The defining moment in my life that shifted the way I was thinking...and brought me to ubuntu.
Great question. Tough to answer.
In the sense of living and breathing and working and playing.
After what feels like forever, I've safely arrived to Jaipur! This will be quick as I am ready to crash. Slept all the way to Chicago and had a long layover there - over 5 hours. Had good food and met an older couple - a man who works in L.A. for Habitat for Humanity. Surprise surprise! It was nice to share stories with him about the Family Selection committee roles & duties; he was more on the Building side of things. So funny how if you talk to people for 5 minutes it seems there is always some kind of connection.
The 15 hour flight from Chicago to Delhi went on and on and on. Three movies and an entire book in, I finally fell asleep for bits & pieces. Today around 5 or 6 I arrived on Indian soil. The sun was beginning to set as we landed in Delhi and as we flew over huge statues of their Hindu gods it definitely brought tears to my eyes. And after going through international customs, out to get my bag, into domestic departures and through their customs I had a 30 minute power nap waiting for my flight to Jaipur. The plane we had to get here was super small, about a 20 seater and took only an hour. My taxi wasn't there upon arrival so I had to get a couple of men to call the mobile and he showed up within minutes. I have to say I was a bit nervous as to how the men would treat me, but so far they have been very polite. At least five men offered to make a call for me, etc. and some of them were the armed guards of the airport. They did offer me some strange milky brown shot out of a bag, which I happily declined (look Tamara's learning!)
Arrived to the volunteer apartments and there are at least 20+ people here from all over the world. Right now I can hear about six of them playing Monopoly and loud music and a Swedish girl is behind me on the phone speaking rapidly. There are women empowerment night sessions, yoga workshops from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. (which I am NOT participating in tomorrow, I need sleeeeeep, but put my name down for the next day) and a small internet area. There are about seven programs with IDEX so I'm not sure yet who is actually working my program. Apparently there is a guy here from Toronto - the only other Canadian - but I've yet to meet him. It's 10:30 p.m. here and I have orientation tomorrow, so I will be heading to bed tonight, no socializing for this girl.
Parents, I have a phone that I can call from so I will eventually and I'll email the address of where we are if needed for whatever reason.
PS - I'M IN INDIAAAA. It's beautiful and strange and bright and dirty and wonderful.
The 15 hour flight from Chicago to Delhi went on and on and on. Three movies and an entire book in, I finally fell asleep for bits & pieces. Today around 5 or 6 I arrived on Indian soil. The sun was beginning to set as we landed in Delhi and as we flew over huge statues of their Hindu gods it definitely brought tears to my eyes. And after going through international customs, out to get my bag, into domestic departures and through their customs I had a 30 minute power nap waiting for my flight to Jaipur. The plane we had to get here was super small, about a 20 seater and took only an hour. My taxi wasn't there upon arrival so I had to get a couple of men to call the mobile and he showed up within minutes. I have to say I was a bit nervous as to how the men would treat me, but so far they have been very polite. At least five men offered to make a call for me, etc. and some of them were the armed guards of the airport. They did offer me some strange milky brown shot out of a bag, which I happily declined (look Tamara's learning!)
Arrived to the volunteer apartments and there are at least 20+ people here from all over the world. Right now I can hear about six of them playing Monopoly and loud music and a Swedish girl is behind me on the phone speaking rapidly. There are women empowerment night sessions, yoga workshops from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. (which I am NOT participating in tomorrow, I need sleeeeeep, but put my name down for the next day) and a small internet area. There are about seven programs with IDEX so I'm not sure yet who is actually working my program. Apparently there is a guy here from Toronto - the only other Canadian - but I've yet to meet him. It's 10:30 p.m. here and I have orientation tomorrow, so I will be heading to bed tonight, no socializing for this girl.
Parents, I have a phone that I can call from so I will eventually and I'll email the address of where we are if needed for whatever reason.
PS - I'M IN INDIAAAA. It's beautiful and strange and bright and dirty and wonderful.
Soooo happy that you made it safe and sound Tammy! I don't think I slept a wink last night cause I was worried so very happy you posted this! LOVE YOU now go get some sleep! Can't wait to hear about all youradventures!
ReplyDeleteWe are very happy to hear from you and that you made it safely to INDIA ! Looking forward to your posts
ReplyDeleteLove
Dad