Finally Here!

So after about a week of delays, I'm finally in India! I got here at about 5 yesterday morning and had just enough time to shower and head to breakfast. I didn't sleep for like 36 hours, and that was interesting.
However, traveling was easy for the most part! From talking to previous interns, I've been told to only bring one bag, but I really couldn't help it and I brought two. (Both of which were extremely heavy)

I first flew to Seattle, which I've done a million times, so that was a breeze. Once I got to Seattle, my gate was on the opposite side of the airport and I had to take three different trains to get there. At my gate, there were already a ton of people. Most of which were foreign and I was able to talk to a lot of them. Boarding was the biggest disaster because there were so many people speaking what seemed like a million different languages. My flight left a little late to Dubai, but we still arrived on time. On the flight there were tons of new movies or TV shows you could watch. We were served dinner and breakfast on our 14 hour flight. Dinner was chicken, curry, and a roll. Surprisingly, it was very good!

Flying into Dubai was a really weird experience. I've watched documentaries in school about how luxurious it is, but when we were flying in, it wasn't what I expected at all. I saw the tall buildings and those really were breath taking, but the air pollution was so bad, it was hard to focus on anything else. 

After I landed in Dubai, I found my way to my final gate. This would be my last flight and I would land in Hyderabad. I sat by this older man who gave me a big smile when I told him my seat was next to his. I found out he didn't speak English, but through a series of hand gestures and drawing pictures, we had a few hysterical conversations. It was nice meeting someone who went out of their way to get to know me despite the language barrier. While arriving in Hyderabad, I realized how big it was, and I was not expecting that. 

After going through immigration (which took forever) I exchanged my currency and then went to get my bags at baggage claim (which took even longer). After I got my luggage, I went out the exit and found my driver standing right at the front with an ICRISAT sign. He was very nice and spoke some English. The drive to ICRISAT was interesting to say the least. The driver drove in two lanes the whole way. It was the weirdest thing to me, because he was doing it on purpose. Despite it being 5 in the morning, there were people everywhere, just walking in the middle of the highway. Then we drove by some tents made of tarps and cardboard and it broke my heart. I'm so glad I don't live here because I couldn't drive past those everyday and not feel insanely guilty for all the technologies I take for granted. Then I arrived here and checked in at housing. I was expecting a single little studio dorm and I was totally surprised when I entered my room to find two beds, a kitchen, my own bathroom, and a little living area with a TV. Though no one else is here yet, I wonder if I'll have a roommate soon. I'll upload pictures of my room later when its clean :) 

I just got done with my second day of work, and jet lag is kicking my butt right now. I've never been so tired in my life. But campus is beautiful and I can't wait to go sight seeing around India soon! 

I miss everyone at home so much. I couldn't thank you guys enough for your love and support  because it's much needed right now considering how homesick I am. If anyone wants to skype me, my name is live:kirstenforster_1 and my email is kirstenforster@live.com, so feel free to contact me at anytime. Hope everything is going well at home!

-Kirsten