Sarees

Before we approached the turn off to Chevuru, Ravi stopped the car in front of a small building.  A sewing machine sat outside the shop and it was easy to see the stacks of vibrant fabrics through the windows.

Instantly, my interest was peaked.  

One of the things that Ravi and the ARV team has done for every group of volunteers is provide them with a traditional Indian outfit.  Because we were such a tiny group, we had the fantastic experience of actually being brought to the shop to have our measurements taken and choose the fabric for ourselves. 

This was-in a word-absolutely delightful.   So that was too words.  But you get my point.

The three of us sat at the counter as the couple who owned the shop spread out saree after saree, each as beautiful as the last.  Choosing only one was no easy decision.  Let me tell you.

The owner of the shop.  He was so proud of his children-his son who lives and works in Texas and his daughter who lives and works in Malaysia.

 After finally choosing each of our sarees, we continued to Chevuru.  After lunch, we would complete roof number two of three of our trip.

Pouring the cement roof-intense hard work!

Handling the wet cement for another four hours was a feat.  Karl and I did have leather work gloves, but the upper side of them was breathable mesh.  The wet cement got in and acted as sand paper against our poor hands.  Karl's hands were the worst-band aids on every finger.

Because we were all so exhausted by the end of the day (I had also been fighting off a cold since leaving Japan), it was decided that we would not go to the village the following day but go on a tour instead. 

As usual, after the work was finished, we were kidnapped by the village children and brought to many homes to visit and drink chai.

Everyone really does have a water buffalo in Chevuru.  Or at least it seems so.

Visiting a family in the evening.  This family is still waiting for materials to start work for their new home.

One of the children really connected with Karl.  He called Karl his best friends and drew a portrait of him.