What a day! Turns out our section didn't have orientation, just the 2 sections working in the hospital, so the 8 of us section 4 folks sat around getting to know each other. We took a nice walk to see what was beyond the mission walls and found a lot of traffic, trash and stray animals (hogs, cows and dogs). There are just so many people trying to manuever all at the same time! It's pretty crazy! And the trash.. oh how it breaks my heart to see so much litter (if you can even call it that). Getting to spend the day with just the educaton folks was much needed and welcome! I feel like I have really gotten to know them, which will make the next couple weeks with them so much better.
Once the hospital groups finished orientation, the whole group went (in 5 cabs) to the Meenakshi Temple. It was stunning! It's something like a 1000 years old and the detail is far too incredible to describe. Even pictures don't do it justice. We toured the temple and got to see a camel, but unfortunately, the Elephant had just finished for the day and was being walked down to the lake to bathe, so we didn't get to see that. I was assured there would be plenty of opportunity to see them elsewhere in the next two weeks. There is a pretty large shopping district right outside the temple so we spent a couple hours there. I am pretty proud of myself with my bartering skills... even if the guy started outrageously high & overpriced, I was still proud of my ability to talk him down. I ended up getting 2 really nice scarves, 2 anklets, a coin purse and Kate's ruby gem stone for 3000 rupees ($60). If I hadn't bartered with the sellers I would have paid 7600 rupees. Not too shabby for my first time.
After the shopping trip, we returned to the hotel for the New Years Eve party on the roof of the hotel. They had a huge spread of amazing food, tons of alcohol and entertainment. Most of the girls on the trip had purchased Sarees to wear and it was so much fun to experience that and see everyone dressed up. The boys even got in the spirit, buying long tunics to wear! Everyone looked amazing! Dinner was incredible and the entertainment was really fun. At one point, a stilts dancer was between songs and I asked for a picture with him. Well, I got my picture, but it was of me dancing with him! When I went to ask for the picture he recruited me to dance a folk dance with him!! Of course, being me, I said yes! I became the life of the party! Everyone was very impressed with my ability to catch on and dance with him! The other performers were a traditional female dancer and a guy that balanced things on his head while dancing, balancing on a ball or wrapping a saree on himself (not an easy task... we all needed the help of a local to tie ours!). It was loads of fun! After the formal entertainment the wait staff got on stage and started dancing to popular Indian music.. again, being me, I joined in. Others joined as well, but I actually went on stage! We danced for several hours and learned many new styles of dance from the hotel staff!! We rang in the new year with fireworks over the hotel and dancing and drinking! They didn't have real Indian beer, but were serving Carlsburg beer from Germany. It was actually quite good. When it was time to clear out, they cut the music and the staff all flocked to me to shake my hand and compliment my dancing!! I had no idea I was a good dancer! I guess the Indian beats suit me. Many of the Americans complimented me too! lol. That's me... always finding someway to impress or get on stage! It was so much fun, though and probably the best New Years I've had in a while, maybe ever!
Now I'm off to bed. We have something planned at 1:00 today... I'm not sure what, but I'm sure I don't want to miss it! Before I head for bed (it's 3:15 am here) an update on my injuries.. my wrist is still a little tender and weak, but I'm functioning properly. I made the mistake of wearing capris with buttons on the pockets, so my nasty purple bruise kept getting tweaked today, but I'm surviving! The bruise is so dark it's almost black now! Then tonight a waiter jumped off the stage and directly onto my foot, so I have a shoe sole imprint bruise on the top of my foot! It's fine, just bruised! I'm prone to accidents in India, apparently!
One last thing before I go.... Happy New Year to y'all back at home. It's should be about 3:45 pm. there so I'm sure many of you are gearing up for a night out or a night in. Either way, be safe and have fun!! Goodbye 2011... you were wonderful... here's to an even more epic 2012!! Love to all.
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