So we went on a trip this weekend, it was about 3 hours to another part of the state, we were going to a little village that had done an archeological dig and found a bunch of really old buddhist relics (i think that's what they'd be called) so we get there friday morning after a nice drive only to find out that the museum we were going to was closed for the day. so we all agreed that it would be nice to just stay in the town and go to the museum the next day. So then we drove around for about an hour and a half looking for a hotel because the only one that we saw was about 2000 rupees a night and our teacher didn't want to spend that much. everyone in town was telling her that that was the only hotel in town but she didn't believe them so we went on a wild hunt for cheap hotels, only to end up back at the expensive one. So that was kind of annoying but whatever, no big deal. So we get up super early and head out to the museum (which is on an island btw so we have to take a ferry to get there). So we get to the launch site for the ferry and they tell us that the ferry wont leave unless there are 60 people on the boat. luckily there were but by the time we get to the island they tell us that the boat will be leaving for the mainland in an hour, so we only had an hour at the museum. So we hop off the boat and hustle up to the museum only to be told that the museu isn't even open yet.
So long story short, it was a very unorganized trip that didn't get too much accomplished.

Really the only redeeming part about the trip was we got to see the country-side which was absolutely amazing. I really wish that the school was located in the country and not in a city. It’s so peaceful and the little villages are so nice. The people are so much nicer than in the city. In the city they just stare and point, but in the villages they actually talk to you and are curious without being invasive. Hopefully I’ll get to spend some more time in a country sort of setting before I go.

It’s hard to believe that two weeks are already done. Only 5 more weeks left! I can’t think about it like that though. I just need to enjoy my time here that I have. It’s sucks though because I still feel like there’s a lot of stuff that I’m not doing. But it’s just so hard when about 4 hours of the day it’s too hot to leave the house.

Last night we were going to go to this music festival (since yesterday was world music day!). So we finished dinner and we were talking to our house manager and he told us it was too late to go out. It’s apparently really dangerous for white girls to go out after it’s dark. So we had to miss out on that which was pretty unfortunate cause it sounded like an awesome time.

But we are going on another trip this weekend. We’re going to these ruins in a town called hospit. Apparently they are really amazing to see. So we’ll be leaving on Thursday and getting back Sunday night. We’re taking the train which should be really awesome. Everyone says that riding the train in India is something everyone has to do while they’re here so that should be fun!

I think sometime this week my professor is going to take a couple of us girls sari shopping. I can’t wait to get one!!! Apparently they’re really difficult to walk in. but they are super cool in this weather so I’m excited to have one.

Oh also, I decided I was going to start petting the dogs. I couldn’t not, they’re beyond cute. This weekend while we were away I met a little one that was just so sweet. I taught her some tricks and we hung out while everyone else was still asleep. So I started petting the ones on campus too. They’re really sweet. I don’t know why everyone is making it out to be like they’re these crazy rabid dogs. I mean I’m sure there are some that are more aggressive than the few I’ve encountered, but I’m not stupid about it. I don’t approach dogs growl at me. It’s nice to have some animal company haha.

So yesterday me, Anne and Isabelle all went out to the grocery store because we wanted to get some snacks. So we finish up our shopping and we’re headed home. The first rickshaw that stops wants an absurd amount, so we tell him no. We decide to start walking up the road a bit since there were no other rickshaws around. When one finally comes by it’s full of people but the guy stops anyways. We tell him where we’re going and how much we want to spend and he says to hop in. But the problem is that there’s already 4 other Indian men in the rickshaw. So they all get out and we try to tell them that we can wait for another one to come along and they don’t have to get out, but they insist. So me and isabelle get in and Anne sits on Isabelle’s lap, a guy sits next to me and than there are 3 guys (plus the driver so 4 total) sitting up front. That equals 8 people in one rickshaw that is only meant to hold 4 people total. It was the most amazing thing. The whole way back to campus we were all laughing and joking about how fun it was (as much as we could with the little bit of English the men all knew). And then it turns out that they go to the same school as us! We didn’t actually get their names because that kind of socialization between opposite sex’s is somewhat frowned upon. But I did see the one kid today and we said hi and exchanged pleasantries! So then after the 4 guys get out, this lady and her daughter and granddaughter all hop in with us, so we were super close with all sorts of Indian’s that day. It was great! And the icing on the cake was; as we were riding back we passed some boys that were playing cricket and they taught us how to play! It was a good day!









we stopped for coconut water on the way home








monkey!






















hilarious sign









They put broken glass on the top of these walls so birds won't land on them





Chai!






















we got bored one night and played games on the veranda. This was the end of a wall sitting match














This is ally winning the high kick competition



sarah jane losing horribly















This is how we normally have to eat dinner cause the power is out























The people that were here last semester wrote a bunch of stuff on the roof, including this jem "dance like no indian men are watching"

This is the building where my classes are. (I finally figured out how to get there! haha)



This is in the middle of our building. It's a really neat plant. Also, the grass here is weird. it's pointy. and feels really good on your feet.



This is my sweet ride!



Another angle of my bike. I love it so much



Eden and Katy at Golconda fort



The view from the top




There are little shrines like this all over Golconda that are super old.


An old wall




There was a row of houses right below the fort




This is Satish, he's the assistant director of the SIP (Study in India Program). He's really cool and took us all to Charminar and Golconda





Other side of the wall




Golconda



more golconda




Golconda



Golconda






Ok so yesterday me, Ally, Isabelle, and Maweish all went shopping and we planned on going out to subway afterward. We were all craving sandwiches and there was supposed to be a subway near the place we were shopping. So we finish up shopping (I got some more awesome clothes!) and we go to get in a rickshaw. Now luckily Maweish speaks Hindi so she's talking to the rickshaw driver and he tells her that he knows where the Subway is. So we all pile in and head out with thoughts of sandwiches in the near future. About a half hour later we realize that this richshaw driver has no idea where the subway is and so we're trying to figure it out but it's just not working. So we're driving down the street and we see a sign on this restuarant that says Italian and Indian food. So we just told him to drop us off there.

First of all, we all figure it's gonna be super expensive because it's extra fancy looking. So we ask to see a menu, and of course it's not expensive at all. It was like $4 a plate. So we were like ok this might be ok. So we went in and the place was completely empty. I mean we were literally the only people there. It was about 7:30 and the place was dead. So we took that as another sign that the food was gonna be crappy. But we stuck it out anyways.

So we sit down and we have the entire restaurant waiting on us since we're the only ones there. We order and when the food comes we're all a little weary. Because not only is it incredibly cheap, it's also empty in this restaurant, and frankly, ordering Italian food in India is always a little iffy.
We were all pleasantly suprised to find out that the food was amazing. I mean by any standards the food was just exceptional. I had spinach ravioli in a tomato cream sauce with broccoli, capers and sundried tomatos. Oh my word, so good. The other girls had pizza and they said it was fantastic.

It was kind of silly how excited we all were about how good the food was. But we've been eating Indian food 3 times a day every day for the past 2 weeks, so italian food is like heaven.

So our rickshaw driver not being able to find the Subway ended up being a blessing because this restaurant was amazing. We were like kids in a candy store!!

Oh and also, Indians generally eat pretty late, like 9:30-10ish, so as we were getting ready to leave it got busy.



Me being really happy about my dinner




Me and Maweish enjoying the evening



Oh also, they had beer and diet pepsi so Ally was really excited about both of those.




Maweish again!