Watch out India. . . Here comes Mary!

My arrival in New Delhi was full of warmth --both the weather and the people. Dhirendra Sharma, a physics teacher at Bal Baharti Public Schools (BBPS) who has designated himself as my Unofficial Mentor (He was accepted into the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program for the fall of 2010, but very unfortunately a match in the US was not found. The same place I was in last year. I know how profoundly disappointing that is!)
A driver took both Dhirendra and I to 14 Anandvan, Paschim Vihar, my home for the next five and a half months. Barely had the door been opened and I was greeted with a "proper Indian" welcome: red powder on my forehead and a very sweet, round ball that was scrumptious. I met Madhu, Neena, and Menaka who all live in the same society (the appartment complex of Marathi Indians). I was shown how to use the airconditioner, the television, and the stove.
The next morning Madhu stopped by on her way to work to see how I was doing, my neighbor Shweeta came over to meet me and invite me to go out on Sunday to buy Indian clothes, and then I had lunch at Neena's. Kunda, Rashmi's sister had a mobile phone and international calling card delivered to me, and that night Madhu walked to the market, Reliance, with me so I knew how to get there. At the door security takes bags and checks receipts before leaving.
Sunday the 15th of August was Independence Day. The society had a celebration in the morning with the National Anthem, dances, and snacks. I met more people in the society, all very welcoming.
Shweta and I took a pedal rickshaw to the TDI shopping complex: air conditioned and security checks before entering. She picked out three outfits for me steering me away from my usual choice of blue and blue and blue. I bought kurdas and churidars (leggings) and one salwar kameez with a scarf. We browsed a book store and another shop before lunching at Pizza Hut which had extremely attentive service and a different menu than the US ones. I had a salad and Shweta had garlic bread for appetizers before sharing a pizza. Sunday afternoon I took a taxi to the Park Hotel for my USIEF (United States India Educational Foundation, the Indian counterpart of Fulbright) two-day training. The driver took me to the wrong hotel! Thankfully, the City Hotel, which is where I was delivered, called the Park to confirm my reservation as well as arranging a taxi to take me to the correct hotel!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Bal Bharati Public School



         




My first day at BBPS. My stomach was in knots. Upon my arrival, I was escorted to the Vice Principal's office, given a necklace of orange flowers and the red powder on my forehead. Two students from Class 11 (class is the word for the grade) Pratishtha Day and her friend gave me a tour of the school and introduced me to many teachers. I was introduced to a class 4 class. One of the children raised his hand and asked if I was an albino. (I later learned that they had recently had an assembly on albinos). The school is huge with Montessori through grade 12. The English Faculty was so welcoming and friendly. 18 teachers plus a French and German teacher together in one huge office. Rashika, the department head, told me I could observe for a couple days before taking over the classes, but Nidhi Sood, the class 10 coordinator, asked me to take 10D starting Thursday, which was totally fine with me. I came to teach, and that was an effective way to "ease in."
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