So tomorrow is my last day in India for this trip. It seems like forever ago I got off the plane totally clueless to what the hell was going on around me. Now I have become use to everything around me, and I think it is interesting how fast you can get comfortable in not-so-comfortable situation or environments. A lot has changed since that first morning of filming with the milking of cows and bufallos. I always appreciated the little things in life, but this expereince has lifted that outlook even more. It is crazy to think that in one planet some humans are living like it is still the 19th century. I admire the very interesting people I have met along the way, and I will forever leave my heart, hopes, and best of luck to the villages I became a part of. The villagers will always be in my thoughts, and I hope to visit again in my life to witness even more positive change (perhaps I will have the money in the future to build the kids a kick ass playground).
Meeting Ishak was a great experience. He reminded me of the Indian version of the "Good ol' boy" type. He understands that life isn't easy and you have to work to make a living and be there to support your family and others in your life. I wish I could bring him back and show him how farming is done in Texas, as well as the USA in general. He is able to produce crops in one of the most harsh and unforgiving climates I have been a part of. Our conversations were limited due to a language barrier, but either way we were able to learn, laugh, and respect one another in our own regards because of our interactions.
Ishak's wife and children gave me a lot of knowledge as well. My parents raised me to respect women and understand that they are capable of as much success and power just as males. I got to witness a culture where women have a greater struggle than most places. They would work all day doing a plethora of tasks that HAD to be done every day. Here in the top photo above, Ishak's wife is making a delicious bread early in the morning to feed the family throught the day. Their daughter, Mubina, is a true inspiration. She works damn hard everyday, and I hope one day she will finally get the higher education she desires because she deserves every bit of it. I am going to miss her smile that seems to appear when it normally wouldn't for anyone else. It seems the harder her life gets....the more she smiles. Awesome.
I have gained unmatchable experience in regards to filmmaking. I am glad I will have the experience of documentary filmmaking in a foreign country before I graduate college. There was many hardships along the way that have been an incredible learning experience. I could talk about it for hours, but I will save it for a paper I write or something. Plus, I don't want to bore anyone with information on filmmaking. I would say the one thing I enjoyed a lot was showing the villagers the media and media tools. Many of the villagers considered me a human with incredible powers because I could capture time and be able to relive it again visually. It was neat watching the kids film things themselves and the excitement in their eyes. Maybe one day I will hear of an upcoming filmmaker coming out of a village in Mewat, India....I hope I motivated some of them. Each class room I visited I would say before I left, "I know at times this may bore you and you will not understand things. What you do need to understand is that nobody can take your education from you. There is an amazing world outside of your village and country, and you can see it and live your dreams if you strive for an education." The kids listened and would reply with applause....I just hope it soaked into some of them.
I am going to miss the youth I got to meet the most. I have a love for the youth and their curiosity, energy, and potential for amazing things. Interacting with kids from across the world is truly rewarding. The benefits were mutual, and I am going to miss feeling like a celebrity at times. Our world is such a crazy place and horrible things happen all of the time. It is just nice to hang out with kids who know very little english and still relive the simple entertainment activities of being young. I wish I had a ton of resources to donate to these children for the betterment of their lives. If more children in America were raised with the work-ethic of these kids....I think we wouldn't have to worry so much. I think the foundation has been a miracle in some of these villages for it will give these children a chance in their country and a chance to prosper and live better lives and the effect will snowball.I miss Texas a lot. I cannot wait to get back and be even more appreciative of everything God has blessed me with in my life. I am ready to see so much more of the world... for the knowledge you gain trumps any textbook, thesis paper, television program, human story, or curriculum has to offer.
I cannot wait to eat a juicy medium-rare cut of beef.
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