Working for the man every night and day....

Ok, so i wrote this like a week ago and haven't had time to post...enjoy!

I am in my 3rd week of internship with SVADES (Society for Village Development in Petrochemicals Area) and it has been a whirlwind of activities. SVADES works in several different fields and my colleagues wasted no time getting me oriented with each field (women empowerment, HIV/AIDS, school support, and rural infrastructure development) in my first weeks.
A taste of the activities I’ve done so far:
Assisted in health check-ups for rural women
Assessed locations for new roads
Created presentation on HIV/AIDs awareness
Visited rural schools to talk about health and sanitation
Represented SVADES to UNICEF and State government meeting
(the list could go on, but I run the risk of sounding like a resume).

I spend about half my time in office and the other half doing field work. The NGO works in a lot of different areas and is very flexible in allowing me to create my own work plan. My supervisor has given me the option to specialize in one program or to keep a general focus, and I have chosen the latter to allow for a greater base of knowledge and experience.
There are many (like at least 20) students from the local universities and colleges who are doing practical placements here, so in addition to having colleagues close to my age, I have made some very exceptional friends.

Transportation has been the hardest to adapt to. The first few days I though I’d have a panic attack from all the cars driving literally wherever and however they want and the incessant honking, however now I rarely get startled by it all. Motorcycles have been the funnest adjustment, at first I was terrified to ride on the back (especially since no one wears helmets and “holding on” to the driver would be culturally inappropriate. I can proudly say that I no longer clench my teeth or close my eyes while riding a bike (I’m so much cooler now), I am relaxed enough to take pictures or talk on the phone (I’m soo cool now).

Flights, Kites and Sights

Ok, so it took me around 30 hours from the time I left my house in London till I landed in India, and just in case anyone thought i was over exaggerating the security before I left...I wasn't. I went through 3 security checks at Pearson, which included the metal detector, two pat downs, being swabbed and a thorough rummaging through my wallet (you know the only thing they'd let you take with you). But I guess it was worth it, I made it here.
So the day i arrived was the first day of the Gujarat festival of Uttaryan, which involves flying kites and eating sweets. Seriously everyone was on their roofs flying kites, with the purpose of cutting other people's down. I don't mean to brag but i was the first foreigner (of the 6 exchangees plus me) to cut a kite down. It was a pretty awesome experience everyone on our roof cheered and yelled for me. Of course, i didn't keep track of how many of my kites were cut down by other people cause obvs that number is irrelevant. We finished the night with fireworks and releasing giant tissue-paper lanterns with fires under them. The paper reported 3 deaths and 150 injuries (it would probably be more, but thankfully Gujarat is a dry state).
I also started work last Monday which has been amazing. There are a bunch of students doing field placements at SVADES with me, and they've been invaluable. The organization hasn't wasted time bridging me in, I have already visited 3 villages to do various field work, attended meetings with UNIFEC and the State Government, and taken part in a ceremony to honour students who have completed community service. So far it has been exhilarating.