Hello from THE FUTURE.

Hi! Sorry no word for a while—internet and time have been scarce. But i am here and I am safe! We are almost finished with Orientation where we have been learning about what is socially acceptable and things like that. We have been staying at an Ashram, which is very peaceful and large, with gardens and courtyards and students. We come to the program center everyday, which is where we have class. the staff is all very nice and fun—currently Dheeraj-Ji and Guy-Ji are playing ping-pong next to me. our classroom is air-conditioned and we sit on flat beds with plenty of pillows and we leave our shoes off. it is very cozy. it has been hot, but not too bad, mostly humid. Last night there was a huge Monsoon rain as I was going to sleep—it was very intense and there was constant lightening. I have five bug bites so far but no signs of malaria. the food has been delicious—mainly the lunches we have at the program center on the roof-top. very good rice and lentils and curries and fruit and various dishes i cannot name. Chai is a several-times-a-day occurance and it is AMAZING. The traffic is truly insane—cars, buses, rickshaws, bikes, motorcycles all jammed together, weaving around each other and ignoring lanes and pedestrians. there are many stray dogs and cows hang out in the street medians. oh no—I have to go watch a bollywood movie! More soon, and i promise pictures in the near future. love, -Isabel I miss you all very much!