To Patna Market we go...

Our journey to Patna Market took us 2 shared auto rickshaws and a cycle rickshaw. We were five so we piled in 3 to this rickshaw and the poor guy had to cycle uphill to the entry of the market place. Since I was sticking out of the rickshaw anyway, I took some pictures on the way…

From the rickshaw…

Made it! I missed this sign last time I was here and thought it was just a bunch of stores that everyone knew about. Nope, it’s well labeled… unlike quite a few other places here… We all bought lots of fabric to get stitched into Salwar Kameez suits. Our friend Vatsla also had to go there to get her ring size… for her wedding ring! 

Yum.. street food!

Chillin’ at the market

More street food!

Artsy photos with materials at the market…

I'm not sure exactly what a saree fall is but I think these are the boxes where you can find tops and petticoats to wear under your sari? Anyway, I thought the boxes and the lettering were super cute... :)

Yep, we ate some street food!

And it was awesome...

At the guesthouse

Our new friend, the guesthouse pet: Seru!

So sad to see us go?

Sub-Center Meeting in Patna District

                As part of the first week of the Emory crew, CARE decided to take us all to a sub-center platform meeting nearby in a rural part of Patna district. We all went to the district office and then started our journey. 

Step One: Chat at the district office and eat cookies. :)

Step Two: We’re off! Commemorating our send-off in front of the purple palace (aka – the Patna District Office)… The guy in the alley did not come with us.

On the way to the sub-center: Jack fruit salesman..

Made it!

Patna Museum!

Our first weekend we explored the Patna Museum, which is a "must see" activity in Patna, though I'm not sure I agree. I'm sure there were interesting things going on in the museum, but my lack of knowledge of the intricacies of Patna artifacts and the sparse labeling made for some blank stares from time to time. 

If you do go to this, I'd recommend a stroll through in the winter time, as it gets quite hot inside, even with the fans blowing!

An outside archway.

No cameras allowed inside the museum so our photos outside had to suffice.

Outside Buddha statue! I'm unclear if this was old or new..

"Chillin'" outside the Patna Museum...

Ali in the best seat of the auto rickshaws... you get a nice view of all the cars you're about to hit...

Actually, these seats are not for women. But we didn't realize this, and we are such a large group, that we still do it anyways. :-O

I finally got my sizzling brownie at Nirvana! :)

On the way to work!

In case I need something ironed, I have an option right across the street!

A look into my favorite shop: kachori padjhi, samosas, and kachcha aam choos (green mango popsicles). So basically I can come by this place in the morning, afternoon, or evening for a happy 5 rupee treat. :)

Don’t forget to water your bricks!

I love the house colors in this city!

My favorite name for an Institute of Science… :)

Research Assistant Training!

Last week was RA training time, full of fun participatory learning activities and pilot testing. First up was the quintessential activity of my focus group, the problem tree. We did a few activities without any maternal nutrition so that we could all start thinking of the activities as ways to learn SOMETHING and not just talk about IFA all day. So this tree shows how people in Patna see causes and consequences of STRESS. A little different than those in Atlanta, I’d bet. Some similarities like traffic and family issues… and some different ones like cricket matches and social violence… This was the week after a noted politician was shot during a demonstration over gas prices and the city was reacting to his death.

Domino's

Oh yeah, there is Dominoes (दोमिनोज़) here and they deliver. And it’s tasty and delicious and may make your tumbly grumbly.. :-O