A few notes from/on the summer break journey/tour:
Where was/is Devan?
July 5th
Arrived in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (abreev. UP, not to be confused with Upper Peninsula). From the train station to the taxi stand Tim, the British supervisor-slash-friend, and I didn't have to deal with any taxi or auto rickshaws - THAT WAS AMAZING! Many thanks to Prateek, fellow dorm parent at Woodstock, who has a car, and was willing to host us while we were in Lucknow, his "hood".
We took a guided tour of the Bara Imambara and chilled (literally-slash-figuratively) in malls, because it was so frickin' hot and humid! I purchased some Senheisser earbuds, which thus far, have allowed me to enjoy My Morning Jacket - Circuital, The Roots - How I Got Over & a few episodes of MAD MEN. We also enjoyed amazing food/kebabs with two Woodstock students who live there.
July 7th
After Prateek helped us arrange a taxi, it was off to Rupaidiha, UP (again, not MI) where we stayed with Tim's friends Roy and Jennifer Ramble. R & J hosted us in their home and shared the story of their ministry - 25 years ago they started a mission school for girls. Now, in addition to the school, there is also a Girl's Home with around 50 girls living there. To call them heroes would be an understatement! Recurring theme: Generosity - hosts more generous than you could ever imagine.
July 10th
After a worship service in the Ramble's living/dinning/multi-purpose room, we drove across the border into Nepalgunj and hopped on a plane (a really small plane) for Kathmandu. It was cloudy while up in the air, but Tim was able to spot a few peaks from our window - one or more of them were probably among the top 10 tallest mountains in the world - NBD (no big deal/no biggie).
Kathmandu: Dinner at the Funky Buddha, enjoyed beef and beer - Nepal's far superior to India in these areas of culture - "Mint!" The area in which we're staying should certainly be mentioned on the "Stuff White People Like" website. Nepalese are certainly a minority here :)
Sounds: Last night Bob Marley's Survival album, the only one I've ever purchased, was playing on random (probably on a 5 disk CD player) at the Funky Buddha. I laughed at Tim's comment after hearing Bob sing the song, "Af-ri-ca u-nite" - its ironical because on that same day Sudan officially split into two countries... Currently, I can hear a restaurant playing a Tracy Chapman CD (maybe the one and only CD). And the cafe I'm in was playing some Joni Mitchell at a softer volume.
Planning to visit some boys/Woodstock students for lunch in a few minutes. I'll fly back to Delhi on the 22nd.
LOL (lots of love)
D.
PS - Editor wanted. If you spot grammatical errors please let me know. Thanks.
