I've only really known anything about Dehra Dun for less than a year. Once we established that PSI and Latika Roy seemed to be a good fit for us, I began spending time with Google Earth and Wikipedia, trying to get to know this medium-sized state capital. As time went on though, and word got out a little bit, I learned that I have a lot more connections to this place than I thought. Of course, my friend Ben has been there. He grew up in India, and is quite the world traveler, and I'm not too surprised. Through our Perspectives class, and our organization's relationships, we found more and more people who know Dehra Dun and its surroundings (especially Mussoorie). We were able to have dinner with a couple who lived nearby for most of 27 years. Near the end of last year, I learned that a group from my friend Andy's church has visited a school in Dehra Dun a few times. Then, just a couple of weeks ago, I learned that a close childhood friend (who I lost touch with for a few years after high school) actually spent several months at the People's Science Institute during college, almost 10 years ago! It was great to talk to her about her experience there - both the good times and the hard times...
I've been repeatedly amazed at how connected I am to this place already; our web of relationships truly spans the globe, and I wonder if we'd be able to find a place that we aren't somehow already connected to. My brother had a similar experience this summer, soon after he learned he would be going to Siberia for work - it seemed like such a novel place to be working, but we learned our friend Tim went to the same regional city to play volleyball only a few years ago. Small world, indeed.
And speaking of being connected - I'm super stoked that Andy has made plans to join us for several weeks in March! It's gonna be a great time...
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Tickets.....Check
So, at just 2.5 weeks away from heading to India, Will and I are looking pretty set to go. Our visa's have come in, we've got our plane and train tickets in order, and the bonus of new friends meeting us, just about everywhere we land.
At home, we've been moving things around a bit. Will's office has now become Brooks's room, and Will's office has been squeezed into Brooks's old bedroom. It was fun watching Brooks and her daughter spread out into their new space. Not as much fun watching Will try to fit everything into the smaller room, but I think he's figuring things out pretty well, and is even beginning to purge some things I've not so secretly wanted him to get rid of for a few years.
With this, we recently heard from a lovely gal named Jess, who has agreed to come live in our home with Brooks, so that Will and I have fewer expenses to worry about, while we're away. This is really awesome, as she comes highly recommended by way of our dear friend Mary Jo. We are looking forward to her arrival, and hope to get some hang time with Jess before we leave.
Our cat Mia, also seems to anticipating our departure, in a not so great way. For a few weeks around Will and I being gone for the holidays, and us moving the two rooms around, Mia decided to start a little protest, and began pooping outside of the litter box....not so great! I became pretty frustrated with this, and we all tried multiple tactics at getting Mia to go back to her old routine. Thankfully, after two long talks with our vet, we switched the litter box to a new spot in the house, with new litter, and currently she is making her deposits in the new box. Hurray!
My bonds with my new friends in India, specifically Sheela (our trip coordinator in India) and Jo (the woman I'll be working for) have become much deeper over the last week or 2, as we've been emailing almost every day, sorting out plans. I can not wait to meet these two great ladies, and to throw my arms around them for helping me feel more and more at peace about traveling abroad for the first time. Debbie, our coordinator here in Philly, has also been wonderfully flexible, and always ready to answer questions, even if they are repeats from a few months ago.
Finally, I want to pull a little excerpt from an email my sister and I had yesterday. She was giving me another pep talk after I said "I think I might freak out a little right before we get on the plane. I'm not a panic attack kind of gal, but it might happen then."
Kerry responded by saying, "Your not going to have a panic attack. You'll be too busy worrying about if you forgot anything or excited by the new adventure your are going on. Your life will never be the same and that's a good thing remember. Traveling abroad, esp. to poorer countries changes your life perspective a lot and also makes you grateful for what you have. The biggest thing to look at and notice is not how poor these people are and how devastating their living conditions are, but look at how happy they are. How they smile as their kids play. How old women gossip together no matter what country you are in and old men eye you in every land and language. Don't focus on the negative. Focus on the fact that these people have nothing and yet many of them are happy and living their lives the only way they know how, even if we can never understand how they find happiness with less than what we ourselves can't live without. Plus youre going to be a great novelty for some people and they will be so excited to meet a crazy white girl and guy. Use it to your advantage."
Gosh I love my sister!
Lauren
At home, we've been moving things around a bit. Will's office has now become Brooks's room, and Will's office has been squeezed into Brooks's old bedroom. It was fun watching Brooks and her daughter spread out into their new space. Not as much fun watching Will try to fit everything into the smaller room, but I think he's figuring things out pretty well, and is even beginning to purge some things I've not so secretly wanted him to get rid of for a few years.
With this, we recently heard from a lovely gal named Jess, who has agreed to come live in our home with Brooks, so that Will and I have fewer expenses to worry about, while we're away. This is really awesome, as she comes highly recommended by way of our dear friend Mary Jo. We are looking forward to her arrival, and hope to get some hang time with Jess before we leave.
Our cat Mia, also seems to anticipating our departure, in a not so great way. For a few weeks around Will and I being gone for the holidays, and us moving the two rooms around, Mia decided to start a little protest, and began pooping outside of the litter box....not so great! I became pretty frustrated with this, and we all tried multiple tactics at getting Mia to go back to her old routine. Thankfully, after two long talks with our vet, we switched the litter box to a new spot in the house, with new litter, and currently she is making her deposits in the new box. Hurray!
My bonds with my new friends in India, specifically Sheela (our trip coordinator in India) and Jo (the woman I'll be working for) have become much deeper over the last week or 2, as we've been emailing almost every day, sorting out plans. I can not wait to meet these two great ladies, and to throw my arms around them for helping me feel more and more at peace about traveling abroad for the first time. Debbie, our coordinator here in Philly, has also been wonderfully flexible, and always ready to answer questions, even if they are repeats from a few months ago.
Finally, I want to pull a little excerpt from an email my sister and I had yesterday. She was giving me another pep talk after I said "I think I might freak out a little right before we get on the plane. I'm not a panic attack kind of gal, but it might happen then."
Kerry responded by saying, "Your not going to have a panic attack. You'll be too busy worrying about if you forgot anything or excited by the new adventure your are going on. Your life will never be the same and that's a good thing remember. Traveling abroad, esp. to poorer countries changes your life perspective a lot and also makes you grateful for what you have. The biggest thing to look at and notice is not how poor these people are and how devastating their living conditions are, but look at how happy they are. How they smile as their kids play. How old women gossip together no matter what country you are in and old men eye you in every land and language. Don't focus on the negative. Focus on the fact that these people have nothing and yet many of them are happy and living their lives the only way they know how, even if we can never understand how they find happiness with less than what we ourselves can't live without. Plus youre going to be a great novelty for some people and they will be so excited to meet a crazy white girl and guy. Use it to your advantage."
Gosh I love my sister!
Lauren
Monday, December 29, 2008
Traveling Smart
Hey Folks,
just wanted to let you know that we are aware of the risks of going to India right now. Our friends here in the states and over in India still say it is OK to go, and we are trusting them to tell us if it is not a good idea. We take their word and opinions very seriously, and we trust them with our safety. They need only say the word, and we will halt our plans to travel. We are also keeping on top of what our government is suggesting during this time:
"U.S. citizens traveling to or already in India to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness, especially during the end-of-year holidays until India’s Republic Day, January 26. This Travel Alert expires on January 31, 2009."-www.travel.state.gov
Note that we will not be in India until after the travel alert expires.
We will also be registering with our embassy, to get regular updates on whether or not our travels are safe, before we depart, and while we are in India.
Many of you, our dear friends and family, have asked directly about these concerns, and I can only imagine how many of you think it, and don't ask. So, here is the answer to those questions. We are not allowing our emotions to guide us in this area, we are trying to remain smart and practical. We love that you all care so very much for us, and know that we are doing our very best to look out for our own safety.
Much love and peace to you all,
Lauren & Will
just wanted to let you know that we are aware of the risks of going to India right now. Our friends here in the states and over in India still say it is OK to go, and we are trusting them to tell us if it is not a good idea. We take their word and opinions very seriously, and we trust them with our safety. They need only say the word, and we will halt our plans to travel. We are also keeping on top of what our government is suggesting during this time:
"U.S. citizens traveling to or already in India to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness, especially during the end-of-year holidays until India’s Republic Day, January 26. This Travel Alert expires on January 31, 2009."-www.travel.state.gov
Note that we will not be in India until after the travel alert expires.
We will also be registering with our embassy, to get regular updates on whether or not our travels are safe, before we depart, and while we are in India.
Many of you, our dear friends and family, have asked directly about these concerns, and I can only imagine how many of you think it, and don't ask. So, here is the answer to those questions. We are not allowing our emotions to guide us in this area, we are trying to remain smart and practical. We love that you all care so very much for us, and know that we are doing our very best to look out for our own safety.
Much love and peace to you all,
Lauren & Will
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Home for the Holidays
Will and I are spending as much time with our families as we can this holiday, as we will not be seeing them for almost 6 months. We've designated a larger chunk to Will's side, as we don't get to see them as often as my parents. Spending time with the in-laws is always very relaxing for me. Their home is consistently cozy and peaceful, full of boardgames, and accompanied by large sit down meals made by my fabulous mother-in-law . It's also super fun to watch Will with his brothers. Their comrodery and playful nature is a joy to watch in action, as they cheer each other on in rousing competitions of video games and living room wrestling matches. Grown men, imagining themselves back to their boyhood play times....it's a joy to watch Will relax with his family, and I'm honored to be a new part of this scene.
As for my lovely sibling, she is sadly snowed in, in Seattle. I am missing her very much. Often we need to share her with her own in-laws, but we plan for that every year. This years absence was unplanned, and a significant loss is felt by my family, and by her husbands as well, I'm sure. Thankfully, I did get to see my dear sissy this past October, and I'm glad we spent as much time together as we could.
At this point, Will and I are just 4 weeks away from heading over to India. Our Visa's have been filled out, and we are only in need of our pictures to send them out. This will be happening on Monday. This past week we also got in touch with an agent to help us plan our open ended tickets, and hope to hear more news of that this week.
Along with these things, we have raised just about all of our money- THANKS TO ALL WHO PITCHED IN! We also found a lovely gal named Jessica to rent out bedroom while Will and I are gone, helping us cut back on our costs in the states.
Things are falling into place, really easily I must say. I think God is being especially gracious in this area to me. Although I have some anxieties about my new experiences over in India, God seems to be making things very easy for us here at home, which makes an all around feeling of peace possible.
Thanks to all for your regular prayers and support. A special thanks to Joshua and David who regularly comment on my blog. I look forward to your comments every time I post.
I've been encouraging Will to post the next blog, and he swears he has 3 half written. So, keep an eye out for his thoughts coming soon.
Peace to all in this coming new year.
Lauren
As for my lovely sibling, she is sadly snowed in, in Seattle. I am missing her very much. Often we need to share her with her own in-laws, but we plan for that every year. This years absence was unplanned, and a significant loss is felt by my family, and by her husbands as well, I'm sure. Thankfully, I did get to see my dear sissy this past October, and I'm glad we spent as much time together as we could.
At this point, Will and I are just 4 weeks away from heading over to India. Our Visa's have been filled out, and we are only in need of our pictures to send them out. This will be happening on Monday. This past week we also got in touch with an agent to help us plan our open ended tickets, and hope to hear more news of that this week.
Along with these things, we have raised just about all of our money- THANKS TO ALL WHO PITCHED IN! We also found a lovely gal named Jessica to rent out bedroom while Will and I are gone, helping us cut back on our costs in the states.
Things are falling into place, really easily I must say. I think God is being especially gracious in this area to me. Although I have some anxieties about my new experiences over in India, God seems to be making things very easy for us here at home, which makes an all around feeling of peace possible.
Thanks to all for your regular prayers and support. A special thanks to Joshua and David who regularly comment on my blog. I look forward to your comments every time I post.
I've been encouraging Will to post the next blog, and he swears he has 3 half written. So, keep an eye out for his thoughts coming soon.
Peace to all in this coming new year.
Lauren
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A Beach Vacation
So, in late March, Will and I get a week long vacation. We've recently made some friends from Goa India, through our good friend Steve's Dad Ken, who spends a lot of time in India. Goa is a beach resort town, and has some of the best beaches in India. Through our new friends there, Will and I, along with our friends Kristin and Derek who will be visiting us at the time, are going to get the sweet hook up with a room for $3-$8 a day. This is a little bit crazy to me, as I've often spent $3 on a coffee, and to get such a luxury as a whole room for that much, well it makes you think a bit. I'm also just constantly in awe of all of the amazing quick connections we're making over in India. I love that it feels like we are already forming a community, before we even get there. Plus, it makes me feel safer, knowing people are looking out for us.
I've posted a link to the left, so you can check out pictures of the beach we'll be staying at (Benaulim).
Peace,
Lauren
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Appying for our Visa
So, I sold 120 lanterns at Art Shop, and Will sold some of his prints, along with a bunch of these sweet new calendars he designed. Thanks to all who came out and supported us. This $ will be going towards our trip.
Now, it's time to apply for our Visa's! This is our first tangible step to making our trip a reality. I'm both excited and nervous. I've never had a visa before, it feels so.....long term, which of course it is. 6 months is a lot for me. The only times I've ever been out of the country were when I did this community service trip in Scotland where I was a street mime for 3 weeks, yup that's right, and when Will and I went to Costa Rica for a week on our honeymoon. I've been to Canada twice, and the Bahama's once, but they weren't hard trips. My whole life I've been in Philadelphia. I stayed in Philly for college and grad. school. Heck, I lived with my parents, in the same house, until I was 21, and when they moved to a new house I went with them and lived there until I was 23. I'm going to India for 6 months, 6 MONTHS! I'm going to learn a new language, a new way of living, a new way of traveling, meet new friends, eat new food, see new environments, teach new kids, it's all new, all at once and I'm a little freaked out. Venting done, I'm going to switch all of those things into the "positive and at peace lense", and say that all of those things are also amazing. Choosing to be at peace, is a daily prayer for me, and I hope that you all will join me in that.
Love to all,
Lauren
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