Note: I wrote this on Tuesday, but didn’t account for not
having internet access for two days.
Welcome to real rural development…..
It was a heavy sleep, but I had to wake up. The driver had switched the engine off and
was opening the truck to grab my backs.
I opened my eyes and saw a stone castle in front of me. Its sign said “guest house 1.” I had not expected to stay in such a noble
building while visiting rural Orissa, India.
But there was no time for wonder. Sleep could only be kept at bay long enough
to come inside and throw on my pjs.
While drifting off, one of the many large ants scurrying around my room
crawled onto my arm, so I got up and hanged the mosquito net. I had also discovered that a disproportionate
number of malaria deaths in India took place in Orissa, so it didn’t hurt to be
cautious.
My first sensation upon waking was sound. The lullaby of a gentle rain, in a quiet
place. I looked outside and realized
that not only was I staying in a castle, but a castle in an enchanted
forest. It was beautiful. Amanda, who was staying in the next room, was
also up, and we were both hungry, so we went off to find the canteen.