Busy Busy in Baroda

We would like to apologize for not posting sooner, but our schedule has been packed with activities!!!! We also did not have easy access to the internet. We toured, toured, toured - met students and saw the jungles of India in the mountains. Since our last post we have done all of this -

We took a tour of the archeological survey of the local area. We saw the "8th Minaret" which is the last remaining calling tower to a Mosque that no longer exists. We found a step well - which most of us climbed down to find tiny crabs and teeny frogs! We trekked through the jungle to find the "Seven Story Palace" placed in the side of the mountain. It was so beautiful with waterfalls, and glorious views of the surrounding mountains. We have seen many monkeys too!!!! Within the Palace was the Treasury where the gold and jewels were kept. Sadly, there were no jewels left by the previous owners :(

We toured Nalanda International School - a huge campus of 4 schools - Pre K, Elementary, Junior High, and High School. The high school just opened to welcome students this year. Some US schools could learn a lot from education in India.

We toured the Prince Ashok Raje Gaekwad School - as school started on the Palace grounds after the Prince passed away. The Princess made it her mission to bring top standing education to all children, regardless of economic standing. We were honored with a tour of the school, tea with the Princess and a traditional fire dance by the students.

Many of the students toured the Maharaja Sayajirao University (M.S. University) Lab school, which we were suprised to see that it is much like the lab school at Miller Child Care Center on Purdue Campus.

After more than 10 days of Indian food the M.S. University students showed us the way to the mall food court - MMMMM McDonalds, Dominos, Papa Johns and Baskin Robins. We have all agreed, though, that the best food experience we have had was the Barbecue Nation--a never-ending supply of kabobs of prawns, chicken, mushrooms, potatoes, vegetables as starters, then a full buffet, dessert, and a complimentary mocktail for all. We miss the Barbecue Nation, but we will be seeking it out in Chennai.
Friday we wrapped up our visit to Baroda with a large dinner with students and staff of M.S. University while enjoying a traditional Gujarati meal - we got to eat with our fingers!! Most of us were decked out in our Indian clothes to honor our friends.

We are now in Ahmedabad relaxing, watching Hindi/Gujarati T.V. We did get to visit Ghandi's home and Ashram. We are leaving for Chennai Monday afternoon and our schedule will have a few tours, shopping, and the conference to wrap up our visit in India. Home in less than a week.

(Halim, Lauren, and Kara)

First Days in Baroda

July 22- We packed up to get ready for the overnight train ride to Baroda. The train station was a little chaotic. Once we got settled in the train almost everyone seemed ready for some rest.

July 23- We arrived in Baroda and checked into the Maharaja Sajajiro University of Baroda guest house. After lunch, some of us freshened up or took a nap before going to the university's Department of Human Development and Family Studies. There we learned some similarities to our own department back at Purdue. We were also able to take a tour of the department. After meeting some of the fauculty and students at the school we left and went back to the guest house and the girls decided to go to the 7 Seas Mall. There most of us enjoyed a meal from McDonalds and some of us had Chinese food. After getting ice cream, we went back to the guest house for the night.
July 24- In the morning we had breakfast at the guest house and then had our course meetings. A few of us needed some rest while the rest of the group went to Dominos Pizza for lunch, and went to an internet cafe to check emails and facebook. Then everyone met back at the guest house to go through a garden located across from the guest house. In the garden, we were able to see lots of monkeys and a variety of plants. We ended our walk at Bal Bhavan, which is an activity center for children ages 5-16. At Bal Bhavan, children are able to participate in a variety of activities such as dance, karate, and art.
After touring Bal Bhavan, we were split up into two groups. Each group visited the homes of a student from M.S. University. One group enjoyed a traditional Gujarati dinner. We sat on the floor to eat and also used our hands instead of silverware. The other group ate in a more Westernized dining style, where we sat in the family room in chairs around a few small tables and enjoyed an Indian meal. We also took a tour of their house and took pictures with one another.

Our Last Days in Delhi

Wednesday and Thursday of this week were spent with students from Lady Shri Ram College for Women. Wednesday afternoon we learned about family life education, family therapy, and clinical psychology in the context of family. Both Judy and Volker presented as well as one of the professors from Lady Shri Ram College. While presenting information about family life education, Judy explained how it was different from family therapy. Volker and the other professor both integrated case studies into their presentations to involve the students and apply the content to real life situations. We got to experience eating lunch in their cafeteria while getting to know some of the other girls who study psychology.

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Wednesday night we were split into 4 groups and matched with one student. We were all picked up from our hotel and were transported to their respective homes. All 4 groups had very unique experiences and got a glimpse of Indian family life. While some groups had very traditional Indian dinners, others were served a mix of American food, Italian food, Chinese food, or no dinner at all. :) Many of us had the opportunity to ask the parents interview questions for CDFS 441.

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Thursday morning we had to be packed up and ready by 9:00 as we are leaving for Baroda tonight via train. Thankfully the hotel was gracious enough to let us store our belongings for the day while we were at the college.

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At the college we heard from another professor about family structure in India. We spent a lot of time discussing the differences between Indian and American cultures. Topics ranged from gender roles and expectations to sexuality, education, the marriage process, and more. We then ate lunch in the classroom while watching an Indian film titled "Monsoon Wedding". We had a short discussion after the film and then bid our new friends farewell. Our time at the college was an enjoyable, new experience and the people were very welcoming and hospitable.

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The rest of the day was spent relaxing in the hotel or doing some last minute roaming around New Delhi. Highlights included visiting another temple and the local Pizza Hut (out of respect for our stomachs). :) We enjoyed our stay in Delhi and are looking forward to our time in Baroda!

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(Posted by Christen and Kathleen)

By the way, it's MONSOON season

July 20 - We were allowed to sleep in longer this morning, meeting at 8:30 for breakfast. At around 9 in the morning we boarded a bus again for a day long tour of Delhi (the old, new, and British parts). Our first stop, as directed by our new tour guide for the day, was an Islamic Mosque placed in the heart of Old Delhi. After walking up the tower of steps, most of us had to dawn ourselves with very colorful cloaks and remove our shoes in respect to the religion. We also had to pay 200 rupees to bring our cameras inside.

After the mosque, we headed back down the tower of steps into our awaiting rickshaws. It was drizzling a bit as we began our journey, but no one was prepared for what happened next. As we were winding our way through the streets of Old Delhi it began to down pour! A real live Indian monsoon was raining on our parade, literally. With laughs from locals, we continued our trip grinning and baring the weather upon us. Even though the rain was extreme, we all agreed it was one even we will all never forget.

So after our shortened 30 minute stroll through the streets, we again returned to our bus defeated and soaking wet (this time not by sweat). The second stop was the Tomb of Humayun, a precursor to the Taj Mahal. This tomb was built by a wife for her husband rather than like the Taj Mahal, a husband for his wife. Because of this, the tomb was built to appear more masculine meaning they used much more red sandstone. The ironic thing about the building is the steep climbing stairs that lead up to the tomb of Humayun because his cause of death was an "accidental" trip down the stairs of his own home.

Lunch came next at one of the best places we have eaten so far. For some of us, the tummies were a little sensitive, but other than that the food was flavorful and unique.

The next stop on our tour was a memorial for the Indian legend, Mahatma Gandhi. We walked through the house that Gandhi spent his last 144 days of his life and the place he lived whenever he returned back to Delhi. The family who owned the mansion after Gandhi's assassination turned their home into his memorial which is unusual for the followers of Hindu. We got to venture through the garden that he walked through daily to go to his prayer spot. There in the garden was a memorial of the place he was shot and killed on January 30, 1948. One thing was to be said, the whole place was simple and serene just like the life that Mahatma (meaning Great Soul) Gandhi lived.

With dryer clothes we proceeded to our next to last stop which was at the Hindu temple complex located closer to the British part of Delhi. The temple, as stated by our tour guide, is the most popular Hindu temple in all of Delhi. Our last stop was for more shopping and perusing. Then it was back on the bus feeling less defeated than before, but still laughing about our rain conquests of the day.

Leaving on a positive note, today was at least 15 degrees cooler than it has been our whole time here in India thanks to the monsoon!

(Posted by Kim and Brean)

Our Travels to the Taj Mahal

July 18- Our day began with a 5 am wake up call. We sat together, half asleep, and enjoyed a breakfast before boarding the bus at 7am that would be taking us to the famous Indian monument. We had the pleasure of having a very insightful tour guide, Paktaj. He introduced us to Indian culture as we traveled the roads that lead to Agra, the city that houses the Taj Mahal. He opened our minds to the ways of caste systems, family values, as well as religion, and language. Paktaj gave us advice such as avoiding eye contact to divert beggars and hawkers. Once we got off of the bus, that advice was put to the test as we were swarmed with men trying to get us to purchase anything from post cards to "marble" elephants. After shooing them away, we boarded horse carriages and traveled less than a kilometer to the gates. Police barricades block the roads that lead up to the entrance to avoid any pollution to the sacred monument.

After an eventful morning, we finally arrived at one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. I don't think anyone was ready for the sight that met us on the other sight of the gates. There stood the Taj Mahal crafted from the finest white marble and 5 other precious and semi precious stones. Some students chose to have their pictures taking by a "professional" photographer to the tune of 2 u.s. dollars (100 rupees). We then journeyed on to get closer to the massive marble tomb. The girls were sure to get plenty of stares from the local Indian citizens and some were even asked to join in pictures. Before entering the Taj Mahal, we were asked to turn off our cameras off as well as to wear shoe protectors to ensure the beauty of the building is preserved. We fought against the heat as long as we could so that we could truly experience the fine detail and beauty of the Taj Mahal before boarding our bus once again.

After starting the long trip back to our hotel, The Legend Inn, we stopped at a restaurant to have a late lunch/early dinner together. We had a family style meal that allowed us to try an array of Indian dishes including a cottage cheese desert (which most of the group despised).

With our belly's full, we made one last stop to tour a facility with artists like the ones that created the Taj Mahal. They showed us the precision and endurance that goes into making such fine and detailed marble pieces. We were greeted with tea from the owners before we got the opportunity to shop through their hand crafted pieces. Some of the students found treasures to take home to the states. After our many stops, we welcomes ourselves back onto the air conditioned buses were almost everyone fell asleep. After 5 more hours, we arrived at the hotel and called it a night. :)


(Posted by Kaitlin and Casey)

We have arrived!

July 15-16 was a travel time for most of us. Seven people left West Lafayette together in three cars to drive to Chicago (through a thunderstorm at the beginning), one left at 4 in the morning and took three flights before she joined us in Chicago, and two others drove with family to Chicago. Unfortunately, one other was going to fly from Indianapolis to Chicago, but thunderstorms resulted in a cancelled flight. She couldn't be rescheduled until the next day, so she is being picked up at the airport at this moment. Three others flew out of Newark on the 15th and met us in Delhi, and the last person left South Korea, flew through Japan, and also met us in Delhi. I think the most common movies viewed on the flight were The Timetraveler's Wife and How to Train Your Dragon. Some people slept well during the flight and others had a harder time.

The travel agency patiently waited for all of us (except for Kathleen who was delayed) to go through immigration and customs and to get our luggage, and they they took us by air-conditioned coach to the hotel--after putting garlands of marigolds around each of our necks. In the bus, they gave us water (not very cold, but still very welcome!) and refreshing wipes. When we arrived at the hotel, the staff greeted each of us by putting a red and yellow mark on our foreheads and gave us more to drink. They gave us our room assignments, and we were happy to sleep--although some could not do so until 3 or 4 in the morning.

This morning a number of us were awake much earlier than usual. Breakfast was provided by the hotel--corn flakes, milk (cold, thank goodness), fruit, guava nectar in a juice box, fresh papaya, coffee, and toast. We did some orientation, and then we went out to town. Most of the trip was for shopping in a store called Fabindia. Everyone got at least something. We have some beautiful, colorful clothing now! We also got set up with 2 Indian phones. Let us know if you would like to have our numbers. In midafternoon we walked to a restaurant were we ordered a variety of things (often without being entirely sure what we would get) and decided we liked everything! But what is not to like in a restaurant called Relax Restaurant?

A little while ago we had a group meeting to get better acquainted and to share some of our reactions so far. A major purpose of the meeting was just to keep everyone awake--something that was moderately successful. :)

During the meeting, we asked for their reactions to the first day. Here are some of their thoughts:

It's hot.
We're tired.
Shopping was fun. We like the things we bought. ("My pants fit well.") It was chaotic in the store. It could be intimidating, not knowing what you are looking at or for. When an Indian person would come up (and often walk in front of us), we would just watch and see what they were doing.
The "trial room" (fitting room) was a fun experience. Many were in line at once, and we would all comment on each person's choice and provide feedback and suggestions.
We have learned that Indian's don't like up. They push ahead to get where they are going.
Traffice has been very interesting. We took auto rickshaws (or "three-wheelers) to go shopping. Some of the group have been very comfortable with the traffic and say that they can see that people clearly know what they are doing, while others thought they were going to die at times. Some of the drivers seem to have been very aggressive and never seem to use the brakes. But they seem to be very good and accurate when driving. Wehave realized that drivers beep their horns constantly, and it seems to be a good thing. One of us that she thought drivers in New York used horns a lot, but they are nowhere close to India's horn use.
One group got in a rickshaw with a person who clearly didn't know where the hotel was and must have asked 6 or 8 people for directions before finally arriving at the destination. It was fun to watch one person point one direction and another person a half block away point in the opposite direction. But some of us thought rickshaws seem to be fun to drive.
There are a lot of motorcycles, and it is amazing how many people are on them, like a father with one child in front and two behind.
Dinner was good. Some people thought it was spicy. Some people thought almost all the items looked the same. We talked about how many dishes had the same sauce, just with different vegetables or chicken. The spices seemed to be very similar.

So tomorrow is our day trip to the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. Maybe we will add some photos the next time we post something here!

(Posted by Judy based on contributions by all)

Children and Families in India SA 2010: Getting started

Travel--
On Thursday, July 15, we will begin in West Lafayette, Indianapolis, Colorado, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and South Korea, and we will all plan to meet on July 16 in New Delhi, where we will be picked up and transported to The Legend Inn. You can check out our first hotel at www.thelegendinn.com/delhi/index.html. We will post our own photos after we arrive.

Getting started

Here it is--a blog for our trip! Share the URL with friends and family. We will add stories, updates, photos, and reports while we spend our time together in India from July 15 to August 8 and beyond. It certainly beats postcards! Add anything you want to post before we leave, too. It's almost time!

Judy