Udai-freakin-pur

I'm now safely in Udaipur. It was very difficult saying goodbye to my host family. But I know that this is the right place for me. I love Jagran (the NGO where I'm working.) The people are relaxed, friendly, and open to letting me research what I want. The center is outside of the city, but is only about a 15-20 minute autorickshaw-bus ride away. The autorickshaw-bus is amazing. It is a slightly larger version of the autorickshaw. But it will take you throughout Udaipur on a couple of routes and usually costs about 5 rupees. Last night we ended up in the same bus as 13 other people. "We" is me and the two other MSIDers here (Jen and Amy Kae.) To give you an idea how packed in we were, a bus should only seat about 7 people. On the way back we ended up in the same bus as this hilarious old lady who kept on joking with us in Hindi. She looked like she sold produce in town (for the last 90 years.)

People are so much friendlier and calmer in Udaipur. Maybe this is because the city is a lot smaller and greener than Jaipur. It is surrounded by rolling hills (the Aravalli,) which I definitely would like to trek through a bit. This morning I went for a run through the farmland around Jagran and did yoga on our roof for an hour before having rice and chai for breakfast. I then talked about my research project with Ganesh and Brinda (my bosses.) They basically think that I can do a huge case study of a dairy co-op that Jagran started in a little town 47 km (about 30 miles) outside of Udaipur. I'll be living there soon, but for now I'm doing background research on milk production and livestock issues in Rajasthan. I want my research to focus on traditional (and cheap) methods of keeping cattle healthy and productive. But I have very little idea of what will actually happen.

When I am in Vali (the village) I won't have Internet. But I'll be there for about a week before I take off for Diwali and go to Jaipur. After Jaipur I'm going to try to make it up north to Dharmsala where I can fully indulge my not-too-hidden-inner-hippie while also doing my Buddhist mother proud. (Dharmsala is the center of the Tibetan community in exile.)

Overall, I am extremely happy here. There is independence, good food, fun roommates, and an NGO of sweet, nonsketchy men who clearly are a little bashful about talking to the three American interns. Actually, the ones that know English are more bashful than the ones who don't.

So long for now,

Erica