check facebook for picture album, India trip, volume I
Did you ever play the video game frogger? The poor amphibian had to leap from one lily pad to another without falling in, or in other versions, the poor little guy got lost in the city and had to cross the street, between moving cares w/out getting squished. Well...
Our afternoon adventure began with Marian, a laughter loving Australian nurse here for the past twenty years, and possibly for life. While her husband Cassius slept through the morning after returning from a month long trip at 6am this morning, she donned her sunglasses and drove like James Bond through the city. No kidding, now! Down the left hand side of the road we sped, dodging pedestrians, motorcycles, three wheeled rickshaws, cows and pigs! If there was one close call there were a hundred. Yes, I raised my eyebrows, time after time! How scary is it? (Remember I have some experience racing bicylces)I wouldn't drive or ride anything, even if you triple dog-dared me!
Jill shopped for a lovely traditional outfit and we had lunch at a South Indian restaurant. Food is eaten w/ the right hand only, and preferably with the hand and not utensils. You break off a piece of flat bread (nan, sp?), and scoop rice, curry, etc. with it, lick your fingers, resist wiping them on the non-existent napkin on your lap (they don't use napkins), and wait for the bowl of hot water to rinse/wash your hand after the meal.
After lunch it was time for another game of frogger and dodge the cows. Jill remarked that I grabbed her hand this time. Although I was a blocker in football, I played the role of a running back following the experienced Marian as she stepped in front of moving motorcycles, buses, and cars across about 4 lanes (there are no lanes and no stoplights). Whew! You really would have to see this to believe it. It's unprecedented in our lives.
The next few hours were spent at Marian and Cassius's, briefing on the model of marriage coaching. They have served many and want to learn to serve more. We will be spending more time w/ them.
This neighborhood (society) has a clubhouse w/ weight room, table tennis and a pool. Some laps really felt good. I needed to breath hard and stretch all my muscles.
I came back to find Jill crashed on the bed, succumbed once again to jet lag, but just briefly. Our hosts say that we are going really well adjusting.
This evening was another surprise. A Norwegian family of 7 came for dinner accompanied by their friend Brian. Years ago our hostess, Pat, Ruard, and Brian served together in Hong Kong. This was a type of reuinion, and it was fun.
At first the gathering was intriguing and a bit somber. Ellen and Ruard's oldest (16)departed by Rickshaw with Brian's youngest (10) for an HIV orphanage, to spend the night, "to love the kids", said Miriam (16 yr. old). She wants to become and M.D. to serve such children, and I hope she does. Wonderful! The children at the orphanage gain admission when their parents die from HIV, or they contract it themselves.
Then the gathering was fun. The reunited trio used to do some theatrics to engage and entertain different groups, so they danced one of their routines for us.
It's hard to believe that we've been here under 48 hours (since 4am Thursday, and now its 10pm Friday). It seems like years. Conversations are fascinating with all due to stories they've accrued and passions developed to help people in a multitude of countries in a multitude of ways. It all makes once want to continually recite John Wesley's words, "Do as much good as you can, for as many as you can, as well as you can, for as long as you can." It's awesome to hang out with folks who've taken that so seriously.
time for nighty-night!
Love, Jeff and Jill
I was expecting to see a photo of Jill in her lovely outfit. When is that coming?
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