85 Fahrenheit with smoke in Mumbai, India

Feb.10, 2010
Woke and was very warm. There is no heating in the dorm area that we are in but I had a lot of covers on to keep me warm making it hard to want to get out of bed. I finally made myself get up and get dressed. I must admit it was good to wake up and feel rested and I like the cold surprisingly enough because I can bundle up and feel all snug and warm. Finally dressed and headed out the door for breakfast before talking with the students.
American Pancakes! I was so happy because I have been craving american breakfast food. The syrup is different and almost a sour taste but it was ok due to the pancakes being something I craved.
We then headed down the hill towards the school part. Such a cute little school on the mountains. I wish I could have gone here for High School. If I was in India I would send my children here. Unfortunatly most of the students I talked to were very quite and didn’t really want to talk it seemed to me. I remember those days, first day of class and I wouldn’t want to talk to strangers I would just want to be done with class and leave.
Me and my group then headed to the 5th grade class. They were very fun to give presentations to. My group was doing coral reefs. The kids had a lot of questions and like when we played a game with them. When the other group got up the kids were much more ready to interact and asked a lot of very good questions. I had to leave before it was done to talk to the next group of 11th graders. This group was much more talkative then the first but not very much still. The one boy ask me about how I felt about the Free Tibet movement since he is from there. I felt bad because I haven’t followed it at all and have not made a stands yet. Don’t kill me anyone I just don’t know the full story so I shouldn’t take a stands on something I know little about. So I answered that I havent been paying attention and really couldn’t answer that. He seemed to take it well and told me a little about how it is under China rule.
That class ended and the Hiram group headed out on a walk. I have not acclimated at all so going up the hills I could feel myself struggling for breath. I did very well again and hopefully I can have no problem with the hill from the dinning hall to Henry when I get back to Hiram. I was shown a beautiful giant old oak tree on the side of the mountain. It was just beautiful with its mossy branches hanging down over the mountain side and towering above it. We headed back down the mountain towards the school for lunch and there was a wonderful view. The air is so much more cleaner and I feel my sinuses clearing up here.
We had lunch in the cafeteria. It was really good and not curry. They had a delicious cob salad. There was also tea as well. Here they have tea with breakfast, 10 o’clock tea, lunch. 4 o’clock tea and then dinner. I like the fact that at those tea times everyone just stops what they are doing and have tea. I very much like the idea and wish Hiram had it along with the coffee shop as well.
After lunch was time to meet with the AP 12th grade bio class. This group of students talked a lot more and had more questions for us about Hiram and colleges in general I America. I think a few were really interested in Hiram and asked how late she could turn her application in. I told she could still turn it in because I was a late applicant as well. It would be cool if they came and I could talk with them more.
After that we were shown the new gym. It was awesome. They have a rock climbing area and Ping-Pong tables! A class was going on doing jump rope. After awhile they asked some of us if we wanted challenge and try it. A few did and weren’t bad. After that we headed for tea and then I was able to send postcards at the school post office.
I then headed slowly back up to the Hanafl(I think I spelled that right) center. I was able to get internet and finish some homework. Once again my blog group is not ready and are too tired and one is sick to work. Its frustrating me that everyone is on their final touches and posting and we aren’t even at final touches! Supposedly we will work on it as soon as we get to the Maldives. I was done with stuff so I headed back up to the room to pack up my stuff for the train ride back to New Delhi and then airport.
I had a shower which was so nice because I thought it would be cold but it was very hot that it was burning and had to try to make it colder but it was either really hot or cold. Lol oh well it still felt wonderful and I recommended it to the girls who were not going to take one for fear it would be cold, because it really warms you up. After that I got in bed to warm it up and finished observations that needed to be done.
Now for a few hours of sleep until having to get up. Oh well I survived.

Feb. 11. 2010
Woke up at 2am to get ready to go. Not fun but I made it up and out with all my stuff because I didn’t allow myself to be rushed. Waited out on the road for the taxis. Everything was very quite and the stars were shining so well I wish I could star gaze and knew my constellations.
Today was the train ride that was 6 hours to New Dehli.
When the group got to New we got on a bus and headed out to tour the city. The first stop was the Arch of India. It was a beautiful arch dedicated to soldiers of wars. It was weird being back in the city with people pressuring you to buy something. We then drove past Parliament and the Presidents place before going to the Indira Gandhi Memorial. It was her house that is now a memorial. It was setup beautifully and had news paper climbing everyone that gave a real sense of her life.
We then headed out for lunch at a curry restaurant. It was super good but it might have been because I was so hungry. There was also lots of sweets at the place so I was able to get some. Alot of the sweets taste like maple syrup or such. after that it was airport time with flights to Sri Lanka and then to Male.
So it was a super long day of traveling and sightseeing.
Feb 12, 2010
Arrived at like 2am and headed to hotel having been up for now 24 hours.
So got on the boat and was supposed to work on blog but didn’t happen go figure. So wasnt too happy with not being able to shower, missed breakfast and nothing seems to get done. At least I was reminded that I could get in the water and that made my mood go up.
Got on boat and 3 hour trip
Docked and went to the island, I’m staying on the boat
When we got to the island we had coconut milk from the coconut! We then had to head back due to getting a snorkel in. We headed out to snorkel as the sun set so we got to see the nocturnal fish starting to come out and the others go in making it very interesting. I love the reefs here. They are just full of live and a beautiful part of Gods creation.
I went back to the boat and took a quick shower before dinner. Dinner was amazing and so was lunch. I even tried the fish! After that I stargazed because it was so clear and so many could be seen.
It is really hot in the cabin but the fan cools it down a little bit. I think tomorrow I will take out the sleeping bag and sleep uptop.

Feb 13, 2010
They turned off the motor so all the cool air from the fan was gone making me sweat like crazy and not be able to sleep. So I went with sleeping bag and slept up top and was able to get more sleep. Then around 7am woke up and had a delicious breakfast. Around that time others from the island arrived and we had class before dives.
Diving was amazing! The first dive was to 26meter and the other was to about 24meters. There was a ton of fish along with coral, anemones, and I saw a shark on one of the dives. I really wish I could have more then just this week to dive. I wish I had a camera as well. I was diving with a shorty wetsuit and a steele tank allowing me to be able to not blow the safety stop like in Koh Tao. I could go home happy with just those 2 dives.
After that we headed back to the boat and proceeded to jump of the top of the boat. It was fun and scary at the same time. The water was so warm and clear. We got everyone in the water and was able to get a picture of us in the water. It was awesome but made me guilty at the same time that I was having a good time when I am on a school trip but that happens.
The weather got chilly and rain started to come! Not something I would expect thats for sure. It made the boat very rocky but it also cooled down the cabin.

Feb. 14, 2010
Woke up refreshed this time due to a storm came in and made it cool.
Did observations
People arrived and the space got cramped and crowded as well as loud with everyone on the boat.
Breakfast
2 hour trip to dive site
Dive it was awesome but I was adjusting me BCD alot causing me to run out of air! I had enough to fill the BCD but the dive master had me use his alternate. It was a deep dive and I adjusted the BCD deep, which wasnt smart but it happens. I was only using the alternate during the safety stop at 5meters and made it safetly to the top with no problem. Saw a white tip reef shark and a gray reef shark getting its mouth cleaned! I love seeing the sharks but have only seen these little ones. I want to see a Hammerhead but those are early morning almost night dives. Oh I did see a Octopus!
Lunch and after the I snorkeled. I saw a Turtle! It was a little guy but super amazing! The area is full of life. I got out and was not going to go back in but I did and saw more stuff before getting out for the next dive.
The last dive was against a strong current causing to use alot of air and we went deeper then the first dive at 85ft, we went to 109ft. This caused me to get a reverse block on the way up. It makes me mad because now I cant dive tomorrow. I was following the Master diver and he took us that deep . I should have not gone that far but I was doing what I was told and following him. I did see some sharks and other things at that deep. There was a moray eel out and about swimming right in-front of me and the divers with me.

Dinner
Moved to the Island
Talked to Caitlin until I fell asleep

Feb. 16, 2010
Got up and head to the boat
Had breakfast
Did observations
Got essay back
Had class
My ears are still blocked so I did not go diving
Went with Sigrid, David, Clay, Zippy in the diggy to the sandy Island making me feel like an explorer or shipwrecked person. I walked along the beach looking at the colors of the sea
Went in the water and swam trying to not get my ears wet due to still being blocked.
Went fishing and Clay caught something at the very end
Had lunch
Went to Island to clean up for meeting the school kids
Took my bag and found out that the situation was changed
Met with the school children. They had to come on their holiday to meet us. We split off into group. The group I was with was shy for one person. Talked and exchanged email and took pictures. Went on a walk. I was asked my name again and the girl was Shaufa. She was in 9th grade and has an older sister and lots of cousins and aunts and uncles who work nearby. I met her mother outside the school. talked and she wanted a picture with me. She said I was just 1 year younger then her sister so it felt like she was talking to her older sister. A lot of the kids bonded with the group and they wanted emails and pictures and addresses. It was nice to see them so interested in us. Some wanted us to stay on the island or have a longer time. Most of the girls had long sleeves and headscarfs bit a few didn’t and had their hair in a braid. The guys dress about the same. A lot of the teachers are from India and the female teachers were in saris and other India garb. We were pulled away from the kids and had coconut milk and talked to the teachers. I very much enjoyed talking to these people. A normal tourist would not even think to stop and talk to learn about the wonderful education these children have. All the kids are amazing and I wish we had more time with them. I hope to talk to Shaufa over email and maybe send her a card through the schools address.
Shopped and got some things for myself and others.
Went to the dock and saw people who were catching fish and cleaning them. Stingrays were in the water about 3 or 4 of them. Fish was thrown in and the ray went for it. It was cool but I was tired and wanted to go eat.
Got back to the boat and had dinner which was very good as always.
Headed back and saw the fluorescent plankton over the edge of the dingy.
Got a sunburn on the beach. That’s what I get for being cocky about it. My face is fine but not the upper body and some of the leg. Nail on big toe is dead but would not fall fully off so I cut it very short but worried it will get hit and hurt but it seems fine now. Sand was getting under the nail before I clipped it.

Feb. 16, 2010
Woke up early and headed to the boat. Had lunch and finished observations
Headed back to shore
Got to Mookai Hotel.
Went out for lunch
Walked around and got chocolate, chocolate milk, and coke.
Packed and used the internet
Dinner at a buffet which was pasta and ice cream. Yum yum!
Swim
Internet
Bed

Feb. 17, 2010
Woke up and had breakfast
Internet and packing up
Class
Packed up and had lunch
Walked around, Its like a concrete jungle with buildings everywhere.
Internet
Headed to Airport
Got gifts when going through security I got pulled asided and patted down. It was funny because I dont know why. I didnt peep at all and the only thing I could think of is my pants ar kinda baggy. It was weird being patted down and the most weird was getting my chest patted down lol, at least it was a woman doing it.
Plane to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka to Mumbai
At the airport some got through and some didn’t. I was one of the ones that got stopped due to the stamp. The regulation was changed that if you leave india on a tourist visa you have to wait 2 months before reentry but that was changed when we were in Thailand! At least we all made it through.
Got to Max Chinai’s place.

Feb. 18, 2010
Around 4am finally got to Max Chinai’s house. At 8:30am I got up to have tea with Max and his son. The tea was a lot stronger then the others I have had in India. I was asked to introduce myself and say what my expectations were. To be true I really don’t have many. Not that I don’t expect anything just I want to try and not worry about getting things done. Live day by day as if the Lord is coming that day. Although it is really hard and I still am kicking myself for not having my Bible or remembering verses. I remember a few but never a reference. I have been having praise songs come into my head, Thank you AWANA!
I worked on a few things. I fixed Allen’s shirt. It was nice to but my skills to use. I then napped for here and there. I then wanted to go eat but didn’t want to go by myself so Anh was kind enough to come with me and we headed to subway that is super close to the house. How much have I been craving a sandwich that I even had turkey on it! I am so proud of myself for being adventurous this trip.
I finished hand washing my socks before working on different stuff. Then I headed to the area looking down on the beach. I was able to watch a beautiful Indian Sunset over the shore. It was interesting to see the beach full of people. Its as if the live revolves around the beach at sunrise and sunset. People were playing soccer, cricket and other games. Some were just walking along the shore and some sitting on and around rocks. Twice I saw people riding horses on the shore in the surf zone, not something seen in the U.S. that’s for sure. Some people were walking their dogs. One had a German Sheppard which is the first I have seen since getting out of the U.S. I hung out on the lawn for awhile and then Sigrid let us go to her room and make phone calls home.
It was really hard not to start crying over the phone as I called mom and dad for the first time since Hawaii. It was like 6am for them but they seemed happy that I called them. I was limited to 5 minutes and went about 6 minutes. I really wish I had more time and I wish I asked Mom to pray with me but I ran out of time. I think tomorrow I am going to ask if I can call and ask right away to have mom pray with me. After that I headed back to the room but people were inside drinking.
had a Bacardi Breezer, which is just a wine cooler. I liked the wine cooler better. I went with some of the girls for ladies night but the lounge was closed so we head next door to the hukka bar. I then went with the girls and a guy to get a the wine cooler and some subway. I went back to the hukka bar but was feeling uncomfortable so I said the smoke was getting to me, which was partly true, to get back to the room. I wanted to just sit and visit with David, Sigrid, Denny, Hamas, and Max but they had gone out and now I am in Jamjams so I wont go up. Maybe tomorrow I will visit and not go out with the group.
The guys have been hanging out in the room being loud. I am glade I got the spot I did because I could stay in the corner with my wine cooler and watching it as I did work and listen to music. Now I should head to bed because tea is at 7am and at 8am we head out to sight see around Bombay/Mumbai. Well off to bed and hopefully a wonderful day.

Sorry that this took so long to get updated!