Homesickness and a New Friend

“Well, I guess we’re going with plan #1…”

“So, to the Beer Café?”

“Haha, yeah!” (High Five)

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The last week has been more difficult than the previous three.  I spent my first weeks adjusting, as my senses were simultaneously overwhelmed with both amazement and shock.  As the dust settled though, and my fourth week residing here creeped up, things started to become increasingly more difficult.  I was having more issues with school recruitment, so that neuroticism was kicking in, and I was starting to experience troubles living what could mostly be described as a solitary lifestyle.

Sure, I went out and about around town, but making friends when most people speak very little if any of your language is tough.  I enjoyed my experiences in schools, and spoke candidly with personnel at AFA, but still had difficulty connecting. 

Perhaps I hadn’t been adventurous enough.

Perhaps there weren’t a ton of ‘real’ social opportunities.

Perhaps I wasn’t trying hard enough.

Regardless, by the middle of last week I began to melt down a bit.  In a country that was nothing like what I had known my entire life, I started to become very homesick as I realized I hadn’t had a real face-to-face conversation that was not business related in almost a month. 

That wears on you.  I’ve always been independent and social, and am quite proud of how well I've adjusted while embarking on this journey on my own… but I felt the need for a personal component, a dash of home to help balance the craziness that is constantly going on. 

Well, luckily, I’m not the only UCLA student that was afforded the opportunity to come here.  So yesterday, just a few days after she arrived, an Anthropology doctoral student by the name of Gail joined me on this crazy journey.  We decided to do some touristy stuff and, quite frankly, had blast.  Overall, it was fantastic to check out more monuments and museums, but overall was just nice to have some care free conversations and laughs with (who is a now) a friend from back home. 

That said, while the next month should be easier than the last month, I'm looking forward to finishing my adventures out here and coming home to wonderful girlfriend, loving family, and amazing friends…

Buffalo wings, football, and the beach will be nice too….

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Here some pictures from some of my latest excursions including those with Gail!

Old Delhi

Old Delhi

Walking Towards Jama Masjid... the largest Mosque in India

Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid on the Final Day of Ramadan

Gate entering "Old Fort"

Old Fort Wall

On top of the Old Fort Wall

Mosque at the Old Fort

Inside Mosque of Old Fort

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That's all for now, can't believe I'm already half way done with this trip!