My Favorite

Today was hands-down my favorite day since I've been here. I usually don't just go through the events of the day, but its worth it for this one. :) I rode with P. Banuel 3 hours or so to the orphanage. We stopped on the way for breakfast. Since it was a place I've only been once before, everyone stared at me the whole time. Awkward... But the food was delicious anyway. haha. (Getting back to the U.S will be so strange to not stand out, but such a relief in a lot of ways. It kind of makes a person feel self-conscious after a while).

We arrived at the orphanage, P. Banuel dropped me off to go to a different church service, so I went to church with the kids.

We rode to church in a motorized rickshaw, which is the first time I've done that on this trip. You haven't experienced India if you haven't ridden in a motorized rickshaw.

The other services I've been to I've sat in a chair at the front because that's what they expect for guests. Today, we got there a little late. The lady I was with pointed for me to sit in the chair, but I took a chance of "offending" and pointed that I'd just sit on the ground with everyone else. I covered my head with my scarf like the other women, kneeled when everyone else did, had no clue what they were praying, but felt liberated to finally feel like one of them.

After the service, the home where the children live has a tiny keyboard, which they wanted me to play. So I got to touch a musical instrument after a month without one.

I made balloon creations for the kids. And I'm obsessed with those wonderful, beautiful children. There's one little girl that I'm keeping for sure.

On the ride home, a group of teenage boys were in the back of a produce truck and kept waving at me. I'm usually overly friendly to women and children, but take a pretty passive approach with men here. (I'm trying to avoid an arranged marriage). I wasn't really sure what to do in this situation. P. Banuel eventually flashed the car lights at them and said something about them needing to tone it down. Which they did. Clearly all of that was highly entertaining to me, which gave me the freedom to laugh and conservatively wave back.

I went to the grocery store with P.Banuel, which never happens. Usually someone just goes for me. (Cultural? Not sure). So that was exciting to actually go inside. (What a weird thing to be excited to go to a grocery store). I feel like it allows me to learn a little more about Indian way of life.

Just the other day I thought to myself how the two coolest animals in India are elephants and monkeys. Crossed the elephant off the list the other day. Left on the to-do list: spot a monkey on top of a building. After today: Check and check.