Mike's Travel Blog (always a work in progress)

Maybe this isn't the place to share this, but as this is the more intellectual (school oriented) of my journals,

I was reading up for my Anthropology Methods class from last semester (which I still haven't finished) and read a book called The Professional Stranger by

Michael H. Agar (weird coincidence with the name) in which he talks about his realization and changing of a bias.

He starts talking about how he was supposed to do research with, or talk to people who had done research on drug support groups. Initially he decides that the study is too small, too non varied and that it doesn't make for good research that can be generalized or applied.  When he enters the room to present his research, rather than sharing his conclusion (at the time), he just asks how they felt about the research. The audience (of professionals) go on for an hour overwhelmed about how it changed their lives and was an amazing breakthrough.  He realizes he was wrong and that it was a good place to research if nothing else just to turn them on to the possibilities of more.

That's how I feel about the India trip. I expected more from it, so I came to the conclusion that it must be that way for everyone and now that I have heard how inspired some of the people on the trip felt, I feel somewhat ashamed about my presumptions.

What is more, from having the time to sit back, to hear some of their impressions I am realizing much more how much I enjoyed the trip and how good it was for me.

So that's smooth, anyway that was more personal. 

I think it might speak to things like how little interviews may seem like nothing, both to me at the time and to the person, but maybe later both parties will realize that the interaction was good.

Hopefully.

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Look at all those white people...

Note (12/2010) I think I was trying to psych myself up for interviewing people randomly, which is something I was and am extremely intimidated by. 

Years later I know for a fact that the India Trip was life changing for most of the group. Several of the people in the group decided to rededicate their lives to helping others, working with non profits at home and abroad.  Others felt renewed in their drive to educate and heal the world. 



Personally besides getting over my fear of India because of the food, the trip primarily was a wonderful display of the contrasts and possibilities of humanity. Extreme wealth, extreme poverty, the fast pace of Indian traffic (without traffic lights) and the slow pace at which people live their lives. The hopes and ambitions of all people, the struggle to get through the day of those left behind. 

I am still in awe of India and Indian culture. I enjoy learning more and teaching my students about the things I picked up.