So as I sit here in DC waiting for my new earlier flight I contemplate this amazing journey I have experienced these past five weeks. I know I have grown as a teacher and a student and discovered more about myself. I will miss my comrades, especially my other two Musketeers Alexis and Sarah. We all parted ways to various destinations in the past five hours, but the memories and experiences I will take with me forever.
I know I have become a better teacher and learned so much as a teacher in India. I will miss all my students and colleagues at Loreto. My mentor teacher Debatri taught me many things and I am grateful for her assistance and time. I was sad to hear her grandfather passed away the morning I left Kolkata. She is very close to all her family and is such a warm and welcoming lady. I am sad that our awesome partnership ended on such a sad note.
As I am traveling these past two days, I miss the sights and sounds of India. However, I will be very glad to get home to the kids and Bueno. It will be nice to just rest a few days and not have to be anywhere. I will have a few more posts to finish out this part of my blog in a day or so.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
03 August 2013
Final Hours
20 July 2013
Impressions of Delhi
(From the pages of my moleskin journal)
We left around 5:30 AM for a quick trip in two taxis to the airport for our 3 day adventure to Delhi and Agra to see the sites of central India. The airline was Spice Jet and I even managed to snag a whole row with a window to watch the skies.
Delhi is very green with offset areas free of development (a nice change from Kolkata). From the plane you can see the slum areas intermingled with some ritzy areas. From the airport in Delhi we boarded the Tourist bus and we were off to see some of the sites in Delhi. The museum had some incredible pieces of art and sculpture. The intricate detail and sheer volume of history was almost overwhelming at times as I was walking through the museum. I was impressed with the progression of the art and its relationship with the historical events in the many states of India.
A brief stop to visit the last home of Gandhi was enlightening. Very different impression than the visit to Tagore's homes last weekend. Despite the fact that Gandhi came from a similar background, I do not get the elitist feel and impressions I had from Tagore. Gandhi appears to have been much more in touch with the people and welcoming to the experiences of everyone. Tagore had a vision with Nature as a key to education and life, whereas Gandhi had a vision of education to better the status of all, including women and the poorer castes.
The local tomb in Delhi is quite a fascinating mausoleum with 150 tombs and very beautiful decorations worked into the very design. It took 18 years to complete with most of the materials hauled by elephants and laborers by hand. The size is incredible, but I was most intrigued by the gravity flow channel system that feeds the various ponds and gardens within the grounds. Extremely impressive since the channels have a very slight grade that allows a gentle flow of water through the system.
Of course, as a final note, the US Embassy is the largest one in India and is extremely visible from the road. Just thought that an interesting side note.
Addendum from the drive to Agra:
The falcons sitting on top and flying around of the mausoleum in Delhi were pretty spectacular with the occasional green parrot making an appearance.
Angry birds are all the rage in India apparently, from the women selling balloons on the roads at stoplights and stop signs, to the the squawking and squeaking angry bird puppets of the sidewalk market vendors.
Driving from Delhi to Agra is about 4 hours and 200 km or so from Delhi. Along the expressway are quite a few runners in training and hanging out on the side of the road. Some of them are really booking along.
Saw grass huts in the midst of fields of sugarcane as well as huddled up to the sides of large compounds.
This is really the first area in India that I have really seen the caste system in full force and very visible.
Traveling on an amazingly modern toll road expressway through very agricultural areas. Grass huts, walled compounds, and brick kilns are very much in evidence.
(Pictures to follow when I get back to Kolkata)
We left around 5:30 AM for a quick trip in two taxis to the airport for our 3 day adventure to Delhi and Agra to see the sites of central India. The airline was Spice Jet and I even managed to snag a whole row with a window to watch the skies.
Delhi is very green with offset areas free of development (a nice change from Kolkata). From the plane you can see the slum areas intermingled with some ritzy areas. From the airport in Delhi we boarded the Tourist bus and we were off to see some of the sites in Delhi. The museum had some incredible pieces of art and sculpture. The intricate detail and sheer volume of history was almost overwhelming at times as I was walking through the museum. I was impressed with the progression of the art and its relationship with the historical events in the many states of India.
A brief stop to visit the last home of Gandhi was enlightening. Very different impression than the visit to Tagore's homes last weekend. Despite the fact that Gandhi came from a similar background, I do not get the elitist feel and impressions I had from Tagore. Gandhi appears to have been much more in touch with the people and welcoming to the experiences of everyone. Tagore had a vision with Nature as a key to education and life, whereas Gandhi had a vision of education to better the status of all, including women and the poorer castes.
The local tomb in Delhi is quite a fascinating mausoleum with 150 tombs and very beautiful decorations worked into the very design. It took 18 years to complete with most of the materials hauled by elephants and laborers by hand. The size is incredible, but I was most intrigued by the gravity flow channel system that feeds the various ponds and gardens within the grounds. Extremely impressive since the channels have a very slight grade that allows a gentle flow of water through the system.
Of course, as a final note, the US Embassy is the largest one in India and is extremely visible from the road. Just thought that an interesting side note.
Addendum from the drive to Agra:
The falcons sitting on top and flying around of the mausoleum in Delhi were pretty spectacular with the occasional green parrot making an appearance.
Angry birds are all the rage in India apparently, from the women selling balloons on the roads at stoplights and stop signs, to the the squawking and squeaking angry bird puppets of the sidewalk market vendors.
Driving from Delhi to Agra is about 4 hours and 200 km or so from Delhi. Along the expressway are quite a few runners in training and hanging out on the side of the road. Some of them are really booking along.
Saw grass huts in the midst of fields of sugarcane as well as huddled up to the sides of large compounds.
This is really the first area in India that I have really seen the caste system in full force and very visible.
Traveling on an amazingly modern toll road expressway through very agricultural areas. Grass huts, walled compounds, and brick kilns are very much in evidence.
(Pictures to follow when I get back to Kolkata)
14 July 2013
Off to Shantiniketan - with a few Pictures
(As taken from the pages of my journal written on the train)
So, arrival at the train station early around 5:10 AM was like arriving in the midst of a Kipling novel. The names on the timetable boards are right out of the stories I read when I was younger. The booking station is very British colonial still today with long queues waiting to purchase fares.
Walking to the platform I see children who live in the station sleeping, the vendors sleeping beside or on top of their wares. On a crowded platform, a woman ask for change moving through the press of bodies with a tin cup. Even now, it is humid.
When our train eases into the platform, the crowd surges to the general boarding doors, banding on them to open to secure a seat for their trip. We have seats in the AC car, so not quite the frantic rush to board since the seats are reserved. The trains are electric and move pretty quick through the suburbs and then then the countryside. Very lush, wet, and green right now outside the window.
Pulling into another station, more people press on board the train cars. Vendors hawk newspapers, coffee, tea, chips, and various items for consumption and sampling.
Villages out the window are comprised of dirt roads, houses of bamboo poles, canvas sack walls, and concrete. Women gather water from wells while children are playing in the streets even this early in the morning. Just so happens the sun rises around 4:30 here, so early start if you get up with the sun. Sometimes, there is no platform and people wait on the side of the track to jump on the train or sell fruit to those on board through the windows.
On one platform I saw this sign:
The 4 Ways Test of the the things we think, say, or do:
1. IS it the TRUTH?
2. IS it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Interesting philosophy and some food for thought. Perhaps my class rules next year?
So, arrival at the train station early around 5:10 AM was like arriving in the midst of a Kipling novel. The names on the timetable boards are right out of the stories I read when I was younger. The booking station is very British colonial still today with long queues waiting to purchase fares.
Walking to the platform I see children who live in the station sleeping, the vendors sleeping beside or on top of their wares. On a crowded platform, a woman ask for change moving through the press of bodies with a tin cup. Even now, it is humid.
When our train eases into the platform, the crowd surges to the general boarding doors, banding on them to open to secure a seat for their trip. We have seats in the AC car, so not quite the frantic rush to board since the seats are reserved. The trains are electric and move pretty quick through the suburbs and then then the countryside. Very lush, wet, and green right now outside the window.
Pulling into another station, more people press on board the train cars. Vendors hawk newspapers, coffee, tea, chips, and various items for consumption and sampling.
Villages out the window are comprised of dirt roads, houses of bamboo poles, canvas sack walls, and concrete. Women gather water from wells while children are playing in the streets even this early in the morning. Just so happens the sun rises around 4:30 here, so early start if you get up with the sun. Sometimes, there is no platform and people wait on the side of the track to jump on the train or sell fruit to those on board through the windows.
On one platform I saw this sign:
The 4 Ways Test of the the things we think, say, or do:
1. IS it the TRUTH?
2. IS it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Interesting philosophy and some food for thought. Perhaps my class rules next year?
 |
| Our university student tour guide |
21 June 2013
Less than 1 Week
So, I have less than one week before I begin my adventures in India. I am very excited about working with fellow teachers and sharing ideas and strategies as well as stories. As I count down to departure time, I realize I am going to miss spending the summer with friends and family, but I know it is going to be worth it to have the experience of a lifetime.
Packing List so far (let me know if you think I forgot anything):
Packing List so far (let me know if you think I forgot anything):
- Yearbook
- Photobook
- 5 t-shirts
- 2 shorts
- 5 boxers
- 5 ties
- 2 slacks (linen)
- 1 pair of jeans
- dinner jacket
- 5 socks
- School supply gifts
- Biology books/supplies
- loafer shoes
- 3 white short sleeve button shirts
- postcards
- visa
- passport
- chalk
- a few items to pass out as souvenirs
- camera and lenses
- laptop
I figure I can get a lightweight jacket and an umbrella when I get there (or maybe find one cheap at the thrift store this weekend). I think I have one somewhere, but finding it may be another matter.
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