RURAL LIFE IN JODPHUR
Cindy and I went to visit a rural community outside of Jodphur today. We visited a school that had about 350 students, with 8th grade as the highest level. The boys go on to another school after that, but the girls pretty much finish up there (those that made it that far). We saw a lot of kids on the street in the community that weren't in school at all.
The kids were very cute. We spent a bit of time with them and visited their classrooms. They seemed to be able to read and write well (which can be uncommon according to Pratham, an NGO that works in education). It is often the case kids make it through this level and are still not able to read.
We moved on by walking throughout the community..it certainly gave me a new view of india, away from the tourists and the bustle of city life. It was quite tranquil. We had spent the night at Mandore Guesthouse, which was a bit like an oasis in the desert. It was beautiful and peaceful. Surenda, the owner, invited us to dinner and his family made us one of my all time favorite indian meals...the food here is amazing.
So, we walked along and visited some homes of the people there. We were invited in and we sat with some of the locals and chatted a bit. Had some tea (of course). They also showed us the opium tradition--they mix opium (which is black by the way) by crushing it and putting it with water and then filtering it. Then they slurp up the water with the dissolved opium in it. Apparently it's pretty common, especially in the rural areas. I took some photos but skipped the opium!
It was a pleasant day all and all. We have visits with some more NGOs where we will also be going out into the field to see rural development projects both here in Jodhpur as well as Udaipur.
It's hard to believe my trip is more than half over and that I head back a week from Saturday...Since I don't know what I was really expecting, it's hard to say if I'm surprised by India. It's certainly as interesting as I was expecting and I am having a very good time. It's a bit exhausting with all the heat and dust, but all and all an enjoyable trip. I look forward to the next 10 days!
The kids were very cute. We spent a bit of time with them and visited their classrooms. They seemed to be able to read and write well (which can be uncommon according to Pratham, an NGO that works in education). It is often the case kids make it through this level and are still not able to read.
We moved on by walking throughout the community..it certainly gave me a new view of india, away from the tourists and the bustle of city life. It was quite tranquil. We had spent the night at Mandore Guesthouse, which was a bit like an oasis in the desert. It was beautiful and peaceful. Surenda, the owner, invited us to dinner and his family made us one of my all time favorite indian meals...the food here is amazing.
So, we walked along and visited some homes of the people there. We were invited in and we sat with some of the locals and chatted a bit. Had some tea (of course). They also showed us the opium tradition--they mix opium (which is black by the way) by crushing it and putting it with water and then filtering it. Then they slurp up the water with the dissolved opium in it. Apparently it's pretty common, especially in the rural areas. I took some photos but skipped the opium!
It was a pleasant day all and all. We have visits with some more NGOs where we will also be going out into the field to see rural development projects both here in Jodhpur as well as Udaipur.
It's hard to believe my trip is more than half over and that I head back a week from Saturday...Since I don't know what I was really expecting, it's hard to say if I'm surprised by India. It's certainly as interesting as I was expecting and I am having a very good time. It's a bit exhausting with all the heat and dust, but all and all an enjoyable trip. I look forward to the next 10 days!
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