We arrived in Gadag after a very bumpy ride. I didn't sleep much last night at the hotel - I guess I just wasn't used to having other people in the room. When we arrived in Gadag, they immediately took us to another temple and the photo "snaps" started up again. We hadn't had anything for breakfast this morning except for some biscuits in the van so I was feeling a little cranky.
After the temple and introductions to the Gadag club, our respective hosts claimed us and took us back to their houses. My family is AWESOME!!! Totally the best so far. As soon as I got in their car, they told me to consider myself part of their family. And they're just so easy and comfortable to be around -- it's almost weird! It's like I've known them for longer than just a few hours.
Awesome Gadag hosts: Poonam, Mohan,
me and Grandma.
Mohan and Poonam (my host and his wife) took me back to their house and we had an amazing lunch and just sat around chatting. They have two kids, Mayur and Mrinal, and Mohan's Mom also lives with them. Around 3:00 we left to see some Rotary projects. The first one we visited was a music school for the blind.
This was absolutely amazing. A free education for underprivileged, blind students. A school that offers them a chance to develop their aural sense and may allow them to find vocations as musicians. Brilliant. This was, by far, my personal favorite of the projects we've visited. And ironically, the matching grant club in the U.S. is Paramus, NJ. Wow.
Afterwards, we went and saw a clinic that performs free cataract surgeries:
And then a Rotary-sponsored, English-medium school for the poor. This is unique in that most poor kids who do get to go to school end up studying in Kannada-medium schools (the state language). If kids are given the opportunity to learn English, it gives them a much better chance to be able to go on to college.
Of course we visited another textile factory and a few more temples, but there's a much better vibe for me here in Gadag. I was considerably less cranky! By 7:00, we went back home to freshen up and change clothes. Grandma made me some nice strong tea and we were on our way to the Rotary club meeting. It started a little after 8:00 and we had some dinner around 10:00.
On the way home, Mohan, Poonam and I chatted very easily about all kinds of things. I really love them and wish I could just spend the day tomorrow hanging out with them but we're finally going to visit Hampi. I've heard that it will be 6+ hours worth of temples -- it may be the death of me. But fortunately, they've cancelled our plans to go to Yellapur and we get to stay an extra night in Gadag.
It's funny how I have these highs and lows. Just when it feels like things couldn't possibly get worse (like in Bijapur) they somehow turn 180° and I'm on top of the world. I suppose that Guru at the ashram in Belgaum was right: there must be a balance between good and bad. Savor the good and know that the bad will pass. Besides, without the bad, how else would we appreciate the good?
And here's a quote that was painted on the wall at the school we visited today:
True dat. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a mosquito net to sleep under!
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