Why hasn't it set in yet??!

    Four days ago, I landed in Boston and it still hasn't hit me yet....I'm not going back to India. I spent my last day with everyone in Pune MC-ing, dancing, and eating and I won't get that back. I kept trying to tell myself, "take a look around, because in a few days you won't be able to walk the crowded, filthy Pune streets, argue with rickshaw drivers, or be surrounded by coconut trees. You'll miss this when you're home." But for some reason I don't....yet. Maybe it's because my mother has taken it upon herself to jam-pack my time home so far with two parties and overwhelming amounts of people or because I haven't really had time to reflect on everything in its entirety yet, I've come back to a new house, it was the weekend so everyone was home to be around me all the time, it's almost Christmas, my friends are also coming home-the possible reasons are endless, but either way, I know I'll miss India, I'm just trying to figure out WHEN! In recounting my last few days in Pune, India, here are some of the final photos of FA2011...(thanks to everyone I've borrowed pics from!!!)

A very India photo shoot

     

Last Days...

 

(reliving and photographing our walk to school!)

    

(just stopping to pet the strays!)

(sitting through lectures...)

My life as an Apte (cue in the host fam!)

aaaand the final moments....

(Do I look like an Indian Princess yet?)

(let's just say we mastered that closing ceremony!)

(They don't make Bollywood stars like this)

dream.(love).discover,

Dachelle

Some May Say I'm Goan' Crazy!!!

    As I prepare to embark on my final weekend in India, I can't help but think of all the beautiful places I am soon leaving behind. In-case anyone has missed the memo, one of my favorite weekend escapes has been Goa. For what is usually about rs. 2,000  (that's travel and accommodations), you can hop on an overnight bus, freeze through a 10-12 hour bumpy journey through the night (which is totally worth it for the end destination), and wake up in India's oasis of sand and sun better known as Goa! With a weekend of delicious seafood, GORGEOUS weather, and all the salt water I can handle, I think it's safe to say that given a choice I would gladly never come home. Luckily (for my friends and family back in the US), after two great yet exhausting nights on the beach I am usually put on the overnight freezer (did I say freezer? I meant bus! But really they're the same thing), shipped back to Pune (against my will!), and delivered safely back to reality. It's difficult to find pictures that really do Goa justice, but below are some pictures my friends and I have taken during our weekend trips to North and South Goa including some shots from my grand adventure through the South. Enjoy!

(Feel free to be jealous that I got to be here, where all hours are happy ones, in DECEMBER!)

(The "EGUAD" is always looking out for tourists)

(Beach huts and seaside restaurant shacks are a must!)

Cue in the photos from a grand adventure!!!!....

aaaaaand some friends, of course!

Super special thanks to Amy Hinz and Maya Fe Holzhauer who's pictures I definitely stole for this section (well, some of them at least!)

(All good Goan mornings begin with some quality negotiating with the Taxi Drivers)

(but it's always worth it for the delicious breakfast finds!)

(And the amazing dinners)

(Don't forget the cows on the beach!)

(Other favorite things about Goa? FRESH FRUIT: coconuts and pineapples galore!)

dream.love.discover!

Dachelle

Curiosity killed the cat...and my stomach!!!

Since coming down with some sort of horrid stomach-sickness the other day due to my curious adventures with street food (THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE STREET CORN, WHICH IS GOOD AND DELICIOUS AND EVERYONE SHOULD LOVE!), the following is no longer allowed in my diet for the next two weeks (That's right! Exactly 2 weeks left until I am home, a very bitter-sweet thought indeed!)

1. Fried Sandwiches (Pakoda)

(The one I had didn't even look this appetizing, don't ask why I did it, I just HAD to try it)

2. Fresh off-the-street Pineapple Juice when you cannot see their water source!

(BUT HOW CAN YOU SAY NO TO THIS?!)

3. Mung bean ANYTHING

(much like the reasons why you will never finding me drinking grape soda [a tragic vomiting incident at a young age] I am afraid mung-beans may be off the list of "foods I will eat" forever after this one. Just searching for and uploading this photo made me queasy ....yuck!)

Looking back at it, I didn't realize my choice of food Monday would expect my stomach Wednesday, but after being here for almost 4 months now, my stomach was bound to have a breakdown some time....however, if anyone asks it was not the street food's fault, it was my stomach's fault for not handling street food like a champ!!!

dream.love.discover your stomach can't handle street food,

Dachelle