So we are getting to the point where India is staring to get old and stressful. Still we've see some awesome things. On the third day we went to a 400 year old wooden palace which was visually and historically pretty sweet. Then we spent the night at a pretty crappy hotel on the southern most tip where we could see the sun rise and set over the ocean from the same spot. Aside from the hotel it was beautiful. The area was really overstimulating though. It was way crowded with people staring at us, begging us for money, trying to sell stuff to us, and overall they were pretty rude. One guy tried to scare Christian by stopping an inch away from him on his motorcycle and some guys pretty much pushed Alana off a bench. I'm sure we'll get used to all the people but its still gives me a lot of anxiety.
On day 4 we woke up at 5 am to watch the sun rise over the ocean which was early but beautiful. Then we stood in an incredibly long line to get on a ferry to a temple which sits on an island. The temple was really nice. We got back to our old hotel around 5 and thankfully we got some down time. We just hung out and ate too much room service which actually had some western food on the menu and was a nice break. People have been starting to get sick already. One guy got food poisoning and two of the girls have some kind of illness that might be contagious. Fingers crossed I'll avoid it but being in a van together for hours doesn't help my chances.
I'm realizing here more than any other time in my life that I'm incredibly spoiled and privileged in the US. There's a lot I take for granted there and I hope that my experiences here help solidify that for me in the future and remind me to appreciate what I have and to give back what I can. Right now though my experiences with people here are making me feel bitter and less empathetic. At home on the crisis line I try my best to empathize with the problems people have and do everything I can to help them figure out what solution would work for them and to support them through it and refer them to other help if necessary. Today a man who was obviously seriously impoverished and had a deformed leg which probably needs medical attention asked me for money and I just ignored him and felt pestered. If someone like this came to me at the crisis center I'd do anything I could to help them. I know the only way I'll get through walking down the street is to ignore all the kids and elderly and disabled beggars but I really makes me feel like a bad person when I do so. At least in Iowa City I know when I turn down someone begging that they have a shelter and a food bank they can utilize. Here it leaves me feeling much more unsettled.
Gotta be up in a couple hours. Night all! Love you!
Here are some pictures so far from my trip. Let me know if you can't follow the link.
India! on Picasa
And here is Christian's blog if anyone wants to hear his side of our story
christiancopple.blogspot.com
On day 4 we woke up at 5 am to watch the sun rise over the ocean which was early but beautiful. Then we stood in an incredibly long line to get on a ferry to a temple which sits on an island. The temple was really nice. We got back to our old hotel around 5 and thankfully we got some down time. We just hung out and ate too much room service which actually had some western food on the menu and was a nice break. People have been starting to get sick already. One guy got food poisoning and two of the girls have some kind of illness that might be contagious. Fingers crossed I'll avoid it but being in a van together for hours doesn't help my chances.
I'm realizing here more than any other time in my life that I'm incredibly spoiled and privileged in the US. There's a lot I take for granted there and I hope that my experiences here help solidify that for me in the future and remind me to appreciate what I have and to give back what I can. Right now though my experiences with people here are making me feel bitter and less empathetic. At home on the crisis line I try my best to empathize with the problems people have and do everything I can to help them figure out what solution would work for them and to support them through it and refer them to other help if necessary. Today a man who was obviously seriously impoverished and had a deformed leg which probably needs medical attention asked me for money and I just ignored him and felt pestered. If someone like this came to me at the crisis center I'd do anything I could to help them. I know the only way I'll get through walking down the street is to ignore all the kids and elderly and disabled beggars but I really makes me feel like a bad person when I do so. At least in Iowa City I know when I turn down someone begging that they have a shelter and a food bank they can utilize. Here it leaves me feeling much more unsettled.
Gotta be up in a couple hours. Night all! Love you!
Here are some pictures so far from my trip. Let me know if you can't follow the link.
India! on Picasa
And here is Christian's blog if anyone wants to hear his side of our story
christiancopple.blogspot.com
Sounds like you have a good understanding of how to block things out for immediate coping while still internalizing these experiences to make you a better person. We're proud of you!
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