“For whom is this their first time in India?”
“Wait, there’s like 3 or 4 of us that haven’t been to India before, correct?”
“First time in India, right?”
These questions allude to the situation I am currently facing. Being that this is my first time in India, and arriving in New Delhi, I found it oddly soothing that I had arrived in the city. Being born in Guayaquil, Ecuador and then living in New York City, moving to Newark and then New Brunswick in New Jersey; they were all cities. I am the epitome of a “city-dweller” and despite the bustling nature of New Delhi, it was… familiar. I had been to rural areas before, however. I have worked and even traveled to rural parts of the United States before. What is different this time is that I am in a country, and now a region, where all my experience and languages learned are not of use to me. I am a fast learner, however, due to the nature of my acceptance and then travel arrangement to India, I have found it difficult to adjust. I am learning Hindi as I go, and during my time in New Delhi, I loosely kept up with my practice as Orientation took precedence and jet-lag essentially demolished my energy.
(View of Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi,
photo taken by Carlos Diaz)
During my time in New Delhi, however, I attempted to make the most of my time. Trying to make friends with the cohort and explore as much of New Delhi as possible was essential. I would continue to study landmarks and essential buildings on my own after dinner at the hotel provided by AIF. And even this, through the presentations and modules, I could not prepare myself fully for my arrival to Dang, Gujarat. To an extent, I am grateful for this experience. Being in Subir, Dang, Gujarat has allowed me to really be outside of my comfort zone. Here the language spoken is mostly Gujarati and in the most tribal communities they speak Dangi. Despite my practice in Hindi, the team I am working with in this area requires a translator as well. I am learning words and phrases as I go, and I plan to practice full sentences soon. But why am I not practicing at this moment? Because not everywhere in Subir has a powerful internet connection. As you read this, I am typing this blog in the office; where the connection is the strongest. As soon as I depart for my apartment, the connection is lost. So no night calls or 12:00 am facetime meetings with friends or family. But not all hope is lost!
(View of Gauir Temple in Delhi,
photo taken by Carlos Diaz)
The entire territory of Subir is filled with nature and things to explore. As soon as I get my accommodation figured out, then I will be able to work from my apartment and connect with friends and family easily. I am to keep up with my studies of Hindi and other hobbies. My main goal: to communicate with my fellow peers at the office. My Hindi would be broken and at a very basic level, however, I want to reach the status of at least knowing it so that I do not feel behind. And yet, the people here have not left me alone and untaken care of. Everyone here is trying their best to help me, and I am forever grateful. I only hope to return the favor by speaking at a greater level of Hindi than I am at this moment. If I do not try, then no progress will be made. It will help me both professionally and in an unprofessional setting; for the project I am instructed to undertake and for the future. Wish me luck.
(The Waterfalls in Dang, Gujarat.
Photo taken by Carlos Diaz)
