Monday morning it was back to the machines and on with our sewing classes. Sunday night Sarah and I made a schedule for the rest of our time here so we were ready to get going on the projects. Our classes are settling into a nice steady rhythm that will hopefully continue through the duration of our stay. On Monday we were able to start working with the women on a more personal level. Since separating the classes into beginning and advanced learners, we are better able to focus on the needs of our students. Our beginning classes started out the week by practicing a rolled hem on a curve. I am impressed with how well they are able to do these, especially considering how much I sometimes struggle with them. Haha. We also gave them the measurements for a real-size petticoat. Up until now they have been cutting and stitching very mini sizes. It is so exciting to see how attentively they took notes and copied down our drawings. We learned a lot that day too because we had to figure out how to convert all our measurements from inches to centimeters. Luckily the measuring tapes have one side of each, which made it a little easier to cheat. It is such a blessing that one of our students in the morning has very good English and was able to translate the instructions into Telugu. She even transcribed the instructions onto the blackboard for us!
The language barrier can often make teaching difficult, but our new blackboard has really helped because now we can teach through visual instruction - especially things like patterning. I loved seeing the students copy the instructions into their own notes for future reference. It is nice to know that we are teaching them skills that they are truly eager to learn and remember.
Our advanced classes on Monday worked on drafting a bodice and sleeves. I was in charge of that since drafting and pattern making are kind of my forte. I was concerned about how to teach the curves of sleeves and necklines without my French curve ruler, but everyone did pretty well, even though all we said was "draw a curved line." I worry that without the proper tools or materials to make a proper sloper or pattern, and with the language barrier, that when it comes time for them to make their own projects after we are gone, they won't be able to. It is one thing for me to draw out a pattern and for them to copy it down, but will they know how to do it on their own? I don't know, that is one thing I am afraid of, but they all seem to be grasping the concept pretty well.
It was Julie's first day in sewing on Monday and she was a great help. It was a really nice calm day for her to start on. We didn't do a whole lot of sewing because the advanced classes were drafting and the beginners were only doing hems. We did give her the chance to learn how to work a treadle machine herself so that she would be able to better help the students once we get back on the machines. We ended a little early on Monday because our afternoon classes are so small that we are usually able to overlap them a little. There are only about 3 girls in each of the afternoon slots. The mornings are a lot crazier. Especially our first class which is full of loud, opinionated, controlling women. I'm pretty sure they spend the first ten minutes of every class arguing with each other over who will sit where and yelling at each other to listen to us. It can get a little frustrating. Especially this week where we have had random women show up and ask to join the classes. We want to give everyone the opportunity to learn, but it just isn't possible. There just isn't enough room for that many students, and besides that, by this point in the game they are too far behind. So we had a few ladies that told us they wanted to learn "cutting only." But then they would get on the machines and take time away from girls who have diligently attended every class! We have had to practice being forceful because there is no other way to get through to these women sometimes. They are very determined, which is a quality to be admired, but we just can't handle it.
Monday, I also took this picture:
A friend of a friend is gathering pictures like this to send to her husband for his birthday. He is deployed with the army and they will be apart for this special day. She is asking for people to take pictures from around the country, and world, with signs saying "Kaitlyn loves you to (wherever you are) and back." She is hoping to get one from each of the 50 states and any other country where she might be able to make contacts. If you would be willing to take a picture like this, I know she would appreciate it! You can just send it to me and I'll get it to her :)
After sewing on Monday we went to the tailor to have my sari top made. Josephine Mekala came with us to help translate and because the shop is right across from her house. It should be ready in a few days and Josephine says I have to wear it to Stake Conference this weekend.
Tuesday Sarah, Julie, Courtney, and I went to MV Foundation, which is a girls hostel. Sarah and Janie had previously been teaching them to dance and sing "We're All In This Together" from "High School Musical." This is them performing it for us on Tuesday:
We let them review that a few times and then we started working on a few different lessons with them. We started by breaking them into groups and giving them well known Telugu nursery rhymes. The goal was for them to read the nursery rhyme and then come up with a way to perform it for the class. They had to perform without words, kind of like charades, and the rest of the class had to guess what nursery rhyme it was. It kind of worked. I think Sarah had the most success with her group. My group already new actions that went along with their little rhyme, so they wouldn't do anything else. I was just proud when I convinced them to do the actions without chanting the words along with it. After that we moved onto music and rhythms. We taught them the values of notes and had them clap out rhythms. We had each of the different groups clap their own rhythm so that we had a little musical number going on. They understood the clapping and rhythms pretty well, but they wanted to count out loud and then you couldn't hear the rhythms of their hands so well. I admit that we even tried to do the Potter Puppet Pals "Mysterious Ticking Noise" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx1XIm6q4r4) with them...don't judge! How much would you have laughed at watching a video of a bunch of darling Indian girls chanting "Snape, Snape, Severus Snape...Dumbledore!" But they really didn't get that, so we quickly gave up.
Finally, Sarah started teaching them a new dance. See if you recognize it.
MJ all the way! Their attitude is great for "Thriller." The second group we worked with at MV was a younger group, and since we had less time, we shortened things down a little. We worked on sounds by doing the rain storm activity where you clap and snap and what not to make it sound like rain. They liked that a lot even though they weren't really doing it right. Haha. Then Julie and Sarah taught them "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" to help them with their English.
We left MV at about 1 o'clock. We stopped to get something cold to drink before catching an auto. Here they squeeze the juice out of sugar cane and it's actually really delicious. So we had some of that and then took an auto to Secunderbad station.
Welcome to the train station.
Yes, we actually rode the train to MV Foundation too, but I am going to highlight the trip back because it's a lot more interesting and a better representation of Indian life for a white girl. First of all, I know you're all like "Ugh. Leisl and her thing about trains...!" But let me just say, Indian trains I do not love as much as American trains. Well...I take it back. I still love the engines every bit as much. Nothing can detract from the pure metal beauty of a diesel train. But I don't love riding the trains as much as I do back home. On the way to MV we were lucky enough to end up in one of the designated Ladies cars, which was actually quite nice. There were not too many people and they were all women. Hoo-rah! Now, on the way home, we had to wait probably a half hour before the train arrived to take us back to Secunderbad. I saw this hysterical poster:
Maybe if we had been dressed "more modestly" the follow occurrence would not have happened. While we were waiting on the platform, people just gathered around and stared at us. Like full on, no shame, unblinking stares. One guy even snuck a picture of Courtney while she was looking at some cookies wondering if they would be like oreos. There was this other lady who kept circling around us like she was checking us out to rob us. When the train finally came we jumped on the nearest car, Sarah's instructions to protect your bags and chest ringing in our ears. We ended up on a community car. We were lucky enough to get seats, so we weren't crammed like sardines trying to stand. But then this group of ladies kind of closed us in and we weren't too concerned until they all sort of congregated around Julie. Julie switched her bag from the outside to the inside and the women left. They got off the train. So we're pretty sure they were trying to rob her. But then after the ladies left, we were surrounded by guys. They didn't get too close, but they all stood there and just STARED at us. I wish I could have gotten a picture so that you could truly understand, but they were like hanging on the back of the seats to see over and some of them got off the train at every stop to look through our window and then would get back on once the train started going again. I have never felt so looked at in my life! People here look at us a lot, but usually passing glances and not hardcore stares. It was uncomfortable and annoying. We survived unscathed, and untouched. When we made it back to Secunderbad we took an auto to The Coffee Cup. I was STARVING and Julie had never been, so it was the obvious choice. Haha. I ordered a delicious chicken and veggie pasta and a mango smoothie. It hit the spot just right!
The power went out at all the most inopportune moments last night and I stayed up until nearly 1am trying to finish facetime and facebook conversations, so I was really tired this morning, but it quickly wore off.
For sewing today, a gentleman from Hyderabad came to our first two classes. He is a friend of a friend of Sarah's. He is about to start his medical residency in Florida, but is here visiting family and wanted to check out what we were doing. We was really nice and it was actually nice to have him with us because he spoke English and Telugu both very well so could help translate. In our beginning class we had them cut out and stitch up little tank-tops. One lady, Mary, has progressed so beautifully. She was the first one done and when she showed me her finished project I nearly cried. I was so proud. Her stitching was so straight! She really did a lovely job. In our advanced classes, we started one of our two final projects. They first group of ladies were so good and all brought their cotton fabric to make little girl's frocks with! Most of them brought old dresses or Kurtas, because they don't have the money to buy new cloth, but I was so proud that they made the effort to find SOMETHING, because the afternoon class did not. Anyway, I drew the pattern out on the blackboard with all the dimensions and measurements and they measured it out and drew it onto their fabric with chalk. We got them all drafted and cut out so that tomorrow we will be able to start sewing them together!
We learned a little Telugu today too! Just a few words, but at least now we can say things like "stitching" and "tomorrow." Oh, and the oh-so-important words like "lizard" and "pig."
We learned "pig" because there are pigs in the slums that just run around like dogs. SO. MANY. They're everywhere. And we learned "lizard" because we have a pet lizard in the sewing school named Neal.
I tried to catch him a couple of times, but he is too quick for me.
On our way home from sewing we were able to catch an auto home for 80 rupees! It usually costs us at least 120 from the slums back to Saket. We took the guy's number because he was quick and cheap. So we will be sure to call him in the morning to come and take us back to sewing. We have switched our Friday class to Thursday this week so that we can go to Spurti on Friday.
This evening we had our culture night. We took another awesome auto, (it was decked out in lights and fringe! and played awesome techno music, that is now our favorite song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzq2pNoJjM4. AND could fit 7 of us without anyone having to sit on someone's lap) to Moula Ali, a suburb of Hyderabad.
We were looking for the Moula Ali Dargah temple, but accidentally went to the wrong one. I mean, they are like on opposite hills from each other, so it's understandable. The Moula Ali Dargah temple had 400 steps leading up to it. The first temple we went to also had a lot of steps, but not that many. There were lots of goats though, and a stunning view! The temple at the top of this hill was small, and not open, but we're glad we had a chance to see it.
Once we found the Moula Ali Dargah temple, we got even more excited. Even just the walk leading up to it was exciting! There were people decorating cars and setting off fireworks, so we thought maybe there was a wedding or something going on. It turns out that it is the birthday of one of their Gods and they were preparing for a big celebration tonight where all the young men will parade from the Moula Ali Dargah temple to Charminar! It sounded really cool, but it was still a few hours away so we did not stay to watch. The walkway up to the stairs that lead to the temple is strung with lights, and is so pretty.
The stairs were not as bad or as hard as I thought they might be, but I'm sure I will still feel it in my legs tomorrow! There were some really cool views from this hill too.
On our way up the stairs the call to prayer came and we could hear the different prayers from all across the city. It was kind of cool.
The architecture of the Moula Ali Dargah temple is really cool and we were able to go inside and see the famed mirrors.
We met a man there who explained to us that there is a special sort of "relic" at this temple, which makes it a homage for people. The hand print of Hazrat Ali, who was the son-in-law of the prophet Muhammad, is somewhere inside the temple. Well, not just somewhere, it's in a little room/tunnel things at the back of the mirror hall. We could not go in, but the man we were talking to went to go see it and was telling us about it. After we exited the hall of mirrors, a priest nabbed everyone and gave them some sort of blessing with ash and whacking them with a peacock feather broom...and then he made them pay 10 rupees. I escaped unscathed and 10 rupees richer than everyone else. Lauren so kindly whacked me on the back to show me how it felt. Haha. We also met a woman there who explained to us that they put locks in and around the temple to show that it is locked up from evil, so that's interesting.
It was a really cool trip and I'm glad we went. We called our same party auto to take us home. When we arrived at the apartments, I went up to the roof with Julie to get her laundry and so that I could take a picture of the moon! The pictures don't do it any justice. It was full and red. I'm sure because of the pollution in the air, but still. Blood moon, friends.
And now it is time for a snack for my grumbling tummy and time to sleep. Namaste!
The language barrier can often make teaching difficult, but our new blackboard has really helped because now we can teach through visual instruction - especially things like patterning. I loved seeing the students copy the instructions into their own notes for future reference. It is nice to know that we are teaching them skills that they are truly eager to learn and remember.
Our advanced classes on Monday worked on drafting a bodice and sleeves. I was in charge of that since drafting and pattern making are kind of my forte. I was concerned about how to teach the curves of sleeves and necklines without my French curve ruler, but everyone did pretty well, even though all we said was "draw a curved line." I worry that without the proper tools or materials to make a proper sloper or pattern, and with the language barrier, that when it comes time for them to make their own projects after we are gone, they won't be able to. It is one thing for me to draw out a pattern and for them to copy it down, but will they know how to do it on their own? I don't know, that is one thing I am afraid of, but they all seem to be grasping the concept pretty well.
It was Julie's first day in sewing on Monday and she was a great help. It was a really nice calm day for her to start on. We didn't do a whole lot of sewing because the advanced classes were drafting and the beginners were only doing hems. We did give her the chance to learn how to work a treadle machine herself so that she would be able to better help the students once we get back on the machines. We ended a little early on Monday because our afternoon classes are so small that we are usually able to overlap them a little. There are only about 3 girls in each of the afternoon slots. The mornings are a lot crazier. Especially our first class which is full of loud, opinionated, controlling women. I'm pretty sure they spend the first ten minutes of every class arguing with each other over who will sit where and yelling at each other to listen to us. It can get a little frustrating. Especially this week where we have had random women show up and ask to join the classes. We want to give everyone the opportunity to learn, but it just isn't possible. There just isn't enough room for that many students, and besides that, by this point in the game they are too far behind. So we had a few ladies that told us they wanted to learn "cutting only." But then they would get on the machines and take time away from girls who have diligently attended every class! We have had to practice being forceful because there is no other way to get through to these women sometimes. They are very determined, which is a quality to be admired, but we just can't handle it.
Monday, I also took this picture:
A friend of a friend is gathering pictures like this to send to her husband for his birthday. He is deployed with the army and they will be apart for this special day. She is asking for people to take pictures from around the country, and world, with signs saying "Kaitlyn loves you to (wherever you are) and back." She is hoping to get one from each of the 50 states and any other country where she might be able to make contacts. If you would be willing to take a picture like this, I know she would appreciate it! You can just send it to me and I'll get it to her :)
After sewing on Monday we went to the tailor to have my sari top made. Josephine Mekala came with us to help translate and because the shop is right across from her house. It should be ready in a few days and Josephine says I have to wear it to Stake Conference this weekend.
Tuesday Sarah, Julie, Courtney, and I went to MV Foundation, which is a girls hostel. Sarah and Janie had previously been teaching them to dance and sing "We're All In This Together" from "High School Musical." This is them performing it for us on Tuesday:
We let them review that a few times and then we started working on a few different lessons with them. We started by breaking them into groups and giving them well known Telugu nursery rhymes. The goal was for them to read the nursery rhyme and then come up with a way to perform it for the class. They had to perform without words, kind of like charades, and the rest of the class had to guess what nursery rhyme it was. It kind of worked. I think Sarah had the most success with her group. My group already new actions that went along with their little rhyme, so they wouldn't do anything else. I was just proud when I convinced them to do the actions without chanting the words along with it. After that we moved onto music and rhythms. We taught them the values of notes and had them clap out rhythms. We had each of the different groups clap their own rhythm so that we had a little musical number going on. They understood the clapping and rhythms pretty well, but they wanted to count out loud and then you couldn't hear the rhythms of their hands so well. I admit that we even tried to do the Potter Puppet Pals "Mysterious Ticking Noise" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx1XIm6q4r4) with them...don't judge! How much would you have laughed at watching a video of a bunch of darling Indian girls chanting "Snape, Snape, Severus Snape...Dumbledore!" But they really didn't get that, so we quickly gave up.
Finally, Sarah started teaching them a new dance. See if you recognize it.
We left MV at about 1 o'clock. We stopped to get something cold to drink before catching an auto. Here they squeeze the juice out of sugar cane and it's actually really delicious. So we had some of that and then took an auto to Secunderbad station.
Welcome to the train station.
Yes, we actually rode the train to MV Foundation too, but I am going to highlight the trip back because it's a lot more interesting and a better representation of Indian life for a white girl. First of all, I know you're all like "Ugh. Leisl and her thing about trains...!" But let me just say, Indian trains I do not love as much as American trains. Well...I take it back. I still love the engines every bit as much. Nothing can detract from the pure metal beauty of a diesel train. But I don't love riding the trains as much as I do back home. On the way to MV we were lucky enough to end up in one of the designated Ladies cars, which was actually quite nice. There were not too many people and they were all women. Hoo-rah! Now, on the way home, we had to wait probably a half hour before the train arrived to take us back to Secunderbad. I saw this hysterical poster:
Maybe if we had been dressed "more modestly" the follow occurrence would not have happened. While we were waiting on the platform, people just gathered around and stared at us. Like full on, no shame, unblinking stares. One guy even snuck a picture of Courtney while she was looking at some cookies wondering if they would be like oreos. There was this other lady who kept circling around us like she was checking us out to rob us. When the train finally came we jumped on the nearest car, Sarah's instructions to protect your bags and chest ringing in our ears. We ended up on a community car. We were lucky enough to get seats, so we weren't crammed like sardines trying to stand. But then this group of ladies kind of closed us in and we weren't too concerned until they all sort of congregated around Julie. Julie switched her bag from the outside to the inside and the women left. They got off the train. So we're pretty sure they were trying to rob her. But then after the ladies left, we were surrounded by guys. They didn't get too close, but they all stood there and just STARED at us. I wish I could have gotten a picture so that you could truly understand, but they were like hanging on the back of the seats to see over and some of them got off the train at every stop to look through our window and then would get back on once the train started going again. I have never felt so looked at in my life! People here look at us a lot, but usually passing glances and not hardcore stares. It was uncomfortable and annoying. We survived unscathed, and untouched. When we made it back to Secunderbad we took an auto to The Coffee Cup. I was STARVING and Julie had never been, so it was the obvious choice. Haha. I ordered a delicious chicken and veggie pasta and a mango smoothie. It hit the spot just right!
The power went out at all the most inopportune moments last night and I stayed up until nearly 1am trying to finish facetime and facebook conversations, so I was really tired this morning, but it quickly wore off.
For sewing today, a gentleman from Hyderabad came to our first two classes. He is a friend of a friend of Sarah's. He is about to start his medical residency in Florida, but is here visiting family and wanted to check out what we were doing. We was really nice and it was actually nice to have him with us because he spoke English and Telugu both very well so could help translate. In our beginning class we had them cut out and stitch up little tank-tops. One lady, Mary, has progressed so beautifully. She was the first one done and when she showed me her finished project I nearly cried. I was so proud. Her stitching was so straight! She really did a lovely job. In our advanced classes, we started one of our two final projects. They first group of ladies were so good and all brought their cotton fabric to make little girl's frocks with! Most of them brought old dresses or Kurtas, because they don't have the money to buy new cloth, but I was so proud that they made the effort to find SOMETHING, because the afternoon class did not. Anyway, I drew the pattern out on the blackboard with all the dimensions and measurements and they measured it out and drew it onto their fabric with chalk. We got them all drafted and cut out so that tomorrow we will be able to start sewing them together!
We learned a little Telugu today too! Just a few words, but at least now we can say things like "stitching" and "tomorrow." Oh, and the oh-so-important words like "lizard" and "pig."
We learned "pig" because there are pigs in the slums that just run around like dogs. SO. MANY. They're everywhere. And we learned "lizard" because we have a pet lizard in the sewing school named Neal.
I tried to catch him a couple of times, but he is too quick for me.
On our way home from sewing we were able to catch an auto home for 80 rupees! It usually costs us at least 120 from the slums back to Saket. We took the guy's number because he was quick and cheap. So we will be sure to call him in the morning to come and take us back to sewing. We have switched our Friday class to Thursday this week so that we can go to Spurti on Friday.
This evening we had our culture night. We took another awesome auto, (it was decked out in lights and fringe! and played awesome techno music, that is now our favorite song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzq2pNoJjM4. AND could fit 7 of us without anyone having to sit on someone's lap) to Moula Ali, a suburb of Hyderabad.
We were looking for the Moula Ali Dargah temple, but accidentally went to the wrong one. I mean, they are like on opposite hills from each other, so it's understandable. The Moula Ali Dargah temple had 400 steps leading up to it. The first temple we went to also had a lot of steps, but not that many. There were lots of goats though, and a stunning view! The temple at the top of this hill was small, and not open, but we're glad we had a chance to see it.
Once we found the Moula Ali Dargah temple, we got even more excited. Even just the walk leading up to it was exciting! There were people decorating cars and setting off fireworks, so we thought maybe there was a wedding or something going on. It turns out that it is the birthday of one of their Gods and they were preparing for a big celebration tonight where all the young men will parade from the Moula Ali Dargah temple to Charminar! It sounded really cool, but it was still a few hours away so we did not stay to watch. The walkway up to the stairs that lead to the temple is strung with lights, and is so pretty.
The stairs were not as bad or as hard as I thought they might be, but I'm sure I will still feel it in my legs tomorrow! There were some really cool views from this hill too.
On our way up the stairs the call to prayer came and we could hear the different prayers from all across the city. It was kind of cool.
The architecture of the Moula Ali Dargah temple is really cool and we were able to go inside and see the famed mirrors.
We met a man there who explained to us that there is a special sort of "relic" at this temple, which makes it a homage for people. The hand print of Hazrat Ali, who was the son-in-law of the prophet Muhammad, is somewhere inside the temple. Well, not just somewhere, it's in a little room/tunnel things at the back of the mirror hall. We could not go in, but the man we were talking to went to go see it and was telling us about it. After we exited the hall of mirrors, a priest nabbed everyone and gave them some sort of blessing with ash and whacking them with a peacock feather broom...and then he made them pay 10 rupees. I escaped unscathed and 10 rupees richer than everyone else. Lauren so kindly whacked me on the back to show me how it felt. Haha. We also met a woman there who explained to us that they put locks in and around the temple to show that it is locked up from evil, so that's interesting.
It was a really cool trip and I'm glad we went. We called our same party auto to take us home. When we arrived at the apartments, I went up to the roof with Julie to get her laundry and so that I could take a picture of the moon! The pictures don't do it any justice. It was full and red. I'm sure because of the pollution in the air, but still. Blood moon, friends.
And now it is time for a snack for my grumbling tummy and time to sleep. Namaste!
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