Monkeys, Toilets and Country Roads

So here I am, calmly eating lunch with the teachers and kids. I listen to the teachers babble in Hindi, wondering if they ever talk about me while I'm in the same room because they know I don't know what their saying. When all of a sudden the kids scream and run to the corners of the room with their plates full of rice. A monkey had come running into the room! One of the biggest male teachers stands up. He looks like he's going to be the one to take care of the situation if the need arises. However, before any action is taken, the monkey runs across the room and climbs up the gate and out of sight. Everyone laughs nervously and goes back to eating. I could hardly believe what had just happened.
One thing I've learned while being here is that if the locals are afraid of something...it's really worth being afraid of. Like running Water Buffalo and Monkeys.

Toilets. I have a squatting toilet in my apartment...which is fine...it's suppose to be better for your body or some crap like that (crap...tehehe.) But one of my favorite things is to go over to my friend Joys house and take a good old fashioned crap in her western toilet. You have to be thankful for the little things here.

If I didn't live right on the river I don't know what I would do. I miss the country so much it almost hurts. I miss the woods and the cornfields and the space. I also miss the quiet. It's so loud here all the time. But I get a little relief as I bike to school. It takes me right along the river and I get to bath in it's openness and beauty. I think I would be feeling more homesick if I didn't have this little bit of nature to look at.
Anyway, these are my thoughts. I am constantly trying to figure out what I'm going to do next year. I have to keep reminding myself that it is far to early to try and make a decision. My adventures here have only just begun.
Hugs and Kisses to you all.
Meg