It's been a crazy past couple of days. I flew from Dharamsala to Delhi on Thursday and had planned to sleep at the CCS (my program) flats Thursday and Friday night and check into a hotel for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday night. I was just going to spend a couple of days seeing the sights in Delhi, take a day trip to see the Taj on Monday, and fly back to Dallas on Tuesday night. Things have changed.
For the past week everyone in Dharamsala has been asking me why I'm not staying for the July 14th opening of the school I've been working on. As it is generally, the answer was lack of funds. Obviously I was dissapointed with not being able to see the school open, but I had come to terms with my reality. On Friday I was talking to the in-country director of my program and she asked me again why I wasn't staying and I told her again that I just could not afford it. And then she did the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. She offered to pay for me to stay. She and her brother who is the head honcho of the Dharamsala program are going to pay out of pocket for my transportation to and from Dharamsala and for my lodging and meals while I'm there. The only expense to me was the cost of changing my ticket back to the States, a not so staggering $100.
So, where that leaves me now is still in Delhi. I'm going to sleep in my un-air conditioned box of a room for the next four nights, take the rain to see the Taj on Monday, and take an over night bus to Dharamsala Wednesday night and be there by Thursday. Never before have things worked out this well for me before and in the wise words of The Rolling Stones, "Ain't felt this good since I don't know when, I might not feel this good again."
Thus far in my time in Delhi I've sweated, taken many an auto rickshaw, gone to the Ghandi museum, celebrated 4th of July with samosas, veggie burgers, and lychee flavored ice cream, and finalized all of the changes for the next couple of weeks. I'm sure I'll actually see some pretty cool stuff in the next couple of days, it's just taken some time to get into a groove. Being solo is actually really nice and inshallah my good luck won't run out before I'm back in the mountains!
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2 comments:
Rach,
I know how much this means to you and am glad that it will work out for you to be at the grand opening of the school. However, as your Dad I am anxious for you to get home to spend some time with us before you go back to school, which will happen in a blink of an eye. Be safe in your travels and keep in touch as often as you can so we won't worry about you too much.
I love you very much and can't wait to see you next week!
Dad
Gagooli,
Where are yu now baby? Miss ya very much. I cant believe that we could not get tog when you were in Dallas. Send me your phone number at qualityarif@aol.com
Arif
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