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Mittwoch, 2. Dezember 2009

Banaras Hindu University November 29, 2009













July 2009 I came across an employment ad on a position of visiting fellow in the German Department of the BHU (Banaras Hindu University) in India. I decided to apply for this position. I received an answer of the Head of the German department that my application came too late but that he would put me on a waiting list. September 2009 when I was in Turkey I received another email from the same guy asking me whether I am still interested in that position. I was surprised and shocked. After informing my mother who became even more shocked (this time rather negatively) I decided to take this job. And only November 2009 my "employment" was confirmed. Only 3 weeks remained and I had to apply for a visa, collect all my savings, buy a ticked, an insurance and confirm my Indian trip to my parents. They were not happy but I decided so I just left Germany November 29. I landed in Varanasi December 1.

Landing in Varanasi

After a very long stay in Dubai airport I took my another flight to New Delhi, arrived there in the night and searched for a hotel. I was asking some one at the information counter where some cheaper hotel is, he looked at me, then at his small room (hotel information counter) and asked me whether I would be satisfied staying one night there on the ground. I was too tired to agree so I just smiled and asked for a "real" place to sleep. :-)
He gave me some options and I tooked the most convenient one and left with a prepaid auto (auto rikshaw). The hotel was situated in a very dark part of Delhi. I left my luggage in the room (with warm water) and went out for a tea. It was about 10pm and everybody I met was quite astonished to see a girl walking down the street without anyone accompanying her. I woke up very early the next morning and left for the domestic airport. I landed in Varanasi 12.30 pm. It was sunny and hot day, two nice students were waiting for me. They took me by a rented cab to the Banaras Hindu University. We walked through the fields, the entire city, entered the BHU through its famous main gate. Immediately after I had met Dr. Natarajan, my boss, my guides took me to the place I was supposed to stay for the next three months with my colleague Nicole Kreuzer from Switzerland who was hired for the same position as I was. I met her later. I just wanted to get rid off my  heavy luggage first and take a bath after that long trip.

The house looked wonderful from outside. My first impression was clouded up by entering the room I shared with my colleague. It was an empty place furnished with two recently bought beds and two chairs. I was not worried though because I knew that I could get used to anything. I was just very surprised because I was told I would be staying in a university guest house. I assumed it was only an interim option :-)