Orientation etc

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For the past few days, us 4 week Tare have been in Orientation meetings. We have been learning about the Tare program. We are only the second group of 4 week Tare and I am the first Tare for the Green Tara Foundation. Cool!

As a group we did a few Amazing Race style treasure hunts throughout Pune (prono: Poo-nay). Max, a 12-week Tare, and I visited a natural healing spa and the main fort in Pune.

I have also been shopping with my roommates a few times to the “Wadi” which is the neighborhood up the street from Sangam.

I walked though the Wadi on my way to the Green Tara Foundation on Thursday. I met with the organization’s founder, Dr. M. She is inspiring! She is doing AMAZING work. It is a bit tough to hear though; all of her success stories come with heartbreaking back-stories.  I will go back on Monday and she will give me a tour of the 12 slums in Pune. I think that sounds a bit overwhelming but we will see.

I do know that I will be creating a PowerPoint presentation for her to give at up coming meeting with funders. I guess finally I will learn PowerPoint. Thank goodness there is Google to answer all of my questions.

So far I am doing well with all of the traffic, the people, the dogs on the street etc.  I am so glad that I have travelled as much as I have. This is the first major trip away from home for my roommates and they are having some adjustments to the reactions from children when we walk in the street.

The food has been good so far. It is becoming easier for me to eat with my right hand only. Currently, it is covered in mehindi (sp) aka: henna tattoo so it is easier for me to remember which hand to use to pick up the food.

Sangam is located in an interesting area- it is close to a Military munitions factory, a slum and a mosque. At six AM every day the Muslim call to prayer wakes me up. It is kind a cool. Starting Monday, I am going to attend the yoga class at 7. After the 6 AM call to worship, I am not getting much sleep.  :)

My roommates, Ronja (left) and Steff (right)