Bihar's Got Moves!

The quiet and dark streets in my neighborhood are suddenly filled with sparkling lights, colorful flags and songs blaring in every corner. Normally a rather quiet neighborhood, has suddenly come alive and transformed itself.  You can taste the festive spirit in the air. Women roaming the streets in their finest gold bordered saris and kids manning the little temples that have sprung up everywhere to celebrate Saraswati Pooja. 

My neighbor's kids were performing at their coaching class cultural show and I decided to go check it out. I was amazed at the talent in this little crowded room. With make shift curtains and bed sheets as their backdrops, these kids certainly proved that Biharies can dance!

Where are the neighbors' kids Nishant and Chotu? Well, the kid who was going to play the 'baba' the holy saint ran home because he got nervous. Without the saint, the followers (Nishant and Chotu) had no one to follow and so the play never took stage. They promised a private performance once the saint memorizes his lines.

P.S. Apologies for the side way videos - it was hard to tape the kids while avoiding heads and jabbing the person next to me. It took over 5 hours to post these...so hope you'll enjoy them as much as I did!

I’m definitely in Bihar, it wasn’t a dream!

I hop on Satishji’s bike and head to the office. Unfinished stairs without a railing, wireless internet that doesn't work and a bustling conference room table that’s being used as an office by 5 people  – all signs that I am at a start up. The 20 minute chat with the CEO is enough evidence to see why he’s been able to create this enterprise. He is direct, concise and encouraging in the time I spend with him. He directs “Take the next step, even if it isn't the best step.” Thanks to Satishji I get access to internet and meet the rest of the team.

Later in the evening, my tolerance for noise, need for personal space and/or security gets put to the test.  I hop on Satishji’s bike again to go to the bank, still haven’t figured out the foot rest bit, so my right leg is dangling in mid-air. I quickly realize why the rests are a necessity in the first place; I’m surrounded by jeeps, rickshaws, trucks, people and two wheelers all honking for attention at once. I try to keep my foot as close to the bike as possible while avoiding the turning wheel; Haunting tales of people’s duppatas and pants getting stuck flash in my mind.  Drivers swerve to change directions at their heart’s whim and I feel like I should expect whiplash tomorrow.  I’ve been in Indian traffic before but never like this.

A gal from the office was kind enough to take me on an apartment hunting trip. She said we needed to get a rickshaw. I didn’t realize were pursuing a cycle rickshaw. They are all around Patna. I felt like a giant and wished I could make myself instantly lighter. Fortunately, we walked home.  

I did manage to get a phone so I’m finally connected. Feeling a bit more settled now.  

Arrival in Bihar!

I landed in Delhi yesterday in sheer awe of the shinny, sparkley airport. It was no different than the Amsterdam airport even the posted signs seemed to be the same. Despite the 14 hour flight, it wasn't until I saw the Dillichat counter at the airport that it truly hit me that I was in India.

3 hours later I was on the flight to Patna. A stark difference from the award winning airport I had experienced earlier. Patna has 2 baggage belts so my giant suitcase was pretty easy to spot. When I stepped outside to see the swarms of mosquitoes & flies hovering around the lights - I knew I was really here. This is going to be India unlike anything I've experienced before. As I stood outside hoping my ride hadn't forgotten about me, avoiding the shoves of the crowd of taxi drivers -  I reminded myself how I had knowingly signed up for ambiguity.

A pleasant evening at Satishji's followed. I met my two housemates and Satishji's brothers family. His nephews set up the bright pink mosquito net around my bed after dinner. It is such little touches of hospitality that make me feel welcome. The bed is hard, the bucket bath is cold but the IU sweats I brought with me give me a sense of comfort. Day 1 @ the office awaits.