Reflection in Blue

Nearing in on my 100th day, it is kind of a melancholy feeling. On one, hand it feels like I have done a lot. I have learned how to navigate a new culture, become part of a new family, been able to find new friends. On the other hand, it feels like I have not done anything at all I have just been living in a different place, nothing more than that. The last part of this post will mostly be reflection on my first 100 days on program. Readers be advised.

The week after midterms and returning to school was bland, as every week after returning from midterms should be. I got my scores back and to my pleasure I maintained all a’s. (On the Indian grading system. My average was an 87% percent.) That is about what I was aiming for, but I wish I had done better. My highest was a 97% in Political Science, and my lowest, (You’ll never guess.) an 80% in English. At least they are over, and I no longer must spend my hours studying.

I got to see Ajay again for a short few hours. I still feel like he is a brother to me even though we have been separated. Pictures down below.

The most exciting aspect of my last two weeks has been travelling. Finally, I have been able to see more of India than just Ahmedabad. I was traveling to a small city called Jodhpur, which is in the next state over, Rajasthan. I took the overnight train, only with another student, which was an experience. Jodhpur is most commonly known as “The Blue City.” A king from about 100 years ago had ordered all the houses to be painted blue, hence the name. The reason for my travel, you’ll never guess (again), was of course an orientation. The five YES students were travelling to meet again for the three days. I would have not had enjoyed the orientation so much if it had not been with the people that I had initially started my journey with.

For the first two days in the city, we were mostly in lectures and discussions about our first three months in India. I think there is a tactic, they make me go through so many orientations that, when I escape, there’s no way I can’t enjoy myself. It works. On the last day we got to venture out into the city. We quickly toured a palace that was built in 1940 by the king, as a statement of power. It was like any other palace, beautiful architecture and long green fields that somehow seem colder than the 100-degree desert around it. Later that day, we toured an 800-year-old fort, which was no doubt more interesting. The fort rests on a bulge that rises from the center of the city, one of the only topographic changes for as far as the eye could see. We saw historical artifacts, the irrigation system that pumped water up through the tower, the giant metal spikes that were meant to stop the war elephants, and the different weapons for fighting the war, among other treasures. It was the first major historical place I have seen while I have been here which is a reason for my elation. In the evening, we walked down into the city, where I was able to purchase my next two Kurta’s (Pics below). The streets reminded me of inner Italy. The enclosed and crowded architecture was more what I expected India to be like. I saw my first real market, where I also had my first Lassi. First experiences can never be outdone by the latter ones.

Now for reflection. It sure doesn’t feel as if it has already been 100 days. (97 to be exact.) I feel like I am still just receiving the message that I am going abroad, as if I still haven’t decided what to pack in my suitcase. Not that I was ever the one who decided. (@mom) There are many regrets that I have about my first three months. I can admit that throughout August I wasn't taking full advantage of my opportunities. I feel quite unfufilled about that month. Sleeping and playing on my phone is not how I want to spend my life. We are all human, I guess, but the good news is I now know what I need to do to change that. I wish my language skills were better than they are right now, as well as how I wish I had done more volunteer work in my first few months. Of course, there are also achievements I am proud of. Just look at my last eight posts. You will hear more about how I am doing with language learning and volunteer work in my next post, whenever that ends up being.

Happy 100 :0! See you all soon. (Hopefully, the rest of my Jodhpur pics will come through soon.)

"The Blue City"