Tommorrow we leave Varanasi by train for Bodhgaya, the place that the Buddah is said to have reached enlightenment. The city now offers many temples to visit or meditate at, as well as a descendant of the very same bodhi tree the Buddah sat under thousands of years ago. But before we leave Varanasi we will enjoy an evening boat ride up the Ganges to eat dinner and watch hundreds of lotus flower candles float down the river, viewing the people as they sing, dance and pray in this sacred city. Varanasi has been an impressive experience, from learning local trades and customs to meeting amazing people in many feilds. Witnessing the cremations at the Ghats has been an unexplainable experience, as has volunteering at an after school program for kids in the red light district. We even attended a real Indian wedding!

PHOTOS!

Enjoying a lecture about Ajeet's work with Guria to eradicate child's prostitution in Varanasi and beyond.

Bollywood dance poses at an Indian wedding in Varanasi after taking over the dance floor for at least one whole hour.

All the girls so pretty in silk saris!

Becca loving the children (as always) at a artist colony just outside of Jaipur, Rajasthan


Dancing at the artist colony

Noah literally jumping in and chasing all the kids in his horse costume

Lydia making a little clay pot in Jaipur

The group at Amber fort in Jaipur

Varanasi and the Ganga

We have been in Varanasi, one of the worlds most ancient cities, for a week now. Varanasi has traditionally been known as a place for intense study, and nowadays this reputation continues with a more modern flair. Our time has been packed full with classes of all kinds: Hindi language lessons, tabla, fire dancing, painting, stone carving, Ayurdedic medicine, etc, as well as several lectures from local activist and educators. This city rests on the banks of the Ganga, India's most sacred river, which represents Lord Shiva in a natural form. On Wednesday we all took a day trip out to Sarnath to visit a local charity committed to helping women to create bags and artwork from recycled plastic. In Sarnath is Deer Park, the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon, and before heading back to Varanasi took time to visit this sacred Buddhist site. We have a few more days here in Varanasi to soak up the knowledge and insight the teachers here have to offer, and soon we will be on our way again.

The Jaipur Shuffle

After a very delayed bus ride we finally arrived to Rajasthan from Delhi. For the cleaner air and more relaxed atmosphere (and keep in mind that everything is relative in India) it was worth the 9+ hours in transit. Just after arriving to Jaipur we all settled into our home stays where we were welcomed by plenty of food and warm hospitality. For the past couple of days we have attended morning yoga classes followed by Hindi. The afternoons have been full with a couple lectures (Indian history, Indian Polity) and visits to local block printing and ceramic artists. It's hard to believe that already one week has gone by. We aren't sure if it should be longer or shorter, India seems to have us caught in some kind of time warp. Either way we have been having fun and becoming closer to each other. Tonight we plan on visiting a Ganesh mandir for puja and prasad, which is appropriate for the beginning of our trip, as he is called "The Remover of Obstacles" and is invoked by Hindus at the beginning of any endeavor or undertaking to assure success: Aum gam ganapataye namah!

In...India!

Normally the group would be blogging family and friends themselves, but, after long travels and a 13.5 hour time change, they are resting at last!

This is Amy from headquarters and I am happy to report that I spoke with Ben this afternoon. They have all safely arrived in Delhi. The group is all together and other than a little fatigue, all are well. They were headed straight to the hostel to sleep and start resetting their clocks.

Check back to the blog frequently. You will be hearing from the voice of the group soon as they begin their journey in Incredible India!

Headquarters, once again, signing off...

It's a GO!

It's official!

This is Nannette, and I've just received word that all of the SFO contingent of the India semester is together, accounted for, and checked in for Delhi.

The leaders, Ben and Lotte are so excited and ready to share their mentorship with this amazing group.

More when the final two meet up with them in Indira Ghandi Airport...

For now this is Carpe HQ signing off...

Namaste Team Sprindia!

Lotti and Benji signing in! As many of you know, we have been here at the office in Portland for the past couple of weeks preparing for our upcoming trip in India, though, in reality, nothing will ever prepare anyone for India. We say this with the upmost affection, excitement, and reverence for such a beautifully chaotic and chaotically beautiful place.
We look forward so much to meeting face to face with each person of our soon-to-be traveling tribe. Be well and happy, enjoy your last few days with your family and friends, and see you all so soon.
Shanti,Benji and Lottiji