Getting sick

I had a burger and it gave me food poisoning. Yes, the burger was only 40 rupees. Less than a dollar.

My friend looks over at me and says, “that guy is going to spit in your food.” I denied it. I didn't observe the scowl on his face, angry that I ordered the cheapest item on the menu.

The next morning I woke up with an upset stomach. I remained in fetal position for the larger portion of the day. Of course this is after I traumatized about four or five girls who were in our room looking for something of theirs. I was lying in bed, when I suddenly jumped up, ran outside and slipped in a rain puddle making me missing my target, a dirty old bucket. Everyone had followed me wondering what was going on before I had nearly missed their feet projectile vomiting onto the broken mexican tile.

Angelie and Anisha

Having witnessed me at my vilest, the girls at the orphanage were some of the most genuine, kindest girls I have ever met. While I did cause quite the scene, they were there rubbing my back, holding my hair and taking care of me. My roommate, Emma, went to the doctor with me and held my hand as I wobbled along. Himani, who is thirteen, gave me a Raki bracelet, saying that everything will be alright and that this bracelet will protect me.

We were given instructions to “be mothers”, but I truly think that they have more “mother” in each of them then I might ever have before I have children.

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Getting a waterfall bath on a jungle hike.

Everything leading up the ugly scene on Monday was spectacular though. I was in Rishikesh, which is where the Ganges River begins, and is one of the more beautiful places I’ve ever been. The place where we were staying was gorgeous; it was right beside a hiking area and a stream. The town is littered with yoga studios, temples and pretentious backpackers who were making their way through Dharamsala, North India and parts of Nepal.

After being in Delhi and Faridibad for the majority of my time in India, where seeing white people is almost a novelty, escaping was refreshing. Many stores sold camping gear and hippie-type clothing. i.e. hobo bags and striped alpaca wool sweaters. It made me giggle, knowing that some of these places are selling the same things as the stores on Haight street in San Francisco, at a sixth of the price.

The water that ran through the top of the Ganges was clean, and parts of it even ran clear. People here seemed happier, more at peace and the dogs were slightly less emaciated. It was a small village, but it put me in a good place. It was exactly what I needed after having kids in my hair, for breakfast, lunch, snack time and dinner.