Miscellaneous Pictures

Art for Autism Madurai, poster

Stone carving in the 1000 pillar section of the Meenakshee Temple

Receiving a boquet from my friends and family in Shanti Sadhan

Body Sculpting in Bangalore

ASHA Bangalore, banner

Madurai, Art Festival, and now home...

During my 2 days of downtime in Madurai, I visited the Gandhi Museum. The museum was built in Madurai in honor of Gandhi's decision to go back to home spun clothing and traditional ways of dress and living while in Madurai. Several paintings and pictures adorn the walls of the museum detailing the oppression and rise to peace in India over the centuries. Most powerful for me was seeing the robe Gandhi was assassinated in, still bearing the blood stains of this Christ-like man. Overwhelming moment. I was the only one in the room and was brought to tears thinking about the world...and my place in it.

Then, after little time for wandering, Ram and I hit the ground running to prepare for India's first residential Arts for Autism Festival. For 3 days 15 families from around the country spent time together at a secluded retreat in Madurai. At the festival children were taught painting, music, and drama and were encouraged to share their work on the final evening for the public. Pictured below is the candle lighting ceremony in the meditation chapel to begin the festival.

We were able to spend a lot of time working with the mask using Ram's Mask for Autism module. I have to admit, I was not 100% sold on the mask before arriving in India...my attitude towards the mask has now changed. In Bangalore I saw children fighting over masks on the final day of the workshops...the same children were reluctant to wear the mask on day one of the workshop. In Hyderabad I saw a grandfather find connections with his grandson through creative play wearing the masks. The most dramatic support for the use of the mask came in Madurai...one young man came to the festival and literally covered his face with his arm for 2 days straight. I whispered to Ram that we should try the mask with him..and we did. As soon as the boy started wearing the mask his hands dropped and he started dancing and playing with the kids. By the end of day 3 he was not needing the mask and was keeping his hands and arms down while dancing with the other children...when he got overwhelmed he would put the mask on for awhile...total transformation. His parents came up to us with tears in their eyes saying "it's a miracle from god"...not sure about that...just some people willing to try something new and fun...no miracles...just creative experimentation...

Another family really tied into the idea of focal point training using flashlights to build attention. One father was so excited about the method that he brought a flashlight to the Temple to work with his son on attention shifting. In all 3 cities the flashlight exercises became very powerful tools for working on attention shifting and focus....lots of fun!

Parents and their children danced and sang songs before an audience of observers. Observers were shocked and moved to tears saying "We thought everyone would be sad and moaning...and to see parents and children so happy is such a surprise". A great moment for Ram, Madurai, and the parents and children of India.

Now it's time to come home...I am ready to hug my wife and kids, and anxious to see my families in West Virginia...ready to share the love and energy received from India with my neighbors and children in the green mountains of home.

Thanks for being with me....best wishes,

Andrew

Madurai...Elephants....Cows...and city streets

Busy city streets in Madurai hum with energy...but it is a less fearsome and modern energy than that of Bangalore. It is an artist's paradise. The temple in the heart of the city was constructed in the 4th century, with improvements and additions made through the years. In the center of the temple there is a 1000 pillar court where artists, poets, and musicians worshipped Shiva and Meenakshi and celebrated new works of art together. I will post pictures from this temple at a later time....breathtaking and beautiful.
It is common to see cows walking, sleeping, and sitting right in the middle of city streets. Picture cows plopped down in the heart of Manhattan. The cow is sacred and roams the streets of india along with stray dogs and cats. Here you can see the cow eating trash by the side of the road. Another very, very common sight.

At the Meenakshi Temple, visitors can pay 5 rupees, a dime in US, directly to the elephant. She then raises her trunk and rests it on your head as a blessing. Sadly, the blessing elephant is chained to the temple wall and has been trained to give the money to a man sitting out of view. A mixed emotion. Note to Ingrid: an elephant's trunk feels like a hairy old shoe, and it's trunk gets your head wet. My head had elephant snot on it for 2 hours!!!

Hyderabad Buildings

Old Hyderabad was once ruled by Muslim leaders. The archetecture reflects this muslim influce. Pictured here is a four tower structure open for foot and vehicle traffic to pass through. Just outside of view is a huge Baazar-like market where you could get anything from fruit to digital cameras. Perhaps most shocking to me was the "open air dentist office"....literally a dentist office in what most of us in the US would call a mini-storage....not bad...just different... :)

We stayed at a lovely place called the State Bank College in Hyderabad. It was very comfortable and had large green areas away from the busy streets. It was odd to hear birds singing after staying in chaotic Bangalore...Hyderabad has something like 70 million people living there....man...

I will always think of the parents and teachers who are working in Hyderabad...a great group...and of the students from Hyderabad who taught us many lessons. Also, I will remember the sleepy Chai Ram and I shared in the heart of this wild, exotic, ancient place.

Hyderabad Workshop

Teaching the "Moment Before" at the Hyderabad Workshop.


Discussing social skills with teachers and parents at the Hyderabad Workshop.



Working on "Focal Points" with children at the Hyderabad Workshop

Krishna Coffee

This place was just down from my hotel in Bangalore. Ram and I just referred to it as "Krishna Coffee". In India, straight black coffee is not common and you get strange looks when you try to order coffee that way. So, after a day or so, this young guy at the coffee shop learned how I preferred the coffee and would have one ready when he saw me coming into the shop. I love this place. The first place I went alone in Bangalore...I went for coffee 3-4 times a day at this place. Usually after calling Elizabeth or my brother. A great place....

Bangalore

The first picture is a very, very, very typical scene from any corner or any street in Bangalore. Wall to wall people from 8 am to 10 pm. Auto Rickshaws belch along, spewing thick white smoke all over the city. I witnessed 5 accidents in one day, two involving men on motorcycles. There are no street laws, pure Darwinian chaos on the streets. 1,700 people have been hit and killed while WALKING in Bangalore in the last 3 years....yes, it is frenetic and overwhelming.

The second photo was a painting that hung on the wall in my hotel room in Bangalore. Beautiful.

Delhi Fog

After spending almost two entire days in airports I finally reached Delhi. And was greeted by a fog. We sat on the plane and did not move for almost 7 hours...the universe crushing any last bit of "western impatience" in me.

Photos and More tomorrow!!

Okay,
we just finished our workshop in Hyderabad. It went very well...really good people doing some great work over the 2 days. I will post some photos from our work.

One exciting thing...part of my work at WV-ATC has been working with my friend Peggy on Social Skills Clubs. I was able to bring the model we use in WV to India and train teachers and parents how to begin a club. Good thing to note is that the model Peggy Hovatter developed is a universal one...the kids here did excellent with the club meetings...and the same joy a meeting brings to us in the U.S. was present both times the model was presented. Hats off to Peggy.

Now to Madurai where I will get some rest. Please watch for photos starting tomorrow.

My love to you all...can't wait to get some images to you.

andrew

Day 2 at ASHA

Hello friends,

I have been able to log on to blogspot now...but won't have pictures up until 5th. They will be interesting shots from the streets of bangalore as well as from some of the work we have been doing so far.

Today was an incredible day of work...used songs and acting techniques with children to help them develop emotional awareness, emotional expression, eye contact and joint attention...but mostly had alot of fun and laughs with the kids...that is ALWAYS the top priority....Day 3 tomorrow where we are ending the workshop with some group presentations of the work they have done...

Tonight I am meeting with the Rotary of Bangalore to attempt to set up international cooperation for a general "US-India Autism Education Exchange"...at least getting the conversation and wheels rolling. Wish me luck.

I miss my wife and kids very much, having to stay in the moment to avoid getting a sore heart, I owe them so much for allowing me this time.

So, okay, pictures up in the next 3 days!! Stay tuned.

I am safe, happy, and loving the trip so far. Will likely see some elephants in the wild, Ghandi Museum, and a famous Temple in Madurai in 4-5 days...pictures to come!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Andrew