Things I know:
- I am the tallest woman in the city of Bangalore
- If you sit on your left hand, you are less likely to accidentally eat with it
- Sridhar is secretly my Grandma--his biggest concern is making sure that I eat
- The cows are trained to go home at night
Things I haven't quite figured out yet:
- The "Indian Bobble Head"---seems to be some sort of head movement that can mean a variety of things possibly including but not limited to: "Yes" "No" "Maybe" "I'm not sure" "That's crazy talk" "Not on your life" "Hell will freeze over first you mad MAD American"
- Why okra tastes good here
- If sticking your hand out and doing a dramatic jazz hand is a foul, no-go, no point or some sort of do over
- Where the cows go home to
I just finished a three day Appreciative Inquiry Youth Leadership Summit with underprivileged kids from 13-19. It was so SO great!! Most of the summit was conducted in Kannada--the local dialect--with some English involved. As per usual, I was entirely clueless but at least this time I had reason! It was a challenge to have to rely a;most entirely on body language to understand, but also a great learning experience. By the end I was leading parts of the session and also facilitating the session hotwash and design planning. It was exhausting, invigorating, and crazy all at the same time, but I am so glad to be here and participate in this work. The most entertaining part: when one of the girls wanted to know why I wasn't married yet, and then determined that I need to be married by age 30. It really makes you think when an 18 year old hands down a decree like that! I also managed to use my mad skills to introduce "duck duck goose" to India and it was well received. Especially when I failed to run fast enough and ended up as the rotten egg.
So, so far, so good. I've eaten in a variety of "interesting" establishments (think Vienna Inn meets a jail dining hall but not as classy) where the food was, in the trend of sketchy diners, completely awesome!! I've also had Indian Chinese food, random fruits I can't even identify, and the best mango in the world. I've gone from slums to really posh houses, and I've only stuck my toothbrush in tap water twice. I feel good about that. So, all in all, a good beginning. I'm hoping my stomach continues to be made of steel because I suspect that the spice factor is going to go up this week!
So--tomorrow I go and volunteer directly at a children's center. Does anyone have any great children's games that can be communicated almost completely in sign language?**
** (Kbibs--I'm looking at you).
4 comments:
Question # 4. "Holy Cow" - I hear they are rounded up at night by urban cowboys and shipped outside the city limits. What must it be like in the surburbs?
And for a game suggestion, how about "Do you love your neighbor"?
OK, the left-handed thing would totally screw me over. I would look like a 2 year old with a chocolate cake at his birthday party after every meal.
I totally got a shout-out on the Live Deep blog. I am so cool. As for using sign language with children, I would go with a song or monologue about swimming. You know, sing about doing the backstroke, sidestroke, diving, etc. Kids love songs and stories. Try it- they will think you are great. Trust me; I am the KBibs.
C! I swear, you ought to publish this stuff. You are a Class A comedian! And your hi-jinks are hilarious! This stuff could only happen to you. If I went to India I would just blend in as one more short, dark person looking formless (covers up the pudge) in a sari. :)
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