We started our day still in Vistaar. We ate breakfast at Vistaar then met for some morning activities. The game we decided to start our day with was telephone, we used the word Prayana, which loosely translates to mean travel in Canadu (not the actual spelling, we have no idea how to spell it), which we thought would be fitting for the day. Midway through the game the message changed to 'the crap is black' and by the end we had 'the cow is black'. If you're confused by the message, it relates to what we did with the children on June 22.
After our game, we went over the schedule then started an activity to prepare us for Timbaktu. We went around and wrote down our fears and then put them in a hat to be read aloud, but anonymously. A couple fears were read, and then someone read "being too popular", and then good ole' Greg started dying laughing. Jokingly, he threw that one in there along with a serious one, and literally thought it was the funniest thing he had ever done. We all laughed for about 5 full minutes. We also had a few very serious concerns about the bathroom situation (there was a rumor spreading that there weren't going to be toilets but holes in the ground). We did encounter a hole-toilet on the drive to Timbaktu, but our living space does indeed have "western" toilets, which is a relief to everyone. Everyone has been a bit preoccupied with bathrooms and poop, we did poop/lower back yoga in the morning.
We departed for Timbaktu about 45 minutes to an hour late, not unusual. About 30 minutes into our bus ride we got to stop at a market, not the bustling, outdoor market we experienced the first day, but more of a small grocery store. All 19 of us American teenagers were released on the food and you can probably imagine the outcome. We are now stocked for the entire trip with chips and candy and soda, everything our little hearts could desire, in Indian form.
Once we reentered the bus, there were many conversations and activities that occurred, as it was a three hour bus ride. Some missed American food, "Or we'll ask for no meat then go to Chik Fil A and get chicken minis and put them on the bagels.", was a quote from Eden when she was reminiscing on Brueggers.
Upon arrival at Timbaktu, 2 things were immediately recognized: it was substantially hotter than Vistaar, and there were SO MANY gnats. (like, so many). At that point, everyone was what we'll say "agitated" from the heat, bugs, and long bus ride we had just finished. We ate lunch and got a little orientation of the place, then had down time for 2 hours. During that time, the girls had "girl time", and thus the annoyance and frustration was expelled and we all bonded and it was lovely. But, what happens in "girl time" stays in "girl time", so don't ask about it when we get home.
After down time, we all went to what we call the hexagon, which is basically just a really open, airy building with a bug hexagon in the middle and other rooms coming off of it. Once there, we had tea and played the game "I like a friend who _____". To play ths game, everyone stands in a circle and there is one person in the middle. The person in the middle says "I like a friend who___" and in the blank, you say some characteristic or some quality about yourself, and then if others share the quality or characteristic, they have to run across the circle and find a new seat. The person standing last is the new person in the middle. We all really enjoy this game and will probably play it every time we get the chance. It's quite exciting.
After the game, we had some time to spread out and journal about the question of the day, which was how is Timbaktu different from Vistaar? The two centers are different in various ways. Vistaar is very beautiful, but it doesn't have the amazing hills and rolling mountains and wildlife that Timbaktu does. Timbaktu is honestly the most beautiful place I've ever been to. There is so much grass and vegetation, but also the building are white and red brick and its just so simple but it is stunning against the red dirt and tall green trees. Also, Vistaar was right outside the city of Bangalore, so we could always hear cars or people walking. In Timbaktu, the silence is serene and overwhelming. It was weird getting used to, we all spoke in hushed tones for fear of upsetting the wildlife around us.. But it was breathtaking, and getting to sit and journal and just watch the sun go down and the clouds roll past, I have never felt more at peace in my life.
After journal time, we did ANCHOR then ate dinner and slowly went to bed. It was an exhausting, wonderful, awful, life-changing day, and we are so lucky to be on this trip and staying in this amazing place. We send all our love :)
Reed and Katherine
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