Winding Down... :-(

Can you believe it...I've been here almost 3 whole months. It feels like yesterday I was walking out of the airport in Mumbai and thinking, "wow, I am in India". Now I can't imagine going back..

The past week and more has really just been a lot of bringing things to a close. Work has been a little bitter-sweet. The kids started to realize I was leaving and each day they would say, "Dee dee, No America, No America Dee Dee". It was so cute and that's what will make it hard to leave. The last few days of work I did some review with the kids then had them make a pinata. I am going to take it into work on Thursday (which is my last day in the Creche). Friday was my last full day in the Creche so the teachers threw me a little party. During lunchtime they each brought out something that they had made. One woman was in charge of the rice and had cooked a lot of wonderfully flavored rice. Another woman did chappattis, while one teacher made the most delicious chicken curry I had ever had. (Unfortunately I had to break my lenten fast, but I figured this was acceptable). It was such a delicious meal and they even had sweets for dessert. I had to take it all in and it was hard to realize this was the last time I would eat lunch with these women, on the floor, in India. It was a really nice day at work, one I will never forget.

We had our last Hindi lesson this week as well and afterwards met with some of the Sangam staff to do some closing things and evaluations. This coming week we will have an official closing and dinner/bowling night. This weekend was pretty fun. Holly and I went out Friday night to a cafe just to hang out and listen to some music. We met some friends that we know from here, but they had to leave early. So, as Holly and I just sat chatting (taking up a very large seating area meant for more people) 3 guys approached trying to explain there were no more seats and would we mind if they joined us. Holly and I looked at each other and figured it was ok, and it turned out to be such a cool night. The guys were from Iran, they came to India to study and also to learn English. Their English definitely wasn't that great, but they were trying and Holly and I had a blast listening to the expressions that they got wrong or were slightly off but hilarious. The part that I found the most interesting though was listening to them speak about their country and their experience. One of the guys explained that they can't "be free" in Iran, and he said that he has been more relaxed in Pune for 2 weeks than he was his country for his whole life. They explained that their country is beautiful and breathtaking, but it's just difficult to live there. As we left he said "I hope I change your idea of Iran and people of Iran". Another thing I love about being abroad; meeting people from all different backgrounds and changing your perceptions. I had a whole new idea of the country and learned a lot that I hadn't known before.

So now it's Sunday and Holly and I are being lazy bums. Next week, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday the kids from our creche's are coming to Sangam. Each creche will come for one of the days with 30 kids. My day is Wednesday! So we won't be going into creche those three days. But Thursday will be our last actual day in the creche. I'm just going to play games with the kids, bring the pinata, and I bought them icecream as well which will be delievered at lunch. We have a half day, so Holly and I are going to pack up for GOA! We are leaving for Goa, THE beach city in India,on Thursday and staying there until Tuesday. So, you won't be hearing much from me after this! When I get back from Goa on Tuesday I have 3 days in Pune to tie up any loose ends and say goodbye to my second home, then I leave for Jersey on Friday. So,
maybe you'll hear from me once more, but for now I am going to get ready for my vacation - I'm just bringing sunscreen, a towel, my bathing suit, and my i-pod. It will be a nice ending to an amazing life experience...

I'll catch some rays for you.


~Namaste