Temples and the neighborhood

So today we didn't venture too far, and yet I saw and learned so much! After breakfast and a brief walk around the Girl Scout Center (where we learned about the history of this place), we were accompanied by Maddy (from Venezuela) across the street to the neighboring area. Crossing the street is still difficult, but I'm sure I'll have it down soon. We began by visiting Padma and her mother, who works at the Center. Their house seemed small but did extent a bit out the back. They had a small sitting room, which led to a bedroom, then to the kitchen, the out the back door. All the houses seem to be built with a back and front door which are exactly alligned helping to keep a breeze moving throughout. I was shocked when Padma told us that 11 people lived in this small house. I felt guilty since at times I complain about my small room back home. These small but meaningful ventures make you realize what you have. Padma's mother was so sweet, she welcomed us into her home in a traditional Indian way. We were given yellow turmeric powder and red kum kum powder on our foreheads. We left the house by simply saying "Namaste" which is hello or goodbye, by more meaninfully says "your soul and my soul are one".
After Padma's we travelled to a Hindu temple, that of Ganesh. This is the Hindu god that has the head of an elephant. If you want to hear why, you'll have to ask me when I get back, it's a long story. Anyway, we entered the temple (always with your shoes off and traveling clockwise). We continued on our journey by walking around the neighborhood. You can see my pictures, as this is one of the more affluent neighborhoods. Most of these people are educated with jobs and are considered "middle class". The people are lovely though, allowing us to take their picture and greeting us with a "Namaste".
After a few more visits to more temples, we crossed back over the street to the neighborhood right next to Sangam. I was shocked, I don't even know if this word works here, to find out that in the same acrage that Sangam has (7) there were 10,000people in this area. 10,000 people to 7 acres. IT was unbelieveable. Yet they through parties and celebrations very often (we can hear them from our rooms). We headed back to Sangam after for lunch and I had an interesting experience with an Indian doctor!
To lead into this, the weather/air in India is difficult to explain. Although it's not a humid heat, it's still heavy air, and with the pollution and LOTS of dust I have been finding it harder to breathe than normally. Although I'm not struggling terrible, I thought I'd be more comfortable with some asthma medicine, since it seems to run in the family :-). So the center called in a doctor for me, asking first if it would be ok to pay 400 rp. (This is $8 for one visit). I said this would be ok. The doctor was a male, and it was clear the same procedures aren't done if you had a doctor at home. We sat downstairs in the breezeway on the chairs as he listened to me breathe, asked me some questions, then scribbled down some notes on a 1/2 ripped piece of paper. He handed it to me and said I should go to the chemist across the road. Holly, Muriel, and I walked across the road and I gave the chemist this piece of scrap paper, no joke. He looked at it, scrambled around the store, and within minutes had all the prescriptions infront of him. He asked for 700 rp. $14 for 4 different medicines. I am really starting to see the different now between American and India. I gladly handed over the money to experience some relief, which did come.
We headed back to the Center and after dinner experienced a beautiful welcoming ceremony. It was a mix between traditional girl scouts and traditional Indian welcoming ceremonies. It was absolutely amazing, but something I am going to keep for myself! (Sorry!). Pictures were only taken by a professional photographer, and those are going to Mom and Dad, so if you want to see them you'll have to stop by our house when I get home. The best part, which I can share, is when your Indian host places a garland of flowers around your head and whispers "welcome home" into your ear. It's very personal and helped me feel even more at ease/comfortable than I already do.
Holly and I finished our night talking to the other two girls, Sara and Jemma, about "Uni" life (University life - College life)and about the shopping sprees and outtings we hope to have together. I am truly loving every minute of this experience and I am excited for what's to come.