{"id":430,"date":"2007-08-03T16:57:00","date_gmt":"2007-08-03T11:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/430\/behind-the-scenes\/"},"modified":"2014-12-29T23:04:45","modified_gmt":"2014-12-29T17:34:45","slug":"behind-the-scenes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/2007\/430\/","title":{"rendered":"Behind the Scenes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Behind the Scenes \u2013 Kitchen Volunteers of Amma&#8217;s 2007 North American Tour<\/p>\n<p>We come from all over the globe:US, Canada, Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, Finland, Japan, Brazil, Vietnam and elsewhere.We travelled by bus, car, van, camper, plane, or train. We chopped vegetables, cooked the meals, baked cakes and cookies, made chai, and washed dishes. There were more than 100 of us. We were joined by hundreds of others from the local cities, some who were just meeting Amma for the first time, others who have known Her for years. Everyone helped \u2013 whether it was few moments, or a few hours, or the entire program. We were, and are, brought together by Amma&#8217;s boundless love and message of selfless service. And we have a great time!<\/p>\n<p>Here are some photos of a few of the volunteers who work behind the scenes to help prepare the delicious meals and snacks served during Amma&#8217;s programs.<\/p>\n<p>Adam (from US) unloads one of the trucks that contains the kitchen supplies<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-156.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There are over 30 pallets which have to be unloaded and unwrapped.  At the end of each program, we have to box everything up again, re-stack the pallets, and load up the trucks.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-158.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Benjamin (left &#8211; Germany), and Jay Ram (right &#8211; Spain) set up one of the various tables throughout the hall.  This one will be the snack shop which sells freshly baked goods, chai, and other snacks.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-154.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Triptta (from US), who has been running the kitchen for about 10 years, ponders the next meal.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-150.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Triptta (US) and Akshay (Germany) check out the menu.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-102.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Sumati (US), one of our fearless veggie prep supervisors, carrying a load of freshly washed carrots.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-125.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The other Veggie Prep leaders (Tom &#8211; US, and Prana &#8211; Austria).  They make sure everything is chopped just right for the cooks.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-124.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Jagadish from Canada spinning the lettuce.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-129.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The veggie choppers&#8230;&#8230;<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-118.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>More Choppers&#8230;..<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-117.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Anand (Spain) and Niramayan (Brazil)&#8230;.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-103.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Sulma and Deva Priya (both from US) plan the next meal.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-133.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Krishna (Germany) and Niramayan (Brazil) cooking dinner.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-134.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Mixing the salad.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-139.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The bakers (Sri Pati &#8211; US, Karnaki &#8211; US, and Apoorva &#8211; Canada)<br \/>\nwith chocolate frosting on their noses.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-173.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Oh no!  We&#8217;re short about 20 lbs of potatoes!  Triptta and Amartya (US) in the kitchen.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-140.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The serving supervisors (Malathy, Apurva, Ahalya &#8211; all from US) take a well deserved break&#8230;<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-123.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Having fun with the oranges. (who hasn&#8217;t done this with their orange rinds?)<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-122.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Jitendra (Germany) slices the carrots.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-119.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Divya (US) studying the recipe for one of the salad dressings.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-128.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Avinash (Vietnam) washing dishes.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-137.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Taking a nap between programs in San Ramon.<br \/>\nJonathan (Canada &#8211; left), Vivek (Japan &#8211; middle),  and Jayendra (Germany &#8211; right).<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-107.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Shankar, one of the dishwashers (US) has a quick snooze behind the hall after the NY program. (He always sleeps like that.)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-171.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Amba (US) &#8211; Kitchen Seva Coordinator &#8211; loading luggage on top of one of the vans that carried some of the volunteers between cities.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-175.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Getting ready for the drive to Toronto.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"margin: 0px auto 10px;text-align: center;cursor: pointer\" src=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/files\/2010\/09\/USTour2007-176.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/2007\/246\/\">In New Mexico, a reporter wrote a wonderful story about the volunteers in the Kitchen.  Click here to read the article&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sri Pati<br \/>\nJune &#8211; July 2007, US Tour<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Behind the Scenes \u2013 Kitchen Volunteers of Amma&#8217;s 2007 North American Tour We come from all over the globe:US, Canada, Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, Finland, Japan, Brazil, Vietnam and elsewhere.We travelled by bus, car, van, camper, plane, or train. We chopped vegetables, cooked the meals, baked cakes and cookies, made chai, and washed [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-430","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-with-amma"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/430","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=430"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/430\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=430"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=430"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e.amritapuri.org\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}