ABOVE: just another delicious meal Didi made

As most of you know, a always dreamed of living and working in India for a social cause. So when this opportunity with WASH United came my way, there was no possible way I could refuse. After all, it sounded like everything I wanted and more. While everyone I told was extremely excited for me, they all had the same apprehension, saying something like 'that's great! but is it really safe?' Once I accepted the fellowship position, I was given instructions by all of my Indian family and friends for how I could get around Delhi safely. I arrived in Delhi with every piece of advice I could possibly need (and I continue to get more!). Of course it's much better to be over prepared than underprepared, and I can't thank everyone enough for all of their love and care!

Well, it's been two weeks now and I've put all of my advice to good use. Typically I'm home by 7 and I stay home for the night. I have yet to go out in the evening and when I do, I will hitch a ride with someone who has a car and make sure that I have a male friend around just to be safe.

The people I'm surrounded by on a day-today make me feel really secure, and that's a priceless feeling.

Here are just 3 of the many people who have my back...

The other day, I was doing some shopping with my co-worker Ananya when a disheveled man stopped me in my tracks and took a long (uncomfortable) stare at me. My friend was a bit behind me and wasn't quite sure what had happened beyond some sort of strange interaction. When I told her the man stopped right in front of me and looked me up and down, she was very upset. We continued to walk to other shops and later passed by the same man, who was just standing on the road side chatting with a shop owner. Before I knew it, my friend had taken our shopping bags and smacked the guy over his head. She then proceeded to yell at him (in Hindi) saying it was unacceptable for him to treat me that way just because he was a man and so on. That moment was amazing. I felt so lucky to have had her there to stick up for me.  I didn't really know how to react because of the language barrier, also because I hadn't really experienced such direct discomfort. Thankfully Ananya had my back. 

My flat is situated right across from a park. Next to the park is the neighborhood dhobi stand (a dhobi is a clothes washer) Basically, you can drop off your clothes in the morning and have them cleaned and pressed by the afternoon. This stand is right across from my house and every morning when I leave, I see dhobi didi (sister). She is out at the stand from sun up till sun down and I imagine she knows all the neighborhood gossip. She's a sweet lady who greets me with a big smile every morning and evening. Once I learn some hindi, I will sit and chat with her for sure! The other day I had left my door open for 20 minutes, and my cleaning lady came in without ringing the bell. She startled me and we had a little laugh. The following day after work, dhobi didi greeted me and then scolded me saying it was not safe of me to leave my door open and that I should be careful. It's nice that she keeps an eye out for me. Today, I came home from the metro in a rikshaw and ended up with no change for the cab driver, the driver also had nothing to break my big bill. So he told me to just ask dhobi didi for some change. I expected to just break my bill. Instead, she paid for my cab saying "no worries my child". Dhobi didi has my back.

As I told you, I have a cook. She comes once in the morning and once in the evening. She wakes me up with fresh chai and biscuits and then makes some sort of delicious meal. She's a very sweet lady. Today my mom met her over skype. They chatted in Hindi, my mom thanked her over and over for taking care of me, her little baby. Didi's response to this was, 'but of course. I too have children. and someone stays home to take care of them. I treat these kids like they are my own. I enjoy it'. Everyday, Didi has my back.

So as far as safety goes, I know I'm being as cautious as possible. And I also know I've got a lot of people who have my back!