First week highlights

In roughly chronological order:

·       Concluding travel to NITK and sleeping

·       Walking on the beach: see 'The beach' post

·       Skype: After breakfast (9AM) I get to see and talk to Kathy (730PM).

·       Meeting the faculty: they are dedicated, smart, friendly, jovial, and helpful.  I enjoy tea with them after morning lectures.

·       Meeting the students: they are curious, respectful, hard working, and helpful.  0.1% of undergraduate applicants to NITK are admitted and attend, so they are appreciative of the opportunity they have.  For comparison, 10% of UC Davis applicants are admitted and attend. 

·       The sign above my office is cool.  See 'First day on the job' post.

·       Settling into the guesthouse: I spent the first week figuring out a routine/lifestyle that works for me.  I’ll write more on food later but the campus is entirely very vegetarian, not too spicy, breakfast is the best meal, lunch and dinner essentially are the same and do not change,  but late in the week I figured out a good alternative and a source for fruit.  I am healthy and clothes, room, and I are clean.

·       Tea with milk: really good and social, I have it after breakfast, after morning lectures with the faculty, at the start of seminars and meetings, and when the opportunity arises.

·       Shiva festival: see post

·       My first weekend: after a whirlwind 10 days, it has been nice to relax and regroup in a now familiar place.