So many of you have said that you like hearing all of the stories from each stop along My Adventure of Hope, but you also like to hear the stories behind the stories. You want the Inside Scoop about what life is REALLY like in each country. So, let’s talk all things Cross-Cultural Solutions in India.

You might remember some of the wonderfully intense experiences that came along with my cultural immersion in Vietnam (like the doubling on the back of racing scooters and the horking neighbours that kept me up at night) and so maybe you can imagine how ready I was to have just a few of the comforts of home. Thank God for CCS…

Waiting for me at the surprisingly pristine New Delhi airport were two staff members from CCS, one of whom immediately helped me with my luggage and asked if I wanted something to drink while we waited for another flight with two other volunteers to arrive. What I wanted was a big glass of Shiraz (alcohol is overpriced and not so easy to find in India), but I quite happily settled for my first cup of steaming, fragrant chai. As soon as the other volunteers arrived and we settled into the backseat of the CCS Jeep, I flipped open my welcome package and quite literally felt my shoulders melt into the seat. Even as we pulled into the crush of New Delhi traffic, I relaxed into the knowledge that for the next 3 weeks, I could hand over the all the the little challenges and irritations of traveling in a developing country to a capable team of local CCS staff.

In many ways, participating in another CCS program felt an awful lot like coming home. After my 6-week program in Cape Town last year, I knew about the model of incorporating volunteer work, cultural exchange, and free time and for the first couple of days, as I settled into my orientation, city tour, and introductory Hindi lessons, it felt like I had simply arrived in a grittier, more crowded, and more polluted Cape Town (albeit with even more amazing food and a completely different culture).

You already know about my little secret and how challenging my first couple of days at Mother Teresa’s were. But, thankfully by my third week, I had settled into the routine. Each morning, I might have to cut a few gnarly toe nails or dirty finger nails before the sisters dispensed snacks, chai, and medication to the 70+ patients. Then, I would often accompany them into the morning sunshine for their daily exercise routine (a slightly more adult version of head-shoulders-knees-toes.) At the end of the warm up, there would be games of “toss the ball into the metal pail” or “race across the field to touch the tree at the far end”. One morning, I got to participate in the race and a plump, middle aged woman nearly kicked my ass as I huffed and puffed behind her. Just as the sun would start to burn a little too hot, we would round everyone up and the preparations for lunch would begin. Each woman would head for her assigned spot and then the more able bodied women would help feed the women who couldn’t feed themselves. My favourite part of the day included spooning curry into the mouth of a wrinkled, skeletal, bird-like woman who had a fire in her eyes and a love of calling out orders to the other women in her high quavery voice. The sense of community at Mother Teresa’s absolutely floored and inspired me.

New Delhi quickly moved up my personal ranking system to become one of my favourite places (so far) to volunteer. With heartbreaking poverty, so much support is needed. But, India is also a great teacher and I left changed (hopefully for the better) by my experience.

What I love about volunteering through CCS is the breadth of their volunteer experiences. While in New Delhi, I learned to speak basic Hindi; volunteered with one of their longest-term local parters; saw mosques and temples so beautiful I wanted to stand in amazement in front of them for hours; listened to interesting lectures about the history of the country; the political landscape; and the most pressing issues in women’s empowerment; and gained a much better understanding of the diverse religions and customs that somehow manage to co-exist in this wonderful country. I also experienced generosity like I have never seen before (someone who has absolutely nothing will offer you their last morsel of food because they believe a guest is like having God in their house). I absolutely fell in love with Delhi and credit CCS for making New Delhi accessible and safe for even the most novice of international volunteers.