Always an Adventure!

Oh, you're wondering why my left arm is all bruised? Hmm...let me tell you. It's because I got "hit" by the mirror of a passing car!! LOL. It's so funny...I love the fact that even though the road I was walking on was a "two-laner" it suddenly became a five or even six lane road...two-wheelers, cars, auto-rickshaws, buses...everyone just goes wherever they see a tiny gap - keeps life exciting. So I was just walking down to the bookstore and noticed that some cars and autos were coming towards me (on a one-way street by the way - they were going the opposite direction 'cuz it was too far to go around the other way - haha)...I moved over as far as I could but the guy still hit my arm...so I in turn hit the back of his car and he waved out the window and yelled "Sorry Madam!" - so funny. That was one of my adventures in Bangalore...a beautiful city about 5 hours west of where my parents live. The weather is wonderful there because of its higher elevation...there's lots to do and see...but it's a very, very busy place, traffic-wise. We got cheated a number of times by the auto drivers because they knew right away that we weren't from the area. A 10 minute drive which would normally cost the base rate of 14 Rupees (about 30 cents - LOL) would end up costing us anywhere from 60 Rupees to 90 Rupees ($1.25 - $1.85) since the drivers would take us all about town blaming the one-way streets...but really it was so that the meter would read a higher number once we finally got to our destination. It's funny when you look at it in dollars 'cuz it's so cheap...but in Rupees it's kind of ridiculous to pay Rs. 90 for a 10 min. drive. Nevertheless I had fun...my Dad wasn't too thrilled about the daily cheating adventures ;-)

The past couple of weeks has been full of travel...have been on the road as well as on the track. The train system in India is great...but it's also a little crazy...quite crowded at the station and you never know what you're gonna see. When waiting for the train at the Bangalore Cantonment Station this drunk guy was meandering about (he was all dressed up...and it was 2:30pm so not sure what he was up to)...but suddenly he walked off the side of the platform and fell onto the track...headfirst...two guys next to me took off running and helped him up. It was quite a drop off the platform...I was sure he was knocked out but he managed to get up and start meandering about again. I think he got onto the un-reserved compartment on our train...I hope he was okay.

Bangalore was a ton of fun. I got to meet up with my god-parents whom I haven't seen in many, many, many years (I'm named after my god-mother...we tood a picture: Nalini Sr. and Nalini Jr. - LOL). They've known me since I was a teeny-tot...back from Ethiopia. We keep in touch but we haven't been face-to-face in some time. I also got to see some good ol' friends...for those of you who know her, I saw Maria Chacko (now Chand) and her new husband Ramesh. We had a jolly time roaming about town. India is a lot of fun...just grab an auto and head into town and then walk about looking at everything...oh, and try not to get hit (I'm serious....traffic is insane...everywhere). I also got to see other friends whom we knew in Africa - it was a wonderful time re-connecting.

Chennai (Madras) was also a fun place to hang out - I went out to the mall oneday...by myself (my Dad was a little stressed about that) and ended up bargaining for a great pair of "Bollywood" shoes. That's the name of the brand - LOL! The guy must have been impressed with my bargaining skills (that too in Tamil - my Dad's language) 'cuz he finally gave me the price I asked for...either that or he got tired of listening to me speaking Tamil with a slight American accent ;-)

It's been fun hanging out with relatives and old friends...seeing the sights, speaking Tamil everyday (my own style of Tamil - LOL!), eating good Indian food (the vegetarian food is amazing), walking all over town, enjoying the weather (I hear it's quite cold back in GR...yikes)...I can't believe it will all be over soon. I'll be leaving India in 10 days, and will spend some time in Dubai before heading back to the US. This weekend our family is hosting a dinner for relatives and close friends...basically a time for us to worship together, give thanks and praise to God for all that He's done/is doing, and also a time for fellowship and reunion. I look forward to seeing family members/friends who are traveling from various cities to be a part of this gathering. I'll take pictures...the banquet hall we rented at the Riverview Hotel looks like a mini Taj Mahal...pretty sweet. I've enjoyed being back here (especially since I haven't gotten ill)...can't wait to do it again soon. Anyone up for a trip? Start saving! :-)

I pray that this finds you all well. I will write again soon. Thinking of you during this Christmas season...I pray your every day would be JOY-full. Sending you lots of love from India. Peace.