E-mails from home and interesting people.

An e-mail can be painful. One morning, I turned on my computer, to find an e-mail from dad and a message from a friend in the states. The worst pangs of home sickness are set off by just reading such things. For instance, my dad informed me that my grandpa needed a walker, after hurting his artificial hips trying to lift a 50 lb bag of sunflower seeds. Or, that a friend was enjoying herself in Maine, which reminds me that I missed the family trip to weld, for the first time in years, perhaps the second in my lifetime.

The realization that one is thousands of miles away from home is a sobering thought.

Thankfully, people here are very interesting, fascinating in some cases. I have 2 roommates, a Korean named Tae Heng and an Indian named Aarit. Both are great roommates. Many of the teachers come from far away, (particularly from the states.) Just the other day I did an interview on a new teacher, for Journalism (a class I actually just dropped due to not having any free blocks in an 8 day cycle) Turns out, Mr Pesavento is probably one of the most fascinating people I have ever met in person. He began his story saying how he spent 2 years of high school in Spain, and continues to tell me that he has a degree in mathematics and astrophysics. His first job right out of college was working for a think-tank company, where he and a group of guys basically invented new technologies. one, was the use of a particular particle to basically cat scan the earth, up to a mile down. Apparently the government bought the patent, and told Mr. Pesavento never to speak of it again. He and his wife also started a private school, for two kids, and taught them from 5th and 7th grade, all the way through high school. they brought the kids to France, Costa Rica, and other places, where they were immersed in different cultures. Mr. Pesavento put huge amounts of emphasis on his belief that a global, or international education is essential. Then there are his outdoor exploits. He's led two expeditions up Mt. McKinley in Alaska, was once a nationally ranked hang-glider (2nd in the US apparently), he's taken kayaks over 30+ ft waterfalls, Hiked, Ice Climbed, Rock Climbed, Kayaked, Canoed, got his Pilots licence, etc. If an activity involves being outside, this man has most likely done it. So that was how I got a lot more than I came for out of a single interview for the school paper.

I guess I should talk a little about the bazaar too. you walk at least a mile into town, then even further down a hill through the streets. there are stores on all sides, selling fruit with flies buzzing around them, drinks, chips, snacks. The main bazaar is basically the downtown shopping center. A Reebok store, Adidas, (not pronounced adeedas here, rather, addedas) and all kinds of clothing stores, blanket shops, a Dominoes, and the Indian version of Starbucks, Cafe Coffee Day, or CCD for short. Things are ridiculously cheap compared to American prices, for example, I purchased a 8.5 X 8.5 foot blanket of high quality, for about 6 $ (300 rupees) so shopping here is quite economical for a citizen of the US.

MONKEYS. they are everywhere. This very morning, a trio of brown Rhesus monkeys were "monkeying" (haha I know right) around on the patio outside hostel. two were fighting, while the biggest was just lounging around looking dominant. Later, one of the scoundrels went swimming in the pool, only to be chased out by a guard. They are fun to watch here, as they are constantly causing trouble. The Rhesus are the troublemakers and will open doors, steal food, attack people on occasion, and so on. Handlers actually bring tamed Langur monkeys around to keep Rhesus monkeys away. The Langurs, are big white, and powerful, but relatively mild tempered. Wild ones, will rarely bother you (or so I'm told.) The only time the regal white/gray langurs actually lose their composure, is when they see a Rhesus monkey. They will go crazy, and not rest until the area is clear of the brown nuisances. This is basically why you see tamed ones on long ropes, hanging around with handlers, at various places on campus.

So far I've had a grand time. My stomach is starting to be agreeable with the food, and I am sleeping quite well. I guess this is about it for now, more posts will undoubtedly follow. sitar is probably one of the coolest instruments ever as well. haha more from that later.

-Thom (थोम)