Ah, the Power of Observation
You know, I have been tested in many ways in my lifetime- physically and emotionally. I have traveled to Africa, I have pushed myself in my studies, I have run a marathons….I don’t think, however, anything will compare to this experience.
So, my first day in Ranchi: 4;30am – WIDE awake. I’m not sure if I was nervous, not tired or excited but I’m going to assume it was a good combination of the three. As I lied in bed I heard music coming from outside. It sounded like an American woman singing a lullaby. It went on for about an hour and ended probably about the time the sun came up. (I got used to it so I don’t really remember when it stopped) I asked Pummi what it was and she informed me it was religious music the children wake up to. Manjeet got the CD’s in America – probably why it sounded American. As I type this now (5:30 AM the next morning, she is pleasantly singing away).
The morning started with coffee and cookies (I’m really am going to be so spoiled) and a quick walk with Pummi around the Village. The weather is absolutely perfect. Just chilly enough you need a jacket and shawl (I forgot to mention they gave me a big wrap/shawl thing that they all wear. It’s beautiful. I find it fascinating that they all wear pretty dark colors – maroon, dark green etc. But they gave me a bright turquoise and dark pink one. I love it and have not taken it off)
I was talking with Susan (the manager of the village) and she told me that around 10 at the religious building (the gazebo looking one) all the babies would be there and asked me to come help. Eager that I had a “task at hand” I ran back to bathe. It was then I found the hot water in the room I was in didn’t work. After deliberating with Pummi – I moved into a single room. Oh my goodness, I love it. It is actually better in a sense so that in March when all the American volunteers come I won’t have to move my stuff around. So, I have finally reached my home. I have a great view of the huge gardens in the front of the village. Anyways after a quick shower I ran out to meet Susan. (Pummi went into town all day to get cradles with the babies, so it was officially the first day I was on my own…)
After sitting around for a little bit, listening to Susan another house mom speak Hindi, (I’ve gotten really good and reading body language….observing.) the babies starting coming. There were 5, almost newborns, that the women weighed, measured head circumference, measured body length, etc. I took pictures of the baby so I could upload them into the Miracle Foundation’s database- most the babies were sound asleep and it was pretty funny trying to get them to open their eyes.
While I had my camera I decided to break the ice with the house mothers. I went into many of the cabins and took pictures of them and the children that were not at school. I figure the more pictures, the better. This also helps me to A. not be a stranger and B. get to know the children better. I have some really cute pictures.
After lunch I ran back to my room to try and get some work done. I made a few lists and read some emails. I tried to organize what all I have to do while I’m here. I’ve been battling a pretty intense cold since being in India and I don’t think getting on the airplane to Ranchi has helped – I’ve basically gone deaf. I decided to lie down for a little to maybe help deflate my head a bit and took a little snooze- it helped :)
SO- the most incredible thing happened- again, a God thing. I woke up and it was dark outside. Pummi wasn’t back and I was the only one in the Administration building. Being the “new one” I wasn’t sure what anyone was doing- where they where- what was happening. It was about 5:30 and I was pretty afraid (not in a safety way, just in a “what the heck do I do” way. All apart of the thrill.) Susan came in and asked if I wanted coffee and told me to meet her by the main staff kitchen in the back corner of the village. After I downed some coffee I bundled up and walked across the village to the kitchen. It was so smoky it took my eyes a while to adjust but there were probably about 15 house mothers huddled around a small small hut/room cooking over a wood stove. I stood there and I could hear them speaking about me being there (of courses I was clueless as to what they are saying) but I knew they were talking/giggling about me being there. After a while I hear “Auntie” (what they call friends) “Auntie Auntie, come in come in.” I waddled my way into the hut where they had me sit smack-dab in the middle. Talk about going from feeling freezing to REAL warm REAL quick. My eyes were burning with all the smoke but I have never been so so happy. It was just one of those moments. All the housemothers were making chipatis (tortillas) and basically having gossip time. They start at 5:30 and work till 8. Of course they offered me chipatis (I can never decline that- most delicious things ever) and I sat there and observed. They managed to ask what my name is and I said “Kate” (Katelyn is a little much so I stick to Kate). After a while I asked if I could make a chipati (I love to cook, why not??) Oh man, I’m horrible. How they make rolling a ball of dough into the perfect circle look so easy is beyond me. We all got a good laugh at my inability to roll out a ball. By my third chipati, I had finally made a semi-round circle, success!
I sat in there for a while and Susan came in. Since she speaks English so she was translating a little bit. She said they want to learn English and teach me Hindi. They also want me to come to their cooking time every night. I couldn’t imagine anything better. So as we learned that “ow” in Hindi means come and “ow” in English mean ouch – “hi” in English means hello and “hi” in Hindi mean ouch. “Panii” means water and “Dude” means milk- I feel like I got a good introduction to Hindi language. It was amazing ending to my day.
Pummi came home and we did dinner- then walked up and down the village a few times – a little exercise is always nice. We talked about her day and we talked about Austin coming to visit India- she was very excited about that.
People here are so incredibly nice, whether they speak English or not.
With that I am off for now. Hope you are all doing well. Keep in touch! Much love from India,
Katelyn
