We do not have the distance to truly summarize our experiences in India. Nonetheless, it feels like we've been reflecting non-stop the last few days, and we have three more top ten lists that will hopefully encourage continued discussions when we get home.
High Points
Honorable Mentions: Sameer, Kochi/Hyderabad, figuring out transportation in Chennai
- Allan using techniques that we had taught in our Psychological First Aid module.
- Being recognized by a worker at Sai Balaji Bhavan, a restaurant near Madras Christian College.
- Taking a risk and taking a ride to Spice Cinema with a friendly stranger.
- The traditional Hindu greeting and dancing presented by MCCSS.
- Meals: family-style at Al-Arabi, Delhi; dinner with Megan and Molly, Bangalore; homemade prawn, Mamallapuram; Sheila's traditional Keralan meals, Ambalamoola; dinner with Prince, Princy and Abby, Chennai; Arca Nova barricuda with Michael, Kochi; goat head with Sid, Hyderabad; and ice cream, everywhere.
- Goofiness and hilarity in Mysore
- First looks: Karamuli, the first village we visited in Nilgiris-Wynaad; Taj Mahal; Cape statue and temple at Kanniyakumari; and Mathoor Hanging Bridge, Tamil Nadu.
- Getting Jefrin to fall asleep (the first and second times)
- Chennai Rainbow Pride Parade
- Wayanad Trip with Razlyn and Whitney: overnight trains, NWTWS mobile outreach vehicle, monsoon weather, jackfruit (see the dedicated post)
India Fails
- Pollution/Environmental Care/Sanitation/Smoking in restaurants
- Anarchical traffic/line etiquette
- Welfare of beggars, the disabled, and animals
- Public Education standards
- Cinema experience at the theater and on TV
- Government Corruption
- Double standard between sexes/recognition of sexual minorities
- White preference
- Objectification of white women tourists
- American cuisine
Cultural Moments
- 10 (June and July) days without A/C
- Cop hitting a pickpocket with his shoe
- Being confronted by an Aravani on the train
- Being regularly asked to produce exact change (and the hassles that follow failure to do so).
- Caroline's rickshaw fight in Pondicherry (see dedicated post)
- Effects of speaking Tamil - surprise, delight (with knuckle cracking), tears
- Wearing sarees to MCC Campus School
- Bathrooms - squat toilets and bucket showers
- Haggling
- Cultural insights from teaching - Indian English vs. American English, practicing self-care in India, "Excuse me, miss" before entering a room, thanni (water) hand-signal, tattle-taleing and Christianized children's songs.
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