The Last Full Day

As my time in Bhubaneswar comes to an end, I can't help but thinking how happy and excited I am to explore and visit other parts of India, then ultimately, Kathmandu, Nepal. To say the least, this experience as been different than any other time traveling and today was the first day that I really saw Bhubaneswar in a different light. Our presentations and projects are finished, we have no more field work (yet I still find myself doing analysis) and we are leaving tomorrow for Delhi. Today, as I walked about, much like I actually lived in the city, there was something different about it. I could walk around knowing that I didn't have to analyze it, but I could take it in and enjoy it for all it was worth. Running into someone I had met a couple of weeks ago in an auto, it made me think that people live their lives here, and I was just a pawn in this 7 week long chess game.
Things I will miss:
1. Gupchup (pronounced Goopcoop) - it's a snack food - these little potato filled balls dipped in a spiced water -yummmm!
2. The people with whom I've become friends

3. Accessibility and knowing where everything is
4. Jacky - the puppy I made friends with just behind the hotel
... yeah that's about it.
Things I won't miss:
1. The honking (which will be everywhere, unfortunately)
2. The stares (I'm sure I'll get those other places too)
3. The picture harassment (it only bothers me when I'm trying to have quiet time) The photo below is actually of a guard that was protecting us from people wanting to take pictures with us - haha!
4. The lack of excitement (Hopefully there will be more of that to come in the next month!)
5. I am sure there are many other things too

To keep it short, sweet and to the point: I really want some "American" food (beef, breakfast foods, sandwiches, etc.), things that I can't find here. Although I am studying to be an urban planner, I am realizing more and more that I am falling back to my roots - I am liking the city less and the rural area more. Those people live a more simplistic (yet rigorous) life and I would much rather have that than the constantly fast paced, non-stop moving sort of lifestyle.

Yesterday, I got to experience this in passing on the way to the city, Konark (where rests the Sun Temple - sculpted with the entire Karma Sutra along its walls) and Puri (a vibrant beach city on the coast).
It was a great day, filled with sightseeing, the beach (swimming in the Bay of Bengal again!), and a great dinner with the CapAsia group at one of the CET student's house.

Please look at the small circles in the wheel. This shows the queen's daily life:

1. (starting at what we would see as 1pm) -Waking up

2. Getting dressed

3. Riding her horse

4. Make-up meditation

5. Oral

6-8. Sex

Sounds/Looks like a pretty good day - I'm sure most would agree.

I'm glad I can finally add some photos! It's amazing to see how much more exciting life and my blog is when I am actually doing things! Cheers to the next month of doing things!