Good morning/evening??? It's 1:30 am as I write this. We are struggling to get on this time zone. Yesterday was 107 degrees and full of activity. We woke, went to breakfast at the home base followed by a 1 1/2 hour welcome session with the co founder of CCS, Bela Singh (an amazingly fiery Indian lady). She educated us on the dos and don'ts.

do:brush teeth with bottled water, don't tell anyone when asked if you want to get married otherwise they will think it as an acceptance to a marriage proposal..which literally happened to a past volunteer! dress in respectful clothing to blend in as Indians have the stereotype of Americans as fast and loose..and have fun!

don't: be judgmental, eat any uncooked foods, drink the water or accept food from a would be host or hostess for fear of getting sick.

Bela gave us some examples of how volunteers in the programs past have affected change on those they meet. She explained that the attendance and cleanliness of the children rises when volunteers arrive as we are perceived as "in grace"..and reminded us to act in a way that would reflect that. One girl in a day care even decided to be a marine engineer because one of the volunteers past was a marine engineer. So, even if it does not feel like you are making a difference you may be in ways you never expected.

After our chai tea break, we listened to a two hour lecture from a professor about the INCREDIBLY FASCINATING history of India. Despite our tired selves, Lily was amazing and persevered through the talk...no complaints. I am very proud of her!!!

The group was treated to lunch afterwards at a very authentic Indian restaurant with rice flour cakes, mint sauces, tomato garlic chutneys, savory doughnuts, lentil soup (not like ours..very brothy and spicy) pomegranate nectar, rice flour crepes filled with spiced potatoes and then a delicious saffron cake with nuts and pineapple sweetened with honey...all served on a banana leaf! Delicious and visually appealing!

It is somewhat difficult to process all of the stimulation we are getting. The taxis to and from lunch and shopping are a very interesting snapshot into the Indian culture. There are laborers working on the road with shovels (no heavy equipment) old ladies lying in the shade on cardboard, children, dogs, cats you name it...it appears that is a free for all..no organization, but there is a structure that no one can see that has existed for thousands of years..(part of not judging).

Crazy dust storm occurred yesterday while shopping for clothing..the sky and everywhere you looked was brown..Picture Wizard of Oz tornado scene...that color of chocolate milk. Hazy and windy and no one except for us foreigners were fased by it!

The flight to Dharamsala is today at 10:30 and I will try to post some pictures when we get there. Love from us to you.