Finding my feet

I feel much, much better today. Last night Raj came to pick me up from the Ashram and dropped me off at his house. Turns out I am staying a really long way away from them, which is a pity. Raj very thoughtfully left me to "chat" with Jyothi, thinking we might need some time to work out our mostly gesture-based communication system. It was the first time I really relaxed in days, and it's made me feel a lot less daunted by this whole thing.

I still feel a bit in the way around the office, although I've been starting to learn some kannada from people when they're not busy. Most people speak kannada to each other around the office, so the sooner I pick up a bit of it the better.

I guess everyone is still working out what they can do with me, and unfortunately I'm having a hard time convincing one or two key people that I'm not just here to ask questions - I really want to work. At least, I think I'm having a hard time convincing them, possibly it is just a miscommunication. Anyway, today I helped fold some programs for posting, and apart from that I've been working on my own stuff.

They have a big seminar on food sovereignty coming up, and I think once that's done I'll help out with producing notes on the seminar as well. People will also have more time to work out what to do with me, and I'll go out to the rural offices to see what's going on there.

All the best! Waves! Well-wishings!