A Multimedia Educational Experience

That doesn’t describe something cool I did, just the fact that I’m trying to use videos in this one. This past week I did a few cool things.

I went to the Planetarium. It was really relaxing to see stars; that’s something I haven’t been able to do here. It was a really humorous mix of quality technology and production, along with slides from the 1970’s and a continued emphasis on the fact that Pluto has been “demoted.” If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear this woman had secretly resented Pluto’s incorrect status her entire life. Maybe she’s just given too many Planetarium presentations. I’d say the highlight, aside from seeing the stars, was her diligence to the no cell phone policy. There’s a clear sign out front, but when the presentation started, she lectured us about it for a solid minute. “Please turn your phones off. It is disruptive to the show and the people around you. Look, my phone is off, yours should be too. There is a sign clearly saying no cell phones outside. Please respect this sign, and respect the show. There is nothing so important that you could need to use your cell phone during the presenation...” and so on. For a solid minute or two. Several different reasons why we should have our phone off. So when someone’s phone lit up midway through the show, they dealt with accordingly. “Why is your phone on?!?! Why have you turned it on?! There no cell phone policy is clearly marked outside, and I have also made this policy quite clear through my instructions. You have clearly ignored both of these warnings, disrespecting me and the people around you. You have interrupted the show for everyone else…” and so on, for another minute. Good thing I have no reason to use my phone here.

There was a picnic last weekend, with the cultural society my host family is a part of. It was in a ruralish town, outside of Kolkata. We had a total round trip of seven hours of bus riding. Total distance travelled was about 40 miles. The roads are…poor here. And the buses lack suspension, and the knowledge of what suspension is. The highlight was the terrain. Beautiful river and trees, and a monkey. Things you don’t see in the city. Totally worth it. Don’t ask for any more highlights.

Although I did have an excuse to film my host dad Ranjit. I can finally show the world one of the coolest voices it has ever heard. The only thing you don’t get here is his constant wise yet simple commentary.

I filmed another video today, to document part of the walk between where I get off the bus and where service learning is. I apologize for the lack of quality, but I had to hold my camera at my side so that I wouldn’t attract attention. It worked, but it’s a poor strategy for filming a busy Indian market. You’ll get the gist.

(That video isn't going to work. I'm going to try it in a separate post)

That is all. Thank you.