Rising Star!

Today we woke up naturally around 7:00, took advantage of the showers again, and went to breakfast. Again the Marriott staff was extremely hospitable and made both Indian and American food for us to try. Dosa’s are like a crepe and they were okay but I think everything else Indian I tried I didn’t really care for. They had great omelets, muffins, and French toast and that huge breakfast ended up feeding us for the majority of the day.

Rising star was an hour late picking us up because of traffic but I screamed out of joy when I saw Kimmy and gave her a big hug! Kim needed to exchange dollars for rupies while so when everyone else was loading the vans we were inside. When we came out all the vans were full so the three of us got in a car (mid suv) and drove the 2.5 hours pretty comfortably. My eyes were glued to the window as we drove through the different scenery from downtown Chennai to the rural outlying villages.

We definitely stick out like sore thumbs here in India but when we smile and wave they always smile and wave back. There smiles are so white and beautiful. We got to campus around 2. We had orientation and got our rooms and then we got to play with the kids.

The second we came over to the boys and girls hostels they were all over us ready to play! They are so cute I played soccer with them and it was so much fun. Sometimes I was carrying two kids while chasing another- all smiles all the way. No need for shoes or a pumped up ball we had fun without those luxuries. Every day we get to have play time for two hours and then we come back to the elephant house (volunteer house) for dinner on the roof. We ate a vegetarian dinner with a form of rice, fresh mango, tortilla and some spicy potato thing. I enjoyed the tortilla and mango mostly.

After dinner we all go over to our “families” in the hostels and help them finish their homework, sing songs to them and put them to sleep. Our kids range from ages 2 to about 15. I have already bonded with the little kids they are soooo cute! Sagaia Mary and Abashi are two of the most adorable girls I’ve ever met and they are so loving! Abashi looks like Halle Berry it’s crazy!

We got word tonight that our luggage should be in Chennai tomorrow and maybe we can pick it up when we are there for medical session.

Until then goodnight!

p.s random things about india
1. they don’t obey any form of traffic law, not even lanes!
2. there are more motorcycles/mopeds than cars. Sometimes whole families pile on these bikes to commute. The man drives, the women sit sideways (don’t straddle the bike!) while holding their children!! It’s madness
3. there is dirt and garbage everywhere-to get rid of it they burn it and that makes it stink.
4. the kids are awesome!!