I just finished my final ISP paper. I have four copies printed and bound ($7 for all four copies - 30 pages each- I love India). That packet is pretty much every minute of the last month of my life. I'm proud of it- it was really scary to try to take something I've spent so much time on and turn it into a paper. I was really worried, going into it, that I wouldn't be able to reflect all of the time I spent on this, but I'm happy with it. I think it could really become something more too (senior thesis, etc.).
Now I have the next month to explore India without any academic stresses. Mom and dad are coming to Jaipur a week from tomorrow, then Holly the next weekend. It'll be nice to be able to explore with them now that I feel a lot more confident on my own.
ISP was probably one of the most amazing things I'll do with myself in a long time. I still don't think I understand how big it was to live absolutely independently for a month in India. This is one of those experiences that will make the rest of my life seem so much easier. I feel so much more comfortable in Jaipur now, despite the fact that it is crazier than Varanasi, after being alone.
I have mixed feelings on my upcoming return to the US and to school. While everything will be infinitely easier and more convenient, it'll also be colorless, boring, and really expensive, compared to anything I've experienced in the past few months. It's also going to be cold. I was just chilly outside in 80 degree weather. I'm excited to see all of my friends and family, but really ambivalent about leaving India and the people here. I just have to tell myself that this isn't the last time I'll be here if I don't want it to be, right?

I'm back in Jaipur! It's strange to be here again, staying in the same guesthouse where we stayed for orientation with the whole group together. The next few days will be spent finishing up our papers (due on Thursday!), then presentations, then we're gone (well, most people are gone. )
Here are some pictures I took the morning I left Varanasi: the last of the set.





A goat eating trash. I got funny looks for taking a picture of this.













Ally in Varanasi. Early morning, hence no people













Vegetable market/main street in Varanasi













More main street













Goat in a coat!!! People in India freak out when it gets below 80 degrees.















Saris, ghats, and Ganga
















Ghats and the Ganga
















Abandoned ally (too early to be out, for most people)















Temple on the Ganga













Boat, and Ganga again

It's my last day in Banaras and the computers here make uploading pictures really easy:


I wear the same shoes every day. It makes for some lovely tan lines. Usually it looks worse, because usually there's much more dirt. I also need a pedicure, apparently.













More roof views. It's been cool lately, so I've spent a lot of time sunning.













My favorite cow in the ally that leads to my house.




















My room in the guesthouse. This is the one small portion of the giant room that I used.
















Street in Banaras. The rainbow sign leads to my house.














Clotheslines













Pitchfork and power lines. The constant struggle between tradition and modernity.