Overwhelmed...

I have been thinking for a few days now for (almost a week?) about updating this blog, but the more I think about it, the more I realize I don't know what to say anymore.  I am daily surprised about how things work here, and I am still struggling with getting anything to go the way I need it to.  

I still haven't started actually interviewing anyone, although I have been making some progress with networking and meeting with people who hopefully can help me at some point.  My friend Sudy, has been completely invaluable in this process.  (He was previously mentioned, I met him at a restaurant where I was having dinner because he sounds just like an American).  He has been tirelessly working on helping me find a decent translator, introducing me to people who could be of help, and watching out for me to make sure no one takes advantage of me.  (Which for the first time in my life I feel almost hopelessly naive).  Even in Mexico, I don't think any of the experiences there could have prepared me for what it is like to be in India, more or less alone, and trying to get this research done.  I just figured out a few days ago that I am seriously overpaying the first man who offered to translate for me based off of the amount of work actually involved.  Luckily I haven't paid him anything yet (because we haven't done anything yet) but I didn't even realize how much I was being taken advantage of.  That kind of makes me feel like an idiot, especially because I have a lot of trouble with conflict and being firm with people, I just want to be friendly and trust them (especially people I think I "know") and I expect them to meet me halfway and be honest with me.  Of course that isn't the way it usually happens unfortunately.

As you can see from some of the pictures I added to the picasa album, there has been some short times where I have been exploring.  Of course I can't work constantly (especially when no one wants to work with me) and I use an occasional Saturday or Sunday to take  day trip.  I went to Belur and Halebid, as well as an amazing Jain temple (that you had to climb almost 1000 stairs to get to) in one long day.  I think I have covered pretty much all the Hoysala temples in this area but I really enjoyed them.  

For those of you who haven't heard yet, I have also rented myself a scooter for my time here in Mysore.  I am getting pretty good on it, but I usually only bring it to yoga and back, and to the main places I might need to go during the day (that I know how to reach on my own).  I still occasionally use the rickshaws especially if I need to go anywhere at night.  The one night I tried to get home by scooter, I couldn't see a thing due to the lack of street lights, every car coming at me with their brights on, and my own light providing next to no light.  I almost hit a big black cow that was laying in the road to my new room, I didn't see him until I was almost over him.  The whole experience scared me enough not to want to do it again.

The new room has also been full of it's own challenges.  When I moved in, it wasn't finished.  I spent the first week sitting here waiting for them to install lightbulbs, mirrors, curtain rods, bathroom towel hangers etc, which they did piece by piece.  An example is with curtains.  The first day someone came and put in the end pieces that the rod goes into, the next day I got a rod, and 3 days later I finally received curtains.  Everything has been like this.  I also don't have power for much of the day almost always.  

I am going to meet with the Rotary club here in Mysore tomorrow evening (another thing I owe to Sudy).  Luckily, I have a history with Rotary and maybe they can be of some help if nothing else to put me in contact with someone who might be able to.

Yoga is the only thing keeping me sane.  I am so glad I decided to do it, I did my first headstand without the wall a few days ago, and I feel so much better getting some exercise.  My back hasn't been hurting as much in the evenings either, so maybe I am strengthening the muscles.  Although sometimes it does kill me when I am actually practicing yoga.

I don't have much interesting going on.  The rooster still keeps me up, the cow is still parked outside the window, and I am still trying to get interviews going.  I miss you guys, sending all my love.