Day 14

Bad news today from the states. Ariana's house got broken into the first night her dad was out of town. The front door was broken down and their entire house trashed. Apparently there have been numerous robberies happening around Main Street in Vancouver, and Ariana's house made the list. The main thing we were concerned about was if her cats, Octavious and Rusty, were okay, and thankfully they were staying with a neighbor at the time of the robbery. No word yet as to what all is missing or who is responsible. Best bet is the tweakers living next door. What I can tell you is that it is not going to be pretty when Ariana and I find out who the perpetrators are. First item on the agenda after we step off the plane onto US soil is hunt the ass holes down and machete their faces.

… In other news, we went to town today.

The monsoon over the weekend cooled everything down so being outside was much more bearable. We shopped for hours, picking up a few Indian necessities like bangles, bindhis, sarees, scarfs, anklets, and of course, more india pants. It is amazing how easy it is to accessorize here. Back in the states I hardly ever wear a ring, but here I want as much jewelry on at one time as possible. The chime our matching silver anklets make when we swish across the floor and the clink clink of our bangles on our wrists creates a distinct sound and alerts everyone when we're coming. The lesson here: If you want to be sneaky, leave the indian jewelry at home.

Ariana Allie and I took a short intermission from shopping to relax on a roof top restaurant. We sat on cushions surrounded by a breathtaking view of the Lake Palaces as we grazed on delicious hot vegetable korma over steamed rice. We felt like princesses. It didn't seem right that we dined so exquisitely for around two dollars each. The lesson here: Enjoy things while they last. Come mid August we will no longer receive this royal treatment.

After lunch we met up with the rest of the volunteers to pick out sarees. I got a bright blue one, Allies is bright green, and Ariana's is purple. We are all anticipating our saree party this upcoming weekend. I can't imagine wearing one every single day like the women of Udaipur. Some are so intricately designed and they still perform all their daily labors, ride around on motorcycles, chase after kids, and help construct buildings. The lesson here: Indian women are amazing. They are brought up to wait hand and foot on all men, not just their husbands and fathers. Since Ritu is the Indian woman of the house, Ravi and Guarav can ask something of her and she is happy to do it. Guarav asked her to make him some sweet toast the other day and Allie and I had to hold ourselves back from saying "make it yourself". Ritu only smiled and said this was how she was a raised. The lesson here: Indian women have far more tolerance than I could ever possess.

Unfortunately for us I think the boy volunteer Jack is starting to pick up some of these same tendencies. He uses his gender as an excuse not to clean or follow rules. It is getting slightly ridiculous, partly because I can not tell if he is serious when he says things like, "I am the wrong gender to do this work." God. I hope for his sake that he calms down his high level of chauvinism before Allie pulverizes him…. but if it gives any indication as to the kind of person Jack is, he painted himself completely silver before going into town today… so I don't know whether he is the type to stop doing anything that doesn't garnish him more attention. Allie and him are dishwashing partners all next week, so this will be interesting. She isn't the type to let him slack on his half of the work, and he isn't they type to do half if any of the work. The lesson here:…. I will let you know next week.