Update--Part I

My apologies for not posting in such a long time (especially to you dad!). It has been a crazy couple of weeks, and I will try to fill in all the gaps.

I left for Delhi on May 18th, traveling through London. I had expected (and been told) that I could shower at Heathrow but alas, that was not the case. I can’t tell you how disappointed I was…but, life goes on! The trip was uneventful, and I arrived in Delhi at 11pm local time on the 19th. A lovely man named Moses picked me up and drove me to the guesthouse in Defense Colony (for those with maps). We couldn’t get into the neighborhood because all of the gates were closed, so we ended up driving around for an extra 25 minutes trying to find one that way open. Great for security, unless you are the one that wants to get in! So we finally found the place, and I went upstairs and crashed.

The AIIS guesthouse is great. Air conditioning, an amazing cook (Ashok) who can make just about anything in the world, and huge rooms with private baths. Just what I needed for my first few days. I didn’t do much the first day…just met other graduate students staying at the guesthouse. Really great people.

Saturday, another guest and I (a great woman working for a university in Gangtok, Sikkim) decided to go out for a bit of shopping. I’m sure those of you that know me well are not surprised that I am willing to brave temperatures of upwards of 115 to shop. We went to Janpath, and I didn’t buy a thing. I know, I know—you are thinking that I am sick. But it was just good judgment and possibly a sign of maturity? To get out of the heat, my friend and I ducked into a Barista, which is basically Starbucks, only better. Not only are the drinks amazing, but they have WIRELESS INERNET!!!!! I couldn’t believe it. That was nearly enough for me to change my research site to Delhi.

Sunday was the shopping day...so much for maturity! Fab India is my new favorite place in the world (thanks Arpita!) and will be my downfall. I purchased three shirts and a leather bag that is heaven. Really and truly heaven. I can’t even talk about it…I just get too emotional. Next door, two pairs of shoes. Next we had lunch at maybe the nicest restaurant I’ve ever been allowed inside (well, until Tuesday…but that is for a later post). I had a roasted tomato soup with fresh pesto and basil.

Well, I’ll have to give the rest of the details tomorrow. Must actually do some work today. For those that worry, please don’t--I am ok…working toward good even. And there are only fifty-odd days until I return. Wait, that means a great deal of research. Going now!

See you soon.

I may not be going to Calcutta when I expected. My friend working in Delhi may havet to come back to the US in late May, so I am thinking about not going until the 17th of July. I would have the same amount of time in Darjeeling, just at different times. I've been getting great help on my AIIS (American Institute of Indian Studies) proposal, so I'm hopeful that I'll be able to submit a decent application.

The semester is winding down, so I won't be writing much until May 6th--the last paper of the semester is due that day. So stay tuned...I'll be back!

I've also posted new pictures on my photo page. Republican national convention, some from Nepal during my stay in Peace Corps, and those from my trip to Kathmandu in December and January.

Another map of the area... 

I now do my research in Darjeeling, just between Nepal and Bhutan (in that little yellow bit of India sticking up between them) 

I just (as of 1 minute ago) purchased my ticket for Delhi. I got a great price on airgorilla.com that had everything I wanted. On my last trip to Nepal (dec 2004 to jan 2005), I had two stops between Newark and Kathmandu--including a 16-hour layover--and four on the way back. So this trip only has a stop in London for 3 hours on the way there and back. Good stuff.

While I was looking up info on Delhi, I found this on the lonely planet website:

"Delhi's bus system is for thrillseekers, anthropologists, and those with time on their hands. Buses are generally hopelessly crowded and driven my maniacs. Avoid them altogether during rush hours; otherwise, try boarding or leaving at the beginning or end of a route because there's more chance of a seat and less chance of being trampled to death."

And people wonder why I'm an anthropologist!

The Beginning?

So this is my first posting. I am totally new to this whole blog thing and not very techno-savvy. I have always considered myself to be much more of a pen-and-ink kind of girl. But times change.

About me. I am originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana (Carroll High School 1997, for those from the area). I attended Ball State University from 1997 to 2001 where I majored in Anthropology and Classics. After undergrad, I joined Peace Corps Nepal (N194) for a brief time, shortened by the amazing number and variety of diseases I contracted and the amount of weight lost. So after coming back to the US, I came to Rutgers University to begin my Ph.D. in anthropology.

I came to graduate school with one goal: study 'development' in Nepal. I love that country...it tried to kill me with intestinal diseases, but I love it. More specifically, I love myself there--more on that later. But due to the political situation and my changing research topic, I can not return for now. I was not terribly happy about it since during my latest trip, winter of 2004-5, I met some amazing people--you know who you are! So in the mean time, and to finish my degree, I've decided to study in Darjeeling and Delhi among Nepali speakers--also more on that later.

This blog has two purposes: first, to help me keep in contact with my friends and family while I am in 'the field'. I always feel like I lose touch with so many people when I leave. More importantly, I cannot share my experiences with them in a meaningful way. This is my attempt at meaning.

The second purpose is more related to my work. The whole 'field work' thing has always been such a mystery to me. I have been studying anthropology since 1997 (8 years) and I still am completely in the dark about what goes on. I hear stories from friends, graduate students, and texts. I see other graduate student's pictures. But I want more of the daily stories...the things no one thinks, or wants to tell. So this is my story. Feel free to add to the pieces. Anyone. Maybe I'll turn this into a book someday. Maybe not. Either way...welcome to my insanity.

me