The last 4 days in Delhi have not been so great. Actually it's been nothing short of frustrating. After an hour of finally finding the man who was supposed to pick me up from the airport, I arrrived at someone's apartment. WTH? I ask the driver where he was taking me and he said Rajans apartment. Rajan is the program coordinator. Its 9pm and raining and humid and I just want a shower and sleep but I walk into an apartment with a few other volunteer girls who were just as unsure and scared as I seemed to be. I thought for a minute about those episodes they air on 20/20 where you think you're going to a project and end up as someone's prostitute, but I shake that thought. I can go on and on about the accomodations. Seriously I am so disappointed, not because I expected luxury in any way shape or form, but because the bathroom was disgusting and the sleeping arrangements were unreal. They crammed 5 girl in a 10x10 room with 4twin beds. Luckily the first night I slept next to a girl that lived 6 miles away from me in Arizona. How ironic we met in some random apartment in india, huh? I knew the accomodations at the orphan home wouldn't be great, but I didn't know I would be staying in the reps apartment. New people keep coming and and I don't know how they fit us all in this place. In ARizona, thats illegal. But we're not in Arizona, I know. I know.
Since I've arrived, Ive met some really fabulous people from all over the world who are doing the same thing as I am. We all ask why and we all answer with the same reason: I wanted to do something important in the world.
This past week and until Saturday, we are immersed in a class of hindi culture and language....at the apartment. Its so different than the US and I'm trying to be open minded but in all honesty, if I wasn't pouring sweat out of every pore in my body 24/7, then I'd likely be more open minded to sitting on the floor and taking notes during the day in a room with 20 people and no air conditioning and windows closed. I want to scream "Where are the kids? I want to see the kids! Get me out of this apartment!" But I'd likely be taken away with a strait jacket and sent to the ward, so I pass on this action.
I will see the kids over the weekend and my orphan project will begin then.
They moved me to another room where I slept by myself last night and the rep came into the room and told me he wanted to add a roommate. I said Sure. He said "its a boy." I am thinking since i will not be seeing Mike for a month, the last thing I need in the same room is something with a penis attached to it. I look up from my floor mattress at the rep and just say "please don't."
ARG. So now I have a Danish girl roomate but I still can't sleep a wink with the intense heat. I told the rep this morning that I'm getting a hotel with AC tonight. I need one night of sleep, one night.
I haven't really gotten out much yet. We are in a rural suburbish kind of area if that makes sense: Its busy but its villagey. The people have been so nice of what I've seen so far but tomorrow I will venture out on a day trip into Old Delhi. I will then start photographing. It feels so surreal to be in India. I can't explain it. I'm dying to get out of the apartment and into the world.
In the meantime, thanks for letting me vent without pictures. Please be thankful that you have random things like air conditioning and shower heads and bowel movements. Yes I said bowel movements. These are all things I've taken for granted and would give anything to get them all back!! LOL My shower exists of a pipe coming out of the wall and shooting out of the shower area and onto the floor. I shower with flip flops on. Please no visuals, it aint cute.
I am glad I have a fantastic group of girls with me who I laugh hysterically with and because we're all on the same page.
Rajan the program rep is actually very very nice. I like him. I have some major adjustments to get use to and I'm sure I will be fine in time. I am so not the 'roughing it' type of girl. Soooooo not that type! And I'm perfectly fine with that.
Peace.
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About Me
- Ruby Rideout
- Phoenix, AZ, United States
- I'm a destination photographer based in both San Diego and Phoenix. I specialize in weddings, both SouthAsian and American.
who am i? i"m a
dreamer. procrastinator.
photographer.
traveler. hiker. thinker.
computer addict.
lover. sister. daughter. friend.
believer.
fighter.
vodka girl.
photographer.
traveler. hiker. thinker.
computer addict.
lover. sister. daughter. friend.
believer.
fighter.
vodka girl.
smart@ss.
sushi freak. cat lover.
aquarius.
sushi freak. cat lover.
aquarius.
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24 comments:
Ruby,
As I sit in my air conditioned hotel room in Washington DC with wireless internet, after having just taken a hot shower, I am wondering where to start.
I know that this is not what you expected, but reading in between the lines, I sense that you are enjoying yourself nonetheless. No worthwhile journey is every easy; and it seems as if yours is not either.
I hope that you are able to find what you are looking for while you are there. You may find that the difference that you seek to make is not in others, but in yourself.
Hang in there Ruby! I have no doubt that this will be a life changing experience for you. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. And I can't wait to see some pictures!!
wow sounds like thing are pretty tough right now but I am sure you will learn a lot from this. Looking forward to the images.
Ruby, Been thinking about you lately - what a freaky ordeal to have stepped into just, airport to apartment? WT-Huh? Glad it's all coming together and that this weekend you get to the meat of things. Hang in there and btw... you crack me up so much I laugh so much while reading... Take care Ruby - can't wait to get the next post...! //enoch
Baby!!! I'm so sad for U R sweaty conditions! I just have a gut feeling this is gonna be the adventure of a lifetime! Try to rest while u can, and take lots-a cool pix! I luv U! Keep us in the Loop!!
Hi Ruby,
I hope things will get better out there for you! Hope you'll get to see more of India than just the apartment :). I can't help, but just laughing so hard reading your blog!! I've been in similar environment where you are now. Have fun! :)
Ruby,
I hate to say this but I am cracking up at your blog entry. It is hilarious! I can only imagine how it must feel though and I cringe at the thought of the sleeping arrangements and the bathroom. Hang in there, missy! You are going to be fine, and hopefully once you get back to the states, you will be able to laugh at this too. The way you put it is so funny. :) I hope it gets better for you though - I'm sure it will.
P.S. This had me rolling: "In ARizona, thats illegal." LOL!!!!!!!
Dear God! Penises and bowel movements. Sounds like normal dinner conversation. You are venting, but it's pretty funny to read!
Thank you for that laugh before I go to bed, I needed that. I love you and hope this experience gives you what your looking for. Depends don't sound like such a bad idea in those conditions now do they :) just kidding. Be safe and take pictures of EVERYTHING.
Bro
D.i.l., you really should consider becoming a writer as well as a photographer. you do have a way with words, i so luv reading all your stuff. i pray this trip will acomplish all that you want. Miss you & can't wait till your back on usa soil. meanwhile, stay safe & i will continue to stay close to your hubby, who of course misses you lots. bye for now, & love you.
Ruby!
Oh my goodness, the part about the 20/20 prostitue made me crack up so loud- You should become a writer! I know that these are a tough few days for you, but hang in there! At least you have straight hair...but not too much else right now.
I love you, and I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!
-Rena
Oh my goodness! I can just picture you there. Hang in there sweetie. Love you
xoxo
Ruby
I told you before you left that I could not wait to here about one of your many funny stories, and this is only the first week,
ha ha! I wish that the conditions you are in, get better for you.
I love you and you are a great soul!!!
xoxo & Many prayers. Cyn
Ruby,
Oh My Goodness!! I'm so thinking of you and definitely hope things all go well there. As I said, BE CAREFUL!!! I need you!! :0) Hang in there and make sure to keep blogging. I miss you tons,
Carrie
it may not seem like fun, but what a wonderful adventure Ruby. I am envious, heat, humidity and frustration not withstanding!
You will look back in a coming day and say, I did it!! and be proud.
I am of you.
oh ruby. so sorry to hear about your living arrangements, but your story telling just makes me smile. hang in there girl!!!
Been there and my story was much the same but didn't include Danish girls (or American ones for that matter). The definition of "personal space" in India is different to ours, as are the hygeine standards, the driving rules, the humidity, language, culture etc, etc, etc... Trust me that you will come back and have trouble finding the words to explain the experience... I get it...
Indian road rules, as explained by my indian host who was quite well off and had his own car... In Britain and Australia you drive on the left, in America you drive on the right... In India it's optional! He told us this as a truck came towards us on our side of the road at highway speeds. We did see a truck load of cement bags with people crammed on top. The people had lit a fire to stay warm!!!
OH Ruby..... I am praying for you girl, I know that you are there for a reason... I know it!
As soon as I get through with my comment, I am going to pray for you!!
I know it is hard but Praise God you are not alone and you do have some sort of a shower!
I can't wait to hear more from you, hang in there girl!! You will be blessed! What an awesome, passionate, and compassionate woman you are! I am proud to call you friend!
Love ya,
steph
Oh my goodness love. I really enjoyed reading your post, you wrote it all so well. You crack me the hell up too, I can hear you in person with the, no not something with a penis attached to it! Girl, I love you and you rock, hugs and kisses!
When you get back come visit me, you can enjoy our ac, and have all the bowel movements you want, but you know there are a lot of penis' running around my house :)
I hope things get better for you soon! Try and stay cool.
thanks, much love to u all....glad you cam laugh at me. ;)
Ruby! It's so good to hear from you and know that you made it there relatively safely. You're such a brave pioneer! And you are funny as hell! I can't help but laugh out loud when I read your blog.
I can't say enough how proud I am of you, even more now that I know things aren't as smooth as we had all hoped. But you're a trooper and you'll do great. Can't wait to get you home and talk about this all over a Frappuccino though. :)
Love you!
Georgia
OH, Ruby! I'm so sorry!
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