Christmas to NYE

So it’s been a week since my last post. I apologize for the delay. A lot has happened since Christmas, but first I would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! 

This past week at the college was something called “Gatherings.” For people in Building 22, these gatherings are similar to our spirit week, a little more intense though. I manage to participate in some of the smaller events by testing out my dance moves. It was a great time! Bollywood is in my future! The night of the 27th I got the keys to my flat here. It’s a great place and good location. Very close to school and fairly close to everything else. I moved in on the 28th. The place is unfurnished, however, the landlord is getting me some chairs for the living room so it won’t be too empty. My bed consist of 6 fleece blankets and 4 pillows on the ground in the corner of the room. It’s not bad, comfortable enough. I might eventually get a mattress. We’ll see. The night of the 28th was a performance from the school bands followed by a fashion show and dinner. The night of the 29th was the main cultural event where each class makes up a dance routine and compete it. The dances were great. At the end of night they announced the winning class which was THIRD YEAR B.ARCH GENERAL!!!! That’s the class I’m in!! It was great being on stage celebrating. The air was filled with awesome energy, you couldn’t help yourself but to smile. 

The next day I wanted to go for a “hike” through this park. I get dropped off at the top of the hill only to find out it was closed. Some locals told me about Katraj (which is a zoo more or less) that was near by. They pointed me in the right direction so I started walking. It the road was turning into a residential zone, now in Pune (and I assuming most other cities in India) residential zones are a maze of alley ways and are very easy to get lost in. I turned around and was going to walk back down the hill to the main road. Some boys started talking to me and said they would bring me to Katraj. I decided what the hell follow them. They brought me through the neighbourhood and one of the boys introduced me to his family. At one point I was surrounded by school children who were just laughing and grabbing at me and wanting to shake my hand. It was hilarious! Loved it! Later it got to the point though where the boys didn’t even know where we were. An older guy (around my age) stop and pointed us in the right direction again. I decided to pull out my camera to document this. I was quickly told by the boys to put it away or else I would get robbed. By this point I was feeling a little nervous. Eventually two guys (maybe 17) pull up on a 2 wheeler. One of the boys said it was their friends and they would take me to the main road. I said fuck it, and got on the bike with them, still nervous though with the situation. After driving through the twisting alley ways for about 10 minutes, we made it to the main road. I got off 2 wheeler and they pointed me in the right direction. I spent the next few hours in the “zoo.” It was an interesting situation that just reminded me I am in a very foreign country and can’t let my guard down. Good lesson learned. 

I will post about NYE and New Year Day tomorrow! 

Peace!