Last Day in India

Well today is my last day here in Delhi, or in India for that matter. I want to make this a short entry not because I don't have much to say (I have SOOO much) but I'm borrowing my friend's computer and I don't want to monopolize the time on the internet.

Ok, so Chandigarh was really nice. Very chill and interesting. We did have this huge case study that we had to do for our Contemporary Urban Issues class that dominated our last few days and was a bit stressful on the group project/presentation front, but we got a lot out of it. My group worked on the sector system as a whole. It was interesting to see if it was really self-sufficient like the designer intended or not. In some cases it was and in others we found people wanted to move outside of their sector. The more we interact with people the more I just find everyone so curious and friendly. We would never be able to collect the information that we needed if it weren't for the help of everyone who is so willing to talk to us. On that note, not everyone is able to communicate with us either because of language problems or whatever.

Returning to Delhi has been incredible. I feel completely different about being here, just calm now and happy. I really enjoy the city and the struggles and the adventures. It's been kind of a rollercoaster of emotions (and physical wellbeing) while I've been here but ultimately it has reached a point where I can really appreciate and be involved with my surroundings. It's just horrible timing that it has to come with our last few days here! It feels like this trip has been such a tease, to go through all of that and to come out feeling this great and then to leave. But I know I will come back. I want to explore more of India, the South and the rural villages and other big cities. There is so so so much to see and to know it's been a nice taste tester but I want more.

We had our farewell dinner on friday night and it was really nice. My host mother and grandfather came and we are meeting them for chai in a couple hours to say our last good bye. We went around the dinner thanking our families in front of the group and I started to tearing up. It's just that they really treated us like daughters and it's been a wonderful experience. I also have been spending the past day or so with my friend Deivid's host family who also has been incredible. It's a perfect way to end India, even though I wish it wouldn't end so soon.

Ok to wrap up. I have some great videos that I will try to load soon on here. South Africa here I come, ready or not! Ha.

Love you all
Lizzie