putain oui!

I have left Darjeeling and there is a hole in my heart. The last few days were truly great. My friends and I were joined by two more younguns from Kolkata, two french guys who taught us the joy of the swear word "putain." The mountains came out the last morning I was in Darjeeling and at 6:30 "the french" (as we called them) and I were on the roof of Hotel Aliment and Mathieu exclaimed, "Oh! Putain oui!!" which he described as, essentially, "F**K YEAH!" Obviously an enlightening experience, eh?

But in all seriousness, my stay in Darjeeling was amazing. Not only was the project a success (my very scholarly advisor is pleased, which is a great, great thing), but I managed to find time to jaunt around. The last day in Darjeeling the French, my friends from Seattle (they all worked at Mother Theresa House and were from Seattle University), and I went to this teahouse called Nathmull's. We got fancy tea (Rs 125 a pop!) in champagne glasses and got super hyped up on green tea. Then Michelle, Emily, Pierre, and I went for an incredible walk all around the hills of Darjeeling and talked about traveling, America, France, and English. I learned that the french say "For Your Wish" when you sneeze, instead of "Bless You." I don't know why but I found that sort of profound. Pierre informed us that he has always hated America, but after meeting Americans he thinks he'll come visit the country. We were pleased. It's amazing to watch people's perspectives change right in front of you...

Now I'm back in Delhi and my perspective has changed. I find myself yearning for those nights on the roof of Hotel Aliment, for the sweet simplicity of Darjeeling. The life of my friends here in Delhi has been a great, huge party. It sounds amazing and fun, but I wouldn't trade my month for anything.

I stayed with Aunty last night and that was amazing. She's the funniest woman in the world. She told me today that I have to invite her to my wedding (?). She's crazy.

Now I'm going to see her preschool's Christmas play (they celebrate Christian, Hindu, and Muslim holidays) and then I'm off to print my paper and finish up my own Christmas shopping.

Love to all. I cannot wait to come home! I didn't want to leave Darjeeling but the shock of Delhi has sent me pining for home...