We had an incredible day in Kochi, with an amazing welcome at a school (over 100 young ladies dressed in costumes and holding flower petals to honor our visit, and a drum line we followed in thru the gates). We also got to see some neat parts of this island city by boat this evening as the sun set over the water.
I have finally been able to put up a few pictures from the last several days, but don't want to do too much at once. I will answer a few of the questions asked in comments (don't worry Ian, I haven't forgotten about the movie question, and am still doing research so I can get you a good answer).
We have only really experienced a monsoon in Bhubaneswar where we got poured on. There has been some flooding here in Kochi over the past couple of weeks (according to the locals), but it didn't rain here today. I guess we've been lucky with our travels and avoided most of the bad stuff. It is humid, though ... really humid.
As for the math classes and curriculum, that is something I'm still studying. Most of the material is the same, but is done in a different sequence, or taught at a different grade level. So far, in every class I've visited, the medium is English so I am able to follow along, complete the problems, and often jump in with comments, additions, and my own questions. It has been a neat experience to see these classes and think of ways they are similar to and different from my own classes. It's been good for me to observe and do comparisons.
I'm off to sleep land, but will try to post again soon. Tomorrow we'll visit a college and learn more about this city with a huge Christian population and historical ties to Portugal.
The Taj Mahal
This "wonder of the modern world" is truly magnificent. One can't help but feel very small and at the same time part of something big when standing in front of it.
Traffic Hazards
The camels were just one of the many obstacles to safe and easy driving in India. Overall, they were some of the most patient and easy to deal with!
Helpful, Friendly, etc.
This young man gave me a personal tour of the Mosque outside of Agra. His enthusiasm and friendliness was refreshing compared to some of the beggars and vendors who wouldn't leave us alone.
Strength and Beauty
The women I met in India were strong and beautiful, regardless of how they were treated by the men around them.
Gateway to India
One of the famous sites of Mumbai, this tourist spot attracts people from all over India and all over the world.
Dangerous Art
This young man whipped a fire stick around himself to end the demonstration of his art form. It was amazing to see, and everyone was left in one piece (for the most part).
Familiar Symbols
In the area called "Jew Street," we saw the beautiful signs of the Jewish people that are still living here, though there are not many left at this point.
Chinese Fishing Nets
In Kochi there are a series of these nets which use a counter-weight system to pull in nets filled with fish. Today I got to help work one of them with this man who is showing off his catch from earlier.
School Pride
This sign hangs in a Government school for disadvantaged students, and makes me think about the level of pride students all over the world DO, or SHOULD take in their schools. I like CSI and ISA for their levels of student ownership.
Storytelling
This wall is one of the artistic remains of the ancient civilization. It has hundreds of small figures and tells a story of the power of water and animals.
Henna on my Hand
The other day I had a lovely local woman put this design on my hand. It is part of the costuming for weddings and other celebrations here.
A Special School
Today we visited the first (and one of few) schools especially for students with special needs. We saw some amazing teachers and their incredible students who welcomed us with open arms. It was a heart-warming and heart-wrenching experience.
No Food Allowed
The monkeys outside this historic cave/temple site are famous for ensuring no visitors bring food into the temples. They'll search your belongings personally!
Orissi Dancing
Some local students performed a short recital for us ... with beautifully adorned costumes and intricate performances. It was a warm welcome indeed.
A School for the Community
Today (14 July) we visited a school that is totally free for the children of a village that didn't have any education system until three years ago. The students welcomed us with warm smiles and an eagerness for the camera!
The Victorian Memorial
This amazing memorial to a dead queen (done with many similarities to the Taj) is the most visible, but not the only, reminder that Kolkata was founded by the British. The change in the spelling of the city's name depicts the shift in mentailty away from British domination.
The Holy River
Bathing in the Ganges is an experience of cleansing the mind and spirit for the Hindi people. I was careful not to touch the water which has been infected with many things, but the beauty was there for all of us.
Visit to Mr. Ajay's School
I was the guest of honor for the day, and was asked to give a message of hope and a bright future at the daily assembly. It was an impressive thing to see. No, it is not an all girls school, but the boys were standing in back.
Papers to Grade
The teachers at this private school have a huge staff room, including storage space for exams like these that are given every week (one in each subject). They are all written by hand, and the penmanship is incredible!
Two Teachers Working Together
Just at the beginning of our work together, we hope to learn from each other and help our students do the same!
No Evil
Recognize this one? This is a popular image in the streets, perhaps serving as a constant reminder to stay out of trouble, though I don't know exactly what the script reads.
Girls in the Community Kitchen at the Sikh Temple
These young ladies took a break from helping to make food for everyone in their religous community to have their picture taken. It is possible that they had only seen one other picture of themsleves in their lives.
Graffiti in New Delhi
Though not as prominent, it does exist here
2 comments:
Jenn Zinn! I've been following your journey through these wonderful postings that have been so descriptive and insightful.
This weekend, India named Pratibha Patil president, making her the first woman president of India (and of the world's most populous democracy!). What has the reaction been there?
In much of your writing, you describe things that seem contradictory, but still exist in the same time and space. Is having a woman president and womens' place in society one of those instances or is there equality between gender, more or less?
Hope your travels continue to be safe and a great learning adventure.
Hey Jenn:
It is great to catch up on your travels. It sounds like a great adventure. Love the henna on your hand. What have you learned about math education? I am in a weeklong pd for technology - I actually set up a school blogpage today - www.insidecsi.blogspot.com. This is a big thing for me. Interviewing three Earth Science teachers tomorrow. Hope one is good! Enjoy your day tomorrow! Miss you!
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