7/17/13

 First day of classes! Well, sort of. We had orientation yesterday, where we got a list of possible courses and we were told that we would have until the end of July to finalize our schedule. Until then we audit classes. 8:00am I woke up ate a quick breakfast and headed out to my first class: Society and Sexuality. The University of Hyderabads campus is huge (I want a bike).  One thing to know about classes at the University of Hyderabad, they don't have room numbers. Each school of study has a building that it is centered in and most students take courses all within that school. So I came to the social sciences building with no idea where the class I wanted to sit through was. I found it, and it turns out a Finnish boy from the house was trying out the same class. My next adventure was trying to find the communications building (did i mention the campus is huge). Before I left the states I was told often that India is hot and humid. Yet... Monsoon season. I arrived wet but in good spirits because two local girls helped me find my way and even shared their umbrella with me. I did not get to attend a class here but got a list of possible RTVF courses I can try. The walk back was long and wet. Hopeful for future classes.

Shilparamam

 I left the university campus for the first time and traveled out into the city. After spending most of the morning filling out registration paperwork it was a relief. My roommate, three other girls from the house and I walked to the end of campus where she hired a autorickshaws driver to take us to Shilparamam. The four of them squeezed into the back of this tiny little car while i shared half a seat with the car driver. The drive from the airport late at night in a four wheel car was nothing like this drive.With the six of us in the autorickshaw every time he hit a speed bump I was afraid the autorickshaws would stop and anytime he made a turn I though the whole thing would flip over. When we got to the market after a quick bathroom break, the shopping begun. 

Well for me the standing around begun. I quickly realized that U.S. or India I am not a very good shopper. Half the time I was just getting a kick out of listening to my roommate barter because she  was enjoying it so much. I honestly think that half the things she bought she only bought because she was proud she got the price down. The same lines would pop up over and over "Don't buy, Just look" and " Looking is free madam". (I don't think i'll get use to being called madam). We left Shilparamam in the dark and in the rain and the traffic on the way back was even more hectic. Venturing out into the city has made me realize just how much fun this trip will be.