Retreat, part 2
This weekend we attended a retreat for international students and had a great time. There were about 40 people there from 17 countries, mostly in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. We spent the weekend playing games, getting to know one another, sharing about our cultures and experiences here in South Asia, exploring the area around us, and just having a good time. Here are some highlights from the weekend:

  • Hearing so many different languages spoken all around me and listening to students share about their home countries.
  • Travel...We took two trains, and then all piled into the back of trucks to get to the place we were staying. I counted at least 30 people in the back of the bigger truck!
  • Nature tour: the place we stayed is kind of like a farm and hosts groups for agro tourism. We got to see all sorts of plants and animals, and it was GREAT to be out of the city for a few days!
  • Gooooood food! We had chipatis (like wheat tortillas) and great vegetables at every meal....mmmm!
  • *Swimming in the river and just having fun outside.
  • Cultural night--students shared about their countries and performed songs and dances.
  • *Making new friends and laughing about all of our various perceptions of this country!
  • *But best of all...I RODE A WATER BUFFALO!!! Camels and elephants are fun, but wading into the water and trying to jump onto the back of a fiesty water buffalo was just awesome!

3 shout outs!:

Deanna said...

I'm so jealous. No water buffalo in Western Europe. Sydney would do that in a rubber dress while speaking Russian.
Deanna

Anonymous said...

Wow. You are my hero--you rode a water buffalo! And why not? Everyone wants one!

I think of you often sweet friend!

SouthAsiaRocks said...

I'm so jealous!! When I walk past them everyday on my way to my lang lesson, I always want to just hop on one of them - ha ha :) HOw fun!
YOU ROCK!!