Thursday Junw 10

Today is best described as a typical Indian day: when you are down, just hang on because right around the corner is something so heartwarming to pick you up. When you are up and think you have it all figured out, watch out: right around the corner is something ready to tear you apart.
The day started early with another serenade by street dogs (I am not talking about Elvis singing “Hound dog”) and two fat cockroaches in the apartment. I really don’t like cockroaches, especially the ones that are big enough to feed an entire ant colony! We then left for work and already the fiarst rikshaw was willing to take us to work. When we arrived, we noticed the paddle lock was still on door so we waited by the bus stop we once waited at before. And we waited….and waited…and waited….in the extreme heat and humidity and hardly any breeze. After nearly an hour we saw Pooja walk by and nearly ran to join her in getting in. That’s when we found out that Hasina-gi had been there the whole time and the door was already unlocked. The paddle lock just stays on and makes it look like it is still locked! We learned to never assume.

We are preparing for our upcoming visits with the fabric suppliers. Next week, we will be visiting with the supplier in Mumbai. Two weeks later, we are heading out to Kutch and two weeks after that we are heading to Indore. To get to Kutch you need to take a train, so today we booked a ticket to a 16 hour train ride and we have reservations for a birth in a compartment with 8 others. Except, it is not actually a compartment and knowing Indian style, it won’t be 8! This could be a long train ride!

Once we arrive, we will have the opportunity to visit the fabric supplier in Kutch and gain an understanding of his production method. I look very much forward to visiting with all the suppliers and seeing firsthand how they production facilities work.

During the afternoon we had the opportunity to visit with yet another production group and afterwards the children’s center again. The kids there are so incredibly lovable and welcoming. Today, they were planning a party for tomorrow and we have been invited. Then they spent their little money on buying mendi(henna for the hands) and lavishly decorated our hands. They walked us back to the office, holding our cameras so our hands could dry. Rupa is 13 and walked next to me. I thanked them for the wonderful time we had had and she told me that now that we are friends, there is no thank you or sorry. What an outlook!! She was completely astonished that my husband let me dress the way I do (trust me, I am covered much more than I wish to be in this incredible heat and humidity). I decided not to enlighten her with my usual dress code and just told her I had a very good man. We walked a little and she then asked if she could call me didi. This means sister.

On our way home, it finally happened. The rikshaw broke down and he started talking as if I had any idea what he was saying. Finally, an English speaking gentlemen came to our rescue and explained that I owed him Rs 110 and would need to find another rikshaw to continue my trip. I have learned over the past week that in India, you need to be firm and assertive. I told him that I had made it to and from work for Rs 82 and would not give him Rs 110. We settled and we found another rikshaw to finish our journey.

In India you cannot afford to be weak. You must learn to stand up for yourself and at times even argue. Not my strong points but I am here to learn and I will add that to my plate. It might be a challenging trip for me, but God is truly good to me.