America, Is That You?
Wow- so what a difference a mere 24 hours can make. I have gone from feeling like (and mostly likely) the only American within a 60-mile radius – to feeling like I am in New York City. Yes, it is possible.
So, two days ago Elizabeth came to Sooch to start interviewing for a position here at the Village. I told my mom, I forgot what it felt like to have an in-person English conversation. Elizabeth got in around 7pm- just enough time for a little chai and dinner. After we ate, I jumped on Elizabeth’s bed while she checked her email and had a full conversation I could not only contribute too…but understood as well.
Yesterday was a bit crazy- it was not only fun but also filled with “American” moments. Actually- yesterday and today have been like that. Ok, I’m jumping ahead. SO. Yesterday was a lot of work in trying to figure out how we were going to get candidates to and from Sooch, to their hotels, to the railway and to the airport. With only one car at Sooch- we had to call in a few more to help with the driving. Angela (the MSW, Master of Social Work…she is great and speaks broken English) said she would go with me to Ranchi to pay for all the hotels for the interviewees. I told the staff here I needed someone to go with me since most people don’t speak English. So, around 2:30, Angela and I grabbed the interview candidate we were talking back to Ranchi and started our journey to the “big city.”
The drive takes about 45 minutes and as I have so clearly expressed- I love driving (well I guess I love being escorted- I certainly would kill myself instantly if I drove) in India. We dropped off the candidate and headed to the various hotels to pay. All were beautiful! When I first arrived in Ranchi (via the airport) I must have driven on the outskirts of the city because I didn’t see what I saw yesterday. There were big malls, lots and lots of outdoor markets, basically a big city- with the third world country part sprinkled on top. I loved it! To be honest, there were moments I wanted to jump out of the car and just meander down the street.
After we got everything settled at the hotels we got back in the car on a mission to find an ATM. It was then everything spun around and I completely forgot where I was. Suddenly, loud and clear- blaring at an unsafe level- Beyonce came on the radio. I shrieeeeked and admitted to finally knowing a song- the young driver and Angela laughed at my excited. They then proceeded to laugh at my musical rendition of “Irreplaceable” – dance moves included.
The drive home included Beyonce, Monica and a little Michael Jackson. Amazing.
So, another favorite moment occurred this morning. After sending the children off to school at 7:30 I followed Sanika (the boy who works in my building cleaning, making chai, etc etc) to the kitchen knowing he was about to make tea. Nanki (the cook) was also in the kitchen. The two of them prepared chai (me of course asking too many questions they didn’t understand) and started to serve to the guests. As the guests left and it was just the three of us I started sipping my chai and noticed there were two glasses left. I forced the two of them to drink it with me. Nanki is a very determined, 90-pound woman who doesn’t only force food down you but loves to teach how to you how to cook. I grabbed a few biscuits (cookies) and put them on a platter. Walked over the Nanki and Sanika and forced them to eat the cookies as well. After much hesitation and awkward “no’s” they both accepted. It was a great moment.
Even better, I asked if they knew what peanut butter was. They both said no so I darted to my room and grabbed my extra large jar of Jiff Extra Creamy p.b. I seized an extra chapati, lathered it with peanut butter, folded it up and made them both eat it. Who’s shoving food down your throat now, ha! (Kidding.) I think Sanika liked it- Nanki looked like she might gag. Hey, it has a strange texture… I get it.
Anyway, it was a great moment. I sat with Sosan and told her all about it. I told her that next week I’m making her go back to Ranchi with me to not only buy a sari, but to go to the big market and get food to make a Mexican meal for the staff here. I’m thinking some tacos (with chapatis as taco shells), Mexican rice (they have a ton of rice…and tomatoes here), chips and salsa (again, lots of tomatoes here) and virgin margaritas. I was wise and brought crystal light lemonade packets- add a little water, some ice and wala- makeshift margaritas.
Viva Fiesta!
Much love from India-
Katelyn
