Mariya Davis

2008-09 Outbound to India

Hometown: Tamarac, Florida

School: J. P. Taravella High School, Coral Springs, Florida

Sponsor: Coral Springs-Parkland Rotary Club, District 6990, Florida

Host: Nagpur Rotary Club, District 3030, India

Bio

Mariya's Bio

My name is Mariya Davis. I was born in California on January 1st,1992. Soon after, I moved to Canada with my mother and younger sister. I attended Catholic school from 3rd grade to 8th grade until my family re-located to Tamarac Florida .

During elementary school and middle school I played many sports such as basketball, softball, volleyball, track as well as skiing and snowboarding. My favorite holidays have always been New Years’ and I have had an obsession with Justin Timberlake since Nsync! I also love to dance to Spice Girls and Grease (I know ALL the lyrics).

From as far back as I can remember I have traveled and visited places such as Quebec, Florida, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Toronto and more. Now I go to J. P. Taravella High School and I love it.

August 29 Journal

India is beautiful. I've been here for almost three weeks and I have managed to get onto the front page of the newspaper, on television, go on a road trip, see an amazing Hindi movie at the movie theatre, and attend an Indian wedding. I've also been to a Rotarian's farm and saw a monkey! My host family is very kind and helpful. I'm sorry if I seem all over the place, there is just so much to tell and I don't want to forget anything!

On Aug. 15th (which is their Independence day) I visited an old fort used during British rule that is only opened on Aug. 15 and Jan. 25th. It was very nice and had a lot of interesting history. My new favorite food is chapati with cream and guava jelly! I keep catching myself singing Hindi songs and saying words I don't exactly know the meaning of. Everything in India seems so be more intense. The sugar is sweeter, the food is more spicy, the bugs are bigger, and everything is greener. There are a lot of stray dogs and cats that roam the streets. The driving is insane. It is very scary and between all the trucks, cars, people, and animals walking through the streets at any given time of day or night, I am relieved I will not be driving!

I've met the other inbounds and I like every one of them very much. Actually, everyone that I have met so far has been very nice and I am feeling very comfortable here.

P.S. Samosas are absolutely delicious and I recommend them!

-Mariya :D

October 16 Journal

The last month has been very eventful, never a dull moment. My host brother has been in town with his wife and I like them both a lot. He recently won a big golf tournament so we went out to celebrate. That was when it happened...

The friendly waiter gave us our spicy chicken and it was delicious. Then my host mom said 'This chicken is so spicy, I can't take it. Don't you think it's spicy Mariya?' When I replied no she told me I had made the transition into a true Indian. I couldn't believe it and I wanted to scream, and sing and do a silly dance. I feel like I've leaped through a threshold to a new dimension of the universe where everything makes sense. I'm finally starting to mesh with the Indian people and I don't feel like the awkward foreigner trying to figure out what's going on. I'm used to my friends having a conversation in Hindi and then translating it for me after. It feels so good to tell them 'No that's ok, I got it'. My grammar skills are horrid now though but my Hindi is getting better.

I will be attending RYLA on the 28th and leaving for my south India tour directly from there on the first of November. I also realized EVERYTHING costs money and I was actually excited about the free conditioner that came with my shampoo (which is very unlike me).

I also want to apologize for turning in my assignments late because I get so frustrated when people are LATE nowadays! Everything here has to be a long, drawn out process. I can't stand going to the bank. There is no such thing as quick and it makes me very stressed.

Thankfully, that is the only thing making me stressed here. Everyone is very kind and the other inbounds are very cool. My family has also decided to keep me the whole year! All I can think about is the bangles and silk saris I'm going to get in the south and how much fun Goa is going to be!

I am off of school right now for Divali holidays and I am taking ceramic classes in the morning. I also purchased a Tabla (Indian drum) the other day and I as well as the other inbounds are taking classes in the evening. I am enjoying myself very much and I'm going to miss custard apples, rose water and fresh cream a lot when I leave.