Miss Minni is Amazing!

I just returned from my nephews' birthday party (Star Wars theme, if you're wondering). While my kids were playing with their cousins, I had the opportunity to talk with my cousin's neighbor, Minni and Raja. Minni and Raja are from India and travel there quite frequently to visit family and friends. When they found out that I will be traveling there in a little more than a month (so exciting!), they couldn't wait to share all kinds of advice and information.

We spoke for over an hour and I will try to summarize the big ideas (we laughed and talked a bunch, too, so I'll try to put these in some kind of order). This post centers on gifts:

What to Bring as Gifts for Teaching Partners--It would be great to bring something that Indian people don't experience often, like chocolate or cookies or something with peanut butter, but hosts will likely be gracious and not expect anything. Another idea would be something from our schools with a logo (t-shirt, mascot) to be displayed in the classroom, but not necessarily to be worn. Teachers would also likely appreciate things for their classrooms (a new battery-operated clock, windchimes, books, decor/ icon from your state or city).

What to Bring as Gifts/ Treasures for Students--Books would be good, especially if there are enough that each person can have his own (check at Goodwill or a book exchange, for bargains). Also, many US games are not available there, so games that multiple children can play (Sorry, Connect Four, Monopoly) would be a good choice. The type of game and amount of reading really depends on the age of the kids in the class, so we can make those decisions once we know our specific placements.

Buying Gifts--There are many inexpensive stores that carry name-brand merchandise, so finding gifts for picky family and friends back home should not be a problem. According to Minni, you can find deals on shirts, belts and bags for $1 and a couple they traveled with last year had to buy another suitcase to take their loot home!

There are also many small shops where you can bargain. The rule of thumb is to go half of whatever the shop owner offers first. Be patient with looking around; there are great things to see and buy everywhere you turn.

Unique items that pack easily like spices or scarves are a great memento for us and as a special touch for colleagues, the neighbor who picked up your mail, your administrator, etc. Not expensive, but definititely say "India."

More to come on the next blog. . .I'll share Miss MInni's tips for staying cool!