It’s been over three years since we returned from our trip to India, and just over 3 year since the last time I wrote. (Chris and Monica and the kids have visited the states twice since then.) It’s always been in the back of my mind, and so far down on my to-do list that it didn’t hit me until I was going to start writing the story of our new house building that I never finished writing our adventure. So here I am, armed with my notebook and scattered memories to put together the final, albeit shorter, ending part of tale of our 1st trip to India.
Friday
We had made the decision to go to a local Hindu Temple that morning, so Sara and Robert joined us for the drive and walk through of the temple. When we arrived we put our shoes in little locker type things before we could enter the temple. I was actually a bit nervous leaving my sandals behind in an unmanned shack for who knows how long, but the others seemed okay with it, so I did it.
Sara took us around the outside of the temple where the Hindi god Krishna’s life was portrayed in paintings and sculptures. His life from conception onward is a very crazy story and Sara doesn’t like telling it because she knows it not to be true and it hurts her heart that so many of her fellow countrymen continue to believe in and worship this cruel deity.
As we were finishing up our walk around the outside we walked into the temple. Oh my heart broke for those people kneeling on the floor rocking, humming, and mumbling prayers to a god that can’t do anything, and yet they still give money
There was a little Southern India snack shop within the boundaries of the temple and Monica wanted us to try one of her favorite things to eat from the southern part of India. We had a very light and airy tortilla with some sort of veggie filling inside and we were served dahl along with it. I remember the flavor of it being quite bland which is very different than the usual Indian fare we had come accustomed to.
After our snack we left and returned home where we sat and debriefed about the Temple experience and also made our plans to have a couple of the teachers from the school that Aida attended come and watch the kids so we could go on a double date that night.*
We started off going to dinner followed by a little shopping for Indian garb for David and I, then while walking home we stopped at the Milk Stand for an ice-cream bar. After arriving home we put the kids to bed and then the four of us gathered on Chris and Monica’s Bed for a good game of Phase 10 which David won.*
*We rarely, if ever, went on double dates when they had lived in the USA. So doing this was a real treat for all of us.
*Phase 10 is usually my game to win, so it was a shocking turn of events, Lol!
Saturday
Early Saturday morning David and Chris left to play in a soccer tournament where David was dubbed “Captain Brown Beard”. When they returned Monica and I got to go on a date to see a Hindi movie not dubbed into English. It was actually a really neat experience and I was able to pick up a few words that Monica had taught me.
While we were watching the movie Chris, David, and the kids played a game of life. Monica and I walked back home and then we all packed up to head to lunch at their favorite place to get American style food. The food ended up being okay, but the service and wait for the food left something to be desired. We were there for an hour and a half and all our food came out sporadically, so we couldn’t even all eat at the same time.
Playing with my hair while we wait for food.
After going back home we just chilled for a while before Chris and David went back to Sammy’s village with a gift that we brought from our church to help with the building of the school.
Meanwhile Monica, Aida, and I played Rummy Kub while Layani played with my hair some more. When the men returned we had dinner, and once we put the kids to bed the parents watched another movie.
Sunday
We were able to have a mini-church service with my brother, that was very cool. It had been 2 years since we had been able to worship God in the same room, that brought joy to my heart. We sang some worship songs, and then we studied Luke 9:49-62 DBS style. It was really a neat way to study God’s Word.
After church we went to a Clubhouse where they offered a Sunday Brunch, all the different Indian foods and fruits and veggies were delicious. After eating we let the kids play on the playset that was there. It was fun to see something like a playset in India because so much of that culture is so different, it was a good reminder that we’re not so different.
With the younger kids tired out and the boys ready to hang out to play some video games, the girls were dropped off at City Center for some girl time. It was so much fun. We started with some tea, and then did a bit of shopping, and then to my pleasure we, Aida and I, were able to sit and get some Henna done. It was such a delight.
On our stroll home, we met a fellow missionary, named Macky, who Chris and Monica and the rest of the team have come to know and work alongside his family’s desire to get the local people making crafts and then having Macky sell them in his shop. It is an easy way for us, and travelers and believers to help get the money directly to the craftsmen and women of India, instead of buying the ‘made in China’ cheap stuff. They make beautiful and creative items.*
That evening’s meal was a light and simple chips and salsa with a creamy cucumber salad. Followed by bedtime for the littles and then a came of Dominion for David, Christopher, Aida, and I. Getting to play so many games with my family was so meaningful for me, it was so awesome to be able to play games without having to worry about keeping my eyes on my own children.
*At some point in the last few days or our time in India we did stop in at Macky’s store and purchase goods for ourselves, family, and friends. It was so meaningful to be able to buy knowing that the money goes straight back into the community to support the believers in India. Helping our brothers and sisters doing life together is very important to David and I.
Monday
Our last day came far too quickly. David went with Chris for one last soccer game time and got to say goodbye to all the guys that he played with. They came back home and took the girls to school. David and I packed our bags and started saying goodbye. Kevin stopped in with a Coca-Cola bottle for David to bring back to the USA* so we were able to tell him goodbye. Then Aida arrived home from school, and David and I gave hugs to Monica and Tekoa and loaded up in the car with Aida and Layani, heading to the airport.
It was a solemn drive back to the airport, that quiet calm that comes over you when you know the end of a trip is quickly approaching. I was still trying to take in all of my surroundings when I focused on something on the side of the road. I looked away quickly and had a good laugh. It was a guy squating on the side of the road using it as a toilet. Lol! (Remember Monica warned me of that right when we arrived a week earlier.)
We arrived at the airport and said our goodbyes. It was a time of mixed feelings. Sad to be saying goodbye, excited to get back home, happy to be able to see them in just a few months, not looking forward to getting back to the normality of everyday life in the Burton house. Such are the feelings every time a vacation comes to a close.
We walk into the airport an hour before our plane is to depart, we get through security and sit down to wait… and wait… and wait. We had to get comfortable after we heard that our flight had been delayed by 2 hours. We recalled once on the plane that we had to show our tickets and IDs a total of 6 times just in the Bagdogra airport. We commented that we wouldn’t ever complain about the USA’s TSA again. Lol!
Last bit of love’n for Aunt Steph.
Ah… sweet nector.
Unfortunately guys, this is where my notes of our trip drop off to nothing. I remember that we arrived back in DC, took an Uber to the mechanic to pick up our van, after a $240 dollar repair bill we went on our way to meet with Megan at a Chipotle to get the girls. We then drove 5 hours home. Thankfully Rhonda brought the boys all the way to our house so we didn’t have to drive the extra 45 minutes to pick them up.
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This is where our first adventure to India ends. We came home, back to the everyday chaos of the Burton household, back to schooling, back to work, back to preparing food, and having to be a mom and dad instead of an aunt and uncle. Life continues. We’d love to go back and we plan on it, we don’t know when or if we’ll take a child or two with us, but whenever God puts it on our hearts, we’re ready.
Thursday we were awoken by texts at about 4:30am, I was concerned about the health status of my boys so I had turned the volume on my phone to on. Only it wasn’t texts from Rhonda, they were from another friend who was concerned about something and she felt that she needed to let me know. With the health of my boys, extended family stuff that we were emailed about late Wednesday night, and some issues going on with my daughter, I didn’t want to have another thing on my plate, so I chose not to read the texts from her. But instead I texted another friend right then and there to please pray for me to able to focus on what the Lord had for me in India and not be so worried about things going on back home.
It was a good thing for me to do, because before I asked for prayer, my heart was heavy and my mind was racing and I was assuming I would not be able to get back to sleep, but after asking for prayer from a person whom I knew would pray for me right then and there, the Lord calmed my heart and mind and I was able to doze off again for about 2 hours, which was good for everyone. HA!
We sent Aida off for another day of school, and David and I got to hang with our niece and nephew while their parents worked on their language for a couple hours. After which Kevin* showed up and we loaded into the car and drove to City Center to start our adventure for the day.
We walked through the mall, stopping at a Chai shop for a cup of tea before beginning. We were served about 6 ounces of chai tea in a clay cup. Monica told me that they use these clay cups as disposable cups around there. So we would’ve been able to take our cups with us, just as if they were paper cups from Starbucks, crazy right?
On to the transportation for our adventure to the local market. Chris and Monica said that while in India there are a few things that you should do to get the full experience of what it is to live in India. We needed to ride in a rickshaw, a bus, and shop in the local market place. So we followed Kevin through the mall to what you might consider a ‘bus stop’ except you don’t buy tickets anywhere, you just wait for a mode of transportation to hold the people in your party, walk up to the driver, tell him how many you have and then pay him. Typically it’s 10 Indian Rupees per person, no matter how far you need to go. Kevin, Chris, David, Monica, Tekoa, Layani, and I hop in the back of the rickshaw which we, as americans would consider to be a full load, but the driver kept allowing more people to hop on. I think at one point we had 9 people all sitting in the rickshaw that ‘should’ only hold 6. Lol! It was an experience for David and I of the native people not having personal space issues. They don’t mind how close you sit to each other, they have someplace to be, just like you, and they don’t want to wait; besides, the driver knows the more people he hauls, the more money he makes, so he’s going to pack as many in as he can for each drive back and forth to town and back.
They don’t have laws and rules about how many they can carry in their rickshaws or buses, it seems as though they don’t even have road rules about driving. Chris told us that they only just got traffic lights and lines down the center of some of the roads within the past 2 years and are only now trying to incorporate people actually obeying the lights. So while we were there, police officers were at each light intersection making sure people stopped when the light was red, and that the cross road would stop when their light then turned red. Guys, it’s gotta be like teaching an old dog a new trick. This has been the way it’s been for generations. It’s going to take a long time for things to make a permanent change.
Driving to and through town were just as you have seen in the movies, or the films put together by missionaries visiting your church. People, cars, trucks, bikes, rickshaws, construction vehicles, police, cows, goats, and dogs all over the road. The drivers would move for the cows, but they’d not care about the dogs, or even people on the street. If the dogs get hit, no one cares. They’re mangy looking, and homeless. They’re not usually looked at as pets there, just lesser creatures. The people ought to know better and be watching where they’re walking, while the vehicles just vi for any space they see on the road, even if it means squeezing by ‘on the other side of the road’.
Finally reaching our destination we were rushed out of the rickshaw on the side of the street, not at a bus stop or anything, so the driver could load back up and head to his next stop. We started walking down the crowded street and took a left down what I thought was an alley but it actually turned out to be just another street lined with clothing stands. We still had to watch out for people on scooters that would drive through all the people who were walking.
Monica pointed out the shoddy electrical set up that the buildings around us had. WIth no government regulations about installing electricity around people’s houses, there were electrical boxes with what looked like knotted balls of wires and cables surrounding it. I was silently convinced that there could be a electrical fire at any moment, but then she told me that when her father had seen it last year, he was shocked too, no pun intended, so I knew that somehow it’s able to work without causing a fire.
Scary looking huh?
We continued down the side street and soon it branched off into what looked like designated sections, food and produce stands are more on the streets to the right and everything else you could think of, and stuff you wouldn’t think of, tended to branch out on the left side.
Our first destination was to get fresh veggies from the stands. On our way over to the vegetable stands, Layani spied a booth with some adorable boots for little kids. Monica put some on her to see if they fit, they did. Monica asked the guy how much, even though the price in Indian Rupees was already on a sticker, he told her the cost was about 200IR more than the listed price. Monica said ‘NO’ and showed him the price right on the sticker, but the guy persisted, trying to get us ‘whities’ to pay what he told us. So Monica put the boots back, and we walked away. HA!
We turned another corner, and BAM! Fruit and Vegetable stands one right after the other. David and I asked Kevin which ones were better, and he said they’re all pretty much the same, you just get to know certain sellers, and then they will work with you and give you deals, or make sure you get the better veggies that came in just that day. (If you’re walking with a white, blond-haired baby, you’ll get a free carrot that she grabs off the bag.) The produce there is pretty much the same as here, although different sizes because they haven’t modified the fruit, and don’t go to extremes to fertilize their veggies. The apples, carrots, cucumbers, and eggplants are smaller but still pack wonderful flavor. Chris and Monica bought fresh produce to take home, and I just loved seeing the open air market. It made me want to come home and start actually using the Farmer’s markets in the summer. Or join a CSA group.
Before heading to find more treasures, we headed to a ‘Sweets’ Shop for a treat. Chris had us try some of his favorites, and Kevin came and brought David and I each a “Rasgulla”, which is a milk ball soaked and cooked in a sugary syrup. It melts in your mouth but is super sweet. Yes, even for our american mouths it was too sweet. Chris had us try some other treats from the shop, we had our first taste of Samosas. Oh goodness they’re just wonderful!! They are a fried or baked dish with a savoury filling, such as spiced potatoes, onions, peas, lentils, etc.
Getting the food fresh from the street shop was awesome, but as I looked around I understood why our seatmate Ali, from our first flight, would come back to India and not eat the street food that he loved. There was a sink on the outside of the shop to wash your hands in, no soap, no paper towel to dry with, and there was trash and dirt all over the place. People there just don’t care much about it. That’s the way they’ve been doing business for years or generations even. There was a pitcher of water that people could drink from, no paper cups, just take the pitcher and drink from it, like you’re drinking from a jug of milk. Then when the water needed filling they’d go to the handwashing sink and fill it back up with water for drinking. I’m so thankful that we had been carrying around our water bottles, and Monica keeps packs of wipes in her purse.
We walked the streets some more, specifically looking for a place that sells the stainless steel plates Chris and Monica have that David and I thought were really cool. Kevin knew just the places to go. While waiting for one of the shops to go to another ‘branch’ of their store, Kevin, Chris, David, and I walked to find some slip on shoes for David. As we were walking quickly I was trying to take it all in. A few minutes into my walk, I all of a sudden became like Jasmine, from Aladdin, as she walked through the streets of Agrabah “Pretty lady, buy a pot. No finer pot in brass or silver… Would the lady like a necklace? A pretty necklace for a pretty lady.” All these shop owners had something ‘just for me’, and what a steal of a deal they had for me. I just smiled and kept walking, trying to keep an eye on Kevin who was leading us.
It was a good thing that we had David handling all of our cash for time we were there, especially since walking the streets was a heart wrenching experience for me. I saw person after person sitting in the the muck and trash just begging for some money. Their faces were sad and hollow looking, some of them had open sores on their feet and arms, and there were a few that were actually missing a leg or arm. I had a hard time remaining logical while we were walking among them. I wanted to scoop the sick ones up and take them to the hospital, but then what? I wouldn’t be here more than a few days, what happens after I leave? Then who would pay their medical bills? Maybe just give them a large donation so they can support their families for a few days while they rest up at home? I am not their mother, I can’t force them to spend the money on what “I” would deem necessary.
So I just walked by, smiling a caring, loving smile, and praying that the Lord would be revealed to them soon, maybe by my brother and the rest of the team.
After we had succeeded with our shopping, we headed back out of the maze. If I didn’t have Kevin or Chris to follow I would have been lost for hours in there. We made it out just fine and then we had the fun activity of having to cross the road where there are non-stop vehicles and no lights to say when we should go. It was thrilling! It was a short distance, but knowing that the vehicles are going to expect you to be the one who moves, gave it a sense of danger.
Making it across the main street, we decided to hitch a ride back to our neighborhood on a bus. That was another close encounter with the Indian’s non-issues with personal space. We had our group of 7 on the back seat of the bus, then there were 2 others that sat down among us. The seats were full and the aisle was full of people standing, and yet, the driver stops again, yells at everyone to move back, and has a few more people hop on. It was a very tight squeeze getting out of the van once we hit our destination, but it was a cheap ride, 10IR will get you any place you wanna go.
When we first got on…
And yet, they were able to fit one more!
Long day, warm bus, nap time.
We were dropped off again at City Center where we stopped to have some lunch at Subway. Boy do they work slowly!! We, here in America, think of Subway as a fast food shop, they don’t do really anything fast (except usher people in and out of vehicles, HA!) David and I split a Chicken Tandoori sandwich. It wasn’t my favorite. Kevin walked with us to our car, but then he headed home.
Then we headed to drop Monica and the kids off so Layani could take a nap, and Chris, David, and I went and picked Aida up from school, along with other girls from her class that she carpools with each weekday. On the drive, Chris pulled a “dad” and asked what each girl had learned that day. The answered ranged from ‘how to do math better’ to ‘I learned more about the lives of Knights.’
When we returned to the house, we made some coffee and sat down to debrief about our different cultural experiences so far in our trip. We opened up about our thoughts and feelings when we went and visited Samuel and his family. What we thought about the village life, and what Samuel was doing with the school. Then we chatted about that day’s adventure in the Market. (Much of what we spoke, I have shared on these blogs as they happened on those days, so I am not going to go back over those experiences.) We also took the time to talk over what was going on Stateside with our children, and if I remember correctly we prayed over the issues at that time too.
We all needed an afternoon to just chill.
Dinner that night was Tikka Chicken and Rice with a bowl of fresh sliced veggies from the Market. Eating with my family once again was a delight, and something that i have truly missed while they’ve been gone. Some people don’t realize that since they’ve left, we have no family in the area. So our holidays and Sunday ‘on the fly’ lunches don’t happen as much anymore. We have many in our church that love us like family, but they still have actual family in the area to do holidays with, so we’re left to our own most of the time. Which, even though I might sound disappointed, has led to us making our own traditions, and being sure to invite others who don’t have family around to join us for those holidays. It’s worked out wonderfully and our friendships have deepened over the past two years because of it.
After dinner, I heard good news from Rhonda that our boys were feeling better. Praise the Lord… So we went to the TV room and everyone sat to watch Secret Life of Pets. I got to snuggle with my niece and Chris got to cuddle with his son, about halfway through the movie, I pulled a “Clinch” and fell asleep, and Chris did as well. We’re such goofballs.
The movie finished and we had fun working with the kids to get ready for bed, then Monica and I just sat on her bed and had another heart to heart chat. It was soothing to my soul.
Once David and I were in bed, I received a text from Rhonda saying now my boys had spiked fevers and she was at a loss of what to do, we decided to have a day where they just take it easy, and have a rest time during the afternoon. Also Rhonda was going to take them to a local Christian Chiropractor who is also a friend of ours, the next day. I thought those were great plans and prayed with David about our children and the people caring for them while we were away.
*I saw more stray dogs than cats, which I didn’t really realize until I got back to the US. I actually don’t recall seeing any cats at all. Now that could’ve been something that I just missed, but here in the US it’s not strange to see cats wandering the neighborhood and no one cares, over there it’s dogs you see wandering.
*There are different tactics that the Indians use while working with “whities”, we have to remember that they’re all out to make money, some dishonest, some not. They’ll either tell you a higher price, or price it higher and then ‘give you a deal’ and say “for you 100IR less the listed price” In both cases they’re hoping for ignorance.
*In the states I try and pick up things that I come across while walking, a water bottle, a bag of fast food trash, plastic utensils, etc. It’s just a habit that I’ve gotten into. I had to fight that urge while I was in India. I would have spent all day just picking up trash, but there wasn’t a trash can just a few yards away that you could just drop the trash into, you’d have to carry it all the way to your destination. And the trash there isn’t “clean” trash, it’s “dirty” trash. People and animals use streets as their bathrooms as needed, so along with the typical dirty-ness, you’ve got that to deal with, and there are people there that walk around with open wounds, or blood dripping. So yeah, if you thought picking up trash along the highways here was gross, try and do that in the marketplace in India.
*If you were blessed to see a video that the Johns’ shared that showed them crossing the road while they were in India last fall, then you know exactly where we crossed and a bit of what we went through.
*We did eventually find a stand for David to get some slip-on shoes to wear while in India, since he was tired of having to tie and untie his shoes whenever entering or leaving the house.
*My dad thinks it important that you learn something new everyday, often he’ll text me just to ask “what have you learned today?” Sometimes I have to rack my brain to figure something out to respond with, sometimes it’s something like “Kale’s favorite color is now purple” or “I just found out that Jellyfish are a Type of Plankton.” that’s one of the blessings of homeschooling, the opportunity to be learning right alongside my children.
*When I say “pulled a Clinch” I am making fun of my brothers who would, when they visited and we decided to watch something, fall asleep within the first 20 minutes of the movie. So it was just David and I and the spouses who would watch the whole show and then make fun of the boys for falling asleep. This was the first time that I had done it with one of my brothers. LOL!!
As David and I were getting up, I checked in with Rhonda again. Now she had two kids with earaches and fevers. She had taken them to her doctor who said there seems to be a super bug going around and these were some of the symptoms, we were just hoping for some odd swimmer’s ear. I told her that we trusted her to treat our boys the way that she thought best. Poor lady. Having to care for someone else’s kids and have them be sick when the parents can’t come get them. She was sure a trouper handling the illnesses of my boys.
Wednesday morning brought the first day back to school for Aida, so after Chris and David got back from playing another round of soccer, at which David sprained his ankle, they left with Aida to pick up the other girls in their carpool they have set up with other families who are there doing the same kind of work they are.
We also got to meet Sara* and Robert* who are Monica and Chris’ language teachers. Chris’ old language teacher, Kevin*, stopped by to give David and I a rose as a welcome gift. I found that very thoughtful. Susan*, their house helper, also came by in the morning to clean the house.
While Chris was doing his language, Monica, David, Layani, and I went for a walk to what they call the Dudha Styanda (‘doot stand’, Milk Stand) to pick up some groceries. It was a nice stroll through their community. Monica pointed out to us several paths she uses to walk and run along, and told about the changes that have happened in their neighborhood just since they’ve moved there 2 years ago. While we were walking, we were approached by a native Indian lady that was asking for money to buy her son some clothes. She was talking to Monica in Bangla (‘bung-gluh’, Bangali is what we call their language), after she spoke with Monica and Monica told her that she could come by her house in two days and get some clothes, she then turned to David and I asking us for money. All we could do was shake our heads “No” as Monica politely told her, in Bangla, that she needs to go on her way. Monica told us later that poor people there are very similar to the poor people here in the US. They will share their story and ask for money for food, to help with their medical bills, or for clothing, but Monica said that sometimes that’s just a story and they end up using the money for some other purpose. Whether it be paying house bills or buying alcohol or other drugs for themselves or an abusive family member.
We had simple lunch when we got back home and Monica went to rest. David and Chris hung out talking about guy stuff while I got to play Nerf guns with Tekoa and Layani. It eventually got to the point where we were shooting Chris and David, Tekoa was just shocked that I would shoot his dad, it was like he hadn’t thought of that before! It was fun being able to play with Chris like we used to growing up, except without the angry outbursts from either one of us, but instead of calling on my brother Nic to come and be on my side, I’d call on David and his typical response seems to be: “Hey, you started it. I’m not going to join on your side just because they’re now fighting back.” So I had to count on Tekoa, and he just had a really hard time shooting his dad. So much fun!
After Aida got home from school, we spent more time as family before we headed into the downtown of the local city to Punjabi Kadai (poon-jaw-bee cud-eye) which is a fantastic Indian restaurant. Chris and Monica ordered several of their favorite dishes to be brought out and shared between all of us. This place had waiters who would stand by the table and serve the food onto your plate, whatever you wanted, when they saw your plate was empty. It was an experience alright. The food was just AMAZING, and the company was better. I can’t even remember all the food we got, but I do remember the Naan that was served. OH MY GOODNESS mouthwatering wonderful. Combining the curries with the naan… I could’ve eaten that the whole trip. HA HA HA!!
After dinner was done we headed home and just chilled. Got the kids into bed, Monica and I sat and talked, which was fantastic. Oh how I miss her company here in the US just for that reason, not only is she my sister in law, but she’s also one of my best friends. I’ve thought of her that way since before my brother and her were officially a ‘thing’. We have a lot in common, and she’s always treated me like a friend, and not as Chris’ little sister. There was a time in my life that when they would come and visit SD from CO, before they were married, that I admitted to people that I didn’t care that Chris was gone, but I hated having Monica leave. I adored her so, and still do.
*I’m sorta thinking I may be a day off with the kid’s being sick. I’m trying to look back at my texts from Rhonda and trying to figure out what the time would’ve been in India, and I think that I didn’t get the first sickness text until Wednesday Morning, not Tuesday… whichever day it was, it added a little stress to our lives while we were out there.
*David and I are so proud of how far Chris and Monica have both come with their language learning. When we Skype with them, Chris would try and tell us things that he’s learning, just a word here or there, but to hear them have a conversation in Bangla was just awesome.
*Tekoa shared with me his favorite Bangla saying “Ami jani na” (ahmee jahnee nah) which means I don’t know or I don’t understand. He liked to say this when people spoke Bangla to him, or when adults would ask him to do something, or say something in Bangla.
*Growing up in the Clinch house was awesome, now that I look back. I have the best brothers in the world.
*It was about this day that the thought of having Indian food again wasn’t appealing to me. It just didn’t make my mind happy. More rice? More curry? But the cool thing was that we were introduced to such a selection of indian Curries and Dahls that it was a new experience with each dish I tried. So even though the thought of Indian food didn’t appeal to me, the actual eating part didn’t bother me at all. (Almost like after Thanksgiving or Christmas when mom has to use up all the turkey or ham somehow, so she makes all different kinds of meals, still using those ingredients, but totally different flavors. You hear “Turkey or Ham soup, Turkey or Ham Sandwiches, Turkey Pot Pie, Scalloped Potatoes and Ham” and your first reaction is “Turkey or Ham again?!?” but once you dig in and take your first bite, you’re like “oh goodness, this isn’t what I was thinking, this is awesome!” – yeah, that was me with Indian food.)
*I am happy to say that having lived in close proximity of my brother, Chris, as adults, our relationship has gotten a lot stronger, and I do miss him too. I’m not yet sure if it is more me missing him as a brother, or me missing him as my husband’s best friend. Probably a good mix of both.
Tuesday I woke up feeling very refreshed after nearly 12 hours of sleep. I was so surprised that it was 8am when I was stirred awake by my cell phone receiving texts from Rhonda about James having an earache. She wanted to know how we would handle it so he could go to sleep. After filling her in, David and I both headed downstairs to have breakfast and coffee.
It was another family day for us. We took it easy and headed to the community mall for lunch, and to see what it was like. On our way in, we had to walk through metal detectors, and bags and purses were check out by security guards. Once in it looked like any other american multi-story mall, except for the fact that it was open walled. So the stores had walls and doors, but on the two ends of the mall, there weren’t walls, just balcony type areas, just like you’re walking across a bridge.
We headed to the basement to go to one of the Clinch’s favorite little shops to hit up for a cheap, but tasty meal. It was our first experience of the attention that Layani draws whenever she is out and about. If you don’t know, Layani is this adorable blond haired, bright blue eyed little spunky girl, but she’s only about 2. She is very into looking at the Christmas displays that the mall still had up, so she and I hung around outside the restaurant for a little while looking at a some colorfully wrapped presents under a tree. While there, a few people stood back and just stared at her, some took pictures of her without asking. Monica shared with me later that a lot of people believe that having a picture of a white child will bring you good luck in life.
She eventually got tired of people staring at her, or she was missing her mom, so we headed into the restaurant where we went up some narrow stairs and sat in the upstairs section which happened to have a wall covered in a Barbie mural. Chris said anything that Indians deem as American is what they decorate with.
We ordered some of their favorite foods for us to try, David ordered some Chicken Fried Rice and I ordered a “Egg Chicken Wrap” which is basically an Indian chicken taco, but instead of being wrapped in a tortilla, it was wrapped in an egg pancake. The food was yummy, but I think I just really enjoyed eating at the same table as my brother and his family.
After we finished lunch we headed to a coffee and smoothie place that is owned and operated by another set of folks just trying to share the gospel. The kids and Monica shared a couple smoothies, and David and I each got a Caramel Macchiato, his was cold and mine was hot. Both were very tasty.
As we left the cafe, some teenages wanted to get a picture with Layani, Monica asked her if she wanted her picture taken with them, and she said a cute little “No.” and just continued on her way. It was so funny to hear the teens call out, “Please? She’s so cute!” and Ani just continue walking away.
Then we headed home where we put Layani down for a nap, a movie on for the other two kids, and the adults sat down for a couple rounds of Rummy Kub and good conversation.
Dinner that night was taco bowls with an Indian flare of course! Fun times around the table where I let Layani play with my hair some more, and we just talked. We finished the night out with bedtime for kids followed by movie night for parents and then hit the sack.
Or that was the plan anyway… That earache of James’ that I mentioned earlier? Yeah it had gotten worse, so I agreed with Rhonda’s decision to take James to go see her Doctor that day. We also FaceTimed with the boys to see how they were and to tell them that we loved them. They all seemed to be doing just fine. I asked her to keep me posted.
*We saw Indian sized servings for the first time. They are bigger servings, but you’ll see this “American sized single serving” feed a table of 4.
*At this time of the year, we were 10.5 hours ahead of EST, So Rhonda was texting me during her evening/night, and I would be just waking up or having coffee. The reverse was true too, I would check in with her as we were going to bed to check how the night went for her.
That Monday started early. Chris and David got up at 6:30am and went to play soccer with the local men’s team while I got up and went down stairs and found Tekoa back in the kitchen working on his lego set, so I sat and I helped him finish it. Monica came down after a little while and she and I had coffee together and waited for the boys to come home, after which she graced us all with omelets for breakfast.
We were able to take the morning kinda slow, just bonding as family, playing with the kids and chit chatting about life. More in depth than can truly take place over Skype or FaceTime. This was about the time that Layani started to realize that “Aunt” Steph isn’t like the other “aunties” she has in India. Aunt Steph actually says no, and follows through with mom and dad’s instructions. So she clung to David off and on that day.
At 11am, after Monica let me raid her closet for a Curta, which is a longer Indian shirt, and David borrowed a button down shirt from Chris, we all loaded up into their car to head to a local village where a dear friend and his family live.
This was our first experience driving into the villages of India. This is where the look and feel of poverty is. You see trash lining the roads while kids dig through it. Some people living in shacks made from scrap wood and metal. Sticks of Bamboo stuck into the ground as fences, and dogs everywhere. You see men and women, (with their children around them) in the riverbed smashing rocks to different sizes that are used for different products, (cement houses, gravel and paving roads, and making walls) and then carrying load after load in baskets up a ramp and into trucks. They do this all day for just a few rupees a day.
Sammy and his wife welcomed us into their home and he was excited to show us the school that he and 5 other teachers work at, right on his property. The school has only been around for about a year and a half, but it has nearly 100 students. They are a private Christian school so families pay to send their kids daily, and have them learn the academics as well as about the gospel, isn’t that AWESOME?!?
We were there in time to see the old school, which wasn’t more than a long metal garage separated into different areas by ropes and sheets of fabric, and the new school that is currently being built just on the other side of Sammy’s property. The Lord has been working over there and to have the finances to move to a cement school with 5 classrooms on the first floor, with more floors a possibility, is so amazing!
The metal sided schoolhouse.
Benches and curtains used to separate classes.
Bamboo used as braces.
Chris telling me a bit of the history of the school.
After the tour of the new building, we had fun watching Aida and Tekoa slide down a dirt hill using cardboard as a sled. From the top of the hill we saw some tea farms, some goats, and a friendly game of cricket going on among the village children. We had to cut the sledding short when Chris found some broken glass bottles at the bottom of the hill, right where the kids were landing.
We then went back to the house and David took photos of the children at the school to print out and give to the parents because not everyone has a camera over there or can afford to have photos taken. Watching the kids just stand there looking at david not sure what to do, many of them didn’t smile. Sammy’s son, Adam*, was all about cheesing it up for the camera though. I think he’s had a lot of experience with spending time with Chris, Monica, and the rest of the team.
David in his element.
Mary*, Sammy’s wife, then announced that lunch was ready so we all went in to sit and eat. The rooms in traditional Indian village houses are not like the low-income houses we have here. Here you can expect to find a livingroom, diningroom, kitchen, bathroom, and 2-3 bedrooms. There you walk into the living room, but it is also the dining room, and it is long and narrow, almost like an entryway. The bathrooms are usually outside the houses, and not supplied with toilet paper or a wash basin. The kitchens, even though they are used nearly all day, they’re not very big. They have gas stovetops, and no microwaves, So leftovers are either eaten cold or you have to heat it back on the stove. The water that comes into the house isn’t safe to drink, but most people can’t afford a water purification system, so they have to deal with the issues that come with drinking dirty water.
A simple setting makes it feel more like home.
She’s actually happy to be sitting on David’s Lap.
Homemade Indian yummy-ness!
(Our first seatmate told us while growing up in India he had developed a tolerance to the water. After moving to America he kept getting sick and not feeling well so he went to the doctor and he told him of this parasite he had in his digestive track that he needed to get removed if he wanted to get better. So he got the parasite removed and lives pain free in the US, but now whenever he comes back home, to India, he can’t be as free with drinking the water or eating the awesome street food like he used to. He was pretty bummed about that.)
The lunch was amazing! Chris had served me my first dish full of food since I was playing with Koa, he did a great job giving me a plateful of the hot food. When I was done I went back to get more, and try the fresh veggie salad. He told me later that he didn’t serve me the fresh stuff because of Mary not having a water purifier so all the veggies were washed in the regular tap water. So we kinda shrugged our shoulders and said “oh well, we’ll just have to see if it affects my stomach.” The rice, dahl (a dish made from lentils, pronounced ‘doll’), veggie salad, and the chicken curry dish were so good, many compliments went to the chef, who, according to Indian tradition didn’t eat until we were all done eating, Monica shared this fact beforehand, so when I went back for seconds I didn’t take much, I wanted to make sure that Mary would have enough food for herself.
After lunch we were able to pass along a gift for the school from our church, followed by tea with the family. On our way out the door, Sammy invites David and I to see the progress on the school that had happened just during that day. So we walked over, and saw that more of the bamboo and plywood framing had been completed for the ceiling of the first floor. When we had gone over earlier there were only 2 guys working. Sammy told us that the other men from the crew were at a different construction site removing the bamboo sticks to bring over and use at his site. Since that time, 3 more workers had shown up with the bamboo and it was just going to be another day or two before they could pour the cement and have a roof. How exciting!
On the drive home, out of the village, we saw children of all ages walking home from school on partially black topped roads, most of them were wearing uniforms and had backpacks or bags for their books. Some had shoes, most had at least sandals. We also stopped by a little roadside store and picked up some thick blankets because the nights are a bit chilly in winter, they don’t have any way of heating their houses, and everything is made out of tile, concrete, and metal.
Monica made dinner for us again, then we decided to watch a movie. So we went upstairs and spread out in their TV room, which also doubles as their office. I got to cuddle with Aida while Koa was snuggled up with his dad, and Layani was going back and forth between mom and David. I tapped into my “Clinch” blood and fell asleep while watching the movie, both Chris and I. Jetlag was still plaguing me I guess, so after the movie I crashed, it was only 9:30!
*The names are not theirs. I am remaining discreet in my details to keep my family and new friends safe.
**About 65 Indian Rupees equals 1 American Dollar.
**Meeting Sammy and his family was such an honor. We had heard about them and have been praying for them for the past 2 years, so to meet them in person was so exciting for me. It made the whole “brother moving to India” a real thing. My family and friends haven’t been over here doing nothing, they’re doing great things in the name of the Lord.
**Even though the kids were living in less than ideal conditions, they were happy. The way that they were playing together was just like looking into a typical american small town life. Kids running around, organizing their own games, and laughing.
**Watching life happen there was something that I will never forget. I am an American and It’s in my core to think that these people need saving, because of the way that they live. If only we came and built this, or if only we can and provided this for these people. How about automating this or that. Then I am reminded that this is the way that they’ve been living for years. Coming in to rescue them and fix physical things isn’t the answer. Their hearts have to be changed. Their minds are stuck on the traditions and the caste system through their religion that they can’t be free from those thoughts unless Christ is revealed to them. Then, THEN changes can come and be permanent.
Even born again natives succumb to the traditions and superstitions from their old religions. It was a freeing experience to hear that Mary doesn’t even usually sit with guests while they eat with her husband, thankfully she did grace us with her presence while we were there. This is a Christian couple, but tradition is so ingrained that the freedom in Christ takes some time to fully be understood. We continue to pray for movement of the Holy Spirit in this family, and the others around them for whom they are setting an example.
Day two started with continental breakfast at the hotel with a shuttle to Dulles Airport following. When we got there we were able to brighten an information booth guys morning by asking him where we check in with Emirates Airlines, he was so happy to help us, his friendliness made an impact on my morning there at the airport. Going around the corner of the kiosks for checking in, we see this long line of mostly Asian looking folks, that was our first experience of being the minority on our trip, there were many more to come.
Poor lighting, I’m sorry.
We stood in line for half an hour during which I decided to use my free time and grab labels from the Emirates display rack and label all of our luggage, that took me about 10 minutes, filling our names, address, phone, and email for 6 luggage tags.
When it came to our turn to check in for our flights, we walk to the counter, passports in hand as well as my printout of my e-visa confirmation, the lady checks David in, no problem, then she’s looking at my sheet, and my passport and says that we have the wrong paper, we needed to have printed out a different email. <cue mini mental freak out for me!> I start searching on my phone for the email, it was too far back on my list so I had to log onto the email site… boy, my phone seemed to be working really slowly. <still panicking a little, and feeling really dumb> I almost had it when David says “I’ve got it!” <WHEW!!> He was able to give her the numbers she needed, she checked me in and we were able to check all our 6 suitcases through to Delhi, because they did luggage by weight, not number of bags.
Getting through Security was interesting. There was more than one set of metal detectors to go through, removing shoes, jackets (hoodies), and electronics as usual, and we had to keep our tickets and passports available for multiple checks just trying to get to our gate. I’m thankful we both had pants on that had pockets on the side of the leg so we could store our papers but still have quick access to them. We made it through security and walked toward our gate, with a stop at Starbucks of course, we sat at our terminal to wait for the boarding to begin.
The plane that was taking us to Dubai was a two level plane, just huge! We were impressed with the size of the seats, the inflight entertainment options, and the amazing food selection for lunch, breakfast, and snacks. We had 15 hours of flight time to kill, our goal was to try and get our bodies on India time so after lunch and a movie, we went to bed when it started to get dark, with the help of some Tylenol PM. I had the window seat, so I put the blanket and pillow up against the window and dozed off. After an hour I woke up thinking, “oh I should put my hoodie on so I can stay warm and cozy and sleep better.” After digging around in my backpack, I came to realize that I had left my hoodie while going through security. That was a bummer of a moment, because the hoodie had been an anniversary gift from David on our 4 year anniversary. <I made a mental note to check the lost and found when we got back to the US, it was a long shot, but I wanted to try.>
David and I were seated next to a native Indian gentleman who was going home for a week of weddings to attend. When we got closer to Dubai I asked him if he had some suggestions for us to battle against jet lag. He said that he typically tries to stay awake after he arrives at his destination until it’s a reasonable bedtime, and then he sleeps and stays in bed until his family starts their day.. He also said that for him it is much harder to come back to the states and get over jet lag than actually going to India. He’s useless for 4-5 days after he returns from India. (Since we’ve got lives to live back at home, we’re hoping that’s not the case for us!) “Don’t drink the water” he warned us before we parted.
When we arrived in Dubai, we went straight to our gate, no having to go through customs or go through security again. For this connection we didn’t have to wait long to continue our trip.
Our seatmate for this second leg of our trip was a young Indian man who lives in the UK and does Virtual Infrastructure Design for a supermarket chain, he was pretty stoked to meet and chit chat a little with David, and when I, very proudly, shared about David’s VCDX status, he was taken aback that he sat next to someone on an airplane who knew so much about VMWARE!! While we were chatting I asked him if he could tell me in layman’s terms what BREXIT was all about. He was happy to share to the best that he could with very ‘colorful’ language what it was all about. He also apologised to us for our election results in November. HA HA HA!! He was also cautioning us about drinking the water while in India.
On arrival in Delhi we had to go through customs. I stayed in line with David for a half hour only to be told that I had to go through a different line because I had an e-visa. So I move to another line while David went to a currency exchange counter. This line that I was in was so lonely. There were many other people there, mostly Asians, there was a group of Americans ahead of me, but they were their own group, so I didn’t say anything, and not knowing if the others around me knew english I just stood quietly. Instead of playing a game or listening to music on my phone I decided to listen to the customs counter people. I noticed that they did not smile. They barely spoke. So I made up my mind that when I got up there I was going to be this cheery red-headed-american and try and bring a smile to whomever was helping me. When I was motioned over by someone I went up to the counter, big grin, cheery disposition, passport and e-visa paper in hand and said a happy “Hi! How are you?”
Nothing. Not even a smile in return from the customs officer folks. Everything he needed me to do, he motioned with his hands. I wasn’t asked why I was coming to India, I wasn’t asked where I was coming from, I wasn’t asked what I was bringing into the country. All the prep and worry in the hotel two nights before seemed not to be needed. After my turn ended I passed by him with a smile, and went on my way. I was stopped again for another passport and visa check before I got through to baggage claim with David. THAT guy responded with a smile and a “Welcome to India!”
David met me at the baggage claim after only being able to exchange $80 american dollars to Indian Rupees. We then walked out of the airport where we were met with a smell of spices and herbs. I can’t really explain it. The air just had this smell to it, and it wasn’t a bad, smoggy smell; you can get close to the experience if you go into an Indian grocery store. I loved it right away.
Outside we were expecting a van from Holiday Inn Express to be there, just waiting. We were wrong. I should have made arrangements with the hotel before we left, you know letting them know our flight number and arrival date and time. But since I didn’t, David had to brave our first experience with being a minority in a foreign land, not knowing the language, he had to use a payphone, and by payphone I mean a man who was standing next to 3 phones who would dial the number for you, wait for someone to pick up on the other end and then hand you the phone. David told me about his experience, not being able to hear the person on the other end because they were speaking very softly compared with the noise of being right outside the airport. I asked if he was sure he passed along the message, and he wasn’t 100% confident that he had. Then a gentleman from inside the airport motioned us through the windows that someone would be there very soon. So I guess David’s message got through to the right people!
The hotel was less than a mile away from the airport so it was a short drive over. Once arriving our luggage was scanned (all 6 bags and 2 backpacks), and we had to go through metal detectors to even get into our hotel. After all that hubbub, we were checked in and our stuff was taken to our room for us. David tried to get more money exchanged at the hotel, but they were only able to get us about $30 to Rupees.
We got to our room and my brother is so excited to have us in the same timezone, so he started texting David hints to help with jet lag… “Don’t sleep.” ha ha ha!! It was 4:30pm Local time and we had been awake for nearly 30 hours by that point with little bits of sleep on the flight over. I thought to myself “Just give me 2 hours, then we can do dinner and watch something, then I’ll be good.” David didn’t let me fall asleep completely, so I actually got up at 6:20pm and I was grumpy at him for not letting me sleep.
We went down to the beautiful dining room and were told that the dinner buffet wasn’t being opened until 7pm but we were welcome to wait. So we just sat watching the cooks and waiters, we had some bottled water. The buffet was amazing and I was so excited about all the different types of Indian foods available, except my tummy wasn’t on Indian time yet, so I didn’t eat as much as I wanted to because I felt wishy-washy.
I was not the most awake person. But the food sure was good.
When we were finished eating, we paid the bill and just enjoying small talk and people watching. David asked the waiter if there was a way he could get a Coca-cola can to take back home, the waiter said he’d see what he could do. A few minutes later he came back bearing 2 cans of coke for us, David asked how much he owes, and the waiter said “My gift to you. Thank you.” We were both very thankful. Then headed back to our room for some mindless TV and sleep.
We didn’t make it watching TV, we crashed, until about 5:30am when we both started stirring in bed because our bodies were telling us it was time to be up. We fought it until 6:30 then we decided that it was time to get up and going, we’d do better being early at the airport anyway. So we both showered and packed our stuff, and headed down with our luggage for breakfast. The breakfast was a great combination of Traditional Indian breakfast foods, and american and european style pastries. With our tummies still off, we had a small, light breakfast with one of the BEST little cups of coffee we’ve had in our lives. WAY better than our weekly Starbucks, by far!
We were driven back to the airport and had to have our flight information and our passports available to the security guy to look at before we were even allowed into the airport. I’m glad that David had made copies of all of our travel documents before we left the states! Once inside we found the Air India check in counter and stood in line again. After about 15 minutes we were called to the counter but this time we could only check 4 out of 6 suitcases, because of the smaller plane or something. We left the line and were headed to security when David realized that he had left his Leatherman in one of the suitcases we decided to keep with us, So he went back to the check in counter to try and catch our luggage before it went through, but he was too late, so we had to arrange for another bag to be checked, which we had to pay for. While he went and did that, I looked over at the line for security and noticed that it was just getting longer and longer, so I went over and moved up with the line until I was a few people from going through then I just stood there, letting people pass me until David walked around and under some barricades to meet me in line.
Making our way through security once again started with our tickets and passports, then on to the metal detectors. We were shuffled to the end line with several other men who kinda just shoved their ways passed us and cut in line. We didn’t know enough to say anything, and we weren’t running late so we just kinda went with it. But then someone native spoke up after we had like 5 guys in a group just try and shove their way through, putting their stuff on the conveyor belt right in front of our stuff and standing there. We then became part of the group of complainers because someone had said something about it. HA HA HA!
After we made it to the front of the conveyor belt line with our stuff put on it, I had to step out of this line and make my way to a different line that was for women. This line and the women in this line weren’t any better, there was cutting and pushing here too. I stood in this line for nearly 30 minutes before I got to walk through the metal detectors and then be waved over with a wand in a little booth set aside for women. Men were able to be ‘wanded’ (is that a word?) out in the open and so their line went really quickly. Our line was backed up because airport personnel would just bring in grandma ladies in wheelchairs and cut right in front, and since those ladies weren’t traveling alone, their travel companions had to go through the detectors right after them.
Again, me being an american, and not knowing an ounce of their language said nothing, I let the older ladies pass and their helpers without complaint. Then I looked at my watch. We were to start boarding soon, so I became a bit more bold. I stopped letting people in, and I stayed as close to the lady in front of me so no one could ‘cut’ in front. David had grabbed my backpack and headed to our gate by this point, so he could ‘hold the plane’ for me if needed. After I got my turn, I greeted the lady in the booth, she asked where I was from and chit chatted a little while she waved me down. That was a nice change. Once done and out of the booth, I started to run to my gate. I got there, and they had changed the gate to the next one over. I was so set on this being my gate that I didn’t see David dancing up and down the aisle to get my attention. HA HA HA!!
I walked over to him, out of breath, and he said “do you want a coffee?” I was all “wha!?” He said “you passed a Starbucks on your way, should I get us some coffee? It doesn’t look like our plane is even here yet.” (Does the man even have to ask??) So he strolls off down the walkway leaving me, panting, and I kid you not, less than 5 minutes after he leaves I hear them announce the beginning of the boarding for our flight! I’m thinking it’ll be okay, they just started the boarding, David has at least 15 minutes. Another 5 minutes pass and the guy comes on the intercom and says “Last boarding call for…” I kinda took a double take at the guy at the counter. Seriously? Last boarding call? You just started boarding!! He made the announcement again, so I walk up to the counter and say “My husband is here, he’s just getting coffee.” they ask for his number so they can call him, I respond “his phone doesn’t work here.” So I just stand there and every minute or so they ask, “Is he coming?” I just shake my head and say “not yet.”
Those were some worrisome minutes for me, afraid that they were really just going to have us miss this flight and be delayed getting to our family in Bagdogra another day. Finally I catch a glimpse of this crazy white guy carrying 2 drinks and a bag in his hands running to our gate, I said “I see him, he’s right there.” and laugh. I show them my boarding pass and start walking down the ramp carrying both of our backpacks.
You know what? We weren’t even the last to board.
We had finally boarded our last flight before I got to see my family. I was so excited! Our seat mate this time wasn’t talkative, he kind of just bunkered down to doze off for the 2 hour flight. Since we didn’t have on board entertainment, David and I watched a movie off of his phone. We were shocked to be served lunch on a 2-hour flight, we’re so used to american flights where you are lucky to get drink service on a flight that short.
DIY inflight entertainment.
We soon landed in Bagdogra, and my heart starts pumping fast. I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas morning to come so I can finally see my gifts. HA! The airport itself isn’t big, so the plane that we had flown in on had to ‘park’ away from the gates and we had to walk. We walked in and straight to baggage claim where, on the other side of the metal barriers were my brother, and family. I got to give hugs to Aida and Tekoa right away but my littlest niece, who was just 4.5 months old when they left and only having seen me on a screen, wasn’t so sure about me. But after David collected the luggage, she was smitten with him.
I was super excited to see my family.
We walked out of the airport, no customs, or security this time, and to their parking lot. We loaded up all of our luggage and then loaded into their vehicle. When we got into the car, Layani was comfortable enough with me to sit on my lap for a few miles, but then she moved to “Unca David” for the rest of the ride. While Chris drove, Monica warned us that we may see people using the side of the road for doing their ‘business’, so be ready to avert our eyes. We didn’t see any, thankfully.
Being driven around in India is JUST like you see it in the movies. Cars, buses, rickshaws, cows, bicycles, and people all trying to get somewhere at the same time. No one is afraid to push through or pass you when you don’t think there’s enough room. For some reason I wasn’t afraid while being driven around, maybe it’s because I kinda expected it because of having conversations with those who had been in the middle east and experienced it.
We made it back to their house, and lugged all of our stuff inside. Aida had given up her room for us to stay in while we were there, so we took our bag and backpacks up and left the other 5 bags down stairs for they were full of stuff for the family. We got some water, had a cup of coffee and talked for a few minutes to decompress from our flights. Next thing I know we’re in the living room and the opening of the suitcases has begun.
Our own mosquito net.
It was like Christmas morning, and the saying “a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” Family and friends from America sent gifts and needs for my brother and his family. David had packed them all well into the suitcases, but we didn’t keep track of what was in each, so he’d pull one up to open it and sometimes to kids would be super excited, but then other times it was just full of clothes.
After the fun and chaos of opening the stuff had subsided, Monica made us Indian Broccoli Chicken and rice for dinner. We then started a game of Monopoly and Monica started helping Tekoa build one of his lego sets. After a while she left and I continued helping him build on his set, while playing monopoly with Aida and having Layani brush my hair; I was in Aunt heaven being able to spend quality time with my nieces and nephew without them or I being pulled away by my own kids.
We looked at the clock and called it quits at 10:30pm, I think I was kinda zombied out. We found out as we were putting the kids to bed that Monica had gone upstairs to use the baby doppler that was sent over from her sister to hear the baby’s heartbeat for the first time. That was exciting for all of us. Sending the kids off to bed with a giant squeeze made my day. We made it to bed by 11pm that night.
It felt like home.
To be continued…
*It was such an honor to be able to take all of the gifts over to them. The love that people here in the states have for them in India is so moving that it is a continued encouragement to my heart for them while they are there. So thank you for giving.
I can’t count how many times those questions have been asked over the past 3 and a half weeks. Too many friends have come to me and said they wanna hear all about it, that I know I’ll never have the time to meet with them, even in groups, to talk about it.
So here it goes:
Preparations for our trip started last year about this time, but at that time I was working out the quirks in our schedule to allow David to go alone. He was in the midst of working towards his VCDX for VMWARE, and I was thinking it might be a good chance for him to step back and take a much needed break.
After coming close to picking out dates and starting the Visa application, David received a call from his mother which changed our plans and his life. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer and was given 3-6 months to live. Needless to say, with the uncertainty of her passing looming over our heads, we decided that India would have to wait.
9 months later, after having said a sad good-bye to his mother, but knowing she’s in the presence of her savior, and having achieved his VCDX, I once again was starting to look for a good time for him to go. I submitted his paperwork, and got his official visa and starting talking to our family in India about the best time to come. One night while Skyping, my brother shyly asks “Why isn’t Stephanie coming?” I told him that I hadn’t renewed my passport and the Visa would take too long after having to wait for my passport. David turns to me and says “Why don’t you go do your passport and get an e-visa just for our trip?” I hemmed and hawed and came back “What about our kids?”
A day later a wonderful friend came up to me after youth group and said “I’ve been speaking with your brother and sister and gotta ask, why aren’t you going?” I started saying “Well, our kids…” she stopped me and said “Don’t let your kids be the excuse for you not to go. We’ll take them!” So I went home that night and mentioned it to David and he said “why don’t you go ahead and get your passport renewed and get a Visa so we can both go.”
So I did.
3 weeks and 3 days ago we began our first India adventure, with more to follow, Lord willing.
We started our trek by loading up 10 suitcases, 6 backpacks, 5 sets of winter clothes, and driving to Kittanning to drop off our 3 boys at Rhonda’s house, the friend who said that she’d take the kids. Upon pulling out of their driveway we realized that we had forgotten to grab the cash that we had pulled out of the bank to take with us to India. We called Tyler, who was watching our house and dog while we were away, and had him meet us with the cash in Harmer before we jumped on the highway.
Luggage for 5 kids, gifts for India, and our own carry-ons.
The trip to Fredericksburg, VA to drop meet with my sister in law, Megan, who was taking our girls while we were gone, was mostly uneventful except for a weird noise we were hearing from the engine, it didn’t sound too bad so we decided to make a mental note to get the van into the shop shortly after our return home.
We met at a gas station, and boy! excitement was in the air from both my girls, my nephews, and Megan about spending the next two weeks together. David checked the fluids in the van while we got gas, just to make sure the noise wasn’t something simple. Then we drove back to Dulles to stay the night at a hotel.
We checked into our hotel, talked about what we were going to say to the immigration officers about the purpose of our trip, and made a short Walmart list. It was close to dinner time so we went to our car, started it and were startled at the loud sound coming from our front end, this time it seemed like something that needed to be taken care of before we headed back home on a 5 hour drive. So while I was in Walmart getting the few things on our list, David called around and found a mechanic who would be willing to examine our van, fix the problem and hold our vehicle for 2 weeks. We are so thankful that we found one!
We drove to Dulles Auto Clinic, explained our problem, dropped the keys and then ordered an Uber to take us and our 6 bags of luggage back to the hotel. We walked around the area to try and get some dinner, but all the places were closed, or no longer in business. While out walking David realised that we were in the same business area that he was in a year ago for work, he just stayed at a different hotel in the area.
On our way back to the hotel, we were walking together in the light of a full moon, we wanted to get a picture of the beautifulness of it, but only had our phones, and the lighting wasn’t quite right, so we snapped a photo just to remember.
That night we ordered in Italian for dinner, we split a wonderful Chef salad a yummy Stromboli, and watched a movie while trying to calm our hearts and heads about our trip…
