Spectacular Seychelles!

I woke up on the 17^th to see beautiful islands outside my window and Brooke and I were quite excited to be in the Seychelles! So Brooke, Ryan, Taha, Maureen, Brittany and I rented a car for the day and went exploring. We drove all around the main island of the Seychelles, Mahe, and it was beautiful. It was actually quite jungle-y and very green. We went to a secluded beach and went swimming and played soccer. There was small island in the distance so we decided to swim to it (never a good idea!) and it ended up being farther than we thought so we swam to shore and proceeded to climb these huge rocks to try and take a shortcut to the island, but we just ended up getting all scraped up. We did finally swim to it and take some pictures but man was the swim back long! Lol then we found lunch at this Seychellian-hibachi style place that was wonderful. Talk about island time though, it took about 2 ½ for lunch but banana crepes for dessert were worth it. Then we found another beach and watched the sunset and frolicked (per my request) and played a little beach volleyball. We took a lot of underwater pictures and videos too, (since I have a waterproof camera) and it was lots of fun.

We went back to the ship and freshened up and then went out to dinner at the Pirate’s Arms. Most of TSS was there, since it was the only restaurant in town open on a Sunday night. The next morning we woke up at 530 to drive to a lookout point and watch the sunrise. It was somewhat cloudy but still pretty and it was nice being up that early! We had a few hours until we had to turn the car in so we drove around some more and found a pretty waterfall and took pictures there. On the way back to the ship we discovered this abandoned area and were driving around when we got a flat tire! In the middle of nowhere! Ha! Luckily we had a spare and the boys attempted to put the spare on, but then they didn’t know what to do. So I stepped in, by getting out the manual, and reading them the directions, imagine that! (All men are the same!) We got the spare on and then picked up some groceries on the way back to the ship. We exchanged pictures and rested for a couple of hours since we had been up so early and there were some issues to take care of with the car. We found internet that afternoon and then the boys went to play soccer and I went with the girls to the main beach. We had ice cream and played in the water for hours and it was wonderful! Then we had to head back to the ship so we wouldn’t miss ETL, but it was a beautiful experience. The waters were blue and the beaches white and everything was pretty well-maintained. If we had more time we could have seen some of the smaller islands, but 48 hours is pretty limited.

India cont'd!

Hello friends and family! I realize it has been quite awhile since I have updated the blog and I know I owe some stories!

The night of my last blog, afterwards, Ryan and I took a walking rickshaw (a man pulls a cart as he walks barefoot on the street!) to a club that was supposed to be cool. We went in and there were literally 5 people there-haha, we just hung out for a couple of hours and laughed at another of our lonely planet failures, but we had fun anyways. On my last day in Kolkata with Ryan we bought some chupati (Indian flat bread) and oranges and walked around passing out food to some of the people on the streets. It was harder than it looked as in many places you will get mobbed if you aren’t careful. We also went around the city some and discovered that it was a lot bigger and a lot busier than we thought since the day before the whole city was on strike. It took hours to get anywhere and by late afternoon we had distributed the food but not done much else. We rested some and then went to the market and did some shopping and looked for a place for dinner. We ate at the top of a nicer hotel with a view of the city that was quite pretty and the weather was great. That night I got sick (from the food at the hotel, ironically)


After Kolkata with Ryan the next morning I flew solo to Delhi to meet up with Maureen (the following day). That was quite an interesting day! From the moment I was alone in India I became 10 times more noticeable than before with Ryan. I was hit on in the airport, the streets, dinner and about 4 guys from the tourist agency asked me if I wanted to get a drink with them. I had been sick and just wanted some normal food and a sprite and I picked the first restaurant I saw, which turned out to be a dark and smoky bar, ha. But I sat at the bar drinking my sprite just fine, and then this guy from the tourist agency recognized me and proceeded to try and talk to me. I could really have cared less as I was still sick and tired and he was in his 30’s. but he ended up sitting down with me and asking me what I was drinking, I told him sprite, haha, that should have told him to go away, but he proceeded to ask me all about my Indian travels etc, and I told him a student (which finally turned a light bulb on I think!) but after a few minutes I left to meet my driver to take me to the hotel. It was very cold Delhi and the hotels have no heat so I slept with all my clothes on, ha.

The next morning I arranged a car to take me to take me to the airport to pick up Maureen and then go to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. After an hour long drive, I asked the driver if we would be getting to the Airport soon and he said, Airport? We are going to Agra. We had gone an hour in the wrong direction without getting Maureen so we had to turn back, I was almost crying in the car, that was such a stressful day and a half, Maureen was just getting into the airport and we were 1 ½ away. But we got there and picked her up and Maureen and I talked the 5 hour drive to Agra and she had had many similar experiences in India. We got to the Taj Mahal late that afternoon and it was beautiful. Definitely worth it! We got to walk around for awhile and just soak it all in. it was a redeeming experience for sure. We had dinner at Pizza Hut in India, since I hadn’t eaten at this point in 2 days. I have never been so grateful for a pizza. Then we drove back to the hotel and crashed.

On Sunday morning we got a taxi to take us to church, which involved stopping literally 12 times to ask directions but we finally arrived. We missed most of the first hour since we had been lost, but the congregation met in a “chapel” that appeared to once be someone’s home. It was beautiful and comforting to be there. There were lots of missionaries but just as many investigators. Maureen and I went to the gospel essentials class and listened to the new members/investigators and we discussed the fall. I probably learned more in that hour than in years of Sunday School before. Then we had relief society and made friends with a sweet Indian woman who was investigating the church. She became attached to us very quickly and after the meeting (There were only about 7 women in the RS) she asked if we would be back next week but we had to explain that we were leaving India the next day and she didn’t really seem to understand. We exchanged information with her and I am planning on writing her. There was a baptism after church and we stayed for that too. It was so nice to go to church in another country again. Then we went to the Bahai Lotus Temple that was quite beautiful and very interesting to learn about. We searched for food again for lunch, and unbelievably ended up at Pizza Hut again (I was still sick) since we couldn’t find any place else. (Shameful I know). Then that afternoon we went to the largest mosque in the world (so claimed Lonely Planet, but wouldn’t the one in Mecca be bigger?). this was one of the favorite experiences. We entered and they handed me a bag, which I thought was for shoes but It was a huge bag to tie around my legs since my skirt was only knee length (so I looked ridiculous). As we entered we were admiring the most (this was outside in the courtyard area) and as we stood there, suddenly a crowd gathered around us of about 50 people, all just staring at the 2 white girls. Several people had pointed at my fluorescent pink toenails and lots of people were taking pictures of us from afar. a few men asked to take pictures with us and one guy was video taping us on his phone. It was crazy! Then children would follow us around asking our names and wanting to take pictures with us (surprisingly enough not for money). Then it was sundown and prayer was about to begin so we had to leave.

We took a bicycle rickshaw (very uncomfortable) back to the center of town, Connaught Place, and then we did some market shopping before returning home. We left for Chennai in the morning and that afternoon we were able to do some necessity shopping, internet, and I bought a beautiful sari! We rushed back to the ship and just barely made the ETL at 4. Coming back to the ship, was like going home, I had never been so happy to see it after a long hard week in India. Most of the ship’s students felt the same way and everyone was grateful to be back but had definitely learned a lot from India. I think everyone had humbling experiences wherever they were. Some students went to Bombay (Mumbai) where the largest slum in the world is, Varanasi (the holiest Indian city on the Ganges river where they burn thousands of bodies) and Kerala, an area with many orphanages in the south. India was eye opening for all and gave us a better perspective into the developing world and poverty, despite the challenges it was amazing to go there.

I can’t remember much of what happened in between India and the Seychelles so I will recap what I remember. We (Social Events) sold candygrams to the TSS community and that was fun. We delivered them on Valentines Day morning and everyone loved them! That night we hosted a semi-formal dance and it was great as well. The cookies (which I procured through student government and hours of bureaucratic crap) were delicious and only cost we danced for hours and everyone had a lot of fun. Mainly everyone was resting from India and looking forward to the beach in the Seychelles (and catching up on school).

Incredible India!!

Hey ya'll,
I have safely arrived to India. Yesterday we docked in Chennai and received a grand welcome with a band and individual flowers and painting of the saffron on the foreheads (for everyone from TSS). It was quite beautiful (but, yes, hot.) Then Ryan and I ran to get a taxi to the airport, since our docking time was delayed about 4 hours. We made our flight just fine (even after all the immigration delays on the ship-the Indian immigration was slow and disorganized, but also very concerned about the students leaving the port etc. it was quite a mess!).

So we got to Kolkata (once known as Calcutta) and found a taxi to the area where we wanted to stay. Man, I have never been so glad in my life to be with a boy. The streets of India at night do not appear friendly. Everywhere is pretty dark and there are men everywhere. (Ryan and I counted today and in general, on the streets, the ratio of men to women is about 20 to 1-needless to say I get many stares). I have been wearing a pashmina over myself (as Indian culture/dress is very conservative but I still stick out like a sore thumb). One guy asked to take my picture on his phone today-ha. And we are also a target for children and many sick and elderly people approach us on the streets.

Mainly, I cannot express what India is like. No picture can capture the daily life of the people here. It must be experienced. I have only taken a few pictures today because as we were told before coming to India, the things and people you see here are not a tourist attraction, they are a way of life. However, I have met some of the nicest people today. A Bangladeshi man helped us buy a phone, today Ryan got to play cricket with some Indian men/boys in the street, and we chatted while shopping with an educated Indian student about his travels and experiences. (we have already been cheated by several taxis but my experiences still remain positive overall with the rest of the people).

But a brief description about Kolkata. There are basically no laws for driving, other than stopping at lights. If you want to drive down the other side of the street, go for it, just hold on and hope to come out ahead! Rickshaws (motorized and pulled by men) are common and also taxis that look like they are from the 1940's. It is hard to find quiet as the cars are constantly honking and it is just such a different atmosphere than any country I have ever seen. People sleep anywhere and everywhere and poverty is rampant. Trash can be deposited anywhere (and is) and it is not uncommon to see children going to the bathroom in the streets. There is also running water along the streets, so you will see whole families both bathing and washing their clothes in the streets. It has all been quite humbling and it is only my first day.

We went to find ways to volunteer today (with Christian churches) but it is hard to volunteer for just one day. We did get to see Mother Theresa's charity and where she is buried. She was an amazing woman indeed. We also went to a flower market (you cannot believe the sights and smells). O and we went to a shop that takes women out of prostitution to make bags out of jute that are then sold around the world. We were given a private tour by the people that run it and got to see the women working. It really was amazing as all the women get equal pay and fair hours etc., and are taken out of a life of prostitution. (the area is very famous for brothels and apparently we were near the area that has about 6,000 women prostitutes.) It was a great thing to see and I was able to buy some of their products (the bags) to support the good thing they are doing. Their website is freesetbags.com if anyone wants to learn more or buy them!

It has been a good day and I have seen and heard more than probably most of my life here on the streets today.

And we had a great Indian lunch with nan and chicken masala-but the real deal! We will be heading to dinner soon. O by the way the time zone is different here too, but it only changed 30 MINUTES from Bangkok (I never knew that there were minute time zones!) I think tonight we are going to check out the nightlife in Kolkata (Lonely Planet claims there is some, but I have no expectations lol) hopefully tomorrow we can find some volunteer work or something else cool to do before I head to Delhi/Agra to see the Taj Mahal.

I will try and post pics tomorrow on facebook since i forgot my flash drive today! Hope you enjoyed!O and Susan (the 2nd of my 6 best friends) is also engaged and is getting married on April 26th! Congrats also!

Love,
Kasee

Thailand cont'd and on to India!

Greetings!

I am currently only 1 ½ days away from India and figured I needed a blog update, that, and I am avoiding writing a paper due later today (but don’t worry, I’ll get it done!).

I know I wrote the day of riding elephants in Thailand, but that was over a week ago now. If I can I will try to properly summarize my travels during that time.

The last day of my Academic Field Program (AFP) we drove into Bangkok from port and went to meet with a professor from Chula University. His lecture was to be combined with a site visit in the city. It turned out that our site visit was to a slum in Bangkok. The professor told us about the current conflict that is ensuing between the slum community and the Thai government. The Thai government wants to build a public park where the slum of 300 people currently resides. The members of the community are fighting at hearings and working with Chula U. to stay where they are. Some families have been living in the same spot for 600 years and they do not want to be relocated. We were able to walk through the slum and see how people were living and then sit down and talk with the community leader about their current plans. They are willing to make concessions to the government such as offering night patrols, conceding part of the land, and providing cultural shows to tourists. It was a really amazing experience, and something that I never would have found on my own. (We also saw a cock fight as it is a traditional part of their culture-each rooster would sell for around 1,000 US Dollars!!!)

Moving on. That afternoon we had lunch at a beautiful restaurant overlooking the river and then Eva and I went directly to the Grand Palace (the former Royal Residence of the Thai Monarchy). We were able to walk all around the Grand Palace and see the huge temples and grounds, but it was hot and we were exhausted from walking with our heavy backpacks. Before we left, a girl from a Thai university interviewed us for her school project which was really nice. And THEN a whole group of Thai high school students (25) started asking us questions for their school project regarding tourism. They were so amazed that we were traveling and only 20 and all the boys were shy with us. One of them wanted to take a picture with me and then everyone wanted one, I guess it was a pretty big deal to take a picture with an American girl, lol. But they were all very nice and fun kids, it also shows that the Thai government is well aware of the importance of tourism in their country.

On our way to finding another activity we ran into some tuk-tuk drivers that were very friendly and spoke pretty good English. They bought us ice cream and took pictures with us and even tried to kiss us! It was hilarious! Then they drove us to the huge Reclining Buddha temple for free as I think we made their whole day J

That evening we had a bus to catch at 7:30 and we got stuck in Bangkok traffic for 45 minutes at 1 light. I was hyperventilating as we were meeting a group (of 7 people= Pablo from Spain, Yuliya from Russia, Lucia, Jen, Sara from Mexico and Luis from the US/Mexico) and I was afraid to miss them/the bus. It ended up fine and we got to the bus where it was a 10 hr ride to the north. On the bus (a VIP bus for about $25) they gave us blankets, pillows, snacks and even played 2 horrible horror movies (a werewolf one and a Japanese stalker movie) to our dismay. When we arrived early, 530 a.m., in Chiang Mai we were shuttled to an alternate hotel as ours was not ready. However that hotel was fully booked too, so they offered us 2 rooms with 2 huge beds, for 9 people. 5 of us slept in one bed and 4 in the other for about 2 hours before moving hotels. Needless to say that was interesting. Then we get taken to another hotel, that is not the hotel that we paid for, but was apparently an “upgrade.” The hotel was fine, but not the hotel we had booked, but we wanted to get our day started so we just dealt with it.

That day we went to a huge Buddhist temple on a hill outside Chiang Mai, it was a large complex and had the most beautiful view of the city from high above. There were hundreds of monks there that day as well which was very cool to see. (in Thailand, every male Buddhist has to be a monk for at least 3 days of their lives). We had fresh strawberries and orange juice while walking to the temple and it was a great day. That night we went to a huge night bazaar and did some good shopping. The markets are enormous and go as far as the eye can see. My friend David met up with us that night and we exchanged Thailand stores thus far and ate a traditional Thai banana/chocolate/fried thing from the street that was pure heaven.

O I forgot to say, that I looked up the LDS church in Thailand and wrote down the address. I remembered that afternoon to casually ask my hotel if they had any idea where the building was or if it even existed. They pointed me outside and gave me some directions. I took a left and a left, and the church was literally right in the backyard of the hotel. It was weird, because I was not even supposed to be staying in that hotel!!! I walked in and found some sister missionaries and they told me church was the next day at 930. I was ecstatic! So I went to church in Thailand! They have the missionaries translate from Thai to English and I stayed all 3 hours while my friends went on a river thing. It was wonderful, the people were so nice, and there was even a monk attending church that day, although I don’t know for what purpose? I met several young couples, one from BYU, and they dropped me off at a nice restaurant for lunch. Then I went to a spa and had an aromatherapy massage and a foot reflexology massage and it was amazing. (Jealous, Carol?) It was a fantastic day overall.

The next morning, on a tour, we left for Chiang Rai, a city to the North where the Golden Triangle is. We stopped at a Long Neck Village along the way and man was that a sight. The Long Neck people (you have all probably seen pictures of them, they have the large gold necklaces around their necks, the older/more beautiful you are the more you wear) who are actually a Burmese tribe have been set up in Thailand. They are refugees from Burma that are allowed to stay in Thailand by the Thai King if in exchange they become a tourist attraction. So tour groups pay the tribe to bring tourists to take pictures of them. It is the ultimate exploitation but it does provide them a sustainable life. You feel awful though, walking through their “village” which is really just booths of their artisan crafts and many of the young girls dress in traditional dress and put on makeup for the tourists. The children are adorable but they often seem bored or sad as they man the booths for their families. That’s all I can say about that.

Then we went to the border of Thailand and Myanmar/Burma and did tourist shopping (part of the tour). And then we made it to the physical Golden Triangle, the area where Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand all meet. We were even able to take a boat across the river and briefly enter Laos. In Laos you pay a small amount to enter and then there are tourist vendors all along the main little “strip.” But Eva and I found 3 young boys playing out behind the shops and we played with them. I gave them gum and taught them how to give High Fives, it was the cutest thing. They were all dirty and had been playing in the mud and their teeth were rotted but they seemed happy as could be. They did as us for 5 or 10 baht, but as we have grown accustomed to this we try not to give money to any children. Instead, I went and bought them all ice cream and they seemed to enjoy that just as much and forgot about asking for money.

The next morning we flew back to Bangkok to catch the bus to the port. We arrived about 45 minutes early so David and I went to a nearby park. We walked around the park for awhile but then only had about 15 minutes before the bus was leaving. Suddenly, we saw these small paddle boats on the lake in the park and we ran and got into a goose shaped one. We paddled for about 5 minutes around the lake (the guy thought we were crazy) and then proceeded to run back to the bus. We made it in time but were sweating all the way back to the port (a 2 hour bus ride).

So Thailand was great. Sorry it took me so long and 3 pages to say all that but the whole last half of the trip I chose adventures over internet so I just get to write.

Since re-boarding I have had 4 days of classes (today at 230 is my last) and we have been planning for India. It was quite beautiful to see Indonesia and Singapore from the ship as we went through the Straits of Malaka (I think that’s what they were called) everyone was watching for pirates as it is infamous for pirate attacks. However, we made it out safely (I was told today though that a boat behind us was attacked by 6 smaller boats-Thank goodness we have a big ship!!)

I am going with Ryan to Kolkata (Calcutta) for 3 days and then meeting Maureen in Delhi to go to the Taj Mahal. I have 7 days of free travel and I am excited to really experience India, scared, but excited. Ryan and I want to do some service in Kolkata so hopefully we can find some. I will also post pictures on Facebook and send out the link to any/all who want to see my journey so far. I did try posting from onboard yesterday but the bandwidth is just not big enough.

Last night we had the 2^nd Scholar Ship Hunger Banquet and it was quite informative. I was a low class woman from Senegal and my dinner consisted of a bowl of rice that I had to eat with my hands on the floor. It was eye opening to think about the fact that only 10-15% of the world is high class, 10-15% middle class, and the rest low class. And many of the countries I am visiting very accurately exhibit these proportions. Many initiatives have been taking place on the ship and I hope to see other good experiences like this one in the future.

Today we are having church onboard again and it is fast Sunday so I am starving! This is the first time I haven’t eaten breakfast onboard and man do I miss it! Tonight is also the cultural show from Asia/Australia and I know it will be great fun as people perform Bollywood dances, an Asian soap opera and other numerous and hilarious things.

Sorry to write for so long but a lot has been going on. I will write from India with more news! Love and miss you all!

O and Erin and Nate are engaged! Yay! I will be going to San Diego on June 21^st for their wedding. She is the first of my 6 best friends from BYU to get engaged and I am quite happy for her!

Kasee