ROTARIANS FOR HOPE - INDIA 2007

FINAL FRIDAY... Feb. 23, 2007

2007-03-07T06:48:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that in only a few days, this entire experience will draw to a close and we will be flying home to be with family, friends, our Rotary Clubs and for some of us, our jobs! It was just two weeks ago that most of us were heading to airports, to fly to Newark and to meet one another (most for the first time) and then wing it over to Delhi, India! So much has occurred since that time, and we will be recalling events for weeks to come - little vignettes where we might have seen a woman in a beautiful sari, or caught the glimpse of a smile on the face of a child, or watched as a tiny child swallowed those two tiny drops of life we administered at the National Immunization Day on February 11th.

Akram Ali, our guide while in Jaisalmer, met us at the hotel at about 8:30 and we all boarded our coach, once again happy to see Kristian and Bobbalou, our driver and conductor. This morning, Akram was taking us to a place most tourists do not visit - the Crematorium for the Royal Families. What is interesting to note from the photo at left, is the fact that bordering this Crematorium is a huge WIND FARM, where power is being generated from some 1800 windmills. This industry is beginning to flourish in India, and should be the answer for domestic power in the cities and towns, initially here in Rajasthan, and eventually throughout the country. At the crematorium, we saw marker stone after marker stone, where the once and future kings of Rajasthan have been buried, along with their wives. As you can see from this marker, which is housed beneath a very elaborate yellow sandstone canopy roof, the king's marker is to the left, showing him as a warrior on horseback, and then his two closest wives shown on the next stone, and six more wives on the third stone. Hundreds of years have passed since members of the royal families have been buried on this hallowed ground. The custom, we were told, was that the deceased was brought to this crematorium, cremated, and then those attending would go to the small lake below and bathe themselves before returning to their homes, fully cleansed. As I mentioned, this king was buried along with his eight wives. The custom was for the wives of the king to practice sati - is a Hindu funeral custom, now very rare, in which the dead man's widow immolates herself on her husband’s funeral pyre. This is seldom practiced any longer, but was obviously a sign of highest regard and respect for the husband. While we were there, Akram also told us about jauhar. Evidently, several hundreds of years ago, during a huge war, the women who had remained at home were concerned that their husbands were losing the battles. The women felt that the warriors were thinking about them at home, rather than fighting, so they committed jauhar and built an enormous fire in a pit and they all jumped in (The immolation, en masse, of women and young children to avoid molestation by victorious invading army).

Following our visit to the crematorium, we returned to the walled city and wandered through the streets and alleys and back to some of the shops we had visited the day before. One of the Team wanted to purchase a few items at a shop in one of the Havelis, so we went there and Akram waved at us below, much as the king may have done hundreds of years before. Below were booksellers, where we were able to find a printing of HOLY COW by Sarah MacDonald, a favorite of Joan Nickell, as well as one of her favorite expressions. Darlene found a few shops to interest her, as did Jay, Jo and I. I also wanted to return to Sarwar's CULTURAL AND FOSSIL MUSEUM, to take him the gifts my friend has asked me to deliver. Akram and I returned to the Museum while the others shopped and explored other sights. One of the palaces had a guard at the entrance, and on either side of the portal, there were many hand-prints. These we were told, marked the place where wives of kings had shown their grief by painting their hands red, and then imprinting them onto the wall of the front of the palace. Jo had actually read something regarding this, before she arrived in India. We met with Sarwar again, and he asked if I would carry some of his original paintings - representing several different religions - back to the states and pass them on to my friend in Maine. I was glad to be able to do this for him.

We returned to our hotel for lunch, and then re-packing, to try to get all of the things we had purchased thus far, into our suitcases and duffel bags. We had already checked out of the hotel in the morning, before leaving for our sightseeing, so once more, Kristian and Bobbalou were waiting for us to board the coach for the last time. They would take us to the train station for yet ANOTHER overnight train ride - this time through the countryside of Rajasthan, eventually arriving in Jaipur the following morning. Joan was still waiting for a package to be delivered from one of the shops where she had purchased some pants to be made for her. We called Akram on his mobile and he arrived at the train station and brought the package for Joan out to the track where we awaited boarding on the train - our home for the upcoming thirteen hours. The hotel had packed us each a boxed dinner, which we would enjoy later on. We said our good-byes to Kristian, Bobbalou and eventually Akram. It had been a wonderful and wonder-filled couple of days, and we bid farewell to Jaisalmer.

One of the lasting impressions we discovered was government authorized BHANG SHOPS - I will leave this to your imaginations. Another lasting impression was the little boy, shown in the photo here, at the entrance to his home, just playing on the front stoop, as so many of us may have done during our own childhoods.

What OTHER doors would be opening for us???

Thursday - Feb. 22, 2007

2007-03-05T01:35:00.000-08:00

This is our hotel in Jaisalmer - the Heritage Inn. We had hardly seen much of it when we arrived bleary-eyed the night before, so it was most pleasant to see the grounds in the daylight. I was up early, and while sitting in the darkness of our room, in the distance, I heard a trumpeter playing REVEILLE - to awaken the soldiers stationed at a nearby military base. I checked the time on my mobile phone and it was precisely O-SIX HUNDRED HOURS! Exactly one hour later, from a different direction, I heard another rendition of Reveille played by another trumpeter - I guess those are the late risers! We got up and headed over to the dining building in the center of the courtyard, and had a substantial breakfast. While walking back to our room, to gather cameras and extra batteries, the relatively quiet din was shattered by a fighter jet cruising overhead (and not that far overhead, I might add) and then breaking the sound barrier. The Indian Air Force was conducting its daily exercises, and several such flights occurred in the next few hours. I guess I should have felt relieved that there was a substantial border patrol force stationed in Jaisalmer. I also had a tinge of concern, but that passed quickly.

The group gathered in the lobby of the hotel, where we were introduced to Akram Ali, who would serve as our guide for that day and the next. Darlene was feeling a bit under the weather, and so decided to remain at the hotel and attempt to quiet her "Delhi belly" symptoms. We were confident that Darlene was in good hands, particularly in the hands of Mr. Singh, the proprietor of the Paradise Shopping complex on the hotel grounds! Our driver and conductor met us under the port-cochere. We boarded our coach and were off to the first sights - those at a man made lake in Jaisalmer. Gadsisar Lake, was constructed in 1367, and had served as the water supply for the area for centuries. The gate where Akram took us to first view the lake, is supposed to have been part of a house built by a courtesan ( prostitute) and when the Mogul heard of this, he ordered the gate and the house to be torn down. The courtesan heard about this, and quickly had part of it dedicated as a temple, thereby rendering the Mogul's demands impotent, as a temple could never be destroyed, at least not by civil order. The view from the gate is quite spectacular, and one looks out upon the lake with various "floating castles" for the members of the royal family to enjoy the lake. From the height of the courtesan gate, we looked below to see a few small boats - similar to the gondolas of Venice.

From the top of the gate, we then descended and walked around to the other side, to see a small monument to a member of the royal family from ages previous, which was shielded by a type of gazebo. We looked down into the water below and saw the surface roiling - evidently there are some pretty good sized catfish in the lake, and we would soon be feeding bread to them. The water went from rippling to a full boil in seconds! The catfish were not the most attractive looking fish, and certainly did not give anyone an appetite for lunch which would come in a few hours. From this vantage point, we then walked back down the path, and returned to our bus. We left this area and drove into the city, where we would be visiting the fortress which comprised the old part of the city. Akram explained to us that parts of the fort are actually sinking, due not to the heavy rains, but rather because there are so many people living within the fort - and some of the castles within the fortress have been converted into small hotels - in his words, "the fortress is being destroyed because too many people are flushing toilets and the water has to go somewhere and it is causing the undermining of the walls of the fortress." We could see various points in the walls which were being undermined, as well as sections of the walls which have been restored - still using no mortar, but rather constructed dry-stone style. Where parts of India boast red sandstone, Jaisalmer almost glows in the sunlight, with yellow sandstone. Akram's grandfather, father and one of his brothers all have been in the profession of building, using this sandstone, and he proudly showed us a section of wall that has been restored by his grandfather.

One can see, looking closely, how the moisture is seeping through the walls of the fortress, down at the bottom. Akram, although his livelihood depends upon tourism - the major revenue generator in the area - he is hopeful that no more hotels be allowed within the walled city, and furthermore that the ones which are already there are terminated, so the city remains for another thousand years. We entered the fortress, and Akram explained there are three gates into the inner part of the city - and each gate takes a different turn. Such a maze would be confusing to elephants, and added extra protection against attack, because the elephants would encounter difficulties making first a right turn and then a left and then a right turn again. The Ganesh gate had been repaired, and done so at night. It was obvious to see the three crucial errors made in this reconstruction - not the least of which was the fact that the doors did not meet at the bottom, nor did they close all the way to the ground. As we wandered up through the Ganesh gate, we came across what is termed the FIRST CYBER CAFE IN THE WORLD - over four hundred years old! Well the structure may be over four hundred years old, but...

We proceeded through the third gate and then walked through different sections of the walled city. We visited a Jain temple - one of the most beautiful around - where we could actually take photographs of the statuary, which we could not do at the Jain temple near Ranakpur. There are obviously a great many shops and other points of interest within the city walls, and we would often stray a bit to follow a path to a different doorway or an colorful shop entrance, or to observe the produce sellers within the market area.
Since our lunch was included in our accommodations, we returned to our hotel - after climbing to the roof of one of the castle-hotels, to look over the view of the city below - with Akram pointing out the Havelis we would be visiting that afternoon. He suggested that we meet again at 3:00, but we agreed upon 2:00, as we wanted to see as much of the city as possible, and have an opportunity to do a bit of shopping. When we returned to the hotel, Jo checked on Darlene, and she seemed to have recovered enough to enjoy a massage during the morning, and to find time for some shopping at the Paradise Shopping complex with Mr. Singh.

Following lunch, and a short respite at poolside, we returned to the lobby, met Akram and our driver and conductor, and left for the city again. There was one person in particular I wanted to meet - Sarwar Khan. His family has been in this region for generations, and a friend of a friend told me about him. He has a dance troupe, and a cultural museum within Jaisalmer, near one of the Havelis, and she had asked me to take some things to him, all the way from Maine. About eighteen months ago, Sarwar had been sponsored to come to the United States, where he and his troupe, played music and danced at the Smithsonian Museum, as well as several other venues, including the Portland (Maine) Museum of Art. They even visited the world-famous L.L. Bean store in Freeport! I asked Akram if he knew of this gentleman, telling him that his Cultural Center was located not too far from Patwon-ki-Haveli. I told him a bit more, and he asked, "Is Sarwar the man with the blule eyes?" "How did you know?" I replied. Evidently, Sarwar is fairly well known. Akram said he knew OF him, but had never met him. I had Sarwar's mobile phone number, so we connected and agreed to meet later in the day - perhaps in the evening. In the meanwhile, we visited several havelis - these are residences, many still inhabited by the same families as those who built them - owned by once-wealthy traders and merchants, with very elaborate facades. At the present time, quite a few of the havelis are occupied as residences in the rear or upper levels, while providing shopping experiences for the tourists on the front and lower levels. Again, we visited a number of these shops, and then Akram took us to Patwon-ki-Haveli. There is a courtyard opposite the entrance, which was created by order of former Prime Minister Indira Ghandi. She had visited Jaisalmer, and noted that it was difficult for anyone to drink in the beauty of the facade, and so the government purchased the building directly across the street, razed it, creating a park-like area, and paid for the construction of a new home for the residents of the building that had been torn down.

We did some jewelry shopping at DD's Shop - he was most genial and had some wonderful antique pieces in silver and gold. Time passed easily and before we knew it, we had reached 7:00 p.m. and then some. I telephoned Sarwar and we agreed to meet up with him at his museum. He has a collection of fossils from the area, as well as paintings he has created representing many different faiths, including Muslim, Hindu, Bhuddism, Christianity, Judiasm, etc. Throughout the building are collections of photographs, as well as decorations created by the women who are receiving training there. These decorations can be used for wall hanging, as well as for place mats or coasters and are made from folding of candy wrappers. The children go out into the streets, collect the wrappers and bring them back to the center where the women wash them and flatten them, and then fold them into wonderfully colorful rounds, and even a ladies purse with handles. We were all most impressed to learn what Sarwar is trying to create at this location, and in helping to preserve his culture and heritage. The biggest treat, however, was when Sarwar invited us to go upstairs and to sit on the floor and listen to the wonderful music performed by Sarwar and his troupe of musicians. The experience was extraordinary and one each of us felt very honored to have. I promised to bring the gifts sent with me by Sarwar's friend and then we parted company, returned to our coach and returned to the hotel for a very late dinner. Darlene was waiting for us to arrive back at the hotel, and we enjoyed sharing our experiences from the day - topped off by an incredible evening. For more information about this wonderful center, visit: http://www.folkartsrajasthan.org/ You will be pleased and amazed to learn of this wonderful venture and how you can become a part of it.

ASH WEDNESDAY - Feb. 21, 2007

2007-03-03T02:23:00.000-08:00

Before leaving home, I had spoken to my priest about the possibility of conducting a worship service for the observance of Ash Wednesday. He said that would be fine, since I was a Eucharistic Minister at my church. I was able to make several photo-copies of the service from the Book of Common Prayer, and took those with me, along with ashes. The tradition is to burn the palms from the previous Palm Sunday, and to use those ashes for imposition on Ash Wednesday. Never having burned palms, I did this in my office. WOW! What a smoky atmosphere was created, and the odor was not too pleasant, either. But it was done, the ashes were placed in a tiny receptacle and I took them in my suitcase to be used today.

After breakfast, all of us gathered in the dining tent, and I passed a copy of the service to each person. I was particularly pleased that District Governor Jay Kapner from North Carolina, was willing to participate in the service. He is Jewish, and I had asked if he would be willing to read the scripture lessons from the Old Testament, as well as leading the reading of the Psalm. Joan Nickell read the lesson from the New Testament and I read the Gospel Lesson. Just imagine... being out in the middle of the dessert in Rajasthan, India, surrounded by towns where Hindus and Muslims by far comprise the greatest percentage of population, but still observing a date which is sacred in the Christian tradition, and having participation from people of other religions. Truly a melting pot and an ecumenical service. One of our team is a spiritualist, and she was pleased to be there as an observer.

Once the service was over, we piled back into the jeep, with Dinesh seated on top of our bags in the trailer, and we headed into town. We were all quite excited, as we were going to Pradeep's home and would be taking showers - real hot showers - using the facilities at his cottages (which were more like condominium units), before having lunch. We arrived in Siana, and I think Joan was first out of the back of the jeep, inquiring as to which unit had the good hair dryer! We kidded her about that for most of the trip. Everything was great for Joan, as long as there was a hot shower and a good hair dryer. She had brought her own with her, and at the first hotel on the morning of February 11th, she plugged it into the outlet and it shot flames out of the front and back! Well, we had our showers, relaxed a bit in the yard, surrounded by waves of magnificent color provided by bougainvillea bushes. We adjourned to the dining tent and Dinesh served another meal prepared by Pradeep's wife. It was delicious, as usual, and far more than we needed to eat - also as usual. While we were waiting outside, we were entertained by the family of monkeys who were swinging from tree branch to tree branch, and climbing up on the roofs of the several cottages at Pradeep's home.

We said our "good-byes" and boarded our coach with our driver, Kristian and the conductor, Bobbalou. We were headed to Jaisalmer, which lies about fifty miles from the Pakistani border, in the western part of Rajasthan. The trip is supposed to take about six hours, but as usual, we were in for a much longer journey.

Several months ago, there were terrific floods in Rajasthan, particularly in the area we were traveling, so many of the major roads were washed out, or at least sections of them. In addition, we were also taking "short cuts" to reduce the time we would be on washed-out roads, but found that these roads were in even worse condition than some of the ones we might have traveled. As it turned out, the drive which should have lasted no more than six hours, lasted nearly nine, and when we arrived at our hotel in Jaisalmer, we were not even sure if we could have dinner, as the dining room might be closed.

Our contact met us and we got settled into our rooms - "Does my room have a good hair dryer?" We freshened up a bit and then went to the dining room to have a light dinner, before retiring for the evening. In the morning, we would meet our guide, Akram Ali, a young Muslim who had been guiding for about eight years - four as a licensed guide! Another door would be opened...

Shrove Tuesday - Feb. 20, 2007

2007-03-02T09:10:00.000-08:00

Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday…
Feb. 20, 2007

Up and at it early, and I just wanted to peel the Velcro doorway of our tent and step out into the fresh air of our dessert campsite, having gone to bed in the midst of a starry sky, as clear as Maine night skies. I brought my laptop out with me and set it up at the table in the dining tent and to try to catch up on my daily journal.

Within only a few minutes, while sitting at the table typing, I became aware that Dinesh was standing at my side, offering morning tea. He wore one of the most colorful turbans I have ever seen – one of a range of pastels from pink to blue to yellow to green, and artfully wound around his head. He poured my tea and a bit of milk and about a quarter-teaspoon of raw sugar. This all in a demitasse sized cup… Shortly afterward, I realized that Pradeep was standing nearby, and when I turned my head to say “Good morning,” he smiled, placed his hands together in front of his chest and offered a “Namaste”. It was going to be another wonderful day, although a bit cooler than the day before.

We were supposed to be up and at it a bit earlier than the day before, so when we went trekking through the hills, it would not be quite as hot as it had been the day before. The generator was started, so I was able to plug in my laptop to get re-charged, and then went into the ten to wake up Jay Kapner. I had already heard Joan Nickell stirring in her tent, and then heard as she pulled the Velcro opening apart and emerged into the cook of the dessert morning. She had been reading in one of her novels, and then came outside to see what was scheduled for the day. Jo Barrow and Darlene Beal also emerged from their tent, and Dinesh began to bring out some special chapattis for breakfast – he had made the with aloo and gobi (potato and cauliflower). Breakfast was another wonderful meal, complete with omelets, chapattis, orange juice, and of course, tea.

As soon as breakfast was over, we put away anything we wouldn’t need for the trek, and then set off with Sarveer, our guide. We began by following essentially the same path we had climbed the previous day. When we descended into the clearing, I looked to my right and once again noticed what appeared to be a home or some kind of building(s) carved into the hillside and what appeared to be a GIANT big screen TV monitor. As I looked more closely, the design on this “screen” was a stylized symbol for OM. This is a very sacred symbol for Hindus, and this particular OM had been created with great purpose and attention to design, at least in my observation. We continued to trek more closely to this hillside edifice, and then passed by it. I noticed a few people in front of the building – one thin man wearing the traditional orange and yellow cloth of a Hindu priest or Brahman. Eventually, as we were walking along a level car path (road would be far too generous) Sarveer pointed out the prints in the sand of at least one leopard. He indicated quietly that this leopard had been here recently – at most, only a few hours before we arrived!

About an hour and a half into the trek, we heard the distant sound of the approaching Jeep, driven by Pradeep, and so we waited for him to arrive. Joan and I opted to continue the morning with Pradeep in the Jeep, while the other three continued on foot with Sarveer. They would climb up and over two low ranges and meet us on the other side.

After the others had left, I asked Pradeep about the temple on the hillside and he confirmed that it was a Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. I asked if it would be alright and respectful for the three of us to climb the hundred stairs up to the temple and to visit it. He said it would be fine and so we walked back to the base of the stairs and he explained the temple had literally been carved out of the hillside, beginning with a cave, and expanding it into the mountain. There is a natural spring from within the rock, providing fresh, safe drinking water to the monastery and anyone who wishes to come and gather water from the pipe. We removed our shoes at the entrance and were invited inside. Pradeep directed Joan and me to the left, where the temple is actually located, and we heard the sounds of chanting by the Brahman priest, as he bathed the god, Shiva. It is customary for the god(s) to be bathed several times each day, using milk, honey, sugar, yogurt and cumin. Once the god is fully bathe and rinsed, then it is “dressed” in brightly colored pieces of fabric, and then adorned with fresh flowers. All the while, the Brahman priest is chanting various mantras. He finishes bathing the god, and removes the solid silver coiled cobra snake and hood, to reveal a sizable black stone lingam (phallus) which is one of the representations of Lord Shiva. He applies several smears of colored paste all around the lingam, yellow and orange and red, and then adorns the other idol statues with the same colors. He then comes to us, chants another mantra and smears the red-orange paste on each of our foreheads – a tikka – and then ties the red-yellow-orange strings ( Raksha Bandhan is a very special festival in India. It is the celebration of the special bond between a brother and a sister. Sisters tie a band of red thread around their brothers’ wrists as a sign of affection. Legend tells of the sister asking that the blessings of God be showered on her brother throughout the year. By extending his wrist forward so his sister can tie the threads around it, the brother is symbolically extending his hand of protection over her. ) around our wrists. We were then invited to sprinkle marigold petals and roses onto the various idol statues, before we left. We did so and then went to pay our respects to the head of the monastery – an older gentleman who sat outside the inner sanctum of the temple. We bid him farewell, and descended the stairs and walked back to the jeep.

Although I had experiences similar to this from past trips to India, I was interested to see how moved Joan seemed to be with the ceremony and the reverence with which various parts are observed. We were pleased to have had this very unique experience.

After returning to the jeep, Pradeep told us we would be driving to another village, about 30-45 minutes away, where we would wait for the others of the team who would meet us at the end of their trek. We arrived at the gates leading into another temple – this one also dedicated to Lord Shiva, but was as ornate as the first temple had been stark. There was a Brahman priest at this temple, as well, but he had concluded the ritual bathing of the gods and so we missed that. However, in the heat, with the spilling of milk, honey, sugar, yogurt and cumin, onto the floor of the temple, the attraction to myriad flies is an understatement! A few minutes after removing our shoes and entering the temple, the others joined us from their trek over the mountains, and we were invited to visit with the head of the monastery and were taken to the upper apartment of the monk in charge of the monastery.

There we were invited to sit on cushions and have tea with him, and we enjoyed speaking with him about myriad topics. He seemed most genial, although at times he appeared to be “drifting off” from our conversation. Perhaps it was just a momentary lapse, we were unsure. However, when we asked him whether or not he would ever be interested in traveling outside of India – perhaps to America or Great Britain, he told us he could never leave there. When asked why, he replied, “Because of my addiction.” Pradeep, our host, then explained that this monk as totally cared for by the other younger priests at the temple, and that he has a constant supply of opium provided to him – consuming what appeared to be about the size of a pack of cigarettes of opium every day. That explained his drifting more clearly.

When we departed from that temple, we climbed back into the jeep and then were driven back into the little village, where we were to have lunch at the home of one of the shepherds there. The villagers seemed curious but welcoming, and we all sat on woven beds on frames made of branches, underneath a roof of twigs and branches, to shield us from the hot sun. Once again, Pradeep’s wife had provided a wonderful lunch for us, served by Dinesh. We rested after lunch and noticed that some of the children of the village sneaked up behind a hut near where we were sitting, and we waved to them and beckoned them to come closer. They were shy and hid back behind the hut. I asked Pradeep if he could ask the shepherd to invite the children or the ladies to come and sit by us and sing some songs. They did eventually come closer and sit in a group very close to us, with several of the ladies covering their faces with very colorful veils – a tradition for most women of the villages in Rajasthan in general, and Siana in particular.

The group sang three or four songs and then gestured that we should do the same. We joined in a chorus of “You are My Sunshine”, much to their delight. Lunch and entertainment over, we then climbed back into the jeep for fairly far out into the dessert. It seemed as thought we were following paths – foot paths at best – further and further out into the dessert and away from any villages. In the distance, we saw about one hundred people working with shovels and pickaxes and hods (basins). As we drew closer, Pradeep told us about a water conservation project, where these folks were working to dig down areas of soil, approximately 15’ x 20’ and two feet in depth. They would then break up the clods of soil, which were almost like concrete, and carry hod after hod and dump onto a pie, which would serve as a dam to stop future floods in that region. In the past, the earthen dams were only two feet high, and they were constructing this one to be a minimum of four feet high, if not six feet. When the monsoons come, the series of dams, which covered several square miles, would slow down the flooding process, enough to be able to cause dissipation of the waters into the ground, thereby making it more fertile and able to be tilled for growing crops. Each of the laboring families – consisting of three or four people, was given the task of clearing the parcels in two days’ time, and would be paid in full an amount equivalent to $2.00 per day per person, IF the work was completed satisfactorily. If not, they would be paid on a pro-rata basis, but at a lesser rate overall. The workers asked Pradeep if he would contact the government official who was responsible for paying them, as they had not been paid in four weeks. He immediately tried calling from his mobile phone, but was unable to contact the person. He promised to follow up on this the next day or two. We were all pretty impressed with the amount of work these people are doing – particularly the women – and recalled that only a few days prior, we were also carrying hods of dirt on our heads, so felt especially empathetic toward them.

When we left there, we drove back toward our tent encampment, but got sidetracked along the way by a shepherd, who had recently seen a leopard, and, “Did we want to go leopard hunting again?” Of course we did, so we found Sarveer along one of the paths (it is remarkable how he and others just seemed to materialize when needed). He climbed aboard the jeep, with another two men – one would handle the spotlight and the other would track with Sarveer on foot. As I had earlier described Sarveer – he was tall, wearing the traditional dhoti and shirt-waistcoat, and his aqua turban. He had a wonderful, steady gait, almost gliding over the rough terrain, with little adjustment for obstacles. He simply moved ahead. His eyes were constantly moving about, and he obviously had keen hearing, as well.

At one point, Sarveer, almost in one fluid movement, climbed out of the back of the jeep and down onto the ground. He vanished into the brush and within a few moments came back into view, with his hand on the shoulder of a young man who was carrying a lamb. He then turned and walked with the young man off into the distance, returning about ten minutes later. When I asked Pradeep what Sarveer had done, he explained that the young man was from the neighboring village and was mentally retarded, and Sarveer was guiding him safely through that area, since he was carrying a lamb, and also was mentally challenged. With his same gentle smile, Sarveer returned to the jeep and climbed back in with us. We then traversed back and forth at the base of the hills, looking intently for the leopard. We continued this for about an hour, until darkness fell and we then used the search light to perhaps catch a glimpse of the leopard’s eyes, as the light passed by him. We did see eyes off in the distance, but never got any closer to the leopard. We returned to the campsite, had been joined by Pradeep’s brother, uncle and father for our social time, and then ate dinner and retired early.

How I spent my 59th birthday.. Feb. 19, 2007

2007-02-27T04:43:00.000-08:00

“Hey Elias. You gotta come see this. Elias! Come on out here, it is time for breakfast!” Unfortunately, I am not able to convey the sound of a southern drawl through words, but the voice calling to me was that of Jo Barrow. In a couple of minutes, I came out of my tent, turned to my left and saw my four teammates, along with Pradeep, standing in a line and listened as they sang “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” to me. Pradeep then moved forward and handed me a bouquet of yellow flowers and some white tiny furry flowers, which were like a wild growing gypsophilla (baby’s breath). “Sorry, Elias, but on short notice, this is the best we could do,” said Pradeep. There was no reason at all for an apology, and along with a card signed by the others, I knew this would be the beginning of a wonderful day.

We had breakfast and then Pradeep reinforced what we would be doing. He introduced us to Sarveer, a local shepherd, who would serve as our trekking guide. Sarveer was a man who appeared to be about seven feet tall, wearing the typical dhoti (sort of a loin cloth which provided pant legs to the ankle) and a white tightly cinched jacket vest, and of course, his dark aqua colored wrapped turban.

We would leave the campsite, climb up the hills and continue trekking for about an hour and a half. Pradeep would meet us in the jeep at that time, at one of the local villages, and then we could choose to continue trekking or ride with him to the next point. It has been some time since I went mountain climbing, and although the air was clear and clean, it seemed I was having some difficulty breathing – probably something to do with the cold I had been trying to fight for the past few days. Following Sarveer with his steady and measured gait, we ascended a dried up riverbed, climbing over and around rounded rocks, loose gravel and sinking into fine dessert sand. Darlene and Jay both said they had a good deal of experience in trekking and stayed close behind Sarveer. Joan, Jo and I formed the second tier of the group. The beauty of the surrounding hills was magnificent. We had been told that these hills most likely had been submerged under water – either lakes or the sea – for many centuries, as the rocks were not pointed or jagged, but rounded and some areas, almost eaten away by constant wave action. Faces and animal heads were easy to detect among the formations and stark beauty surrounded us on all sides.

What seemed quite remarkable is the fact that within one or two minutes, although feeling ourselves totally alone in the wilderness, another person or persons would appear from out of nowhere, just walking, or carrying sticks on their heads, but silently and almost reverently walking through these hills and valleys. We noticed a Hindu temple built into the one of the hills – a spiritual outpost of sorts. After about an hour and three quarters, we arrived at a tiny group of huts, some with thatched roofs, some with just sticks for walls, but one or two with brick and mortar for walls. There was one stick enclosure which housed a small flock of goats. Most of the attention of the few villagers was focused upon the repair of a single-cycle engine (what some have referred to as a one-lunger) which had thrown the belt, thereby shutting down the pumping of the well. Meanwhile, a tiny woman, with her head covered in a reddish-orange veil, stood at the other side of the well, and hooked her one gallon bucket to the rope, and cranked as the rope was lowered deep into the well, hit the water, filled and then cranked the opposite direction to raise the bucket, so she could fill her own jardinière to carry on her head, back to her hut. A few of us peered over the edge of the well opening and I, for one, was amazed at the depth of the hole – a conservative estimate is the surface of the water was at least 100 feet down from where we stood.

The belt was replaced onto the wheels, and a young man picked up the crank, connected it to the engine, and began cranking it. After a few strong turns, a giant cough and a sputter, the engine caught and began turning over on its own. The sound was one I remember hearing as a youngster, while attending a county fair, where farmers brought their “one-lungers” to compete against one another. One belt turned the fly wheel, which then turned another wheel, which began the pumping action, and water was drawn up into the hose and then out and spread through the sluice system into the fields of castor, wheat, hemp and cumin. In a few minutes, however, the engine coughed and ceased to breathe, and another repair and fine-tuning was required.

We continued our trek and met Pradeep as he arrived at the edge of the village. We rested a bit and some went on with the trek, while others rode in the jeep to the village where we would be having lunch. Pradeep explained to us that his family had owned property in this area for some fifteen generations. The family had overseen some twelve villages, and the manner in which folks from the villages and outlying areas greeted Pradeep, it was obvious he and his family were almost venerated. We drove into the tiny village of Nabi. We were told that the children were not in school because the teacher had not shown up that day. There are checks and balances on the system, however, and if it happened with any regularity, the teacher would be replaced by someone who would be more responsible.

Pradeep, Joan and I waited for the others to arrive, and when they did, we were directed to the home of one of the shepherds of the village. At first, we thought we would be eating at Sarveer’s home, but although he knew them, this was not his home. Lunch had actually been prepared by Pradeep’s wife and then sent along with another driver, bringing it to where we were waiting, under a sleeping shelter in the yard. We were all sitting on some woven “spring-mattresses” on three bed frames that were nestled together beneath the sleeping roof, and could easily have settled down for a short nap! Dinesh, one of the servers who works for Pradeep, both at his farm, his cottage colony and the campsite, arrived wearing his pastel multi-colored turban, and opened up the multi-level packed lunch. Included in the containers were roti, rice, dal, palek paneer, aloo and a mutton dish. Since we were on a picnic, we were eating off melmac plates, rather than china! Following lunch, we reclined on the beds, and watched as one child and then another tried sneaking up behind the back of one hut, inching closer and closer to us, until we discovered them and they retreated, only to make another stealthy attempt in a minute or two.

One little boy was singing a song very softly, and when we encouraged him to sing it louder, and closer to us, he showed his bashful side and declined our offer. In a few minutes, we asked Pradeep to tell these women and children that we would really like to hear them sing, and perhaps if we sang, they would also. In a few minutes, about a dozen women, and a few children gathered up near the sleeping shelter where we had eaten our lunch, and sat down in a tight circle, some of them not facing us and others simply covering their faces with the red or yellow veils. Some seemed fascinated with sitting as closely to white westerners as they were. One older woman, seemingly the leader of the group, began chanting, and the others joined her. What a privilege to hear these very shy women and girls, sharing with us their own special native songs, presumably ones that had been passed on from generation to generation, and songs that the average tourist would never hear. They sang two or three songs and then we offered our own rendition of “I’ve been workin’ on the railroad” which seemed to delight them. We finally departed the yard and the village, and returned to the campsite.

Since I had been fighting a respiratory upset, I decided it would be wise to take a short nap. The rest chose either to write in their journals, wander around the site, read or just enjoy the scenery. I was awakened by my mobile phone ringing, and when I answered it, I heard another rendition of “Happy Birthday, to you!” sung by my sister and her husband. She told me she had tried and tried to call me on other occasions, but the numbers I had provided were more than she needed and it took the assistance of an operator in the US to put the call through to me. She brought me up to date on the snowfall of the past few days, and a few other tidbits, and we said goodbye. I came outside my tent, and everyone seemed to be gathering, as we had been promised to go out on a leopard safari, as one had been sighted earlier in the afternoon, and we might catch a glimpse of him.

Pradeep climbed into the driver’s seat, we all piled into the back of the jeep, and Sarveer joined us. Out we set on this next chapter of our adventure. We had driven a few kilometers and then my mobile phone rang again. This time, it was my wife, who sang a shortened version of “Happy Birthday, to you!” and I could hear her then ask our five-year-old grandson, “J.T.” if he wanted to speak to me. I could hear sadness in his voice as he said, “Happy Birthday, Papa.” He told me he was sad because I was not there for him to be able to give me a birthday hug. I told him I would see him in a week, but he still sounded sad. Then I said, “J.T., guess what Papa is doing right now?” He kind of whimpered, “What, Papa?” Then I said, “Papa and his friends are going out into the hills to look for a leopard!” Well this seemed to really peak his interest, and he and I had several minutes of excited and animated conversation, while he sort of translated every few words or thoughts to my wife. Finally, I told him I loved him and he passed the phone back to my wife. We caught up on a few family and office matters, and then said goodbye.

Now to the task at hand… to spot the leopard in the hills. One might think this would be a relatively simple task, but not so. We traversed back and forth along a soft sandy road-path, constantly maintaining our focus upon the hills above. I believe it was Pradeep who first called our attention to the cat who was half hidden behind a large boulder, just below and to the right of a scrubby bush, to the right of the rock with the big nose! It took several minutes for each of us to zero in on him with the shared set of binoculars. The leopard was obviously more content watching us than he was to move from his location, so we left that area for a few minutes, enough time for darkness ot begin to surround us, thereby making it possible to catch a reflection of his eyes with a spotlight we would shine in his general direction when we returned to that same site in a few minutes. We did just that, and were able to locate him, right where we had left him – another sign that he was not on the prowl, at least not then.

We returned to the campsite, where another campfire welcomed us, and we sat around it enjoying the light and the warmth, before being summoned to the table for dinner. Another delicious meal, which prompted Jo Barrow to ask Pradeep if he had published a campsite cookbook. He said they had not, and we all encouraged him to do so and to allow us to market it. He agreed, but only if he had the 50% advance of the royalties up front! We all laughed and finished dinner, some fruit for desert and then retired to bed. The generator whined on for another hour or so, but that did not keep me from falling asleep before it did.

What an amazing day… spent on the other side of the world from home, camped out in the dessert looking for leopards, seeing natural wonders all around us, meeting villagers along out trek and then eating in their yard, hearing native women and girls sing songs to which we would never know the meaning, searching for a leopard, and enjoying a dinner around a campfire with friends… but the best of all hearing family several times during the day, singing “Happy Birthday, to you!”

SUNDAY, so it must be church??? Feb. 18, 2007

2007-02-27T04:40:00.000-08:00

Following breakfast at Rajputana, we met our driver and Shakti Singh, and departed for the next leg of our journey – Ranakpur. After driving for about two and a half hours, and climbing and then descending some rather steep small mountains – still part of the Aravali hills – we really came to appreciate the skills of our driver, Krishan. Turn after turn was narrow, sharp, and precipitously close to the edge of the road, where on one side or the other the drop-off was steep and without a perceptible bottom.

At one point along the way, we came upon a parade in a tiny village - a celebration for one of the gods, and we were able to get out of the coach, take photographs and actually gave out some "goodies" from what Roy Wise had left on the bus the previous week. The children loved the bracelets and candies, and we moved on toward Ranakpur. To this, one must add the fact that we were not the only vehicle traveling this road, but rather every few minutes, we would encounter large tour buses or huge trucks loaded with stone, either trying to pass us from behind, or meeting them head-on. Sprinkled intermittently throughout this drama was the occasional goatherd doing his best to control his flock which would much rather walk down the center of the road instead of wandering off into the wooded areas alongside it.

When we finally arrived in the region of Ranakpur, we decided to have lunch first and then to tour the 15th century Jain temple, which was nestled in the shade along one of the hills. We pulled off to the left side of the road and slowly proceeded down a dirt road leading to a parking lot, disembarked our coach, and were greeted by two young Rajasthani boys, one playing a small drum, while the other smashed a brass cymbal with a stick – all to greet us and welcome us to an oasis for lunch. Patrons were sitting beneath small tent roofed areas at rudimentary tables, and we were led to our table, which was situated right in the center of the eating area. A small stream that originated in the hills tumbled over rocks, spilling down under the eating area. We enjoyed a great meal and checked out the restrooms before boarding the coach.

On the way back to the Jain temple, we stopped to observe how Dhourry carpets are made – these woven by a very skilled and well-spoken young man, who worked with his two brothers, his wife and little boy. The designs are simple, geometric and often referred to as tribal in nature. The colors are beautiful, being created by use of only natural dyes, produced from seeds or leaves. Following his demonstration, we looked over his carpets, and purchased a few of them, each one being folded into a small package, about the size of a Michener novel.

As we left the Dhourry carpet shop, we met a group of young ladies carrying bundles of tree limbs on their heads; each dressed more colorfully than the other. The bright red head coverings, being the only common color among them. We proceeded back up the road a few kilometers and entered through the gates of the Jain temple property. After some confusion regarding proper clothing, we finally were able to enter, meeting the Brahmin of the temple, a handsome young man of about twenty-five years, who would show us the temple. His name was Sandeep and he had been the Brahmin since he was twelve years old, which to me was quite impressive and astounding. His knowledge was extensive and to think this young man had been leading the prayers and worship since the age of twelve??? He explained the differences between the two sects of Jainism, and indicated that this sect was not as strict as the other, with respect to decoration and adornment. There were 1444 pillars which supported the roofs of the temple and each one is carved and no two are alike! The designer of the temple was a man who had a vision which corresponded to the patron, but who was illiterate, and had no formal schooling, but was able to nonetheless conceive the design and draw it out to a sufficient degree that the craftsmen could follow his plans and erect this magnificent edifice. Statue after statue of the god sitting in the lotus position were sheltered in niches throughout the temple, each one with adornment of the eyes, so it appeared in the light that the god was looking back at you! The simple yet ornate beauty was breathtaking. Once finishing our tour of the temple, we checked out the restrooms (this seems to be an ongoing study for our group!) we boarded the coach, bid farewell to Shakti and settled in for a ride of another few hours to our next destination – Siana.

By early evening, we arrived in the town of Siana – population of 10,000 – and were greeted by our host, Pradeep Singh. He had begun Siana Camps and Safaris a few years ago, and has two separate and distinct parts – the cottages (stone and marble condo-type units, complete with porch, sitting room, sleeping area and full bathroom and then the other part, where we would be staying for three nights. After being welcomed with garlands of marigolds placed around our necks, we had some refreshment and then piled into an open jeep, our bags placed into a trailer hauled behind the jeep, and departed from the cottages for a half-hour drive out into the dessert at the base of the Aisrana hills. Winding our way through the narrow streets and alleys, we eventually were moving further away from the town on roads which disappeared into sand dunes and scrub growth.

Arriving at the campsite, we got out of the jeep and each of us simply looked up at the magnificence of the heavens above, sparkling with the stars of night. We heard the sounds of distant birds and animals, dulled somewhat by the sound of the generator that was providing power for the two lights in each of our sleeping tents, and the two lights in the eating tent. A crackling campfire provided additional light, as well as warmth after the chilly ride. We were then all shown our accommodations – tents having two beds, two chairs, a small table and then a bath tent, connected to each sleeping area, containing a flush toilet, a platform with a makeshift shower (using the same apparatus as we have at our kitchen sinks at home for spraying dishes) and a sink. Behind each tent was a five gallon pail filled with water and propped up by a tree limb, to create a gravity feed for our water supply, either for flushing or for washing. The only thing missing seemed to be Joan’s hairdryer! “I HAVE to have my hairdryer!”

When we came back to the eating tent area, Pradeep said, “The first drink is on me, so what would you like?” Red wine seemed to be the choice of each of us, and we sat around the campfire, sipping red wine and enjoying some snacks of nuts. We then entered the eating tent, sat down for a delightful meal and shared some stories from the day and from other parts of our journey. Pradeep explained our itinerary for the following morning and we went to our tents, to get rest before our morning trek. Although we had not attended church, we certainly had been immersed in religion today.

Friday into Saturday– A travel adventure… Feb. 16 & 17

2007-02-27T02:31:00.000-08:00

Up early and repacking, to reduce the number of bags we were going to each carry with us to one… not an easy task, when one does not know exactly what will be required, but each of us succeeded, at least to some degree.

One final breakfast, but this time, I took the coach ride down to the motel where the others had been staying. We met and headed to the rooftop dining area, enjoyed laughter and omelets and toast and loaded the coach for our trip into Delhi. We wanted to get on the road by 9:15, and actually pulled out of the parking lot of the motel at 9:16. THIS was going to be an auspicious day!

We headed east, towards the town of Sohna, and then continued on to Gurgaon, where once again, I feel each of us was rather astounded to witness the incredible level of construction of high-rise condominium projects, one after another, for quite some distance. I have learned since that trip that due to the arrival of multi-national corporations, including automotive manufacturers, automotive parts manufacturers and others, the need to provide upscale housing has increased exponentially,

As we neared Delhi, the traffic was heavier, slower, grinding to a standstill. At one point, we were more or less parked on the direct flight landing pattern for the airport! Every two or three minutes, a jumbo jet would roar above our heads as it headed to land.

We had all anticipated being able to meet our friend, Roy Wise, who had been hospitalized with a minor stroke, but along the way, I received a telephone call from Sanjiv, who told me the physician in charge of Roy’s case would not allow him to leave the hospital, even for a few hours. We continued on to Hi-Points Expeditions, Sanjiv’s office, where we were met by Vijay and Bahne, Sanjiv’s two assistants, as well as Pallavi, his daughter. For me it was a family reunion, since I had not seen Pallavi for nearly a year.

We settled our accounts at the office and then proceeded to the Red Fort, where we would tour. The Red Fort was also constructed under Shajahan – the builder of the Taj Mahal. The massive structure, once standing as a fortress against enemies, serves now as a tourist attraction, as well as the location from which the Prime Minister delivers his annual “State of the Union” address. Even though we were on a rather tight schedule, we were all impressed with the fort and what it must have taken to even conceive of it, let alone carrying out the actual construction.

From the Red Fort, we exited and were met by six men, each of whom was a bicycle rickshaw driver. We boarded our new mode of transportation, and ventured out into traffic. Into the market areas, where one can purchase just about anything. Although there are defined areas for silver, silks, tires, padlocks, poultry, bicycles, etc., it also seemed as if these items were all available in stalls, located side by side in the bazaar. We pushed forward to the gate to one of the largest Muslim mosques, and climbed the dozens of steps to the entrance, where we removed our shoes and paid our entry fee. Literally thousands of the faithful had come for prayers, from the oldest to infants, people had come to pray, or just to meditate. We had time to take some photos, and then moved on to where we were going to have lunch – a traditional South Indian meal.
The restaurant was one where I had eaten in the past, and each of us enjoyed the different tastes and level of spice.

Following lunch, we then drove to Dilli Haat – a market established by the government, where crafts people from all over India are able to bring their products and set up stalls for a few weeks, only to be replaced by others after their term had elapsed. Each of us was able to find fabrics, or clothing items, toys, jewelry, pashminas, works of art, in a rather abbreviated amount of time allotted to us. We gathered at the gate at about 5:15, to be driven to the train station for our next adventure – first class accommodations on the overnight train to Udaipur.

Of the members of the Team, I was the only one who had experienced a train ride in India, to say nothing of an overnight train ride. Our First Class accommodations were not what any of the others had expected – each compartment containing six bunks. Each bunk being supplied with a blanket, two sheets and a pillow. Basic does not even come close to describing what would be our “home” for the next twelve hours. It was our hope that although we had been assigned to two different compartments, we would be able to remain together in one. The train pulled out, the conductor came through several times and we were on our way. When left at the station, we had been given packed “lunch” – a term which we need to redefine, one we find our Webster’s Collegiate Dictionaries!

Others had boarded the train, and one family had been divided into two compartments, but we were able to convey our desire to remain together, thereby giving them the same opportunity. Jo was incredulous why we had our packed “lunches”, while these folks were enjoying Kentucky Fried Chicken. She even considered trading one of her breakfast bars for two French Fries or a scoop of the Colonel’s famous gravy! One of the children was a little boy, who was five years old – the same age as my grandson. He was very cute and full of energy, although very well behaved. ”Dinner” concluded, it was time for lights out and an attempt to get some sleep, being rocked back and forth as we moved along the tracks to our next destination. Everything was relatively quiet, until we stopped at Koda – a town along the route. This was at about 2:30 a.m. and quite a number of new passengers boarded the train. I looked out our window to watch as vendors began to open their stalls for pastries and tea. Several people were sleeping on the platforms. When the train began to move again, there was a good deal of commotion in our compartment. I had left the compartment to use the toilet facilities, only to return to find my pillow had gone missing and a total stranger had moved to the bunk above mine! Our entire group was now wide-awake and Joan said someone had come and taken her extra pillow. We solved the mystery, realizing that since we were only five in a compartment that slept six, each of us may have taken liberties with the extra bed linens and pillows. I guess the conductor thought I was de-boarding, so he took my pillow, gave it to the man upstairs, and then when he saw me return, inquiring about the whereabouts of my pillow, simply reached beneath Joan’s head, and removed the extra pillow and passed it across to my bunk! We got a lot of laughs about this, and tried to settle back to sleep, for another five hours. I had great trouble falling back to sleep, and especially so when I noticed at each subsequent stop that we seemed to start up again, but going the opposite direction we had been going when we arrived at these stops. A bit puzzling and unsettling in one’s state of slumber, but I had to trust the train was on the right course.

We arrived in Udaipur and were met by Shakti Singh, a subcontractor from Hi-Points, and were taken to our hotel – the Rajputana. We had breakfast and then were brought to our rooms. The contrast between our First Class train accommodations and those of this Four-Star Hotel were remarkable, to say the very least! Fashioned after some of the oldest fortresses in Rajasthan, with towers and tents, we all felt perhaps the stark surroundings of the previous twelve hours had been worth it.

We were introduced to Uma, a gentleman who would serve as our guide for the day in Udaipur, and we began to explore this beautiful city. The City Palace was magnificent, and although there are several palaces all beside one another, appearing to be connected, some of them are occupied by the royal family, while others have been converted into hotels. These overlook the lake below, where there is yet another palace on an island in the middle of the lake. We would later take a boat ride to another small palace, on another island. This one is currently available for private parties and small weddings, and was the site of the scene in the movie Octopussy, the James Bond thriller, where Roger Moore wrestled with alligators.

Since lunch was included with our hotel, we returned there, ate and then left for the afternoon of more touring. We visited a school of find painting, where artists follow the traditions of painting with brushes, some of which have only one camel hair! We visited public gardens where the fountains were quite beautiful. We visited a shop where traditional block printing is practiced, as well as the sale of nearly every type of clothing or fabric. Uma had to leave us, as he was attending a wedding for eighteen couples that evening – one groom being a cousin.

Dinner that evening was out in the garden area of the Rajputana Hotel, complete with musical and dancing entertainment. Up again, bright and early for breakfast and then a rather long Sunday drive to our next destination.

Thursday for the finish… Feb. 15, 2007

2007-02-27T02:28:00.000-08:00

Today would be our last day working at the site, and we agreed to arrive at the farm bright and early, to be able to get over to the site and accomplish as much as possible before bringing our phase of the project to a close. In addition, we were all of us excited for another reason – we were finally going to be able to distribute the many gifts and trinkets we had brought along with us to the children of the village.

Sanjiv had discussed the best plan with the school teachers, and it was decided that ONLY if a child attended school – at least that day, if not regularly, would he or she be given a “prize”. Furthermore, we would set up a distribution table and in an “orderly?” fashion, the children would file forward to the table and have one or two gifts handed to them by the members of the Team.

First, however, we had to get busy and try to accomplish as much as we could before winding down. We disembarked from our coach and immediately went to the back where the conductor opened the storage area, where our filthy, muddy boots had been kept, after each time we had worked. Now, complete with our work gloves (again, thanks to the generosity of Springvale Hardware) we moved toward the large piles of sand and broken rock which had been dumped there during the previous night. It was felt that if we could again move sand into the enclosure, and also pass bricks to Ramesh, we could really make a dent on this second platform. It seemed as though we were working at a feverous pace, although at times we honestly felt we were working at a snail’s pace.

Sanjiv had told us that Ravi Dayal and his wife, Jyotsna, as well as the Delhi-West Club president and his wife, were going to be working alongside us for a good part of the morning. It had been a year since I had seen Jyotsna (Ravi’s wife) and it was a wonderful, albeit brief reunion. She arrived wearing a beautiful sari, with a sweater to take away the chill, and we chatted briefly at the coach, where I gave her a CHIA PET! Of all things… but I felt it would be a possible marketing idea for Jyotsna to use in her interior landscaping business.

As Jyotsna and I walked toward the first platform, she noticed that about seventy-five men had gathered and were not squatting on top of the wall – their favorite observation perch. She asked if they had been working with us and I told her they had been with us, but only to observe what we were doing, rather than actually assisting in what we were doing. Without a word (but I guessed she was thinking to herself, “Not if I have anything to do with this!”) she climbed up onto the platform and faced the group of onlookers. In Hindi, Jyotsna told them just what she thought of them, and how it was shameful of them to be sitting there. On no uncertain terms, she scolded them harshly and asked them how they could possibly sit there, while our group from America had crossed seven seas to get to Chahalka, and furthermore that we had left our families and our homes, and traveled at our own expense, and left our jobs to be here to build these platforms in order to save the entire village from drinking polluted water – to provide the ladies a place for them to wash their dishes and their clothing, and even to use as a bathing facility – and yet they sit on their bums and watch. Well, this tiny woman, who has a personality larger than life elicited a response, but possibly not the one she had aimed to achieve. Although a half dozen younger men, and two older men, climbed down from the wall to help us, evidently there was an emergency Mosque call, because the remaining team of observers disappeared over the back of the wall, and walked across the street to go to the Mosque for prayers (possibly to have this woman removed from their world).

We all got a good laugh from Jyotsna’s forthright dressing down of the wall warriors, but we were also inspired to work just as hard, if not harder, to accomplish our goal and at the same time to give out a few “atta boys” to those who decided to help us. Although without the strength of a colony of ants, we nevertheless worked with the same determination. Ramesh was still slopping concrete mixture onto the top of a layer of bricks, while Jayne Britton and I handed bricks to him, or even set some down ourselves.

Work began to wind down and although we were reluctant to leave the labor, we also wanted to be able to bring some smiles to the faces of the children with the distribution of our trinkets. We changed out of our boots at the bus and walked over to the schoolyard, where the teacher had set up a table for us. Many of the children followed us over to the school, but they were told unless they were IN school, they could not receive any of the gifts we had brought. Nevertheless, they crowded us from behind us, as we attempted to empty out several bags of goodies onto the table and to gain some idea as to what we had and how many.

The process of distribution began with the smallest children, and as expected by us, pandemonium ensued and the teacher was forced to use his switch on the tops of heads of a few of the most unruly of the class. Dave and Darlene decided to act as paparazzi for the group and mingled among the teeming multitude of children, while Magda, Darlene, Jayne, Jo and I remained behind the table. Jay seated himself at the end of the table, for placing stickers on the shirt of each child. I had brought about one hundred tiny bottles of bubbles to not only give to the children, but to teach them how to create magic by blowing through the tiny wand inside each bottle. Joan took a few bottles out into the midst of the kids and began blowing streams of bubbles much to the delight of the kids. The six or seven members of the Delhi – West Rotary Club also joined in the excitement. To say there was a modicum of order to this process would be a gross overstatement, but by and large each of the children received at least three or four items. These included Beanie Babies, Tootsie Pops, bracelets, balls, crayons, pens, stickers, and much more. Although some children seemed to get passed over, if for no other reason than they were shorter or tinier than the rest of the students, we felt pretty good about having brought smiles to so many faces. With mixed emotions, we finished the gifting process and returned to our bus to drive to the farm for lunch – another amazing creation of Jyotsna Saran, Ollie (her sister) and the boys in the kitchen. This would be a garden lunch and the president of the Delhi – West Rotary Club, his wife and a few other folks, joined us.

When we returned to the farm, we were met by Dr. Nischal Pandy, a young man who was an active member of Rotaract, whom I had met on my first visit to India in 2001. Dr. Pandy and others from Rotary Clubs around the Delhi area are working with Rotarians from India and Pakistan, to bring children with heart defects from Pakistan for free surgeries and treatment. Their program is known as GIFT OF LIFE. This is not so dissimilar from the GIFT OF LIFE program that several Rotary Clubs in the northeastern United States are promoting, and have been for many years. He brought with him some summaries of case histories and as each of us read through them, we once again realized how very fortunate each of us is, to have our health, and to be a part of the wonderful organization ROTARY INTERNATIONAL is, and what it is able to accomplish to make a positive difference in the lives of literally millions of people around the world. Imagine this, for a moment, that for $150 a child is brought from Pakistan, along with a guardian, has the open heart surgery performed, remains in hospital until he or she is ready to safely travel back home – literally, the GIFT OF LIFE. And the program does not stop here – for ten more years, each patient is guaranteed free medical care in the event they experience complications from the heart surgery. Wow… what a gift!

Once we finished lunch, we returned to do some of what we could to finish up at the construction site. We were waiting for the arrival of the Imam for a very special honor. Since there was not really sufficient time for us to begin another phase of the project, several of us decided to take a walking tour of the village. Once more, we were the object of great excitement and curiosity, as dozens of children and some who were not children, gathered around us and walked along with us, up the narrow streets and into various tiny shops. A few of us began with meeting the local tailor. On walls, he proudly displayed his many creations – kameez (a long shirt) and matching Punjabi pajama bottoms, various shawls, and some children’s clothing, as well. One or two of us spotted what appeared to be a type of prayer shawl – white with red embroidered pattern, as well as woven red stripes. We negotiated to purchase all three he had, and then moved on up the street. Dave and I wandered up the street and I noticed two gentlemen walking in the other direction. I commented to Dave that one of the men appeared to me to be a holy man, and perhaps might be the Imam we were waiting to meet.

About a half hour passed, and we all returned to the site. Evidently, the Imam had come and gone, and since we had not been there when he arrived, he returned to the Mosque. Eventually, he returned and a great amount of excitement permeated the crowd of villagers. The Imam and his assistant instructed some of the others to sweep the surface of the first platform, and then to sweep it again. He then spread out a prayer rug, and then sat down cross-legged. His assistant and two other men sat down to his side. He then set a bag containing what appeared to be quarter ears of corn in front to him, opened two containers of incense, took one full bunch of sticks of incense, lighted the entire bunch, and set them into the bag, standing them up on an angle, with only one standing straight upright. Everyone became quiet and the Imam began chanting some prayers. The two men who sat at his left, also added some phrases, and then the chanting concluded. Meanwhile, the incense sticks had burned down quite a bit, and there was a most pleasant aroma surrounding this platform, where each of us had been asked to remove our shoes and to enter this space, which was about to be dedicated, with prayers to Allah. The ceremony ended with the Imam passing out bundi – small balls, about the size of a doughnut hole, but yellow in color and made of many tiny balls, stuck together – almost like what I remember my mother used to make as a dessert from rice krispies. Each of us was given one bundi, and then encouraged to break it apart and pass pieces of it to others from the village who were standing outside the enclosure, very reverently. This gesture seemed to have great meaning to the villagers, and it seemed to us that perhaps the full meaning of our being there, working as laborers to construct these two platforms was finally realized by everyone. Even several of the “wall perchers” came to us, held out their hands for a piece of bundi, and smiled as they popped it into their mouths.

One last time… back into our coach to return to the farm for a final dinner. In reflection, we had really accomplished a good deal, while lending impetus to the entire project, initially with the two washing platforms, to be followed by sanitary toilets and other amenities in the coming years for our adopted village of Chahalka.

Saint Valentine's Day - Feb. 14, 2007

2007-02-27T02:27:00.000-08:00

After a VERY long and arduous ride back from Delhi, from the reception with the president, the group decided to go straight to their motel and Sanjiv and I drove together in his car, stopping by the hospital to see Roy Wise, a member of our group from Georgia. A few days prior, Roy had been taken ill, and we determined that the best possible course of action was to have him taken to the hospital for observation and treatment. It was determined that he had suffered a small stroke – possible days before flying to India, or even during the flight. That much still remains unknown. Roy was very pleased to see Sanjiv and me and so disappointed that he could not continue on with the group in the work project.

Once we left the hospital, Sanjiv and I continued the drive west, through Gurgaon, passing several wedding celebrations, one even had a fireworks show, that would have put some small town 4th of July celebrations to shame. We could see the fireworks at least ten minutes out before arriving at the scene! Not bad for a wedding.

There were severe storms, as well, and to say that we may have gotten twisted and turned onto wrong roads would be an understatement. At one point, I observed that some of the potholes were large enough to swallow up a good-sized dog! And there was no avoiding them. Swerving back and forth from side to side and then dipping into one hole and another made us feel as though we were like a pinball, being buffeted around a heated game. We finally arrived at the farm, and had a very light dinner before retiring at 1:15 in the morning.

Shortly before getting out of bed, I heard the caretaker start up the generator, so once more, we had lost power from the electric company. Imagine serving meals to a dozen people three times a day, and doing it, being forced to use a generator and a four-burner gas cook stove (a glorified Coleman camping unit). I touched my feet down onto the marble floor and decided smart money would be to put on my socks before venturing too far. I found some Valentine’s Day cards I had brought and filled them out for all of the members of the Team and then distributed them around the table places. Showered and saved and dressed, I then went out onto the porch area to greet the members of the Team, as they arrived from their motel. Magda Baggett had brought some boxes of candy hearts, also distributing them to our places. Since Dave and Magda are celebrating their fortieth wedding anniversary later this year, we raised our juice glasses and teacups in a toast to their continued happiness.

We finished breakfast and boarded the bus for another full day of work. Since most of us had brought several toys and goodies for the village children, we were anxious to distribute them. However, we had determined that in order to avoid total chaos and mayhem, we should wait until the following day and work in cooperation with the teachers at the school to maintain some semblance of order and organization. Arriving at the work site, we donned our rubber boots and looked over the project to see where we were needed. Through the generosity of several members of the Team, sufficient funds were raised in order to pay for and construct the second washing platform, so we began to work on that one, while Ramesh worked on putting some finishing touches on the one we had nearly completed. We began by forming another brick line, passing some five hundred bricks from one side of the site to the other. The only difficulty with this was the condition of the soil around where we would be piling up the bricks into a sort of wall. For years now, the waste water from the ladies washing of pots, pans, utensils and clothing had cascaded down over the wall of the reservoir, creating a stinking sopping mess, and we were passing the bricks directly through this area. Jo Barrow, being the smallest was perched precariously on two bricks we had placed beneath her feet, teetering back and forth when the bricks were passed carelessly.

Several times during the passing of bricks, we were concerned that Jo might simply sink down into the depths of this disgusting slurry of mud and flip-flops and clothes and heaven only knows what else, never to be seen or heard from again! Two of us were able to borrow a broken-handled pick-ax and a wide bladed hoe and proceeded to dig a trench to relieve some of the back water, but had to pause often to catch a breath of cleaner air, trying to hold back from gagging on the stench we were uncovering as we dug our trench. Eventually, the trickle turned into a steady flow of filthy water and with some encouragement from a few of the elders, the ladies moved to the other side of the reservoir cover, spilling their waste water away from where we were working. Having said this, however, our progress was occasionally interrupted by a woman or girl guiding her water buffalos to a spot right behind us for washing them down and giving them a bucket or two of water to drink.

We returned to the farm for an outside lunch, and while waiting for it to be brought from the kitchen (still with no power from the electric company) I wandered through Jyotsna’s wonderful rose gardens, cutting several stems of roses and aloe blooms, some wild mustard and put them together for a colorful centerpiece for our table. Following lunch, we returned to the site for our next assignment.

Once the pile of bricks had been built, we moved on to the next part of the new platform construction, and passed hundreds of hods of sand, dumping them into the enclosure to created a base upon which we would later pour the floor for the second platform. A few of us, namely Dave Baggett and Jayne Britton worked alongside Ramesh, serving as tenders for him, as he laid the bricks to form the two new walls. The temperature was rising as we worked through the noon hour, but we were really intent upon completing as much of this second platform as we could before leaving on Thursday afternoon. With tired muscles and sunburned faces and necks, we once again boarded the bus for the farm. A local camel driver, who had been entertaining us with his skill at whistling asked if we wanted to ride his camel back to the farm, or at least part way. Dave Baggett, complete with a hip replacement took the first ride – watching the camel bow down and fall onto his knees to allow David to get onto the saddle was quite a sight. However, he was up and on and the camel was commanded to rise and in a giant undulating motion, stood proudly with David on his back. He rode a few times around the schoolyard and then Jay Kapner and Jo Barrow took their turn. It was out the gate and around the corner and up the road for them. The rest of us followed in the bus until we had reached a point fairly far up the road, where we awaited their arrival. The children from the village followed us as though we had turned into THE Pied Piper. Jay and Jo dismounted and now it was my turn to go with Darlene Beal. The camel driver instructed me to get onto the rear part of the saddle and to grab hold of the hair on the camel’s hump and NOT to let go. Well, I took him at his word and a mile or so up the road, I looked more like a white-knuckled flyer than a confident camel rider. The group decided it would be great entertainment if they could encourage the bus driver to move along the road to a point where Darlene and I could not see the bus, and to park it and wait to see if our faces showed expression of concern that we might have to ride this beast all the way back to the farm! Everyone had a good laugh about it and we enjoyed yet another wonderful dinner at the farm.

We called it a night somewhat earlier than usual, and I am confident that each of us slipped into deep slumber after a particularly strenuous day at the site.

DAY OFF FROM HARD LABOR (Feb. 13. 2007)

2007-02-17T16:43:00.000-08:00

As I probably mentioned before, flexibility seems to be the rule of the day… with one scheduled duty or activity being “adjusted” to another time or priority. Originally, the TEAM had been advised that we would be attending the Rotary South Asia Goodwill Summit, being hosted in Delhi, and this would be followed by the opportunity to attend an event hosted at the Presidential Palace, by India’s President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Well, all of this did, in fact occur, but a day earlier than we had understood.

The TEAM all arrived at Sanjiv’s farm for breakfast, kitted out in our finery – a sharp contrast from the muddy, smelly work clothes and boots from the previous two days of working at the site. We enjoyed yet another wonderful breakfast at the hands of the two lads in the kitchen, who seem to be able to produce an endless variety of very tasty and hearty meals from the kitchen. To the best of my knowledge, we have only enjoyed “normal” electrical power for possibly one full day since our arrival. With horrendous thunder and lightning storms each day or night, power has been lost and the generator was called into duty. The two in the kitchen have been cooking on top of a four unit gas burner – for twelve people each meal.

Once fed, we boarded our coach to travel the two hours into Delhi. We encountered trucks filled to the brim with rocks collected from the unforgiving landscape nearby Sanjiv’s farm and the village site. Traffic jams slowed down the progress into the city, particularly from one side of Gurgaon to the other, and we had the opportunity of being “parked” directly on the flight path for the airport, watching as jumbo jets came in for landing directly over our heads!

When we arrived in Delhi, we were dropped off at the ASHOK HOTEL, where the Summit was being held. This event marked the 25th anniversary of the first such event, held in December 1981. At this Summit, issues such as powerty alleviation, unemployment, empowerment of women, rural credit, literacy, primary health care, nutrition and immunization, the strengthening of democratic institutions, and the role of NGOs in the development process.

Nobel Prize recipients from the region were among those addressing the 600 attendees, which came from the principal countries of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, as well as Canada, the United States and several others. Rotary International President-elect Wilf Wilkinson presided over the Summit. Government officials from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka also addressed the Summit, including the former president of Sri Lanka, Chandrika Kumaratunge.

The Summit had already been in session for the previous day, but the issues being discussed today were of particular interest to us – POLIO ERADICATION. The executive Director from the World Health Organization, the chairman for Polio Plus in India and others addressed the group, urging us not to relent in our efforts to once and for all succeed in killing this maming demon from the face of the earth.

When we arrived, I was pleased to renew my acquaintance with President-elect Wilf Wilkinson, who was being escorted by District Governor Damanjit Singh of District 3010. He recalled the two occasions when he had been to Maine, once for a Zone Institute held at The Cliff House in Ogunquit, and the second when he addressed the District Assembly, the year Michael McGovern was incoming District Governor for District 7780. We had a few minutes to chat, and Jayne Britton joined the conversation, also recalling having met the incoming President in Ogunquit. This being my sixth journey to India, there were many opportunities for me to renew friendships with club members, district leaders and other friends in Rotary.

We sat in on several speeches before the Summit was adjourned for luncheon, and then returned for the major addresses of the afternoon. First to speak was Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar – Union Minister of panchayati Raj, Youth Affairs and Sports and the Development of the Northeast Region in India. His address touched on the rich history of south Asia, and how through following the philosophy espoused by Rotary International, we hold the possibility of realizing world peace, through greater tolerance and understanding.

President-elect Wilf Wilkinson was then introduced, and again, reinforced the basic tenets of Rotary – those of SERVICE ABOVE SELF, and all the honors and responsibilities inherent therein. If each of us moves to serve others, with less attention paid to our own needs, how can we fail?

The Summit concluded with the unanimous passing of a resolution of rededication to the principles of unity and peace and the commitment, specific to the region of south Asia, with the goal of reaching beyond the geographical borders of this region to extend across the planet.

Shortly following the conclusion of the Summit, we all boarded buses to be driven to the reception. We were not allowed to take any pens, cameras, liquids, mobile phones, briefcases or purses, automatic car door openers, automatic car starters, etc. These would be confiscated, should we arrive and go through security and such items were to be found. Off we set in our buses, across Delhi, until we reached the Rashtrapati Bhawan – the official residence of the President, as well as the houses of parliament and other government offices.

The red carpet welcomed us all, with clay pots of yellow and orange marigolds on each ascending step. We were processed through security, and then escorted to reception hall, where we were all seated and waited for the arrival of the President. The security was very high, and quite evident. We were all seated in the first six or seven rows of what appeared to be twenty or thirty rows of chairs, extending about forty chairs across. The Governor of Uttaranchal, Mr. Argawall, himself a prominent Rotarian, had arranged for this reception, and along with the former President of Sri Lanka, was seated on the small stage at the front of the room. Two attendants pulled the long velvet drapes back, and President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam entered the hall. Several introductions were made of the various dignitaries in attendance, including President-elect Wilf Wilkinson, and then President Kalam began his remarks. He is very slight in stature, but as India’s foremost leader in space research, himself a nuclear expert, he easily held more than six hundred people in the palm of his hand. He told a story about his guru of many years ago, and then proceeded to discuss what he believed to be the center of the Summit – the seeking of world peace through greater cooperation and understanding. He concluded with a moral lesson, and then we adjourned to a very long reception hall, where tea, water, soft drinks and several different types of food were served.

As we stood to move to the other hall, I was pleased to see my good friend, past Rotary International Director Sushil Gupta. He and I caught up on the events which had occurred since the last time we were together at his home in Delhi, one year ago. We walked (or should I say moved along with the crowd) into the other hall, and Sushil introduced me to several other Rotarian friends. At one point, it appeared that the equivalent of the secret service was attempting to move the President through the crowds, leaving us to enjoy the hospitality of the evening. I was most fortunate to have the opportunity to meet the President, as were a number of the other members of the Team. President Kalam asked me where I lived in the USA, and was particularly intrigued with the fact that as Rotarians who had come to India at their own expense, to first participate in the National Immunization Day (NID), that we had moved west to serve as laborers in the tiny village of Chahalka. Being Muslim himself, he seemed very grateful that we had undertaken this project, along with members of the Rotary Club of Delhi-West. He wished me well and moved along through the crowd.

We finally returned to the hotel, where we located our coach (traveling home for the past several days) and all of the members of the Team climbed aboard to head for Sanjiv’s farm for dinner. Sanjiv named the property Dera Aravali (Camp Aravali) as it is more or less of an outpost in the rugged terrain of the Aravali mountains. Sanjiv had explained to us earlier that the Himalayas are the newest mountains on earth and the highest and most pointed, while the Aravali mountains were perhaps the oldest chain in India, if not the entire world.

DAY TWO AT THE SITE (Feb. 12, 2007)

2007-02-17T16:13:00.000-08:00

Following a wonderful breakfast at the farm, we boarded the van, complete with our boots, extra socks, an extra shirt or two, and bottled water. Reaching the village, it is always uncertain what one might encounter. Today was no exception. We followed roads, which in some cases are mere paths through the unforgiving rocky terrain, and down into the village. Along the way, we passed a goatherd with his flock, which served as a speed deterrent – as if that were necessary in the first place! We also passed by mining sites which have been closed within the past year or so. It was determined that not only was such mining damaging the topography, but also possibly altering the water table for this area. An occasional motor cycle would weave around us, trying to stay on the path, avoiding puddles and rock outcroppings. Large dump trucks passed us, sometimes coming dangerously close to our van, filled to the brim with yet more rocks – big ones that had to be pounded and shattered into smaller ones, that could be used at our site, and others.

Probably the most photogenic of all the “vehicles” we encountered along the way was a camel-drawn cart. The driver had stopped the cart along the way, to pick up rocks. All the while, the camel held a rather regal pose for all on our van to admire and snap photos.

Our van rounded the corner in Chahalka, and then turned into the school yard. Already, at the far end of this enclosure, the women and girls were washing their dishes and clothes atop the reservoir cover. Strangely, it was only women and girls who inhabited that space. Not another person was to be seen. However, we took wagers on the van as to how many minutes it would take before word would be telegraphed throughout the village that the Rotarians had arrived, and literally scores of young men and boys would descend upon the school yard, many climbing to the top of the stone wall to serve as “sidewalk supervisors” for our project.

Today, however, there seemed to be a higher level of excitement. There was a pile of reddish sand, positioned close to a pile of crushed stone. Buckets of water had been placed next to the sand pile, and two lads of about fourteen years of age, wearing flip-flops on their feet, climbed onto the sand pile, cut open several bags of cement mix and began cutting the cement into the sand, occasionally adding a bucket or two of water, until the right consistency was reached. In the meanwhile, our group formed a few brick lines, to move the a few hundred bricks from the pile to various strategic points around the perimeter of the washing platform area. A few times we broke into choruses of, “What do we want? MORE BRICKS! When do we want ‘em? NOW!”
or a mostly in-tune version of “I’ve been working on the railroad”, to the delight of the gathered crowd.

One of the local men – Ramesh – joined us, bringing his trowel, his plumb bob and cloth tape measure. He is a Hindu man who lives about three kilometers away from Chahalka, and had been hired as the chief mason to supervise our project. It did not take long for all of us to fall into place, either assisting Ramesh as a tender, passing bricks along to him, as he slopped more mortar onto the top of the wall, of bringing hods of crushed stone and dumping them into the center of the walled off area, to create a stable base upon which we would then dump hod after hod of concrete mix, to form the platform floor. Others of us were back in brick lines, but always being observed by the "sidewalk supervisors" who had gathered on top of the wall, adjacent to where we were working. literally dozens of men, of all ages, sqautted atop the wall, beneficently smiling, but having absolutely NO intention of joining us in our endeavors. I asked Sanjiv if these gentlemen had any idea as to what we were doing, and why. He told me the village elders with whom he and Ravi Dayal had met, indicated they would inform the entire commuity as to our purpose. Culturally, however, imagine how you would feel if ten or a dozen total strangers - many of them white westerners - moved into your village and began passing bricks, carrying hods of sand or concrete, all the while singing songs, such as "I've been working on the Railroad" or "She'll be coming 'round the mountain, when she comes"! Furthermore, at least in this village, the culture was that it was the women and girls who worked, rather than the men. Hour after hour, women and girls came to the reservoir site, climbed atop the cover and either dipped down to fill their jugs (about five gallons each) or their buckets, which they then balanced on top of their heads, to carry back to their houses. Girls, who seemed barely ten or twelve years of age would have at least one, if not two of these earthenware jars balanced on their heads, seldom reaching up to steady them. Many of them had taken fabric or plastic bags and crocheted "doughnuts" to place on top of their heads, where then they rested the jugs or buckets of water, or basins of washed laundry. Again, all the while, the men of the village perched atop the wall, contemplated the ongoing work, pausing only occasionally to answer a ringing mobile phone! In addition, the women or girls, who had water buffalo(s) would bring them over to the reservoir to wash them down and to provide them with a drink from a bucket. A few times, it seemed as though the mother water buffalo got concerned with our close proximity to her calf and swung her hind end around to keep herself between us and her calf.

Today was very successful, in that we finished laying the bricks for the wall surrounding the washing platform, as well as pouring the first layer of the floor for it. Following a very full day of work, only interrupted by traveling back to the farm for lunch, we asked if we might enter the mosque located across the street from our work site. We were granted permission, and as we departed from the site and walked across the street, it seemed as if EVERYONE in the village knew we were going to the mosque, and turned out in force to watch us enter the holy place. An old gentleman proudly described the fact that relatives had paid for the construction of the walls and ceiling. When we entered the grounds, we all removed our shoes or boots and left them outside. This being a totally new experience for most of us, I am sure the occasional doubt entered minds, as to whether or not the shoes would still be there when we departed. No problem! Although these folks might have been a bit stand-offish, they were most likely shy, but all the while maintaining their respect for us.

The children and men were still outside when we departed the mosque, and walked alongside us back to the school yard, and escorted us to our waiting coach. I think as we climbed in, each of us realized we had been using and testing muscles which had not been used for some time. Tomorrow would be a good time for a rest!

NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION DAY AND THEN SOME - (Feb. 11, 2007)

2007-02-17T16:04:00.000-08:00

February 11, 2007

There is no doubt in my mind that each of us slept briefly but soundly, as we all anticipated joining local Rotarians and other volunteers to participate in what is hoped will be one of the last NIDs necessary in India. Two other members of our Team had arrived a day before us, having other commitments requiring them to travel with another carrier. Dave and Magda Baggett were registered at the same hotel, and I rang their room, introduced myself and took them each a shirt, especially made for the NID, the cost for which was partially underwritten by the folks at the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Wells-Fargo Home Mortgage division. We had our bags brought to the lobby, enjoyed breakfast and were again met by the High Points representative, as well as Ravi Dayal. Once finished with breakfast and check-out, we left the hotel, checked our luggage as it was loaded onto the van and proceeded to a central distribution center in one of the oldest and poorest sections of Old Delhi. This is the same area where I had immunized children the very first time I came to India for an NID, in January 2001. The streets and alleys began to look familiar to me, as we bumped and jostled over the torn up and puddled road. The city was beginning to stir, with a few children playing marbles, a few carried cricket bats (it seems EVERYONE in India plays cricket!) and vendors pushed carts or pedaled their cycle rickshaws, all trying to avoid being “nudged” by an car or auto-rickshaw, being navigated by sleepy or sometimes impatient drivers.

From the parking area, we were divided into smaller groups, each headed by a member of the Delhi-West Rotary Club. We then arrived at the distribution center and climbed the two flights of stairs and were then introduced to the physician who was overseeing that center. This gentleman had been participating in the Polio Plus Campaigns and NIDs for well over fifteen years! His dedication and attention to detail both contribute to the success of the program in this section of Delhi. Ravi Dayal also explained more about the program and the plans for the day. Literally hundreds of vials of the polio vaccine are brought to distribution centers, like this one, a few days before the NID. The cases of vaccine are kept in freezers, in order to maintain a temperature for viability. The night before the NID, the physician and other volunteers gather to divide the boxes of vaccine into smaller lots, which would be taken to the “booths” for distribution to the children.

Following our briefing, each smaller group went with one or two local Rotarians and took the “cold packs” containing vaccine, to the booths which had been set up in schools or training centers or even a small medical clinic. Sometimes the local volunteers who would be immunizing the children, even willing to pose for a photo opportunity with our Team members, met us. We worked our way through the back streets and neighborhood play areas, and eventually back to the paring area, where we had left the van. Each of us had the opportunity to administer those “TWO TINY DROPS OF LIFE-SAVING VACCINE” to the children who had arrived at the nearby booth.

Since we were on a very busy schedule, we left that area, to be driven to another section of Delhi, where the Delhi-West Rotary Club would be working on the NID.

A few years ago, then president of the Rotary Club of Delhi-West, Ashok Kantoor, through his prior meetings with three members of my own Rotary Club of South Berwick, Maine (our Club president, Helen Goransson, myself and Bonnie Richardson) had successfully written a Matching Grant proposal for the establishing of a vocational training center, to be funded partially by The Rotary Foundation and partially by Sarvarth Foundation (which would take care of funding the actually construction of the building addition). Our Team arrived, and each of us was “garlanded” by a young girl – a traditional greeting where garlands of colorful marigolds are placed around the neck of the visitors. Also on hand to welcome us were Ashok Kantoor, as well as several members of the Delhi-West Club, and a local politician or two.

When I had visited this site only one year ago, I had been pleased with the progress the project had enjoyed. Sewing machines had been purchased through a donation of Anne Russell of the Rotary Club of Hampton, New Hampshire (another member of the Team from 2004). Computers had been donated and children were learning computer science, cosmetology and sewing skills. However, this year, a second story has been constructed through funding from the Sarvarth Foundation in cooperation with the local government’s district collector.

While there at Sarvarth, each of us had the opportunity to immunize a number of other children, as well as to distribute two dozen pair of reading glasses, which had been donated by the Delhi-West Rotary Club, as a part of the many Eye Camps they sponsor throughout the year. These Eye Camps are conducted in order to screen people with cataracts, as well as other disorders. Once identified, some of the people receive corrective surgeries, while others receive glasses to help correct the problem. Looking into the faces of these folks reminded each one of us just how very fortunate, even blessed, we are.

We departed the Sarvarth project and then rode two hours to Sohna, to meet with still more of the members of the Delhi-West Rotary Club, as well as leaders from Rotary District 3010. Sanjiv Saran, incoming president of the Delhi-West Rotary Club was hosting a luncheon at his farm and weekend retreat. When we arrived, District Governor Damanjit Singh, whom I had met six years ago, as well as the District Governor from Sri Lanka, and others greeted us. They had come not only to enjoy a luncheon, but also to help launch the work project we would call “home” for the coming week.

Following lunch, our driver took us to the village of Chahalka, a few kilometers from Sanjiv’s farm, where we met some of the elders of the village, as well as many, many children. For some, I am sure we were the first Americans they had ever seen, so we were quite the attraction. At the site, Sanjiv explained the basics of the project. We would be constructing a washing stand, so that once completed, the ladies and girls of Chahalka would be able to wash their eating utensils and their laundry items, away from the reservoir of drinking water, with the waste water being drained properly, to avoid polluting the water supply. Currently, these women and girls climb atop the cover for the reservoir, and scrub their pots and pans, as well as their clothing and towels and tablecloths, right on top of the concrete cover, dumping the soiled water over the side. In addition, some of the children bring their water buffalos to the same site to wash them. All of this wastewater then seeps into the ground and back into the reservoir, thereby polluting the drinking water, as well as trickling into a stream directing stinking polluted water into the playground for the local school.

Once the project was explained, we took a few moments to observe an initiation of the project. I was invited forward to the corner of where some bricks had been laid, marking the outline of the platform we would be constructing. I would learn later that this corner is the one which would face Mecca – the holiest site for Muslims. I was handed a coconut that one of the men in the town had just picked from a nearby tree, and was directed to smash open the coconut at this corner. In so doing, we were all offering prayers that this construction project would be auspicious. On the first try, I cracked open the coconut, the milk inside drizzled down onto the bricks, and all of the people in the village applauded. Work began!

We all joined together to carry broken rocks into the enclosed area, which would form the base for the new washing platform. Some of us were in “rock lines”, while others carried hods or basins of rocks, which we dumped into the enclosure. Ravi, Sanjiv and others had laid the beginnings of the brick wall the previous week. When we had the entire area covered with the broken rocks, we then had to remove some along the perimeter, in order to establish the area for proper draining. The size of the rock pile had been seriously diminished, and we eventually left to return to the farm. Members of the Team would be staying at the Sohna Motel, just a short distance from Sanjiv’s farm. We were driven there, offloaded the luggage and rooms were assigned.

A short while later, the Team returned for dinner at Sanjiv’s farm – this would serve as the base for all of our meals over the coming week. It had been quite a first day and recalling Robert Frost’s poem – we had miles to go before we sleep, and promises to keep! Knowing that with some strenuous labor, funding, as well as some moments for entertaining the locals with our songs and antics, we could actually permanently affect the lives of these five hundred families, all began to sink in and encourage us to return on Monday morning.

SUCH A DAY… (Feb. 10, 2007)

2007-02-17T15:55:00.000-08:00

It is difficult to know where to begin, but I will start with how my day began. Since I had an early flight from Boston to Newark on Friday, I decided to drive to the Boston area Thursday afternoon and stay at one of the local motels that offers the “stay and park package”, since I would be leaving my car there for the duration of my trip. Had dinner, and then returned to my room to unpack and then repack all three of my bags. Weight distribution was crucial, since I was taking along with me thirty shirts – one for each member of the team from the USA, as well as the Rotarians from India who would be joining our team. In addition, I had sufficient numbers of First Aid kits for the team members.

Friday morning – February 9th, and I awoke bright an early – about 4:00 a.m. Took a shower, carried the excess clothing out to my car in the parking garage at the hotel and then went down for breakfast, before catching the shuttle bus to the airport. At Logan Airport, at 5:30 in the morning is amazingly bustling, and it appeared that most of the population of New England was departing for warmer climates for their mid-winter re-charging of batteries!

I checked in at the Continental ticket counter and proceeded to the gate for boarding. Our flight was uneventful and when I arrived at Newark airport, I gathered my bags and then checked them at a storage booth, so I would not have to lug them around all day. I settled in to have some breakfast and then worked on some paperwork for the rest of the morning. I was to have lunch with Rotary District Governor-Elect Joe Laureni from New Jersey. He had been attending a conference at the United Nations most of the morning, but came and met me and we had a great luncheon meeting, and then he dropped me off at the airport, where I would wait to meet the members of the team as they arrived from all parts of the Eastern seaboard late in the afternoon.

The first arrivals were Darlene Beal from Haverhill, Massachusetts and District Governor Jay Kapner from North Carolina. They had both allowed a bit of room for me to offload some of the shirts and other items, to lighten my load and get my bags to within the allowed limits. David and Magda Baggett, also from North Carolina, had already flown over to India the day before, as Magda would be traveling on behalf of the college where she works with foreign exchange students. Next to arrive was Roy Wise, a retired Lutheran minister from Atlanta, Georgia. We all got know one another for the next hour or so, as none of us had ever met before. While we were waiting, I received a telephone call on my mobile phone, and I did not recognize the number which popped up on my screen – I did not even recognize the area code! The voice on the other end was that of Joan Nickell, from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, telling me that she and Jayne Britton (who claims New Hampshire as her residence, but is a member of the Fryeburg, Maine Rotary Club) had arrived and were already checked in and down at the boarding gate. I told Joan we were waiting for Jo Barrow from North Carolina to arrive and then we would check in and proceed down through security and meet them for having something to eat. However, there was no Jo Barrow!

In checking with the arrival board at Continental, we saw that the flight bringing Jo Barrow had been seriously delayed, and in my mind there was question as to whether she would arrive in time to catch our flight to India. We decided to check in with Continental and proceed through security to meet Jayne and Joan. This process was reasonably uneventful, although I was asked to step into a side area to be “wanded” and “patted” to check me for being a security risk! Well, I passed muster and we all moved toward the restaurant area to meet up with Joan and Jayne. Again, my mobile phone rang and yet another unknown area code and number popped up on my screen! It was Jo Barrow on the other end, saying that her flight had just landed and that she would get to us as soon as she could, hopefully to grab a bite to eat before having to board the flight.

We met up with Joan and Jayne and had a light meal and some drinks. As time appeared that we might not meet up with Jo Barrow, we turned and saw a rather frazzled woman approaching the restaurant. I got up and said, “You MUST be Jo Barrow!” “Yes, I am and it would be great if I could get something to drink and maybe a bite to eat before boarding. We shared some chips and a beer and then moved on to the gate for boarding. As we were standing, waiting for out row numbers to be called, we heard the disappointing announcement that if we had not already checked in AGAIN at the ticket counter, we would not be allowed to board. So, it was back into another line, to stand and wait for processing. We all got checked again, and returned to the line at the gate. As each of our sections was called, we moved forward to board the plane – 777 which we were told was packed! True enough, there was only one empty seat for the flight.

Once seated, we awaited to taxi, but that was not about to happen, at least not for another hour. Eventually, the captain spoke over the address system and informed us that there was a “minor” mechanical issue – there was one tiny switch that did not seem to operate properly, so he had summoned the mechanic to come out to the plane and service it. We finally were able to depart at about 10:45 p.m.

Basically, our flight was uneventful, and relatively smooth – at least for the first ten hours! Some of our team read, while others tried to get some sleep. It seems that taking such a lengthy flight is no so unlike being hospitalized – just about when you have dozed off into dreamland, a flight attendant comes by, shakes your shoulder and tells you she or he is bringing a meal to you (sort of like, waking you to take your medicine so you can sleep better!) The food was typical of in-flight rations, but certainly acceptable. I was able to get to know some of the flight attendants, and several of them seemed quite interested in our Team and where we were going and what we would be doing and why. After some discussion, I learned that almost all of this flight crew will be flying us home, when we leave late in the evening on the 25th, so they said they will be anxious to hear of our experiences.

As I mentioned, about two hours out from New Delhi, we began to hit some serious turbulence and were advised to return to our seats, buckle our seat belts and pull them TIGHT! Bumper cars and roller coaster were two amusement park rides which came to mind. The head of the flight attendants announced they would be coming through to serve us breakfast (at 11:00 at night) but that we would have to eat quickly as the turbulence was going to shorten the time for eating and then clearing, prior to landing. I believe it took about eleven minutes to serve all the passengers and to clear the trays. Never had I seen a more efficient crew than this one on Continental Flight 32.

We finally touched down in Delhi – Indira Ghandi International Airport at about 11:40 on Saturday night (our new time zone being 10.5 hours ahead of home) and were processed through Immigration and then moved along to baggage claim. Jo Barrow was pleased that although she had been the last to meet us in Newark, that her bags were the first of our group’s to tumble along the conveyor belt. All bags were finally collected and we moved together out through customs and then up the long ramp where literally hundreds of people awaited the arrival of loved ones, friends, or business associates. The representative from High Points Expeditions was there holding a sign WELCOME ROTARY INTERNATIONAL – a most welcome sight! Ravi Dayal, my dear friend and past president of the Rotary Club of Delhi-West also greeted us. After loading our bags into the back of the van, we boarded and were driven into the city – about a forty-five minute drive at that hour – and registered at the Hotel Marina, located in Connaught Circus, in the center of Delhi.

Finally, a bed beckoned each of us to sleep the few hours before we would have to rise and shine, shower, dress and get our bags to the lobby, before eating our breakfast at 7:30. PLEASANT DREAMS…

Remember... Always be flexible (Feb. 9, 2007)

2007-02-17T15:53:00.000-08:00

It was yesterday morning, when I spoke on the telephone with Sanjiv, that I learned our Team – THE DREAM TEAM – had been invited to attend the Southeast Asia Rotary Conference, being held in New Delhi in the coming week. We will get up bright and early that day, work for a few hours, and then return to the motel, shower and dress in business attire, and then drive back from Chahalka to New Delhi, to attend sessions that afternoon. We are most grateful to District Governor Damanjit Singh for the invitation. In addition, we have also been issued an invitation to attend a special reception at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi, for an opportunity to meet the president of India, later that same afternoon. What a way to spend Valentine’s Day!!!

All of these invitations are exciting, but only learning of them twenty-four hours before we all leave our homes to fly to Newark, New Jersey to meet at the airport and then fly on to New Delhi, presents a few problems – mostly packing! As I am sure all of us are seasoned travelers, rather than waiting until the last minute, we all MUST have packed our bags several days ago, and this change in plans would necessitate unpacking some things and re-packing dress clothes. In response to the invitation from Sanjiv, I immediately sent out an Email to the members of the Team, notifying them of the change in our itinerary. While still working at my office during the morning, I continued to check my Email to make sure everyone had received my notice. By the end of the morning, I had heard from most members, but decided to call two of them, and it is a good thing I did – since Jay Kapner was already in New York, visiting his father. I had one telephone number to use, and fortunately, it was his cell phone. When I told him about the invitations, he said, “Well Elias, I have a pair of jeans and a pair of khaki pants. Will that be alright?” I indicated that he needed a suit or at the very least a blazer, shirt and tie. He said during this past year, serving as District Governor, he like so many of us who have had that honor, had gained some weight, and he could not fit into clothes from his father. Was I POSITIVE the clothes he had would not be acceptable? I told him what Sanjiv had asked me, when I offered the same question – “What would you wear if you were invited to meet the President of the United States at the White House?” “Ah,” said Jay. “I will see what I can do.” Later in the afternoon, Jay called and told me he had gone shopping and bought a suit, white shirt, tie, belt, and shoes. I congratulated him for being FLEXIBLE.

Since I am carrying with me all of the shirts made especially for the Team, both here and in India, my cases are pretty full. In addition, I am carrying about a dozen First Aid Kits in my bags as well. I found it necessary to send out a plea to the Team members to leave a little space in their bags for some of these items, so that at least by the time we reach New Delhi, my suit will not look like frost-heaved roads in Maine in the winter! Last night, I also went through my bags and removed some extra shirts and a pair of shoes, so hopefully with the adjustments, everyone will have heavy bags, but not so heavy they can’t lift them.

At the suggestion of my doctor, I am wearing a knee brace, to help stabilize my left knee. I am scheduled for knee replacement surgery in May, and so this morning, I strapped it on. After flying from Boston to Newark, I have almost reached the point that I want to take it off and ship it home! I almost think it is more trouble than it is worth. It is not an easy thing to pack away in a suitcase, even with the re-distribution of shirts and First Aid Kits! The jury is still out on this question.

It is now about 10:30 in the morning, and I am sitting at the Newark Airport waiting to meet with District Governor-Elect Joe Laureni, who just returned from San Diego for governors’ training. I am honored to serve as Joe’s mentor, so it will be a pleasure for me to see him once again, and to share with him what we will be doing in India. Joe has chosen District 3010 for a Group Study Exchange during his term as District Governor. That district includes Delhi, and is where I led the GSE team in 2003 from my district. Joe and I will probably have lunch and then I will wait to meet the rest of the members of my Team, as they drift in from all parts of the east coast of the US.

A few minutes ago, I called Sanjiv in India, just to touch base and to find out final plans for our Team. He told me there was another change in plans. This came as no surprise and he proceeded to tell me that we would all attend the Southeast Asia Rotary Conference on Tuesday, the 13th, rather than the 14th! This also follows for the reception with the President of India. We will just have to alter the schedule of days, rather than making any major changes. In planning such a journey, one must be ready to accept change and not to become upset with the changes which may occur.

Almost time to close and go searching for DGE Joe Laureni. More later, although I am not sure when we might get this posted to the BLOG.

Web

2007-02-04T04:43:00.000-08:00

Team,

At our Rotary meeting this week we had a speaker who traveled via motorcycle from Alaska to Argentina. He posted a daily blog and lots of people followed his progress. Second, yesterday a friend told me that he loads all his photo to yahoo and his friends can see them. The photo site is free.

My suggestion is to blog the trip and add photos. This whole process is new to me, but I know it is possible. We can post from India. Is there anyone in the group who can answer any technical questions?

I can sign us up for the yahoo account. That way our families and friends can follow the trip.

Common Laborers?

2007-02-01T10:14:00.000-08:00

Rotarians - "common" laborers???

Nothing could be further from the truth.

In my nearly twenty-nine years as a member of Rotary, I never cease to be amazed at the quality of my fellow Rotarians, and I marvel at the limitless scope most of them have with respect to how individually and as a group, each believes that we can make a positive difference in the lives of others. So when it comes time for us to roll up our sleeves and get down to serious business, perhaps even grovel in the mud and the dirt, we are not immune to the concept or deterred from jumping right into a project.

Such is the make-up of the members of my team, both from the United States, as well as from India. When the opportunity presented itself, not only to join literally tens of thousands of volunteers, including Rotarians from around the world, and to participate in yet another National Immunization Day (NID) against polio on February 11th throughout India, they responded to that invitation. However, through the efforts of two Rotarians in particular - Past President Ravi Dayal and President-elect Sanjiv Saran - both from the Rotary Club of Delhi-West, the scope of our mission expanded exponentially. Over the past seven years, I have known and worked closely with both Ravi and Sanjiv, and I am so pleased they have been able to identify an area where we could put our skills to work to benefit an entire village - Chahalka - by constructing a water treatment facility, in order to provide clean SAFE drinking water to the folks who live there.

For the past six or eight months, both Sanjiv and Ravi have met with the village elders in Chahalka, and determined that Rotary could once again LEAD THE WAY by working cooperatively with the villagers and Rotarians, to address the problem of unsafe drinking water there. At present, as you can see from the photograph, ladies are having to wash dishes and clothing at a community site, where the water is supplied by a sewage sump.

Once they have finished their washing, the further polluted water then trickles into a small stream, which flows directly into the playground of the local elementary school. Obviously, the possibility of water-borne diseases is far more than that - it is REALITY.

It is just this type of environment that leads to all sorts of health issues, and is one we hope to eliminate through the construction of a water treatment facility. This will not only provide safe drinking water, but with additional phases of this project in the future, the possibilities are limitless - proper septic systems to ensure no further pollution occurs and so much more. We will be working as common laborers, alongside of other Rotarians and laborers from the village to make this dream a reality. But, as stated before, there is nothing common about Rotarians.
At present, with only a week to go before we leave from the USA, team members here are beginning to pack their suitcases with "wellies" (high rubber boots), several pairs of socks, work pants, work shirts, and of course, goodies to bring to the children of the village. We will work at the village for about a week, and the Rotarians from Delhi-West will join us, and then continue on with the project after we depart. With the kindness of folks from my local hardware store, we will be able to protect our hands with rubberized work gloves. Folks from Wells-Fargo Home Mortgage pitched in for some shirts for the team members, as well as our friends at Winter People.
We are so blessed to be a part of Rotary International and to be able to share our blessings with those less fortunate than ourselves. With the support of family, friends and business associates, we will LEAD THE WAY...

Web sites

2007-01-28T11:12:00.000-08:00

I found two good web sites.
http://www.taj-mahal.net/blackLarge.htm which has 360 views of the Taj Mahal. Incredibleindia.org is the official web site for India. It is full of travel ads, but has good info on India.

I found out that the current weather in Dehli us 80 F.

Roy

A Bit more about our Mission

2007-01-27T03:03:00.000-08:00

On February 11, 2007, after a very early breakfast, our team from the USA will join members of the Rotary Club of Delhi-West, and drive to the oldest section of Delhi, where we will participate in the NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION DAY (NID). First, we will visit the distribution center, where we will observe as physicians and Rotary volunteers organize the distribution of the polio oral vaccine, to be taken to the various immunization sites throughout that section of the city. Some of us may even participate in distributing the "cold packs" of vaccine to the various sites. With this oral vaccine, it is imperative that the vaccine be kept cool, so it is packed in ice-chests, similar to our Coleman picnic chests. When "opening time" arrives, each site will have a ledger containing the names of all children within that neighborhood or sector of the city. INTERACT members from the local high school will be at each site to lend a hand with the tallying to record each immunized child. All children under the age of five years are brought to the sites, sometimes by a parent, and other times by an older sister or brother. When they reach the head of the line, the child gives his or her name (which is recorded in the ledger) and then is given two drops of life-saving vaccine on the tongue, the finger nail of the little finger on one hand is "painted" with gentian violet tincture, which stains the nail for a period of up to two weeks, so that over-enthusiastic children do not go to another site to have a second dose! The children are usually given a sticker for their shirts, and possibly a trinket from one of the members of the NID team from the USA.

After each does of vaccine is given, the volunteer who is vaccinating the children places the vial of vaccine back onto a cake of ice, to keep it viable by maintaining a temperature below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This process is "monitored" by the fact that the vial markings change color to alert the volunteer that the vaccine temperature has risen above the 50 degrees, and must be discarded.

Generally, the immunization is completed by mid-day, with follow-up operations going into the various neighborhoods to find children who did not show up for the immunization. Volunteers go house to house, knocking on the doors, seeking those children who did not present themselves at the NID. This is the only way that we can "break the chain" of passing the polio virus on to others.

Hello

2007-01-26T18:28:00.000-08:00

Hello team.

My name is Roy Wise. I am from the Dunwoody Rotary Club in Atlanta, GA. I have been a Rotarian for 12 years. This is my first international Rotary trip. I have two close friends who are polio victims. Both had polio before the Salk vaccine, one three weeks before the vaccine. Both have lived active lives involved in the community and their church. One is in a wheelchair and the other has a facial muscle impairment.

I want to thank Elias Thomas for making arrangements. It is great that we will see the Taj Mahal.

I have started the arrangements. I had to rush order my passport since I lost mine. This is one more time I miss the good advice of my wife who died in January 2006. She would have known where to look for it. After two days of looking, I decided to pay the price. The US post office charges $190 for a rush job. I got 5 vaccinations and will get one more. Today I made a good haul at the Dollar Store. One dollar buys lots at the store. I have 150 trinkets for children. I found a good travel book on India, "Eyewitness Guides." I recommend it. I did not find the Lonely Planet guide helpful.

Thanks to Elias for helping with my questions today.

I hope we can exchange notes on packing questions in our blogs

Regards
Roy

A FRESH START FOR 2007

2007-01-26T11:09:00.000-08:00

In preparation for our departure on February 9th, members of our ROTARIANS FOR HOPE - INDIA 2007 Team are obtaining their necessary immunizations, checking to make sure that their Passports and VISAS are in order, and beginning to pack for the trip.

We all will be arriving in Newark on February 9th, and gathering at the Continental Airlines Terminal, and checking our bags through for this non-stop 16+ hour flight from Newark to New Delhi. Each of us has different motivation which pushes us forward to participate in these programs, and we all realize how very blessed we are to have the support of our families and friends to set out on such a venture.

The day after we arrive in New Delhi, we will join members of the Rotary Club of Delhi-West, and then drive into the oldest sections of Delhi, where we will work with other volunteers to help to immunize children against polio. This is all a part of Rotary International's efforts to eradicate polio from the face of the earth. National Immunization Days are held in several countries throughout the world, but most particularly in India and the other three areas where polio is endemic. Children under the age of five will be immunized a minimum of two times over a period of a few months, to ensure that this virus is prevented from being passed from one human being to another. In past years on the NIDs, well over 150 MILLION children have been immunized all in one day!

Following the NID, we will then travel west of New Delhi to a village - Chahalka, where we will work for the rest of the week, serving as common laborers to help construct a water sanitation facility, to provide safe and clean drinking water for the people of the village. At present, ladies are forced to wash their dishes and clothing in water provided by a sewage sump, with the further tainted water trickling into a stream that flows through the elementary school playground.

In the coming days, and throughout the trip, we will continue to share our thoughts and experiences, through these postings, along with photographs, in the hopes that family and friends will get a real sense of our mission, and to obtain feedback from you all.