Jan 9 - Welcome from the Students

We had the usual difficulties obtaining transportation today (at 10:30). After 20 min of waiting, we finally got paired with an Uber driver. At NG, we met the full team for the first time today at 12. After they introduced and oriented us, the team proceeded with the normal agenda. They seemed to really care about the students, discussing how to help particular students who were struggling. There are only a few teachers, but they are happy to give individual attention to a few of the ~150 students in the entire school.

Then we had lunch with the team and students. There was aloo gobi, dhal, rice, and roti. I’m learning to eat with my hands, eg to use the roti to wrap the aloo gobi and to mix the dhal with the rice to help it stick together. I’ve also developed a strategy to handle the spice better by starting with the spiciest food first and ending with white rice. This helps tame the heat at the end. In the US, drinking water sometimes made the heat better but here water really does make it worst.

After lunch, we brainstormed about the leadership modules for a few hours.

At 5, the students welcomed us with a very nice celebration. When we walked into the room, the students clapped loudly and stood up as we walked by like orchestra members standing up for the conductor. It felt like we were walking up on stage, especially since we sat up front facing. Awkwardly, the students didn’t sit until we sat first (but we didn’t realize and were standing for a bit). When we introduced ourselves, it was interesting to see how the students echoed us exactly – if we said hi, they would say hi; we said hello, they hello; we good evening, they good evening. Then the floor was open for questions to us. One student asked us to sing a song and after some deliberation we decided that all the students should sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star with us. Since I hadn’t sung it in a really long time, I forgot some of the words in the middle oops. Also, the students apparently have a continuation of the song that is not song in the us (repeating after the return of the theme ie ABAB instead of ABA). Singing made everyone happy and helped to lighten the mood. Then we answered some riddles and played some games. In their version, the chairs are spaced out from each other instead of touching each other and you can’t go backwards to sit down in a chair. It felt like I was on a stage, but that feeling lessened over time and we still had lots of fun. At the end, they presented us cards and gave very sweet speeches. They told us they believe in us (aww so sweet), can help with anything, and look forward to our interactions. 

We had to usual difficulties getting back to the Airbnb. Once we got back (at 7), we ordered groceries and had dinner prepared by the Airbnb host. Funnily enough, it was the same dishes as lunch (aloo gobi, dal, rice, bread) though it was better prepared – more flavorful and not too spicy, so I could eat as much as I wanted. It was the first meal I thoroughly enjoyed since getting here, considering jet lag, the stress, and poor access to food (since you can’t really walk anywhere). 

Food summary: Yay not spicy!

• Aloo gobi – cauliflower + potato. Not overcooked, still some bite. 
• Toor dal – yellow split peas. Saucey soupy situation, good to mix with rice!
• Rice – mixed with ghee and cumin seeds which added a slight fragrance.
• Roti – flat bread. Nice and warm and soft.
• Aam ka aachar – pickled green mango with spices. Has some funk (fermenty) to it, like olives but saltier and more funk, or like dried Chinese plums but less sour and not dried

Then we started planning for the Mumbai trip by calling some of Vidya’s relatives.