Getting Run Over in Delhi

When I first arrived in India, we took a short tour around Delhi and Old Delhi with some Woodstock tour guides. It was only a couple hours into our adventure for me to realize how things worked around here. I was leaping across traffic like Frogger. I reached the other side, turned and saw my companions got stuck halfway and were waiting at the median. In another second, motorbikes and scooters were swerving around me at full speed. It took me way too long to realize that I was standing in what appeared to be a bike lane, but was in fact, where Everyone drives. I probably looked like a patient who escaped from the nearest asylum as I turned every direction trying to find safety.

Which brings me to my point: I always feel like I'm about to get run over in Delhi. This feeling is not limited to cars, buses, riskshaws, or other vehicles, but it also includes people. There is something about a crowd of Indians that makes me feel like a stampede could break at any second, and I would be the only one who wasn't trained for the event.

A great example of the people stampeding is riding the Delhi metro during peak hours. Depending on the station and time, it is possible that there are guards that actually keep the people in neat lines and try to prevent previously mentioned threat of stampede. Other times, there are no guards, and it is every person for themselves. No one is spared. Old women will do nothing short of elbowing their way to the train. It's not one of those rushes that has no purpose however. It is possible that the train will get too full, and you won't fit. Put up your elbows.

As for the threat of moving vehicles as opposed to people, it's everywhere. I could be walking on a near deserted alley and hear the honking of a car blaring as it drives straight at me. I used to think they just did it for fun, to freak me out because I'm used to traffic lanes and stuff, but it seems like no one is spared. The sidewalk is hardly safe either. It's best just to hope and pray that what seems like the driving of a drunk 15-year-old due to the speed, swerving, and honking is actually a seasoned driver of the streets of Delhi.

Kerala: Buckets of beef, beach, and bliss.

The start of winter vacation sent us South to Kerala.

Before we left I had to send a small package to America. When I saw these mailmen traveling via bicycle, I was sure the package would reach American in a timely fashion.

Speedy Delivery.

Finally, a senior citizen advantage for India.

First sea views of vacation in Fort Cochin.

Santa Cruz Church-Fort Cochin (older than dirt)

Crazy Tourist eating coconut.

Chinese Fishing nets

Taking the ferry.

Laughter following an enormous sushi feast in Cochin.

Alleppey

Backwaters boat ride in Alleppey.

First sights of "fishing" in Kovalam.

Beef Burger

Pineapple stand.

Chai on wheels.

Seaside room.

Ha ha.

A confused tourist.

Apparently Kovalum is a honeymoon destination. It was peak season.

Diwali in Delhi-Christmas in Florida

This year was my first true Diwali experience. We taught on Saturday in order to have a few days of Diwali celebration off. My venture began on Saturday at 3 pm. Anwer and I got offered a ride to Delhi via one of our students. At first hearing this, I was quite excited. I had never been on a true road trip in India. I had spent most of my time traveling via train.

The beginning of the trip set the tone for the rest of it. The student and I both suffer car sickness when we have to travel down the mountain. We had to stop at three various points for one or both of us to puke on the side of the road. I was miserable from the start, but I was optimistic to get to the “highway”. We were stuck in traffic within an hour and a half of our departure. I took this opportunity to nap.

I woke up hoping to be on the highway or at least McDonalds. Neither. We were still puttering along through village after village. In one village, we were literally stopped in traffic because some people were lighting fireworks in the middle of the road. I knew that I had a long drive still ahead.  I was in and out of consciousness waiting desperately to reach a highway that would allow us to drive at a real speed.

We finally reached Delhi around 11 pm, went out to eat with the family, and returned to sleep around 2:30 am. Let's just say I'm really not adapted to the life of staying up/out late anymore. 

Being in Delhi for Diwali was similar to the feeling of being in Florida for Christmas. There's no snow, your family is nowhere to be found, and you're just not sure if Santa will find you there. It did feel nice to be a part of a "real" holiday in India. The cons that came with this holiday are nothing like Christmas, however. Everyone was cheerful, with the exception of anyone trying to get anywhere. The traffic was busy and auto drivers were charging special holiday rates.

Diwali-festival of lights, noise, and pollution. On the days leading up to and the official day, people light candles, eat, buy gifts, play cards, and shoot fireworks off. Most of the fireworks are only noise making ones. On Diwali, from sunset to about 3am there was non-stop sounds of war in Delhi. The sound of fire crackers was unending and triggered the occasional car alarm. The apartment was full of smoke, and I really thought that if someone was dropping bombs on the city, I'd be clueless.

This is what it sounded like around 11:30. 

Possible side effects: earthquakes.

Before moving to India, I prided myself on being one of those people who "never gets sick". I even tried to hang on to this feeling for awhile after I moved. It wasn't long though, and I was in the health center with a sinus infection. I didn't even know what that meant--I don't get sick. I went through a few of these infections in the fall last year. I also had a few situations of stomach illness, most likely food related. I didn't have regular digestion for over a month. Yay!

This fall as been filled with strep throat and other germy germs. Working in the gym exposes me to every germ, and it finally got me. I got confirmation that I had strep and was given some drugs. Yesterday, I was at home resting and watching gossip girl to pass the time. All of a sudden, I felt the weirdest thing. It was like my neighbors were moving furniture that had potential to knock the whole building down. It also maybe nervous because I was sitting under the loft. I thought that it could have been an earthquake, but I also thought I might be crazy and drug-induced. Shortly after, there was an all staff email proclaiming that it was in fact an earthquake.

one more week until vacation!

22 Km of chaos

The first ever Mussoorie Half Marathon happened on Sunday morning. Like most things in India, a half-marathon is not as straight forward as you'd think. I did complete the Delhi Half Marathon in 2011, which was fairly normal. The MHM was not as smooth running. The days leading up to the race made me believe that there might be some hiccups on the day, but I had mentally prepared for it. I was completely prepared for the possibility of running the wrong direction or getting chased by a monkey mid race. 

The course cruised the hillside of Mussoorie. There were some fierce uphills, long climbs, and of course a bit of flatness. Someone said something about too bad it's not a clear day, there'd be a great view. BAHH! I had no conscious energy to look at the view. I just made sure I was moving forward and didn't trip. 

As one would except, a half marathon would be 21.0975 km (13.1094 mi). It is rumored that the MHM was an extra kilometerish. Not a big deal? Wrong! It was in that last kilometer that I pictured my life ending and waited until I was out of view of the WS fans to dry heave on the road. 

Throughout the course, the following things happened:
1. An Indian man tried to hold my hand. Yes, he wanted to hold my hand. While this is not the first time a stranger has tried to hold my hand in India, it is the first time that I was running when it happened. I thought he was going for an innocent high-five... what a fool.

2. I was almost hit by several oncoming cars. I was trying to be as forceful as I could in my attempts to run the shortest distance possible and not move for cars. Well, some of the cars felt the same way. 

3. Coming to a poorly marked fork in the road, I shouted to some fellow WSers that they were going the wrong way. After they turned and came back the right way, a saw a couple other guys keep running the WRONG and obviously SHORTER route. 

4. One of my fellow runners/co-workers basically got bumped off the road into a fence. 

5. A kind European man who was running with me asked me if I was "OK". I don't know what I looked like, but I guess it wasn't "OK". He ran with me for about 9 km. He kept asking me how many hills were coming up, and I was scared to tell him the truth. 

6. I ran around 75 degrees uphill on a path covered in cowpies. I then ran/tumbled down this same path praying I wouldn't collide with any barbed wire.

7. I finished first place in the women's division with a time of 2:24. This is certainly no PR or a time most would associate with a first place half-marathon, but MHM was a pretty tough course with many more men than women (just like India). The first place male finished in 1:37. The event had around 250 runners, and I was 38th overall-not official (my European friend told me post-race).

My European friend and I approaching the finish in something resembling running.

The WS staff and student runners. In addition to the half marathon, there was a fun run and team relay event.

My weekend running friends Tara, Melanie (2nd place female), and me looking fresh.

Number one fan!

PE Dept/Minnesota natives: Steve (2nd place male) and me (1st place female). We value physical fitness.

Receiving my award from Steve Swenson, world famous climber.

Since this was the first time I was "first" in a race since high school, it was kind of a strange feeling. I haven't had the desire to win something since then because I felt my time was over. Going into the race, I had considered the idea of being the first female, but I knew that there could be all sorts of wild cards challenging me. Even better than winning was the fact that almost everyone there knew me. The crowd was full of my students and co-workers.

2012 celebrity moments: getting engaged at Woodstock and winning the Mussoorie Half Marathon. The year's not even over yet!

javelins, princes, pumpkin cheesecake, and so much more!

The past few weeks have been intense. Following the interhouse sporting events, I got the joy of going to Wynberg Allen for 2.5 days of more fun and adventure. Our students are surely the underdogs in this competition, but we do manage to sneak away with a few medals and moments of glory. Our competitors train much more than us, but I try to remain optimistic. Even when the "sub-juniors" (5th and 6th grade division) from the other schools have facial hair and are twice our size.

Notice my "cute" sub juniors in white next to the competition.

WS females do surprisingly well in the terrifying event of javelin.

My 5th and 6th graders in a constant state of unrest.

Another strange event at sports day is "march past". I have no idea the purpose or origin of this event other than to make WS look like fools. As mentioned in the past, WS is much better at academics, music, and looking cool... except when in matching track suits marching around a gravel field.

This is what the competition looks like. Enough said.

And this is how everyone feels by the end of the day.

Quickly following the end of sports day was the beginning of activity week-classroom without walls. This was my second year with the 4th graders learning the history of Mussoorie. We learn all sorts of things and see all sorts of places. We go to old palaces, and we met a prince and a princess this year (of different kingdoms). Royalty holds no standing in India anymore besides being rich and cool. Either way, I felt cool being in the presence of royalty.

We were wandering in the cemetery, when I found my very own name. Research on Schultz history in India to follow.

Great view from Clouds End.

Clouds End

Sir George Everest's house-destination of the Mussoorie Marathon next weekend.

4th grader shouting to hear his echo.

4th grade models

The end of activity week brought a celebration for the end of the thick and beginning of the countdown to winter break. This sense of excitement and a visit from Anwer's brother encouraged me to make pumpkin cheesecake for the first time here. 

8 oz of Philadelphia Cream Cheese ~$7, 8 oz of imitation cream cheese spread Indian style ~$1; using the combination proved to be tasty and much cheaper than going all Philly cheese. 

 

 

 

 

 

Homemade crust using cookies that cost less than $0.25=genius and delicious.

The beginning of the end: winter.