Green Team

For the past couple of weekends I have been going with the KIS Green Team down to their greenhouse to assist with the ongoing Shola tree project. This project helps out nature by collecting and planting seeds of indigenous Shola trees and shrubs. The main goal is to reintroduce as many native species back into the environment in order to save it.

The Palani Hills are currently over populated with exotic invasive species like pine, eucalyptus and acacia; all of which greatly harm the environment by drying up ground water reserves as well as choking out native species. These trees are planted in the unnatural in mono culture plantations; you could look for miles and only see eucalyptus trees.

Many animal habitats have disappeared or are disappearing putting animals at risk of endangerment and extinction, notably the Giant Grizzled Squirrel and the wild bison (which are moving into the cities)

These trees were originally planted by the British in order to harvest their wood, however with introduced plant species, usually the negative environmental destruction far outweighs the short term economic gain. Not only are these trees stealing the ground water from other plants AS WELL as humans, their root systems are not suited to this region, giving way for mud slides and serious soil erosion. Native species have evolved with the environment to reduce the amount of soil that is washed away each year by the heavy rains, while providing habitats and food to the animals who call the Palani Hills home.

This is a wonderful project that I plan to be involved in my entire time here. I am a huge advocate for replanting and restocking of indigenous plants and animals. We all have to play a part in getting our own environments back to the way they were, the way they were meant to be. Plants and animals are in a specific environment naturally because they are adapted to the conditions and live in symbiosis with the biotic and abiotic factors of the ecosystem. Everything is interrelated, meaning everything will affect everything else. When you add something that shouldn't be there, you disrupt the natural ebb and flow of the ecosystem; sometimes causing irreversible damage to future generations. We have no way of knowing how a species could effect an environment, whether it be good or bad. My opinion is that we let nature do its thing, because for billions of years it seems to have made the right decisions. Nature has never let us down, why mess with something that knows what its doing...Who are we (a very young species) to say that we know best?

Food Distribution

Today we went to the tribal orphanage for food distribution. Everyday we take the left over food from lunch so that the kids can have it for dinner. It is a great way to not waste food, but also a wonderful way to give back to the community and make life a little easier at the orphanage.

We didn't just drop off the food, we stayed for a while; interacted with the kids and played some games. We played soccer, badminton and volleyball, and some girls were jumping rope.

It was so uplifting to see smiling faces everywhere you turned, what a nice way to end a day :)

Independence Day!

We had a beautiful ceremony to commemorate India's Independence from British rule on this day in 1947. A speech was delivered on the flag green followed by the flag raising, which released petals as it unfolded in the wind. The National Anthem was sung and thus started the days program. There was traditional dance and song performed by staff as well students. A few seniors danced to a mash-up of Bollywood songs which was extremely well done. At the end of the assembly there was tea and snacks. Everyone was socializing, taking photos, lots of photos and showing off their national dress. We had Korean, Thai, Indian, Nepalese, Nagaland (India), Bhutanese, Tibetan, Japanese all being represented. I myself was wearing a silk sari.

The town was packed with locals and tourists taking apart of the festivities, with the a perfect backdrop of lanterns strung above, like a ceiling of stars.

For more photos:

http://s1126.photobucket.com/albums/l620/angelica_rayne/India%20on%20Independence%20Day/

Leading up to Independence Day

Music all day and all night. At the stroke of midnight, let the Independence celebrations begin! Kodai is so beautifully decorated with lanterns hanging overhead and several stages erected throughout the streets, loud speakers make sure everyone can hear the music.

We will have no classes tomorrow on account of an Independence Day ceremony.. I just wish you could here this music that is playing.. I love India

Raksha Bandhan

Yesterday August 13 was Raksha Bandhan which is an Indian festival that celebrates the relationship between a sister and brother. On this day a sister will tie a Rakhi (sacred thread) on the wrist of her brother. This thread symbolizes a sisters love for her brother, and the vow that the brother will take care of her. Kodaikanal was all decorated with cross like palm leaves tied on strings hanging over the streets along with lanterns. Unfortunately I was not able to see it at night, but I heard music over the loud speakers situated throughout the town. A friend of mine gave a Rakhi to her cousin and since I do not have a brother, I gave a Rakhi to my German friend Malte who is very much a younger brother to me here. The people I have met here have very quickly become my family, and this city has quickly become my home. This little town has definitely grown on me!

Correction: The palm crosses were actually tied for the Feast of the Assumption. I was not sure what they were for and assumed they were put up for Raksha Bandhan/Independence Day. A friend of mine told me what they were actually for. Thanks Peter :)

Why I Love Living on a Mountain in India

The scent of incense lingers in the air following the daily puja, they come in clouds, almost like clockwork throughout the day offering their devotion to God. Clouds roll through the mountain and almost everyday we are engulfed in their daily migration. They seep in through open windows creating an almost eerie mist hanging in the air. The sound of Indian music drifts across the lake from the temple, loud enough so that everyone can hear. The car horns could be their own symphony, each one adding their own sound and harmony. It has now become comforting, and I can't imagine the day without it. The amount of life present in this country amazes me. So much flora and fauna that I have never been exposed to, this is truly a learning experience and a chance to broaden my perspective.

All these new sights and sounds are very much welcomed by me. I find that in our lives we very often enter this monotony, everyday is the same, our schedules are the same, our surroundings are the same, we talk to the same people about the same things. This is not natural for the human to be stuck in a never changing environment. It is in our nature to wander and change our surroundings, how do you think we managed to populate the entire world!

Unfortunately many of us are afraid of change (and what it might bring), and are all too happy to live the same boring lives forever, indirectly because of fear... What they don't know is that it is quietly and silently suffocating their human spirit.

How often do we see a fruit we've never seen before? Just today I ate a fresh passion fruit, something that I had never experienced before. Everyday I eat something new, and most of the time I don't even know what it is!

The plant life is so different here and it's wonderful to fill my mind with things I never even knew existed.

We are lucky now with the internet, everything can be accessed by the click of a button. You can educate yourself and travel through this planets vast diversity all in the comfort of your our home. Or you could scare yourself with a little change of scenery and see it for yourself, with your own eyes and engage in your discovery with all your senses. Even though countless others have seen what I am seeing right now, it is now my turn. This is my dream. This is my exploration. This is my discovery.

Hindu Temple

On Friday as a part of the Hinduism/Buddhism class we took a little trip to a local temple to learn about religious customs. The temple was ornately decorated, as most Hindu temples are in south India; with incredible colours and sculptures of various deities. There was a smaller structure that was Ganesha's Temple (Elephant God). He was sitting on a lotus with temple guardians sitting on every side. In front of the structure was a little metal sculpture of a mouse (Ganesha's vehicle).

There were colourful lotus flowers carved into the ceiling and various symbols carved into the stone pillars. There were snakes, horses, mythical creatures, peacocks as well as symbols representing various Gods.

The priest performed puja, which is the lighting of incense and giving a gift or offering to the resident deity (Ganesha). It is always interesting to see other religious customs and cultures. When I get back to Canada I will make an effort to attend the many churches, temples, mosques and other religious institutions. Opening your eyes to other cultures and their beliefs makes on more tolerant and overstanding ofthe people you meet , which is a very useful asset to have in this increasingly multicultural world.

Bethania Orphanage

On Friday afternoon, other exchange students and myself packed our bags for an overnight visit to the Bethania orphanage; a three hour drive away (close by Indian standards!). The drive was beautiful, we even stopped to see a full rainbow! We also stopped for parathas (an indian bread which was very yummy :)). When we got there it was already dark so we sat in their common room so the kids could introduce themselves. There were both boys and girls ranging in ages from 8 to 18. After the introductions was dinner, which was rice and daal, with fresh bananas and papadum. After dinner most of the kids went to sleep while we stayed up and talked. We knew we had an early start the next day so most of us were in bed by 10, and by bed I mean a surprisingly comfortable mat on the floor; the only downside was the bugs, which happened to be everywhere. All in all it was a good night sleep with a nice breeze coming through the windows combined with the fans overhead.

The next morning I was up and decided to walk around and take pictures. We were told that if we got up early we would be able to see wild peacocks (India's national bird), unfortunately I did not get up early enough to see them, however I did hear them all day as they have a very distinctive call, almost like a cat meowing.

Within ten seconds of having my camera out three boys approached me and asked to take pictures. They ended up taking me on a tour of the orphanage taking photos of EVERYTHING they saw, so needless to say I now have some interesting photos on my camera :p

We had a very interesting Indian breakfast which consisted of idli and chutney, definitely not your English breakfast, but a delightful deviation from routine. After breakfast it was straight to work, we split up into two groups, one group went to go fill in the dirt road while my group made traditional brooms made from dried palms (http://www.cepolina.com/photo/broom_straw_house_cleaning.htm). After about an hour the groups switched and we went to go fill in their road with dirt while the other group got to relax and make brooms. We had a very efficient "assembly line" thing going on. The kids came and joined us filling in the roads. One person would dig up the dirt and place it into this metal pail and we would pass it down the line, simultaneously the other pails would make their way back to the beginning of the line to be filled again. We continued this work until it started raining.

After all the work it was time to relax. We climbed up the side of a mountain, checked out their well, the chapel and the grounds in general. We hung out a lot with the kids, talked about school, their extended families. They even taught us a few words in Tamil! They embraced us with such friendliness and hospitality, but unfortunately it was time to head back to kodai, and embark on the three hour drive back. It was filled with lots of laughs and stories which made the drive back much easier.

Another wonderful experience never to be forgotten

For more info on the orphanage http://oursabha.org/bethania.php

Too see all the photos http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150249343171666.324364.505031665&l=8bf3e1c0c1&type=1