Planes, Trains, Automobiles...and a Camel?

India--Day 2.

Malaria Tablets: 3
Showers: 4
Bottles of Water: 5
Diet Pepsi: 1, and it was awesome.
Stomach: Healthy

So, I've arrived! And showered! And remembered my Malaria pills which I consider above and beyond! India is....well, I can't even find the words. The roads are a great example--there are no lanes. Well, sometimes there are but no one recognizes them. It's every walker (these people COURT death), biker, car driver, "auto" driver (three wheeled flimsy taxis that look a little bit like an old fashioned carriage from behind) and camel for himself. Yes, I said camel. And I'm sad that I don't have a picture to back it up. B/c it was truly awesome.

Sridhar and his family have been great. Staying with someone you have never met before is always awkward, but staying with someone from an entirely different culture and language who you've never met before really ups the "UN-comfortable" factor. But Sridhar and Chitra (his wife) have been very welcoming to their jet-lagged and clumsy american. After I asked how to hail an auto with an obvious glint of terror in my eye, Sridhar assured me that I would never go anywhere alone or unaccompanied. He's got a team of people working logistics for me, and I'm happy to take advantage of their kindness in this situation.

So, so far mostly good. After I napped yesterday I went to a session design meeting for the AI Youth Leadership Summit happening this weekend. It was so fun to help the Renga Foundation prepare for this summit--they are working with underprivileged youth and this summit marks the end of a 3 module camp. They are trying to teach the next generation some key skills (communication, leadership, values etc) and it is really wonderful work. The session kicks off tomorrow, and I'm to help facilitate/wander around. But it was a great thing to start off my first day--felt like being at home working with my own team at Touchstone!

The bad news is that I was also supposed to help with some other strategy work for an Indian NGO, however, the woman in charge unexpectedly left on Tuesday for the US. So--I may do some individual work at one of the Children's Centers (after-school centers for improverished youth, a way to keep the children out of trouble and help them continue to learn), if I am not too overwhelmed by the kids/my complete inability to communicate with them or most of the staff. That leaves my schedule more open than originally planned, so if anyone wants to come to India for a week....

Hee.

Oops, I'm being called to go to the "retail shop" before dinner. Sridhar's family has come to take a look at me for entertainment I think. His mom is a riot!

More to come soon!!