Various Reunions - WS Mela, Sarab Talla, Muj Goan

(relief from stress: knowing that you have a drawer full of American contraband)

Hello! Final exams are in a week, and stress is in the air! How do you make final exams, input advisor comments, grade tests, teach classes, help students, and visit villages at the same time? Answer: well, plan very carefully, rely on the competency of others, and save some time for forced breaks. But after I think about it, these are such abstract challenges -- who ever thought that the making of an exam could cause anxiety? What about farming, rain water, crops growing, firewood, etc?

Anyway, here is a recap of the last few weeks.

Woodstock Mela -- April 26, 2008
Remember the village mela, where 25 villages gathered at the top of the hill? And there were some merchants and vendors? Well, we had our own mela at Woodstock School. The students had booths where they sold food or had games, and local vendors and restaurants came to sell their food and wares.

My favorite part of the mela was hanging out with David, my former landlord from Los Angeles. He and his father were 50% of the reason for me coming here, they convinced me about the coolness of the place. David was part of the class of 1980, and was visiting for a reunion. I felt like I was in the old 'hood again, ready to go to the nearest taco joint and scoop up some salsa and guacamole. Hi, Earl & SP!

(homies from the hood)

(Sanjeev also made a guest appearance! Yay)

(You're not Asian if you don't do the peace sign.)

(The Japanese booth. It was so good!)
(Lorenz the Terminator singing. Listen, or else!)

The Woodstock Mela was definitely fun! I'll bring more money next time!

Sarab Talla Village -- May 3-4, 2008

This weekend, Karen and I ventured out to Sarab Talla by ourselves. Our documentary student team was busy with SAT's, dorm open houses, etc. Quiz: What do you do when you don't speak Hindi, and you invite yourself over to Grandpa's family for the weekend? Bring lots of snacks, Bollywood movies, documentary footage, digital photos, and your laptop! We didn't bring the video camera, just ourselves and the entertainment.

We watched two movies, which they enjoyed a lot. Karen and I basically fell asleep from the heat and lack of understanding. That was cool, you know you're "in" when you can just fall asleep on someone's floor.

(Nagendra working at the post office)
(Grandpa and Rita)

Maj Goan - Utopian Village - May 11, 2008

Yesterday, some teachers and dorm parents, we headed down to Maj Goan to see our friends in the utopian, idyllic village. The last time we had seen Bindeshuri's family and Deepika was during Holi in March.

These pictures are a little out of chronological order!

(perfect landscape)

(wheat ready to be harvested)

We hiked for about 2 hours, down mini-switchbacks and by villages and farms. The recent rains had made the ground firm and moist -- the air was warm with a cool breeze. Kyle, the tall white guy with blond hair, kept freaking people out by waving to them.

(Kyle's signature thumbs up move)
(Tim, the new Brit, ha ha)

Ok, so these giant balances were too enticing. I think they were set up to measure the wheat crops, since much of it is going to be sold. The fields are now brimming with potato crops.

(Karen and The Goats)

(Posing, or trying to get on the balance? Human vs. Rock)
(We should have these in our playgrounds)

(Tamara, the seasoned Brit)

(with Bindeshuri's family)

(We are so cool.)

And at the beginning of our trip, we had to have some pre-hike chai. Below are endless terraces and terraces of farmland, the view from the cafe.