained, but it did not feel like an accurate portrayal of schooling in India. The principal did mention that all castes and creeds were enrolled at the school, but the independent funding was very apparent, and I am sure the lower caste students were there on scholarship which is great, but that is just a few students who are being helped instead of a village of students that are in need. In comparison to Gamru this school was living in luxury. Each kid had their own desks; their uniforms, hands, face, and hair were clean. I feel bad for my other fellow American students who did not have the same exposure to a rural village school to compare this amazing school to. For me it was hard to sit there completely happy when I knew our attention and awareness is more necessary and helpful elsewhere.

On the other hand it is nice knowing that not all schools in India are in the same condition as Gamru. But I am grateful for my opportunity to work and contribute to Gamru. They clearly are a school that is severe need. I hope the kids got as much out of me being there as I did.

Gamru

Gamru is a local Indian village school in Himachal Pradesh where I spend my afternoons teaching English to 5th, 4th, and 2nd standard. It is so nice working there because sometimes it is easy to forget you are in India while in the Tibetan community McLeod Ganj.

I am enjoying my time learning about both Tibetan and Indian culture, and being able to compare . I am finding that the Indian locals may be over shadowed by the Tibetan situation, which has gained much needed global attention. However, because of it, local schools may not be receiving the same amount of support from the international education community.

Gamru was founded by Phil Adam in 2004 when he noticed the very issue mentioned above: much of outsiders attention was focused on the Tibetan in exile and not on other locals. The mission of the school is to promote health lifestyles for children and provide opportunities for as many as possible. This includes expanding knowledge beyond laborious work to expose children to math, Indian culture, world history, social science, technology, and English. The hope is to allow these children opportunities to seek any form of lifestyle they wish and not feel they are stuck in Himachal Pradesh. It also seeks to empower girls in the Indian working community.

My time in actual classroom is directly with the children. While they are eager to learn there is a difficult barrier of language. Even simple instructions require lots of acting, drawing, and creative body language to communicate. The younger kids have very elementary vocabulary learned, while some of the older kids have started learning gender differences, opposite words, as well as simple sentences. I have found the best activities are those which involve lots of repetition.

This week I worked on colors, shapes, weather and emotion with the kids, some of which they were familiar with. Combining two topics, such as "what color and shape is this object?" helps review two skills at the same time. Friday I used as a review/game day where I played a toned down version of jeopardy with the topics we have learned. They would have to identify the drawing on the back of the card correctly in order to earn the allotted amounts of points for their team. In the end though, everyone won, and earned themselves a star sticker.

Gamru overall seems like a great school that the kids are happy to be at. They are served lunch, loved, and supported. There also seems to be lots of chaos going on, and frequently kids are not showing up to classes. I hope I am being of help to their overall mission. Sometimes it feels like the kids don't understand anything I say but then there is moment when you see the light-bulb go on above their head and you know it is all worth it. It is hard to remember that I am only working with the kids for two weeks and it easy for my dreams for them to overtake reality. I frequently have to tell myself that little steps will help them in the long run, and even if they won't be able to read and write by the end of our time together, they will have positive memories of learning, which will encourage them to continue through school.

A Glance of Dharamsala

12 hours on the train from Delhi to Chaaki Bank

3 hours in the car from Chaaki Bank to Dharamsala

We finally have arrived in Dharamsala...

...the only problem was I was stuck admiring the beautiful mountains from my bed through my hotel window. Another 24 hours later (after moaning and frequent visits to the bathroom) I was ready to venture out and see this lovely Tibetan town-more specifically known as McLeod Ganj.

My first stop: the Kora. This beautiful path circles McLeod's stupa. From the trees hang hundreds of Tibetan pray flags, drawing your attention from the plastic littered ground that seems to be everywhere, up towards the skies and out towards the mountains. Prayer wheels are another important part of this path. Every time these are turn a Buddhist prayer is sent out into the universe for Tibet. The Kora is such a wonderful, calming place but also simultaneously saddening as you see Tibetans of all ages consumed with the idea of being about to return to their homeland.

As I left the Kora I suddenly found myself in the middle of town. Merchants, cafes, cows, and restaurants line the street. But there is a different feeling here than in Delhi. First the obvious smaller population is wonderful. The fresh mountain air fills the streets far more than the pollution and horn of passing cars. But overall there is such a welcoming energy coming from and to everyone. This town is obviously used to tourist, so not feeling 1,000 pairs of eyes glued to your back is a relief.

I've barely been here for very long at all, but already this place feels like home.

Arriving in Delhi

3 hours on the plane from Denver to Newark
12 hours from Newark to New Delhi
I have finally arrived in India.

After years of wonder and curiosity about what is happening on the other side of the world, the opportunity at last is here to have at least a few of my questions answered, and for new questions to arise.

Stepping out of the hotel our first morning in Delhi you can hardly see down the street. The air is so densely packed with a combination of fog, smog, and pollution, it is difficult to take a deep breath. What you can see is an amazing combination of chaos moving every direction. The variety of life here is stunning. Modes of transportation range from rickshaws (bike drawn carriers) to full buses. The people are wearing a variety of outfits each representative to their economic and social class. Many are in over-worn dirty clothes, but every so often you will see a sparkle of a woman wiz by on the back of a motorcycle wearing a brilliantly colored sari.

No matter where the group is, we stand out. Being here has given us all a glimpse of the 'famous life.' Young school boys, families, and teenage girls all ask for a photo with us. We are as strange and interesting to them as they are to us.

Touring the city, the value of religion shines. One of my favorites site we have seen is the Swaminrayan temple located just outside of Delhi. Recently constructed between 2000 and 2005, it is the world's largest Hindu Temple. Checking all electronics and metals at the door is liberating. There is no pressure to accomplish the seemingly impossible tasks of capturing the essence of this enormous place. The beauty of the temple does not only exists on one level but on multiple. First you see the whole structure, as well as the surrounding ponds, landscapes, and structures. As you walk closer you see the intricate, hand carved detail on the outside of the temple which include scenes and stories of elephants from the Hindu religion. Suddenly other senses are turned out as your feet (which are exposed and barefoot) feel the difference between the white and brown marble that make up the entrance into the temple. When you enter, a giant golden statue greets you. People are walking around, admiring the statues and paintings with one another as well as praying to the different gods.

This city is filled with so many interesting and new components it is hard to take it all in. I am excited to see what else this country holds.