So Long India

Hello Thailand...in full disclosure I wrote this blog post several days ago, however, haven't had the chance to upload it until just now!  I will post more about my journey to Bangkok soon!

Greetings everyone.  Lots to update on since my last Blog post!  We successfully made it out of Lucknow, and had a wonderful stay in India’s “Golden Triangle”.  Our journey started off in Agra, where we woke up at 530 am to see the Taj Mahal.  I’ve read time and again that pictures can not to the Taj Majal Justice, and I could not agree more.  I was blown away by the Taj, and would strongly suggest anyone coming to this part of the world to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise.  Without a doubt it is one of the most specatular sites I’ve ever seen.  Beyond the Taj, we stopped by the Agra Fort and got some lunch at the Pizza Hut/Costa Coffee before heading the train station.  Fortunately our luck with the Indian railway system increased dramatically after day one, and I would highly recommend…granted there was one dicey incident in which a local threw a rock at our train car causing glass to explode all over the place.  After Agra, we made our way to Jaipur which is known as the pink city. We stayed in a neat little hostel and the owner arranged a tour of the city for us.  We saw, the Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar, City Palace, and the Hawa Majal.  After our afternoon of sightseeing we made our way to the Jaipur train station, where we nearly missed our train to Delhi and Bobby and I were forced to jump on to a moving rail car.  This close call was definitely an exciting way to leave this city.

Bobby at City Palace in Jaipur

We reached Delhi at 10pm, and got out at the train station in Pahargunj.  Our hotel was nice all things considered, as this part of town is pretty seedy filled with lots of poor Indians.  After sleeping in we woke up and too an adventure to Old Delhi, starting with the Red Fort, followed by a tour of Chadni Chowk on a man powered rickshaw.  Our driver was really knowledgeable and brought us around all of the spice and flower markets in old Delhi.  We also stumbled across the “camera” portion of town, and I pulled the trigger on a fancy camera for the remainder of our trip.  Many of the pictures you’ve seen on this blog are thanks to Ben Heiber’s photo skills, and I can only hope to mimic his skills.  After the camera shop we saw some more sites, culminating in Karim’s restaurant for lunch.  I was told to come here from Sarah Kaye when she visited Kopila Valley, and her recommendation was spot on.  The food was amazing, and Bobby and I both agreed that not only was it the best Indian food we’ve ever had, but some of the best food in general.

The following day we hired a car to take us on a tour through New Delhi.  The contrast between New Delhi and Old Delhi was enormous, and you could tell quickly that this area was awash with money.  Between palatial houses, the government buildings circling the India Gate, and the spotless streets this area was unlike the India we’d seen the day before.  Our driver for New Delhi day was awesome and honest, and mentioned up front to us that he would give us   a good deal on our tour if we stopped at three stores.  In Delhi the drivers get gas vouchers if they bring you to a government store.  We did not need to purchase anything, however, by poking our heads in for a few minutes we got a good break from driving and an affordable journey around Delhi.

My final thoughts on India (taking into account my brief stay) are that it is not a fun place, however, it is really interesting.  Once you get over the intial paranoia that you’re constantly getting conned and get past the congestion, it’s a fascinating place with lots to see and take in.  While I would not suggest coming here for a bachelor party, its definitely worth a stop while on life’s great adventure.

On the plane to Bangkok right now, and will be sure to update more with some thoughts on Thailand.  With respects to the Kopila Kids, I miss them more and more each day and while I’m excited and happy to be on this adventure with Bob I think about my Family & Friends from Kopila and Home constantly.

Until I write again…Cheers!

So Long Kopila...Part 1

Hi everyone!  So I’m writing this email from my hotel in Lucknow India!  The past 48 hours have been a whirlwind of emotions, with Highs, lows, Happiness, Sadness, and a fair share of frustration.   On Thursday night, I had a wonderful going away dinner with Top, United, Mr. Doyne, and all of the fellows.  It’s become a bit of a tradition amongst the fellows, that we go to dinner two nights before someone’s departure, followed by a last night with the kids.  We had a blast at dinner, and I was fortunate to sit next to Top who has become one of my favorite people in the world during these six months. 

Goodbye Dinner!

On Friday, I woke up early for my last full day at Kopila and enjoyed a pot of coffee with some of the other volunteers.  During the day there were lots of tears, especially from Amrika Auntie who is potentially the nicest person I’ve ever met in my entire life.  She is my “sister” for life, and I love her so much.  Despite the fact that the language barrier is quite steep, we’ve managed to build a wonderful relationship out of smiles and laughs.  Seeing her well up throughout the day was extremely tough, and we had a wonderful bonding moment when she delivered a going away scarf she knit for me.  Speaking of scarfs, Kasum auntie also sewed me the mother of all scarfs as a going away present.  Over the next month, I’ll be sure to send out some pictures while rocking the scarf.  In addition to the aunties, Friday afternoon also meant saying goodbye to some of my favorite children at the school. I gave all of my favorites a picture, and a treat to say so long. 

One of my favorite people ever and my sister for life...Amrikia

After school I got ready for my final coaching assignment against the Army school.  The army school is the toughest soccer program in the area, and hasn’t lost in a very long time.  That said, are boys put up one heck of a fight.  We were locked up in a 0-0 tie at the end of the first half.  Unfortunately, the first half was 35 minutes, and for some reason they made the second half 45 minutes.   As a result of the miscommunication they scored 3 goals in the last “ten minutes” of the game when we were playing extremely aggressively thinking the game was over.  Despite the final score, I was incredibly proud of our boys, and it was a really nice goodbye to the soccer team.

Boys Soccer with Army School

One of my favorites...Laxmi Sunar

Friday night we had our farewell satsung and movie night, followed by a very early wakeup Saturday morning.  It was a wonderful goodbye, and nearly all of the aunties, uncles, volunteers, and many of the kids came to say goodbye to Bobby and I.  The transition was made a bit easier by the team that drove us down to the border.  Seven of us drove down, including the principal, Top, Kasum, Gogan, and United.  We had one final nice breakfast at Kitchen Hut in Nepal Gunj, and then got to the border.  The army of helpers was wonderful, and they really helped Bobby and I get through a very stressful process.  Upon saying goodbye, I think the gravity of everything hit me and for the first time during my last two days I got a bit worked up.  Not to sound too sappy, but something in Gogan Uncles eyes as he said goodbye really got to me, and I just about lost it.  I will miss everyone immensely, and I look on the past six months as some of the happiest in my life.

After our departure, we got in our cab for the five hour drive down to Lucknow.  Unfortunately, we missed our train due to a big accident, and were forced to stay here rather than making it to Agra yesterday evening.  After some very stressful moments at the train station we managed to get a train for today and will be reaching Agra last night.  The silver lining came when we stumbled upon a Dominoes and McDonalds last night.  Never in my life have chicken nuggets, fries, breadsticks, a pepperoni pizza, and a Mcflurry tasted so good! 

I think that’s all for now…Apologies for the scatterbrained blog post.  I’ll be sure to post a better reflection on my time at Kopila soon.  Just a bit frazzled from this entire Indian experience thus far, which does not lend itself to quality writing.  I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated on our travels!

John