Best day ever!

Today I had the experience of a lifetime. Vijay's sister, Bulbul, teaches English at a government school in a small village outside of Jaipur. I wanted to see what the schools are like and decided to go with her to work today. After sleeping outside (which we've been doing every night...it's the best!) we woke up at 4:00 am and got ready for the day. We traveled about an hour and a half on a public bus. This was an adventure in itself! For one, driving in India is more exciting than any thrill ride at any amusement park. Your life is constantly flashing before your eyes. :) But it's so fun. The streets are full of people, rickshas (sp?), motorbikes (tons), cows, dogs, and sometimes monkeys. oh and pigs. And there is honking non-stop! I can't contain the smile on my face and joy in my heart as I sit on the back of Hanu's motorcycle and see a cow peacefully/calmly/lazily chewing on old roti (the fried bread they eat with EVERYTHING. it's delicious) while surrounded by cars and bikes honking and darting every which way. It is truly comical. Lining the road are people getting their shoes shined or bargaining for various types of fruit/vegetables, there are children running all over the place selling water or newspapers. It's a sight! I absolutely love it. And the bus we rode was completely FULL of people and people would run after it and jump on and I'm still baffled by how people were able to squeeze themselves in.
We finally arrived at the school. The minute we stepped off the bus I felt like I must look like an alien or something. Well, actually I've felt that since I walked out of the Mumbai airport, but in this school it was even more pronounced. Every pair of eyes within eyesight seemed to immediately be fixed on me. Most of these children (and even many of the adults) have never seen a white person in their midst. And witnessing their reactions to my presence was eye-opening and deeply touching, actually. The entire school lined up for assembly and the principal invited me to the front as they listened to morning announcements. I could not wipe the smile off my face as I looked out at all of them and met thousands of eyes watching my every movement. I would make eye contact with them and smile and it was so beautiful to see their faces light up. They would turn to their friends and giggle or wave or hide their faces in embarrassment of being caught staring. :) It was so cute!!! I was asked to say something to them and since most of them speak very little English, I was grateful that Bulbul had taught me some words in Hindi. "Ab bohat sonder ho!" ....."You are very beautiful." And they were, so so beautiful. So pure and innocent and full of love. For the entire day I found myself greeted with big brown eyes and endless gifts of peacock feathers (which are considered sacred in India), flowers, and bouquets of various greenery. The 11th grade class begged the principal if they could put all their money together and buy a gift for me (I found this out later). They insisted on doing this, even though they all come from the most humble circumstances. When I went with Bulbul to their class they presented me with this beautifully wrapped gift. It was pen holder with the figure of Lord Ganisha, their god who is in the form of an elephant. They all smiled in such delight at my reaction to their kind gesture. They proceeded to sing a song for me and asked if I would sing for them. The first song that came to mind was "I am a child of God." I sang this song for them and looked into their faces and just wanted to really hug each of them so badly. It was such a neat experience. And the spirit that accompanies that divine song is just as strong in India as anywhere else and I know they could feel it. After the singing was over one of the girls performed a dance. I asked her to teach me the dance and this caused all kinds of chaos! They all got so excited and gathered around and sang for us as I followed her dance moves. Well, attempted to follow. :) I loved it! So much happiness this day! I loved every moment of it. And the staff, the other teachers and the board director were all so welcoming and friendly and invited me to their homes and asked me to visit them. I felt like a celebrity, but in a way that was beautiful and pure and made me realize what a wonderful thing it is to be a human being and interact with other human beings who are different and special in their own unique ways. What a blessing life is! I love it. I will never forget this day.