hello again

well, i should make this quick, but i thought i'd let you all know that i'm all moved into my new house!

i'm living with two other girls from my trip, Emily and Laura. i have my own room, which is light blue, and there's actually a western toilet in the apartment- which is alright... i have mixed feelings about it. the best part is the family we live above. we met them when we were looking at the apartment, and they are really nice and eager to have us there. There are a lot of children, most of which are really shy. two of the daughters came up and said hello to us- but our tamil is still extremely limited so pretty much we asked how they were, and then told them we didn't speak very good tamil, and then stood around awkwardly. i'm sure it will get better soon. Tomorrow we start our tamil classes. Emma- there's definitely room for you to stay if you want to come to India still! and anyone else, for that matter! Our house is on a dirt road, and all of our neighbors seem really nice. we dont really talk to or smile or wave at the men- partially because weve been told not to really, but also because we're getting a little to cautious after a lot of harassment so far. But the women and children are all really nice. Also, there are tons of goats and cows and dogs around where we live. they wander into our yard, and then out again. There are geckos in my apartment, and we saw a red iguana in our front yard. Ayway, it's a really nice living sitation so far- but then again i only moved in yesterday.

I went to the tailor yesterday after our yoga class to get some clothes that i would be comfortable in but that would also be appropriate for India. I've decided I'm not too big a fan of Salwar Kameez- although they're bearable, and i sort of have started to loath Saris... i don't know how the women here do it- yards and yards and yards of fabric all tied around you and pinned in and tightened... impossible to do anything in as far as i'm concerened, but still you see them riding bikes in them, and cleaning and going places. amazing!

well, i was going to give more of an update than this, but i have to go eat breakfast! i love indian breakfasts! they're soo good. then in the afternoon we're going to the potters village to meet the potter that i'm going to be doing my first semester tutorial with.

much love, and missing all of you! --- catie

oh ps! i saw the greatest procession in the street downtown yesterday with elephants and horses and hundreds upon hundreds of women and men and children and music and a holy man. it was so amazing and colorful!

that's it for now!

love,

-- catie