Could This Possibly Work?

This picture helps me to explain a portion of my experience in India. This is a photograph that I took of a 'cash drawer' at a cafe in Rishikesh and it is similar to every cash drawer that I glimpsed in India.

The 'System' as best as I could tell, seemed to be:
A standard drawer in a desk or counter (usually, but not always, a locking drawer)
1. The cashier would accept the currency tendered
2. (Un-lock and) open the drawer
3. Toss, drop, usually throw, or occasionally place the bill(s) into the drawer
4. The cashier would then fish around in the drawer for appropriate change
5. Finishing by closing (and locking) the drawer

[The 'cash drawer' pictured has a bowl for coins which was more segmented than most of the drawers that I noticed, studied. There were a few drawers where the bills were grouped together in a fold.]

My 'Western/American' idea of a 'cash drawer' was reconfigured by viewing the practice of a cash drawer in India. Granted my highly structured idea of what constitutes an organized system is slightly above the norm. From experience if I was working with a cash drawer not only would the bills go into the proper slot designated for the $1 bills but they would be straightened and faced as well.

I saw what I may have thought was 'no system at all' functioning very fluidly and it has left me wondering.

Journey Home

It is my last morning of this journey. I depart from London later today. It has been quite an experience. Each day has brought so much that they seem like weeks rather than simply days. Not in a bad way, or in a good way either, but in a full way.

Great gratitude for my experiences: new friends/family, new perspectives, a new world, important reminders, total disbelief transformed into the everyday occurence, challenges, patience, resistance and release with varying degrees of suffering, complete wonder.

I return to the U.S. later today to the joy that is time with my family.

More pictures and realizations to come.

My very best,
Jeff

The Man & His Mobile

Santosh answers all calls for help.

Hands That Do Great Work

Great Group Shot

Proud Artists

Leaving India

As my last day in Delhi and India was winding down I had an interesting feeling. It was as though I had completed or accomplished some sort of endurance test. I was content, somewhat proud or accomplished as though I had done it. And new uncertain feeling that I have shifted a bit and perhaps see/feel things differently. Along with the sense that did it was a feeling of OK what next?

My last day in the country was quite wonderful:
- traveling through Delhi streets full packs on the back of a motorcycle. (If that guy can carry six 10 foot (or however meters long) 2 by 4's while riding on the back of a motorcycle I can sure carry a few bags fully outfitted with straps and handles
- returning to the school and witnessing a normal day helping with some computer training.
- Breakfast: Aloo Paranta and veggies; Lunch: Chapati and dahl and veggies; Dinner: Chapati and curry veggies all homemade by Archana and super tasty!
- A Delhi bazaar
- Loving the bike experience, you now that you are fully alive atleast for the time
- A bittersweet goodbye as I head onward and am departing good friends that and great people.
- A flight that boards for 3:30am departure but doe not take off until almost 7am.
- The surreal feeling of going from Delhi to London.
- I owe you much more but the art museum calls

In London for 3 days,
Jeff

More Teaching? More India?

So I realize that there may have been some bets placed that I was not going to return from India. Well, do not get your hopes up. The house will be happy to collect on any of those bets.

I am planning to return on my scheduled flight November 23rd to Phoenix. I expect to enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving with the family in Arizona. From there sometime early December back to Austin.

However teaching English to the children at the school was a blast and incredibly rewarding.

There was an offer for me to return to India and teach Conversational English at the school.

I have been brewing and stewing in this decision as I have been spending time in India. Wondering how I could do this for 3 months. Wondering how I could miss out on the chance to make such an impact. Wondering if my cold is not due to my resistance to the idea of a longer stint in India.

Quite a few things would have to come together for it to work out. But I am seriously considering the possibility. {My agent may want me to delete this line- as Vanessa may take a peak at my blog} (well Vanessa if you do, a real hot shower is a deal breaker)

Stay tuned!

And for some really exciting news:
I pulled off the headstand pose in my yoga class for the first time!


Happy Birthday to Suzanne! Love you sis.

Happy Birthday to Aunt Carol! You too AC.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad! Y'all are the best!

Many thanks to all.

Teaching English

Back when our retreat group first visited the school, Santosh told us that the children were expecting us to teach them English. We were all quite surprised by this. Asking where they might have come to that conclusion, Santosh said that he had told them. :-) So English teaching it is.

I was relived when Jenny volunteered to take the oldest class. My sense was that it would be much more difficult to pull something over on the older kids.

I number of years back I became certified as and ESL tutor but I only tutored for a couple of months and didn't feel that I was very effective.

Breez teamed up with me and we were set to work with a mid range age group.

Because it made great sense to me I remembered from my training that working with visuals and specially action words would be easiest to learn.

We came up with a simple list of visuals that we would be able to utilize in the classroom, consisting of colors, furniture, body features. And we compiled our list of action words.

The class was all over our simple visuals. It felt as if we were presenting a 1st grade lesson to 8th graders. So we moved on quickly.

So it was up to our 'actions' list: walk, run, sit, stand, talk*, go, stop, jump, sing, dance, wave*. The (*) signified that I was concerned with those because the action may not be clearly discernible. We did try wave but only one time.

Breez and the children's teacher were fantastic models for our action words. The children would see and hear Breez "I am walking" and we would have them recite "He is walking". Than "She is walking", "They are walking" and it ram it home we had the whole class walking around and (as it turned out) Shouting "We are Walking! We are walking! We are walking!" The biggest hit was undoubtedly "We are Jumping!"

The children have a great deal of written English practice and have a groundswell of knowledge. They seem primed to start speaking and the excitement that they exuded as they were Standing, Sitting, singing, dancing, jumping, eating, drinking was amazing.

There is some video out there that I hope to be able to share with you in the near future.

I have still been nursing a cold and have decided to remain in Rishikesh. I am enjoying my yoga class and have been coming to terms with some of my resistance to that which is India. There are lessons for me everywhere I look. I have been meetin many fellow travelers and sharing some great meals.

More later.

Sorry no pictures this time. There are posted signs in this internet cafe reading "USB NOT ALLOWED", "SENDING & UPLOADING PICTURES NOT ALLOWED". I will take a picture and send it along in the future.

My very best,
Jeff

Rishikesh Continued

Hello all,

I guess it's Tuesday November 10th. I am still in Rishikesh and am finally starting to settle in a bit. It is interesting to see the new travelers entering and looking as lost as I felt recently. My 3rd day of the 3 day yoga course is tomorrow. I may check out another program and stick around.

Milenge (see you soon)

The Kids are awesome

JM was here

Interesting proportion and a close-up of the detail work. They carved out the white marble to embed precious stones.

a Wonder to be sure

Yoga and a Hot shower?

Still in Rishikesh; proclaimed the International Yoga Capital of the World - I have been a bit lost in this town and haven't been able to land in a yoga class.

Besides the language barrier it is very overwhelming. I have been spending so much focus on where I was walking that it has been difficult to actually see what I have been searching for. Watching out for the cars, jeeps, motorcycles, mopeds, carts, cows, horses (and what comes with the cows and horses), people, ducking venders and beggars, monkeys, dogs and I am sure I will see something else that I did not list on my way back to my room.

I found a yoga class today and I took a yoga class today. It went very well. I am signed up for a 3 day course - (2) 2 hour classes a day. :-)

I have been fighting a bug but am feeling much better.

I had a good nights sleep and a nice hot shower.

A hot shower is not easy to come by. Even if it is said that you have a hot shower it may mean a hot water spout in your bathroom; which means 'the bucket system'.

You may have actually have a hot shower spigot but does the hot water heater work? (be sure to check)

If you have a hot water spigot and you confirm that the hot water heater works (good job) but will you have power when you take this 'hot shower'?

At my previous guest house I had to go outside and ring the bell and ask to have the power turned on for the hot water heater. Because of the timing, I have to wonder if my ringing the bell shorted out the power.

I am very thankful for my hot shower and yoga class today.

It was a good day.

Sharing the Love

I left for India from Phoenix after staying with my sister and her family for a few days. The whole crew jumped into gear to send me with gifts for the children.

My sister Joanna, my nieces Laura, Amber and Zoe and brother-in-law Phil made 201 beaded bracelets for the children. It was Joanna's idea. The girls donated their beads. Laura did lots and lots of sorting and Amber and Joanna were prolific creators as we whipped out bracelets on a tight schedule. The 201st bracelet was finished a few hours before my flight.

Zoe drew 53 pictures for the children. She was shooting for 200 and would have done it given a little more time.

The bracelets were the prized gift in the children's gift bags. The children loved their bracelets and wore them proudly. Kristen gave Zoe's pictures to the younger children and the children drew pictures to return to children in the states. Here are two proud recipients.

Students At The After School Study Program

The boys sit on one rug and the girls on another.

They were working on their math homework when we arrived.

Ashram

Here is a picture of the ashram where we stayed during our service retreat. We had a peaceful spot to retreat from the craziness that is Delhi.

Meant To Be

The current school is busting at its seams. There are classes being held in hallways. One of the miraculous occurrences during our trip was acquiring a wonderful new school building for five years RENT FREE!

Here is a picture of a heart shaped tree outside of the front gate to the new school building.

Bullet Recap

It has been an intense whirlwind couple of weeks so far. This recap may be more for me to have a handle on what happened.

Each and everyone of these bullets is a bountiful experience.

Tuesday October 20th:
- Arrived in India
- exhilarating ride to hotel
- popped out of my hotel room only to return 3 or 4 times; it can be very over stimulating/overwhelming and I felt that I had to return to my calm home base
- wonderful Indian meal Dahl and chapati
- early evening

Wednesday October 21st:
- We wait in India. Everything/everyplace is described as either 2 minutes or 10-15 minutes but can be any amount of time. There doesn't seem to be any sense of urgency until you find yourself on the road and than it is a break neck pace, full out, get out of my way race.
- Met up with very friendly faces and moved to the ashram were we stayed during our service retreat.
- The ashram is very nice: simple, peaceful in the center of chaos, nice green grass and Kristen brought a frisbee!

Thursday October 22nd:
- The rest of our group arrives and our service retreat begins.
- Visit the After School tutoring program and meet the children for the first time.
- The children are so excited to see us.
- Santosh certainly does not rest on his laurels. He already had so much going on with the school and he recently started an After School tutoring program open to children from his school, children from nearby public schools, and girls who do not currently attend school.

Friday October 23rd:
- We visit the school for the first time. Bright smiling faces and bubbling with joy.
- Learn that the children are expecting us to teach English.

Saturday October 24th:
- The mornings begin pretty early for me as I was waking at 4:30 or 5:00 am. So I walk the grounds, throw the frisbee, climb up to the top of the temple, occasional yoga.
- Each morning our retreat begins as we sit with Vanessa.
- Return to the school. Countless smiling faces and more joy.
- Evening Cashmiereian experience. We were invited to a wonderful dinner and music evening at a Persian Rug showroom.

Sunday October 25th:
- We spent the day at the ashram in retreat.

Monday October 26th:
- I find myself teaching English with Breez. We had a big time with two classes and the children were jumping with excitement.

Tuesday October 27th:
- Breez and I teach English to the two younger groups of children at the After School program. We learned a lot, hopefully the children did too.

Wednesday October 28th:
- Breeze and I are in our groove and we teach three more classes at the school.
- Great fun.

Thursday October 29th:
- We had heard that the children were planning a performance but we had no idea what they meant by a performance. We were completely blown away.
- Every act was so special and full of energy. WOW! it was incredible.
- We went to a school performance and it exploded into an all out dance party.
- If you see the video, I had something in both of my eyes.

Friday October 30th:
- We say goodbye to our new family at the school and later in the evening at the ashram.

Saturday October 31st:
- Our retreat wraps up.
- Kristen, Patra, Breez and I head to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal.

Sunday November 1st:
- A day in Agra.
- Visiting the magnificent Taj Mahal, and Agra Fort.
- A full fun day around Agra.

Monday November 2nd:
- Train to Delhi. Everyone of these line items is a learning experience and for this one we all receive extra lessons.
- Shopping at Delhi Haat a city bazaar.
- Most of the crew departs for home.

Tuesday November 3rd:
- Kristen, Patra and I brought what we learned from our first train excursion and hop a train to Haridwar.

Wednesday November 4th:
- Cable car to a couple of temples.
- Vikram ride to town and arrete in the Ganges.
- Haridwar at night.

Blogging To Resume Tomorrow

I have to thank all of my followers. Without you I guess this would simply be an online journal.
* The children of Bhatti Mines are amazing
* I had a chance to teach English at the school!
* Teaching the children of Bhatti Mines was really amazing.
* I have taken over 300 pictures (My PR agent suggested that I leak word that pictures will begin to be posted once I have 25 followers)
* The saying: "Everything is negotiable." Is practiced continuosly here. Hopefully practice makes perfect.
* Visited the Taj Mahal Sunday.
* One driver, driving for one hour in India uses his horn more than a driver in the States does in a lifetime. Well, perhaps a half hour.
* Among other things, my vision of an Internet Cafe was not even close.
Until tomorrow or later today,
Jeff

4th Day of Our Service Retreat

We were teaching English at the Bhatti Mines School today. It was really incredible. The children are so much fun, so eager to learn, so ready to laugh, I love it. It has been very powerful in such a short period of time.

We have been on a tight schedule so it has been tough to send updates.

I have realized that when you are not surprised by the random cow you may be settling in a bit.

Lots and lots to share but I need to jump off of the computer. More later.

The children are awesome and the work that is being done at the school is very noble.


Great gratitude to all,
jeff

Witness to Amazing Work

Day One of our service retreat was very moving.

We arrived during the After School program were students from the Bhatti Mines School, neighboring schools and girls who do not attend school go for tutoring.

Their desire to learn and their appreciation for the opportunity for an education was beaming simply beaming.
They were sitting in tight rows cross legged on the floor working diligently on their assignments. They would pop up to have their instructors check their work. Full of pride and excitement as they waited.

Santosh and his wife have affected change where customs go deep. I am so proud to be a witness to such amazing work.

Of note:
- I took 73 pictures today. A new record for me.

- Yesterday, I arrived at the ashram where we are to stay during our service retreat. The accommodations are rustic by our standards but very peaceful and nice.

- For those of you worried about me losing weight. The food is incredible and Mama Gee our host strongly encourages seconds and thirds.

- I awoke to the sound of a monkey landing on and scurrying across the metal roof.

"Hi" From The Other Side of the World

I arrived today in Delhi. Well it's actually tomorrow, and my body thinks that it is still yesterday.

The nine hour flights from Phoenix to London and London to Delhi went smoothly.

All the action occured on the car ride once I was on the ground. I began counting 'close calls' by U.S. standards but it is a continuous close call, think Nascar during rush hour traffic. It is like riding in the car of the combined video games Pole Position & Frogger. Pretty exciting stuff.

I am acclimating today and will be meeting up with the group tomorrow.

See ya later

Jeff began his journey Sunday evening flying from Phoenix to London and then onto India.

Here's a video of Jeff getting his head shaved for his trip - sorry it is long - I don't know how to edit videos to only include the good stuff - well who am I kidding - Zoe is laughing through most of it so that is definitely all good stuff ;)

Final prepping for trip

Hi all - this is Joanna - Saturday night Jeff had to do some final prepping for his India trip - he wanted Zoe to help him out - check out video to see what he needed help with :)

FAQ's

1. When are you leaving? "What? Are you trying to get rid of me?"
Leaving Austin - October 14th - Driving to Phoenix to hang out with the nieces
Leaving the country - October 18th

2. How long will you be gone? "Not feeling the love, here" ( see #1)
2a. How long will you be traveling?
Almost a month, I am returning to the States on November 23rd.
Plan to Return to Austin in the beginning of December.

2b. "You CAN NOT have an (A) without a (B)." - Ms. Ryan 6th grade Language Arts

3. What is bringing you to India? "an air..."[biting his tongue with an apologetic glance]
I am traveling to India on a service retreat with The Amala Foundation in support of the Bhatti Mines School outside of New Delhi, India. From October 22-31 there is a group of us who will be serving at the Bhatti Mines School.

4. What will you be doing?
We will be there to serve in whatever capacity we are needed.


5. Are you staying in India after the retreat? "Well since I'm here."
I have extended my trip and plan to travel in Northern India until November 18th.

6. Where are you planning to go? What are to planning to visit? "Walk from town to town, meet people, get in adventures."
I have a working outline and am open to suggestions. Follow along on my BLOG, Followers wanted.

6. Do you have to get any shots to travel to India?
No
NO?
No shots are required.
None required? Well are there ANY recommended?
Yes
You have to .......................
I took Hep A & B and a tetanus shot.

7. You can't drink the water. "In the form of a question please."
Do you know that you can't drink the water?
Yes, bottled water only.

8. What about your business? How can you pull something like this?
I am trusting that there will still be disorganization when I return.

9. Are you bringing a camera?
Yes, I am BRINGING a camera.
Are you going to take pictures?
I haven't been very effective at taking pictures while traveling but I am going to make a concerted effort to take pictures and post them on my Blog. Yea, I blog.

In Support of the Bhatti Mines School

I am traveling to India this October on a service retreat in support of the Bhatti Mines School. I would like to share a deep thank you to those that have given to support the school and to make my trip possible. I am traveling to India to support the children in the name of those that support the Bhatti Mines School.

The Bhatti Mines School was started by a couple outside of New Delhi, India in order to give an option to the children other than child labor. The Amala Foundation has been connected with and supporting their efforts since 2007. Having been involved with The Amala Foundation community this past year, one of my lessons learned has been that serving others, and specifically children, demonstrates our path of development.

I have started this blog to share updates on my service and travels in India.


To learn more about The Amala Foundation & The Bhatti Mines School:

http://amalafoundation.org

$125 educates a Child for a Year

To support the Bhatti Mines School and my service retreat:

http://www.firstgiving.com/jeffreymallon1

http://amalafoundation.org/India.html