Mustang in India
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Taj Mahal (7/14/12)
How many pictures have you seen of the
“Taj” (as people here call it)? Sometimes disappointment creeps in after a
build up of anticipation…is it really going to be that big, majestic, and
beautiful? The answer for me was ABSOLUTELY! The shear size of palace with the inlaid
semi-precious stones in the white gargantuan marble was breath taking. What did
surprise me was the lack of foreigners. I saw a few Europeans, but no
Americans. Several Indian tourists asked my colleagues and me if we would pose
in a picture with them. It was an unexpected surprise to witness the Indians in
as much awe with us and we were with them. I suppose curiosity is universal.
Young and handsome engineering students even asked me for a photo! |
What an honor to pose for a picture with these beautiful women and children! |
Camels, Monkeys and Internet Cafes
Hmmm, shouldI take a camel or auto-rickshaw to work? |
I would love to do a study on the modes
of transportation in India. I’m sitting in an air-conditioned private bus and
along side me is an ox pulling a wooden cart with passengers. Just a few
minutes ago I saw a camel, which was along side several motorcycles, a very
crowed bus, and a car. It seems that any thing that moves is a viable mode of
transportation on the highway! The horn is a must, when passing or trying to
pass all motorized drivers use their horn. I have only traveled by motorized
rickshaw, car, and private bus. Sigh… I feel I’m missing out on the funJ
School Visits in Pune 7/5-7/12
You can tell I’ve been extremely busy
by the lack of postings on my blog! Days at my host school started around 7:30
a.m. or earlier and end about midnight. My host teacher is determined to show
me everything she possibly can in the 7 days I am with her in Pune. Since I cam
paired with a science teacher from NC, we are seeing many high school science
and English classes as well as making school visits to pre-schools, public
schools (called government schools here), non-aided private schools (they don’t
receive any gov’t funds), aided private schools (they receive some gov’t
funds), slum schools, schools teaching only in English and schools teaching in
the state language of Mathari. In general, the classrooms are much smaller than
American classrooms, have no air-conditioning, whiteboards or computers.
Needless to say, the physical conditions are challenging and I haven’t even
mentioned the 60 students sitting side by side in close rows! The students are quite adept at dealing with
the heat, close quarters and noise level. I find it very difficult to hear what
the teachers are saying and to hear the students’ questions because of the
background racket. The constant sound of students in a nearby class reciting material
out loud, children at recess, and car horns honking were extremely distracting
for me. I asked a teacher if that was an issue for the students and she said,
“No, the children are use to it.” Guess I will get use to it too.
A kindergarten class in a private school. |
Students in my host teacher's science classroom. |
I wonder how the students take tests without noticing their close neighbor's answers! |
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Traditional Welcome Day 5 (7/6/12)
This dance in only preformed by females. |
What an aerobic event!
No Freedom Day 4 (7/5/12)
Riding to the airport this morning I
had a lengthy conversation with the taxi driver who by the way, he taught
himself English. After some chit chat, he said, “Women in India have no freedom
(or no rights).” [Sorry can’t remember which.] The driver went on to say his
sister’s marriage was going to be arranged, I’m guessing soon, since she was 25
years old. His family would have to pay for the wedding, clothes for his
sister, clothes for the groom, and a dowry of approximately $5,000. Next she
would move into her husband’s house whereby it would be up to him if she could
work outside the house or not. Good grief, this sounds just like the nonfiction
book May You Be the Mother of a Hundred
Sons, by Elisabeth Bumiller. The author collected data from interviews she
conducted with women in India in the mid-80’s. The driver went on to say dowry
is an Indian’s biggest problem.
The kitchen table seems to be a common work place worldwide:) |
Friday, July 6, 2012
School Visits Day 3 (7/4/12)
Dinner at a tandoor restaurant.
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