Homeward Bound Pt. Two

Arrived at Indira Ghandi International Airport at about 9.15pm.  I'm told that I'll have to wait until 11pm before I can go into the airport, but I manage to head in at 10.30pm.  

It was absolute chaos inside!  I feel very sorry for BA staff who have to answer the same questions time after time after time.  There is no real concept of queueing - what a great attribute of the British it is!  Everything goes fine until the last minute when I'm about to board.  I'm told I need to go back to security and get a stamp so that I can bring my bag on the plane!  So I'm running and rushing back to security - and the Indians are laid back, relaxed as usual!  But it's okay, and I'm on the fight no problem.  

I've slept for perhaps three hours, which is good, I wasn't expecting to sleep at all.  The entertainment on this plane is poor.  Currently we are flying over Czech Republic towards Germany.  We are at 38000 ft. and it's -51 degrees outside.  One hour twenty minutes until we reach London.  Time in India is 10:10am.  Time in England is 5:40am.  The first thing I do when I step off the plane is to breathe deeply of the English air.  And once home, to have a cup of good coffee.

Homeward Bound Pt. One

Seven hours in a car is a very long time.  

Delhi is a very busy and bug place.

We stopped off at Cheetal Grand - the Indian version of a service station.  In some ways exactly the same as one off the M25... in other ways quite magical.

We spent a long time travelling next to a river, as the sun disappeared - that was nice.  

Gosh, this was a long and hot journey.

Day Twenty-Five: 14 April 2008

Jo turns 20 today, I'll send her a text before I get on the plane.  

Woke up at 7am today - ten hours sleep, that should do me good with the 20 hours of travelling that I face today!

Pottered about, read a bit of Bauman (which suddenly became interesting!).  Then I packed, got it all in better than when I packed for coming, and I've more stuff to take back!

I left in the taxi at 2.07pm.  Here goes seven hours of driving in intense heat...

Day Twenty-Four: 13 April 2008

Today it was up at 6am to leave at 7am.  Goodness did I not want to wake up this morning!  Anyway, off we went into the forrest for a church picnic.  It was better than I expected.  We had a worship time, played some games, had some lunch, then had a quiz on Exodus.  Quite a typical church picnic!

The heat was intense though, I was sweating just sitting down!  There is certainly a difference in heat now from when I arrived nearly a month ago. 

We ate pizza from Domino's tonight, was a lovely thing for Sam and Margaret to do.  It was exactly the same as the Domino's in England.  

Now it's 9pm, and I'm shattered and off to bed.

Day Twenty-Three: 12 April 2008

Today hsa been a very quiet day.  Nice to do nothing after the last few days.

A busy day for everyone else though it seems, preparing for the church picnic tomorrow.  Sam does far too much really.  Two thing I need to remember should  become a pastor (still likely), are to not do everything and to communicate well.  I prepared and spoke at the youth meeting.  It went okay I think... I never know how my talks are taken.

A family are staying the night tonight in the room next to me, the father is an anesthetist who is taking a two day exam.  The family is nice.  Saurebh came round for food this evening too - as did Reemah and Seemah.  

Tomorrow is the church picnic, and my last day.

Day Twenty-Two: 11 April 2008

I managed to sleep pretty well - again waking up pretty early, 6ish.  Hung about a bit, we were going to elave for Jagadrhi at 9am, getting there for lunch then heading home.  I was expecting to get back around 4pm.

However, there was a manic search for an item of clothing that had to be returned to Cheren.  It took a good 45 minutes to find it, so we didn't end up leaving until 9.40, after a breakfast of omellete and chapatee.  My stomach wasn't doing so good.  I used an Indian toilet for the first time last night, and again this morning.  They are rather unnerving things, you feel like you are going to fall into them!

So we were on the road for an hour and a half before we got to Ambala - where Ashok's parents-in-law lived.  We made an unscheduled (at least to me!) stop.  Whilst there Ashok went off with his father-in-law telling me he'd be half an hour.  He was an hour and a half... so there's me sitting in a strange Indian's home, having been left by the only person I know!  But he did return, and all was fine.

From there we went onto Cheren's.  Arrived at 2.45pm, and was then told we'd stay until 4.30pm!  Certainly not the way I'd have travelled, I'd ahve calculated we could have arrived home at least eight hours earlier then we were going to!  But I am the guest, and these Indian's know what they're doing.  So as Ashok and Cheren slept, I read the Bible.  

We ended up leaving at 4.40pm, and it was a bit cooler which made travelling quite nice.  In total during my time in India I have spent about 20 hours on the back of a motorcycle - having never done so before in my life!

The only eventful thing on this trip was a puncture!  But thankfully we were at that point travelling through a town, and actually only ten feet away from a guy who fixed punctures for a living.  So 45 minutes, a couple of bottles of fanta, and a new tyre inner later and we were off again.  We finally made it home at about 8.45 pm.  Nice.

Then I took Sam, Margaret and Keren out for dinner.  We went to Kumar's food. It was nice, a meal for the four of us (with left overs) cost under a tenner!  Conversation strained sometimes but it was okay tonight.  

Came home and time for bed.  Quite a trip!  Glad I went, equally glad it's over.  And home on monday!

Day Twenty-One: 10 April 2008

Woke up around 6ish, dozed until 7am.  Sleep was okay, disturbed by heat and the electricity going on and off (which meant the fan kept turning on and off throughout the night).

Was greeted with chai.  Very slowly getting used to it... very slowly.  Then just kind of pottered about for a bit - attempted some kind of a wash, but it wasn't much.  Had a breakfast of egg something or other, was quite nice.  At about 9.30 we went to the school they had for gipsy kids.  They are all eager to learn, all wanted to show me their workbooks.  I told them the story of Daniel and the Lions Den.  Not sure if it went down all that well - Cheren seemed to be more forceful with them than I was.  Probably cultural.  They have been running the school for a year and already they have about 60 kids.  All the kids are gipsys, living in the slums in Jagadrhi, Haryana.   They're doing a good work.

Ashuk and I then travelled three hours to Punjab.  We stayed at his family home.  They were very hospitable and really enjoyed seeing me.  We had lunch there and then went onto an dedication service I was speaking at.

It was a very remote place - fields of wheat as far as the eye can see.  Felt like I was in the 'Motorcycle Diaries'.  Got there and it was just a few huts basically - a few small rooms (I was rather glad we weren't spending the night there!). Again, they were very nice people, very hospitable.  Meeting was interesting, sang a lot of songs.  I spoke, it didn't go down so well I don't think, but again, you can never really tell.  Only hope God may use what I said for his purposes.  Then we prayed for a girl with chicken pox (Ashuk prayed).  Then I prayed for a babu called Amos.  So... I came to India and dedicated my first baby!  Couldn't have predicated that. 

We stayed a little longer, they had some traditional Punjabi musicians, a few people danced.  They tried to get me to dance, but it didn't happen.

And with that we left and went back to Ashuk's family.  There was lots of waiting around.  Within five hours the only thing we had really done was eat.  And eating was an experience!  Bone and fat was all it was.  But somehow I managed...!  Note to self:  Don't ever complain about college food again.  We English really don't know how good we've got it.

Had an interesting conversation (via Ashok) with Ashok's brother-in-law.  He wanted to ask me lots of questions but language prohibited him (and me).  Lots of questions about Britain's occupation of India, did I agree with it ot not, that kind of thing.  If I ever come back to India he wants me to visit his village. 

Interestingly they use the word 'expired' when talking about when their father died.  "He expired in 1982" - interesting phraseology.  And with that it was time for bed.  Didn't think I'd be able to sleep - the heat was that intense.  And my arms were red raw with sun burn!

Day Twenty: 9 April 2008

Currently writing this at 10.45pm in Haryana, Cheron's home (the local evangelist), waiting for the electricity to come on before we go to bed (or at least that is what I assume will happen from the snippets of conversation I hear/understand).

This morning was full of waiting, worrying and trusting.  Ashuk arrived, we prayed with Sam and Margaret, then we went to Nijaat to pick up a helmet for me.

Then off we went on a three hour motorbike journey - pretty mental!  I packed too much I think, consequently I have a bad shoulder and a slightly bad back.  Note to self: buy a proper rucksack, they are bigger and generally work better.

Got sunburn on the way too, not too bad - but it could increase in the next few days as I face another nine hours of motorbike riding!

We arrived at Cheron's house, had a nap (of sorts), then got ready for the meeting where I was to speak.  I spoke on forgiveness and as far as I could tell it went pretty well.  Everyone was nice about it.  It is pretty odd speaking with a translator though, you don't actually know if they hear what you have said.  Also, you lose track of where you are and what you've said very quickly and easily.  

Food has been okay here so far.  It is very, very hot here.  And the countryside is very dusty.  Anyway, to bed... it seems.

Day Nineteen: 8 April 2008

Today has been kind of odd.  Didn't do much until about 11.30am, when Vicki (male) picked me up and I went to Nijaat, saying goodbye to the Australians first. 

At Nijaat I spoke to a few of the guys - some were very open about their problems, some just wanted to shake your hand.  Vicki was very open about his problems.  He now works for Nijaat, but was previously on Heroin, cocaine, morphine, opium, alcohol.  And God saved him, quite an incredible testimony.

Came home and read a lot - part way through 1 Kings.  I've read a lot of Bible.  I need to stay humble.

In the evening I went for a Lassey with Madhu.  It's a milky/yoghurty sweet drink.  I quite like it, but only one glass at a time.  Had a good chat with Margaret.

Tomorrow I'm off to Haryanan at about 10/11am.  Not too worried about it, though I have been.  It's all bout trusting God, which is easier said than done - but God is faithful and true.  So it will be okay.

And my bowels moved properly for the first time in India tonight!

Day Eighteen: 7 April 2008

This morning I went to see the Doon Bible College.  It was interesting, they have a pretty long history - established in 1943.  Madhu showed me around.  He's marrying a Swedish lady, so he talked a lot about her.  There seems to be a lot of cross cultural marriages around here.  For me, the idea of marrying someone from the North of England is cross cultural!  (Note: I'm exaggerating, big time.)

Indians are very open, it is more than likely that they will tell you their life story the first time you meet them.  Also gave DBC my email address, not sure what they'll send me, but we'll see. 

Went shopping with Margaret, bought a lot of stuff.  Something for all the family.  It was very interesting shopping, the first place we went in opened everything to show me what it was like.  There was some very nice material in there.  Also had some Indian sweets, milk sweets, they are nice, but sometimes they are far too sweet for my untrained taste buds. 

Came home and had lunch.  Went into planning some talks for my Haryana/Punjab trip.  I had the same lack of motivation I get when I do college work - not good!  Hoping the talk is not too complex/complex enough - it's very difficult to gage here.  Also going to talk about Daniel and the Lions Den to the kids in Haryana.  I've been told the trip is a ministry trip - slightly scary!  So it's all on God to come through.

The Australian quartet came and cooked for us tonight - Chinese chicken and rice.  It was really nice (mainly because it was a change from curry!).  I don't think I'll be eating curry for a little while once I'm back in England!

It was a nice evening, Bahadur turned 30, so we celebrated that and had cake.  It's Oliver's last evening too, odd to think I am likely never to see him again.  Lord, he needs you.  So much.

Going to Nijaat tomorrow, just to be around as they do things - that'll be interesting.  Not sure what's happening or what I'll be doing, but hopefully it will be okay.

Day Seventeen: 6 April 2008

Today has been okay.  It felt like a Monday when I woke up.  Went to church and did the kids group again.  It went better than last week but the kids are similar to English kids - half want to work, listen and interact, half jut want to mess around. 

Came home and had some lunch, people were round, spent most of the time sitting around, talking to them.  Typical it seems.  Then I watched Oceans 12.  It was a nice break, getting my fix of Western culture.

Taxi is now sorted for the trip home.  Must remember to get Sam to fill out the Training Unit form.  Strange to think I'll be leaving in a week, yet at the same time, I'm looking forward to it. 

It felt cold today.  Not as cold as yesterday, but cold still.  Obviously it isn't cold at all (comparable perhaps to rain on an early September day in Britain), and I still sit here in a t'shirt.  In England I'm told it snowed today - now that is crazy... snow in April - this is madness.

I met a guy today called Madhu.  He'll take me around Doon Bible College tomorrow (he works in accounts there), so that'll be interesting.  I'm also going shopping... I must make a list.

Day Sixteen: 5 April 2008

Woke up and went straight to the woman's meeting to help with the kids with Oliver.  It was pretty horrible!  There were two boys and they ran riot.  One of them bit me... nice. They kept pinching and punching the girls.  I guess we weren't prepared, but it is difficult when we're told that they understand English, but they clearly know how to play foreigners and ignore every word.  At one point I was semi wrestling, semi stopping this boy from hitting the girls, and I dropped him on his head - onto a concrete floor.  He ran off crying to his mother.  Big problem in England... no problem in India.  I think we were too soft on the kids because we discipline children differently in England.  In India it is all rough and tough discipline, something we don't have the luxury of in England.  So that wasn't a very nice experience!

After the meeting and lunch we cleaned the church.  Got home at half four.  The youth meeting was cancelled, a nice relief.  And I've declined to go to a wedding reception that Sam asked me to go to.  Quite glad about that because I ended up chatting to Margaret and Bahadur for the evening, which was really nice.  Margaret cooked pasta and broccoli - it was so good to eat pasta again, I forget how much of it we eat in England.

Saurebh came round too.  It was really cold, that is, 15 degrees!  But the drop of about 10 degrees overnight made it feel freezing.  So I'm sleeping under the huge duvet tonight, not just a sheet.  And this is an incredible duvet!

Tomorrow I do Sunday School again.  And monday we shop.  Tuesday I spend in Nijaat (possibly), Wednesday in Haryana, Thursday in Punjab, Friday back to DehraDun.  It should be a quick, interesting and probably very good week.

In other news, I just sneezed ten times in a row.

Day Fifteen: 4 April 2008

Just got back from visiting the villages with Ashuk - was incredible!  We went to seven places (as far as I remember), they were:

1.  ?! For the life of me I can't remember the first place!

2.  A Green house, where a girl was teaching some sewing.

3.  School

4.  In Raipur - an odd house.

5.  Amazing place where a girl of 20/21 was looking after her family.

6.  Up to see a couple, the man of 70 had a broken hip.

7.  A place where the daughter was studying for a BA in Hindi, Sociology and Political Science.

From the second place you could see the most amazing views.  An absolutely idyllic place.  If I could move my 'world' somewhere it would be here.  A girl there was a teacher, teaching other girls to sew and such like.  

The school was interesting, all the kids stared at me.  And no wonder, a strange white ma interrupting their assembly.  This was where they had a medical camp back in January, and gave the kids some sweaters.

Then we went to have lunch in a Tibetan place - dark and dingy.  Had momo chicken and chow mein - was really nice.

Then we went to into Raipur and visited some of Ashuk's friends.  A bit odd, but this was where they had a camp or taught sewing or something - I got a little confused here.

Then we went to the other side of DehraDun, into the mountains on the other side.  We stopped first at the home of a woman only 21 years old - she was looking after the home, her sister and two younger brothers because both of her parents had died.  She had the most deep set, sorrowful, hopeful eyes I've ever seen.  Yet she had the most joyful smile when we came in, she was truly grateful of the visit.  She was the only person in India that seemed genuinely excited and interested at meeting me - though this was spoilt by my own lack of Hindi and her lack of English.  A shame, I would have loved to hear her story and her experiences.  This was probably the visit I enjoyed the most.  I doubt I'll ever see this girl again.  I must pray for her.

Then we walked up a little farther to the home of an old couple.  The man was 70 years old, and had recently broken his hip - so was looking very cold and ill in bed.

Then we popped back down to pick up Ashuk's bag - then went into a village where we spoke to a lady whose daughter was doing a BA in Hindi, Sociology and Political Science, sounds exciting!  They run a youth group, and this lady's kids are involved.

Then we got back on the motorbike and rode home through the mountains and forrests - incredible scenes.

Every place offered my chai...I had about four cups!  Managed to decline two cups...one of which I think was a mistake.  I should accept hospitality.  They value it far higher there than we do here.  Chai is horrible.  Sickly sweet, every time getting sweeter!  I look forward to some real coffee at home.  But should I go again, I will aim not to reject anything.

Interestingly, no matter how poor these villagers were, they all had TV's.  Certainly something I did not expect.  Most had DVD players too.  

Back home Sam got me burning DVD's for the women's meeting tomorrow.  He wanted 40 done, it took 3 hours.  Had a break to go for dinner with Ravi and the three other Aussies.  Dinner was really nice, 'My Wife's Place' was the restaurant.  Had the best chicken I've ever had here - Black pepper chicken.  Was lovely.  We then went back to their hotel room for coffee.  I was asked my favourite thing about India - I could only think of the mountains and the views!  I was ridiculed somewhat, claims that that is not India, only DehraDun.  But then, DehraDun is my experience of India.  To be honest, i have found it tough here.  Though I imagine should I ever come again I will enjoy it more - purely from familiarity.

Got back at 11.30pm and finished the DVD's.  I was thanked when i finished.  And now I'm shattered... absolutely shattered.