Friday June 26th - Migrant Workers, City of Knowledge and the Market

Along an exploratory walk through the rugged paths of the Kasurdi village, our group came across a beautifully intricate temple where migrant children played and spent their days. Their homes were made of tarps held down by rope and wood, and there were no bathrooms besides the ground below them. Naked children scattered the field, and young girls cared for their even younger siblings. However, their vibrant saris, shimmering piercings, and inviting smiles immediately drew the group towards them. After pictures were taken and many of us reflected on our day, we each recounted that meeting these children was the highlight of our day. Thus, Ashlesha (the founder of City of Knowledge) decided to invite the children and their families to our base at City of Child for a morning of games. Today, we played Duck-Duck Goose, Indian Chief, and even were able to teach the girls soccer, which is extremely uncommon in India. With over twenty animated kids, the group was close to feeling overwhelmed, but we handled the experience extraordinarily well. Later today, after making a trip to City of Knowledge, a private school established by the Deep Griha Association, we decided to make a daring trip to a local Indian market. After crossing a street racked with buses and motorcycles, we split into smaller groups chaperoned by teachers and guides. Alexis, Emily, Whittier, and Megan purchased traditional Indian bangles and gifts for home. Whittier even dropped a row of bangles when spooked by a gecko! All of the boys bought various types of traditional Indian snacks, and Brandon bought a gallon of Pepsi for the group. Sarah, Olivia, Claire, and Liesje bought delicious mangos and bananas for our lunch today. It is safe to say our experience in the market today was profoundly life changing. We were stared at and posed in front of, as we were the only Americans out of the hundreds of villagers. This portion of the experience made many members of the group reflect on how we take photos of the native Indians here, and if it made them as uncomfortable as it did us. We had never experienced something like this before. Stunned and tired from our afternoon, we rounded the dirt road back to City of Child and the migrant children waved from their temple. 

Composed by Alexis and Emily

PS: We purchased a cake for Claire's birthday (chocolate at her request) at the market and sang after dinner. It ended up being a "lemony-chocolaty" cake that Brendan described as "interesting". We are departing from City of Child tomorrow at 5AM and heading to Aurangabad where a hotel with all of the amenities awaits us (even a pool!). Yet another in a series of contrasts... We will be sightseers for the next day or so and be back with the boys here soon.  - MrD