From monkeys, to attending a Sikh wedding, to returning back to Sahibabad, this has been quite a week! We have had some very unique experiences these past few days.
Last Saturday Jess and I left Sampurna Nagar to spend our last five days in Khutar. Before we left Sampurna Nagar the teachers had a farewell breakfast for us. It was delicious! Saturday the whole team was able to have tea in a hut in a village with a family. Afterwards we went to a national park. There were not any elephant rides that day, and we did not see a lot of wildlife, but the scenery was very pretty. We did have an encounter with some thieves- some monkeys got into our van and stole some bananas!!
Monday I had my first experience riding by motorbike in India. It was a unique and fun experience. Biju and a teacher came on their motorbikes to pick Jess and I up to go to Mainiya to have our team time. It was very nice to be able to have time together as a team again, and to see Manyia, even though there was not school that day.
Jess and I taught at Khutar school during the days we were there. That was really enjoyable. The children also seemed to enjoy learning from us. All of us had opportunities to visit some families. That was very nice.
Wednesday was quite an eventful day! The day started with Jess and I going to Khutar school. There were some monkeys on the roof of the school and I was taking pictures of them. Jess went into the office. I continued to try to take pictures of the monkeys. Then, Jess popped her head out and told me to be careful, that the mokeys can be dangerous. Right after she said that one of the monkeys made an angry noise and jumped all the way from the roof to the ground and started coming towards me. I started to run. Then I looked back and saw all the monkeys jumping off the roof and speeding towards me. I ran faster! They were all chasing me. One caught me and was grabbing onto my leg. My heart was beating so fast! Somehow I kicked it off or got it off somehow, and kept running. The monkeys kept chasing me. They can run fast and they can climb so there was no way to escape them. So I just kept running with these angry monkeys continuing to chase me. Thankfully, the man we were staying with came out and a boy with a slingshot, and they got the monkeys to go away. It took a while for my heartbeat to return to normal and before coming outside again I made sure there were not any monkeys around. That day I learned monkeys can get angry when you take pictures of them (no matter how cute and innocent they look)and that apparently trying to run away is the thing you're not supposed to do when being chased by monkeys. Wow, what an experience! I am very thankful that monkey on my leg did not bite me, or any of the other ones. My Father was definitely protecting me! This is an experience I would not have mind missing out on, but how many people can say they were chased by monkeys? Wednesday afternoon we had the opportunity to attend a Sikh wedding. It was really interesting, I am glad we were able to attend. First we went to a place where there were sweets and other snacks. Then, we went to the temple where the marriage ceremony was. Before entering we all had to remove our socks and shoes and cover our heads. The ceremony was mainly a lot of chanting. After that we went back to the first place. There was music and the bride and groom were sitting up front and having their pictures taken and receiving gifts. Then, we all ate a meal. It took a while for us to able to leave, because everyone wanted their pictures taken with the Americans. So, in one day I was chased my monkeys, taught in a village school, and attended a Sikh wedding. Not many people can say they've experienced one of these, let alone all three in one day!
Thursday our train was an hour late, but no problem! We also could not find our seats on the train at first. But, after finding our seats and a six hour train ride, we returned safely back to Ghaziabad!! It is so good to be back, and I'm really looking forward to this next month here.
Praises:
For all our Father taught us during our weeks in Eastern U.P.
For how He is working in the villages
That we arrived safely back
Requests:
For the Sampurna Nagar, Khutar, and Mainiya schools
For the teachers
That our Father would continue to give us opportunities while we are here
Natasha
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3 comments:
So good to hear from you! Thankful that the monkey situation wasn't worse. I'll bet that was scary. I love you and continue to think of you and your team.
Great update Natasha! I must say you had quite the experience in Khuttar. :) I hope some of your pictures of the monkeys turned out.
wow, what a day. I'm sure you'll be able to tell the monkey story for a long time. One time when I was in Hong Kong, there were some monkeys and I was taking pictures, and this guy came walking by and said, "Don't make him angry, he will beat you up!"
Perhaps there was more truth to that than I thought.
Ben H.
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