No pictures, but just letting everyone know that I am safely home. A few days of waking at 4 a.m. and trying to stay awake until 7:30 p.m. are coming to an end and I'm starting to get back into the Columbus world again (OMG I just heard about Google changing its name to Topeka).
My very long flight home was complicated by my dropping my luggage on my big toe and having a time getting around four airports. I had a five hour layover in Paris so I treated myself to a massage and spoke French to all service personnel in the airport. The massage staff were VERY indulgent and we talked for an hour or so. She actually spoke Portugese as well as French, and then we were joined by another client who spoke Portugese (she was from Brazil, travelling from Germany to New York and then back to Brazil. All three of us enjoyed 'girly time' in the spa, in three languages. Willingness to try is all it takes!
Then I ran into a young woman who I first saw in Mumbai and we talked for an hour until HER flight left. She and I de-briefed our India trips finding common situations that ran up against our US experiences and we laughed and laughed and exchanged email addresses. She lives in Chicago and will visit Columbus for a friend's wedding. Such a small world!!
For the first time in all of my travels I purchased gifts at the Duty Free. For some reason in Detroit, coming out of customs into security, the kid told me I couldn't take them through in the sealed plastic, but had to try and pack them into my already overstuffed bags. YIKES, I was already late to be at my gate!! I somehow got it into my bags, anticipating that all of my clothes would soon be soaked in alcohol by the time I got to Columbus. I limped quickly to the boarding gate (I've never been in the Detroit airport) and remembered that I had shared with someone earlier -"Gee, I wonder what it's like to be the last person on the plane". Safely on my last plane of the journey, I was looking forward to seeing my daughter's beautiful face and going to sleep in my own bed. I also can't believe that through all of my side trips to Bordeaux and India - I NEVER ONCE HAD MY LUGGAGE LOST. That is truly amazing. Yeaaah, Air France - way to go!
I miss Kalpana's chai and sweet smiling face every morning - her letting me cook in her kitchen; Girish calling "Dahlia" to tell her he's home and being the best host a person can have. I miss the curious people, the brave ones who speak to me in English or shake my hand; and the neighbors who invited me to snack (and chai sometimes). I miss Vaishalli's exuberant love and Raju's quiet but caring affection (he always brings me safe water) I didn't realize how quiet it is here with Jake and Tuna. Thank God for phones and email.
I have an opportunity to teach English on a French protectorate called "Isle de Reunion" in September. My friend Cassie knows of my love of French and India and thought that this opportunity would be perfect for me (thanks Cassie). The India part is that not only is it closer to India, but there is a large population of Gujrati's on the island. I can learn about French culture, Island culture and India culture; the blended cultures, etc. I should be an anthropologist.
I need to rent out my condo, find a place for Jake (or take him with me) all before September. Please pray for me and my family as we anticipate and plan for this next possible opportunity.
Back laundry, house cleaning, pet walking and French lessons.
Namaste
Carol
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