Delhi Panschila Park February 3, 2010

Today I had a great presentation… I would say it was the best so far! Marco, Danika and I presented together to Rotary Club of Delhi Panschila Park at the Indian International Center. The club was really welcoming to us, and they were so excited to hear about our experiences both in our home countries and in India. It was interesting to hear Danika and Marco talk about their experiences because in some ways we have all had things in common, but different aspects of our stay have impacted us differently. One thing I think we’re all taking home is a deep understanding of how lucky we are to have been born where we were born and to have the freedoms and opportunities that we have. The club gave us gifts to take home, and we also had a delicious dinner!

I decided to hire a taxi back to college because I was already running late for my 10pm curfew. After some heated debate, I agreed to pay the driver Rs. 250 for the ride on the condition that he could give change. He was very crafty, just like all the other drivers I have ever know, so I knew he was just trying to be nice to me so he could ask for more money in the end. Regardless, I made small talk and laughed when he started singing a Hindi love song entitled “Juli.” But, just as expected when I arrived at the hostel he claimed he had no change. Luckily, the guy who works in the hostel’s cyber cafe was just leaving, and I am always friendly with him so I knew he would help me out. I called for him to tell the driver to give me correct change and a few other guys got attracted by the arguing and soon five people were arguing on behalf with the driver! Finally he gave me the correct change and I went inside the hostel. By this time, though, it was 10:30pm! When the gate guard told me the time, I said “oh no! Warden will kill me!” He laughed as he had witnessed the hulabaloo with the driver and told me to write 10pm instead and nobody would be the wiser! I am glad that I have forged these relationships over the past months so they will help me out in times of need like tonight!

In other news, it looks like we are back to square one with Gulalai’s practicals. The Examination branch office issued us two different letters; one stated that she was exempt from them after we visited the deputy registrar’s office three times, and the other letter was issued by the dean of examinations himself which claimed she could not be exempted as per university rules. We went to the Proctor of the University (who is in Rotary by chance) and he said that the dean’s letter would stand because he is of higher position. He is writing to the principal of our college asking her to arrange for Gulalai’s marks from last year to be carried forward to this year because he says it is an internal college matter. Why didn’t anyone tell us this months ago?! Why have we been running around hunting down deans and other officials all this time when all we needed to do was pressure the principal to, god forbid, help her students?! Very frustrating work indeed… still we are hopeful that she will help. If she doesn’t agree to it, then Gulalai will have to attend practicals and spend one whole month on practical exams (there are 18 exams minimum!!) rather than spend the time studying for theory classes. She is starting to get really sad about the whole matter, and I feel rather helpless after trying so many things and still having no definite answer.

On a more positive note, I taught Namun and Margaret how to make pancakes the other night and they have been making them ever since! They love them with butter and honey! It is a relief for them to cook and take their minds away from trash-talking friends, Indian bureaucracy, and final exams. I know they will miss me when I leave, and I am starting to think that I will miss more than I can anticipate when I get home.

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