Feb. 10th, 2010

Today was the first day of lecture. I rode a rickshaw by myself this morning which wasn’t too bad (I now consider myself a pro.) we had Hindi in the morning and then a lecture on “Rasa” afterwards. Lunch was incredible as usual, except I don’t know what the fuck I’m eating most of the time.
After lunch I went to my Mudabai painting class with four other of the girls on my program. It was so nice to just sit down, relax, and draw. The woman’s house was absolutely incredible, not to mention the woman herself! She painted on all of her walls and her house was full of color, everywhere you looked. She had a bunch of girls from small rural villages painting their own paintings upstairs. Apparently she gives free lessons to anyone who wants to learn how to paint in this specific style. She’s really an incredible woman and a talented painter as well. I hope I’m like her when I’m older.
Sunita-ji (my home stay mom) taught us how to make chapatti today at dinner. It was nice spending time with her and actually doing something. I think she’s warming up to me and Ayshea. Baby steps…
Lots of cows on the road today. Oh, and two camels!
I hear kids playing outside right now, its 11:00 at night! I’ve realized that America is so over-protective with children. Today I saw a couple on a motorcycle riding with their toddler on their lap, no seat-belt or helmet. Kids don’t go to bed at 7 or 8; they go to bed at 11 or 12. They are so independent. I see little kids walking to school by themselves crossing the most dangerous traffic in the world like it’s a field of daisies. The homeless children are especially independent. They walk around crowded markets or in-between cars rushing by on the road carrying new born babies or hauling around trash bags ten times their size. They are forced to become so old so early in life. I wish I could just scoop all of them up, put them in my pocket, and give them a warm meal and a roof to live under. A whole different world where they wouldn’t have to be sick or addicted to paint thinner. I really wish there was something I could do.
I guess just opening my eyes is a step in the right direction.