Ram (God) just wants us to see the Himalayas

Namaste,

Exciting events have just taken place. We talked to our boss about leaving for Diwali, our mid-internship seminar, and Brinda's sister's wedding and the consensus is that it is too much trouble to go between Jaipur and Udaipur three times in one week. So, we were told that we can stay in Jaipur until we have to be in Allahabad for the wedding on the 19th. This means that we will have the 15th to the 18th free to travel. So where to go? Nepal of course.

We're planning on going from Jaipur to Varanasi, then from Varanasi to Kathmandu. Then from Kathmandu back to Varanasi, which has frequent trains to Allahabad. We should be there in time to meet Brinda's family, get henna-ed, and explore Allahabad. This is amazing for all of us because we are going to see both the Himalayas and the Ganges in one fell swoop. Also when we get back to Udaipur we're going to have to crack down on our research and spend about 10 to 12 days in Vali (tiny village.)

At first I guilty for taking so much time off from work. Then I remembered that our boss recommended it. Then I also remembered that it's India and work is looked at completely differently here than it is in the US. And I know myself and I know I can do a darn good case study in 10 to 12 days, especially if there isn't any internet or phone service. I just hope I can eat the food.

Today I went to a regional animal disease diagnostic lab and did some research on diseases in livestock. The more I talk to people about animals here, the more I realize how differently animals are viewed in India versus the US. When I tried explaining cooperate farming, one doctor asked "So people do not respect their animals?" Then I remembered that it's illegal to kill cows in every Indian state expect for Kerala, which has a large Christian, nonveg population. So how can I even begin to explain meat industry to a man who has lived in a vegetarian culture for his entire life?

I'm going to go research Nepal now. Tomorrow night I head out for Jaipur. I'm going to stay with my friends Adam and Katrina in a hotel for three nights, and then I hope I can stay with my family for three more nights. I would like to go back to Udaipur, but that would mean leaving on the 11th and getting in that night. Then staying there fore the 12th and leaving on the 13th for Jaipur so I can attend my seminar. That doesn't make much sense. I just hope that my family doesn't mind me sleeping over. Then again, when I called my Mummiji the other day she said, "Erica, tell me something. I have missed you so much." Hearing that made me so excited to spend Diwali with a family.