LOCKS

This is a quick note on the locks and safety. I had someone question the lock situation at my hotel. There is a bolt with padlock on the outside of the door to most every hotel (even on CMC campus). You are given the key to the padlock upon arrival. Once inside, there are two similar locks on the inside of the door so that you can secure the door shut. I suppose someone COULD lock you into your room  if they wanted to, but I act on the faith that they will not. This is a very common way to operate hosing in India. Even homes and apartments are set up with this situation. Padlocks everywhere! 

THE ONLY BLUE EYES ON THE BUS

Today I found myself on a twenty minute bus ride to a village out beyond Vellore. As we bumped along the road in standing-room-only conditions, I became keenly aware that there with many ebony eyes staring me down, and mine were the only pair of blue eyes. Every now and again I am struck by how much of a minority I am here. I get stared down everywhere I go. It does take some getting used to. 

GETTING STRONGER

Day Two start with me waking up to my alarm which means that although I didn't feel like it, I did actually sleep. I readied myself and headed over to College. I didn't feel much like eating, so I decided to skip breakfast for now and catch the 7:30 bus to the Hospital. There is a CMC bus that runs a few times in the morning and evening between College and the Hospital. It is free and quick. It will be my commute if I am placed at the Hospital. I met Bridget at the bus stop and she rode with me to the Hospital. I had intended to take care of some administration details, but after questioning Bridget about them, she told me to take care of it later and since she wasn't able to find what she needed when she arrived, she advised me to take care of it with my original contact at the College. I may try again on Monday, but it is likely that I will take her advice.

INITIAL CONTACT

When I first arrived at my hotel, I got a brief introduction from the manager which consisted mostly of him showing me the light switches and handing me some maps of the college campus and city of Vellore. He then left me to take in my surroundings. I sat down on the bed and cried. (I am only being honest here.) The reality of my situation hit me like a ten-ton weight. There I was, beyond tired, hungry, sweaty, slightly disoriented, and completely alone. I knew the name of the hotel manager, but where he has disappeared to was beyond me.

BEGINNING... FIVE YEARS AGO.

Where do you start when you are not exactly sure where the beginning is?

In four days, I will “set sail” for a ninety-nine day adventure in Southern India. This will not be my first voyage to India. In January of 2008, I spent two weeks in Northern India skipping from Kolkata to Jaipur to small villages in West Bengal. I suppose that trip could be marked as “The Beginning.” The Beginning of my interest in the Indian culture. The Beginning of my desire to return to India and serve.