sickies, Tamil language, and Katrina
September 16th 2005
The group - minus the three sickies - with Rajaveni - Learning Tamil language
I sit on a pile of cushions in the beautiful Integral Learning Center, here at Verite. The fans overhead are more than pleasing and the wood floor under my feet reminds me of home in some mysterious way. The blue sky outside today resembles that of the rich blue sky familiar to Colorado. It is hot today, but much less humidity than yesterday. The three gnats flying around my face are annoying me…. but I’m trying desperately to make friends with them as I think that must be what they want, as they seem follow me everywhere. The red clay outside...
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...the screened walls are identical to the rammed earth wall running perpendicular to the ground. Andy just arrived and is reading “Steps to an Ecology of Mind” by Gregory Bateson. We have a Tamil language lesson with Rajaveni in about 6 minutes. Three of our group are down for the count (Brendan, Kyle, and Kristen). Some kind of something or other they’ve been infected with… high fevers, chills, aches, anything going in is coming out both ends. They seem miserable. But Bindu will be updating us soon on their condition as they just returned from the health center and are resting. The rest of us stand in mixed camps – one camp, the one that I’m most fond of, are washing our hands with immeasurable fervor and repeating affirmations of strong and healthy immune systems. The others stand in the camp of “Getting sick can be a religious experience and there is nothing I can do really to prevent it.” Okay, we just got word that it was food poisoning but unfortunately cannot pinpoint it to any one thing. So we are taking good care of our sick friends. They are on antibiotics and beginning the uphill ride to recovery.
We just finished a Tamil lesson with Rajaveni. She shared much of her life story with us. How fortunate we are to know such a strong and courageous woman. We are lucky to have her as a teacher, translator, guide, and most importantly, as a friend. We laugh a lot in Tamil language class and the Chai that comes during our afternoon classes is always a excellent treat!
Liz, Aaron, and Andy in Class
My (Jules) favorite part of class - Chai tea!
Our Tamil teacher, Rajaveni, laughing and smiling.
As I’ve walked around this beautiful place (Verite), I haven’t had to look far to see how its beauty is maintained. The lined patterns in the dirt don’t naturally occur. It is the work of the village women who make this community so cush. How appreciative, I am, of them…. How appreciative, we all are. Do they really hear the sincerity in my voice as I say “Rhumba Nandri” (very much - thank you)? Do they assume that I’m saying it because it is only one of the few Tamil words/phrases I know… or do they know that I really mean it? As I am learning more Tamil I hope to be able to ask these questions of them.
We are far from our homes in the United States and it is hard to comprehend the extent of what is happening/has happened in New Orleans and beyond. Everything was so uncertain as we boarded our planes just over two and one half weeks ago. We have access to the internet to get news, but we are so distanced still. There was an article in an Indian newspaper remarking on how an “underdeveloped” country like India responded to the Tsunami with remarkable compassion, and speed. And a “developed” country… the richest country in the world… the United States… what are we doing? It is certainly paradoxical for me to be reading about India providing aide to the Katrina victims. What is my role as a student/human/American/women when I’m so far away from what is happening? How do I help? I am doing Tonglen (a meditation) for the victims and the organizations/institutions that I am a part of (Colorado Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and Naropa University for example) are reaching out and doing wonderful and compassionate things. But what else do I do from here? What do we all do?
Amy, battling the mosquitos while trying to catch up on email and world news.
Yes, this is a bit of randomness from here to there.. but it’s just where my mind is today. Hope you are enjoying the photos. Much love to all our friends and families.
Posted by: Jules Berner on Sep 16, 05 | 12:46 pm
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