...India

I know...about time huh? But my cell lost service in New Delhi, so I havent been able to upload images...

OK, So I finally brought myself to blog. I swear I didn't feel like retelling my story...I hadn't completely processed it yet...come to think of it, I dont think I really have quite now...

First impressions...India is, as many before me have said, and asault on all the senses. One of the reasons its so hard to explain is because you dont just 'visit' India, you 'Live' it..The plane ride was horrid..in transit for 2 days. We arrived in Bombay. Security checks-got felt up. haha..from Bombay we flew to our first stop in our Itenerary. Hyderabad, in South India...the place we stayed at, ICRISAT was an agricultural institute- a reasearch facility. Basically what they do there is use science to enhance crop life- ie. genetically enhance their ability to withstand plagues and thrive in harsh weather. "Science with a Human Face," using it more practically to meet the needs of the area. The facility is amazing. It is centered in thousands of acres of green land. aswell as shielded from the choas of the city. We were there for a week-the mind boggling contradictions began there. The contrast between posh urban hubs and the meager slums was amazing. on one side of the city you would see sky rises, technology, westernization-on the other hunger, people literally living on the side of the road, kids being bathed on the street. HUNGER...poverty.

While in hyderabad we did sight seeing ofcourse. The Charminar and Golconda Fort were the highlights, as you have seen on liliavilla.com. We did shopping, CRAZY haggleling, im quite good. haha..beautiful tapestries and crafts...colorful...saree shopping :) ...but we also did various seminars with the local universities, after all it is a womens studies course. The womens movement is vibrant in India. It was a pleasure to meet activists who are changing womens lives as we spoke. MANUU was our host, a university dedicated to reaching Muslim women, and preserving the Urdu language-spoken mostly by muslims in india, and the language of pakistan. The most heartfelt moment was when we visitied one of the villages where the women were taking charge and forming "federations" to problem-solve and improve conditions. the welcomed us with music..we had an open forum with them-exchanged questions. THEY WERE SOOOOO curious in our way of life. they asked us if we had husbands (lol), what we did for work, how womens conditions were in our country-they had no real geographic idea of where America was...but what hit home the most was when we met their children and a school. they asked us what kinds of crops do we grow. wow...they didnt want us to go, and kept asking us questions. they were all younger than 13yrs. very sweet. that day was new years eve, and they gave each of us a present they made. i got a necklace, and she said "wish you a happy new year," it was beautiful...the people were beautiful...it was a very emotional day for all of us..to see the kindness of a people who literally have nothing, so warm, friendly, and who gave us a little something to wish us a happy new year...

im in New Delhi...already went to the Taj Mahal..I will continue with this later..gotta go!!

life's got me thinking about alot of things..