My Fair Lady

Hmm..
1) We were on the train headed home after shopping in Bandra, I believe, and we were all seated together in the same end of the car. The train made a stop, and sometimes at specific stops the people really pour in; they're so anxious to get on/get a seat if possible. Sarah and Anne were together on a small seat, and a man rushed on and gave them a dirty look, as if to say, you women are sitting here? Get out. The girls felt like they had to get up off their seat and give it to the man, even though they were there first. Not the best scene in the world to witness, and I'm sure not the best feeling in the world to have on their parts.

2) Already I'm used to the eyes of at least 10 people staring at me the majority of the time when we're out in the city. How do you get used to so much attention? We talk about this a lot: do they see us as Americans first, deaf people signing first, or women first (if we're traveling by gender for some reason)? We mostly agree that they probably are fascinated at first to see so many people signing, simultaneously noting that we're foreigners/probably americans. Then they might wonder how "disabled" people could possibly be able to travel to other countries. There have been a number of times when the staring comes from men, and I know it's because I'm a female, and I'm also white. It's uncomfortable but at the same time it's not like I didn't expect that coming here. I have these urges to turn around and scream at them sometimes, but I know I can't do that here. I guess it's like an inner conflict - respect me and my culture, or abide by the norms of theirs?

That reminds me of the experience we had on the train last night. Yesterday we visited the helen keller institute and met students in an English literacy class (of course I was so excited! Literacy is extremely important to me, after all, especially among the deaf). Afterward, Lizzie had to go to the airport to pick up Smitha, and we all had the night to ourselves. We split up, boys and girls, and us girls went to get our eyebrows threaded - a cheap and very efficient way to shape eyebrows! I hadn't had that method done to me since middle school, but was quite pleased with the results for each of us (Mia, Sarah, Anne, and myself). Anyway.. We caught a train with Raj, the deaf man we met through Sujit who has become like our voluntary mother hen. He knows the ins and outs of Mumbai, and is terribly concerned with ensuring we get to our destinations alright.. I think he really cherishes spending time with us, because its not often he hangs out with other deaf peers. When it was time for us to get off the train, a literal stampede of men swarmed INTO the train. They were pushing and shoving and yelling and it was crazy.. We all tried to grab onto each other's arms or bags or anything possible.. Someone tore the belt loop off the back of anne's shorts, and when we got off the train she was extremely shaken up. Of course, as we were trying to comfort her, a huge crowd of people circled around, curious to watch us. Mia was so angry at the unnecessary force used by the men getting on the train, plus at all the eyes on us, that she yelled at the men on the train just before it started to leave the platform.

In america, I would expect a woman to do that. In india? Raj looked so worried that mia had done something that would provoke the people.. Because she's a woman, they don't expect her to protest or be opinionated. We quickly ran off.

Had some unpleasant experiences today, involving getting lost with anne, dj, and kenny and then getting sick.. Mumbai is overwhelming enough as it is - its even more intimidating when you don't know where to go. Raj saved the day though - he finally found us. I felt pretty sick until later in the day.. We visited two different deaf businessmen, and that was pretty interesting. Both were different people with diff attitudes about being deaf in the business world, but one thing they agreed on: their businesses would not thrive without the presence of interpreters. India is in dire need of more interpreters (among so many other things)..

So tired. Went to a club tonight and really enjoyed ourselves - tomorrow, start planning our workshop, go to a deaf club, then take a sleeper train to Goa. Sorry for the less than eloquent post... Is past 3am ! Goodnight -
-avi