So this post is a little past due…but here we go :)
Team India made it back home safe and sound on Wednesday February 3rd! After an exhausting trip we were all happy to be home but already missing all our new friends that we meet all the way from Hosur to Delhi!
Our last stop for the Rotary portion of our trip was Pondicherry! On our way to Pondicherry we stopped for a Repulic Day (Feb 1st) Celebration!
Several different schools from the area were there for one large celebration and each school had its own performance. Just like all the other dance performances we had seen before, this one blew us away! The talent that every child has in India is just incredible, and the costumes were awesome!!
Republic Day Dancer
After the celebration we went for lunch with the district collector for the area and meet some of the Freedom Fighters! These are the men and women who peacefully “fought” with Ghandi!
Team India w/Freedom Fighters
Our fist day in Pondicherry we went to a wedding for a Rotarian’s son. It was real interesting for all of us to be able to sit and watch all the traditions that take place during a traditional Indian wedding. They will start the day before and go through the night….we were only there for the morning portion of the ceremony.
The Bride & Groom
After the wedding we visited a place called Auroville……which was one of the many Highlights of the trip for me!! Its a village in which 55 countries are represented and they live a VERY eco-friendly lifestyles, which was a HUGE attraction for me!! Cars (for the most part) are not allowed in most areas of Auroville so we were able to walk without worrying about traffic and surrounded by trees! The shops they in the village were full of products that were made by the people living in Auroville and a lot of it was made with natural products (leaves, clay & recycled stuff)! Since our shop sales all eco-friendly and handmade products this was obviously,in my eyes, absolutely incredible!! At the center of Auroville is a Golden dome called the Matrimandir, which is a symbol of the Divine’s answer to man’s inspiration for perfection. Nantha, one of the Incoming India Team members, was the perfect guide for us that day since he had lived in Auroville for 2 or 3 years!
Team India at the Matrimandir
We also got to do a lot of shopping in Pondicherry, and the shopping was INCREDDIBLE!!! Being the only girl there the guys had to put up with my shopping…and I did a lot! Clothes for me and my family back home….suvinors and bangles…oh the bangles…….. If there were bangles close by everyone knew I was going to stop and check ‘em out! Even our host began joking with me when we saw bangles…..I could have filled up an entire suitcase with those things!!!! But Enough about shopping………
One day, during our Pondi visit, we traveled to an outlaying city are participate in a Global Warming Walk a college was doing! I wish I could remember how far the walk was but I’m not really sure… We had a great time and enjoyed the time outside to just walk and interact with the students. I even got to do a few round-offs down the street :-)
Kari & Paul w/Global Warming Students & Banner
The same day we visited an Aids Facility that cared for young children that are HIV positive. Each of us were able to interact and play with the children during our visit! The priest at the facility is originally from France and one of the ladies working with the children is originally form Texas! The children at the facility were amazing!! They were so excited to show us the boats they were making on their beds (they tucked their sheets into the top bunk to make a little hammock like swing on the bottom bunk) and started interacting with us immediately!! I got to hold and briefly play with a baby girl that was just learning to walk, Matthew took pictures with one boy, Paul played cards with a few, and James taught a group the “hook ‘em horns” sign!
Paul and the boys from the Aids Facility
James & the Boys "Hook 'em Horns!!"
We all walked away with yet another amazing memory!!
Kari Daniel
