Hi All,
I just wanted to officially assure everyone that no one is really sick here. Infact we all have spent all days except one out enjoying ourselves. We did have a day after a very long day of dance performance etc where up to seven people including me had a bout of gastroenteritis (some people with nausea and vomiting and some with diarrehea and some with both) which i suspect was because of a dinner we had too late) from which we all recovered the following day after starting Cipro) Nick had nausea and no diarrhea for 3 days after eating very hot fish curry which I had warned him about) We started antibitics for him yesterday and he is feeling fine. The other issues were minor secondry to poor hydration and motion sickness from long bus rides etc. No one had to ever go to the hospital etc. So far all is fine here except the minor health issues associated with travelling in a very hot, humid part of India. Just wanted to clarify some of the roumors I have been hearing.
Daisy
11.30.2011
Wednesday!
Today, the boys started off their morning bright and early with a drum lesson from the Tabla player who performed last night. He taught them a complicated drum beat that the boys have been working on mastering all day. Their drum skills have improved but are nowhere near as good as the professionals.
After breakfast, we all boarded the rickshaws for a very bumpy yet exciting ride to the colonies that previous Bridges to India trips have worked with. We got to see the outside of a beautiful little house worked on by the 2009 India trip. We weren't able to tour the inside of the house because the owners were out at the time, but we did get to walk around the colony for a bit and smile and wave at a few people who were out and about.
After seeing that colony, we boarded the rickshaws again and traveled to another nearby colony to see the well that was built by the 2007 India trip. Right next to the well is a daycare center which we got to peep our heads in for a second and when we did, a few kids started crying. That was a little awkward, so we left. We then walked down a long, somewhat slippery dirt road to the river where the well water comes from. In the river were two adorable cows getting a bath from their owner and four women washing clothes. A few minutes after we arrived at the river, we were greeted by about 10 excited children who seem to have heard of our presence. They all came running down the other side of the river to come take pictures with us. It was a fun time to interact with the kids of the colony.
We then returned to Daisy's house for a delicious lunch of fried fish and fried rice. Yum. After lunch we boarded the rickshaws yet again and went into Changanacherry for some shopping! We first stopped at a very crowded grocery store to buy tea and all sorts of Indian goodies! The boys ventured to a sports shop to buy some nice cricket bats and balls. The girls went to another clothing store, what a surprise, and bought many scarves! It was a lovely, yet brief shopping trip. Daisy then took us to get ice cream which was oh so tasty, for the most part. (Some words of wisdom for you all: if you ever travel to India, never buy a vanilla shake. They are green and frothy and disgusting.)
We then visited an ancient nearby Hindu temple that stuck very closely to its customs. First of all we had to remove our shoes to enter the gates. We also could only walk clockwise as we were touring the temple, which was a bit of an inconvenience, but we survived. While touring the temple, we saw many interesting creatures including a furry, thrashing, biting, stinging, prehistoric caterpillar, and a beautiful black elephant. The elephant was 46 years old, in the midst of her mid-life crisis, as elephants live up to around 85 years old! Wowza. We all got a chance to pet the elephant and get up close and personal with it which was pretty cool. Elephants have some weird lookin' skin. After visiting with the elephant for a bit, we entered the main section of the temple which brought yet another rule that the guys must remove their shirts in order to enter. We walked, clockwise, around the circular building, quietly passing the praying Hindus. The building was about 2000 years old and was preserved wonderfully.
After touring the temple we did some more shopping at a nearby outdoor mall. We then returned to Daisy's house for some delicious grilled cheese sandwiches made with WonderBread and American cheese! After dinner, the girls were painting their nails, and Torsten and Colin joyfully joined to get their beautiful little toenails painted. It was a very magical experience for both of them. And that concludes yet another eventful day in Kerala!
We love you all very much,
-Evy and Joey on behalf of the Bridges to India 2011 crew. peace.
After breakfast, we all boarded the rickshaws for a very bumpy yet exciting ride to the colonies that previous Bridges to India trips have worked with. We got to see the outside of a beautiful little house worked on by the 2009 India trip. We weren't able to tour the inside of the house because the owners were out at the time, but we did get to walk around the colony for a bit and smile and wave at a few people who were out and about.
After seeing that colony, we boarded the rickshaws again and traveled to another nearby colony to see the well that was built by the 2007 India trip. Right next to the well is a daycare center which we got to peep our heads in for a second and when we did, a few kids started crying. That was a little awkward, so we left. We then walked down a long, somewhat slippery dirt road to the river where the well water comes from. In the river were two adorable cows getting a bath from their owner and four women washing clothes. A few minutes after we arrived at the river, we were greeted by about 10 excited children who seem to have heard of our presence. They all came running down the other side of the river to come take pictures with us. It was a fun time to interact with the kids of the colony.
We then returned to Daisy's house for a delicious lunch of fried fish and fried rice. Yum. After lunch we boarded the rickshaws yet again and went into Changanacherry for some shopping! We first stopped at a very crowded grocery store to buy tea and all sorts of Indian goodies! The boys ventured to a sports shop to buy some nice cricket bats and balls. The girls went to another clothing store, what a surprise, and bought many scarves! It was a lovely, yet brief shopping trip. Daisy then took us to get ice cream which was oh so tasty, for the most part. (Some words of wisdom for you all: if you ever travel to India, never buy a vanilla shake. They are green and frothy and disgusting.)
We then visited an ancient nearby Hindu temple that stuck very closely to its customs. First of all we had to remove our shoes to enter the gates. We also could only walk clockwise as we were touring the temple, which was a bit of an inconvenience, but we survived. While touring the temple, we saw many interesting creatures including a furry, thrashing, biting, stinging, prehistoric caterpillar, and a beautiful black elephant. The elephant was 46 years old, in the midst of her mid-life crisis, as elephants live up to around 85 years old! Wowza. We all got a chance to pet the elephant and get up close and personal with it which was pretty cool. Elephants have some weird lookin' skin. After visiting with the elephant for a bit, we entered the main section of the temple which brought yet another rule that the guys must remove their shirts in order to enter. We walked, clockwise, around the circular building, quietly passing the praying Hindus. The building was about 2000 years old and was preserved wonderfully.
After touring the temple we did some more shopping at a nearby outdoor mall. We then returned to Daisy's house for some delicious grilled cheese sandwiches made with WonderBread and American cheese! After dinner, the girls were painting their nails, and Torsten and Colin joyfully joined to get their beautiful little toenails painted. It was a very magical experience for both of them. And that concludes yet another eventful day in Kerala!
We love you all very much,
-Evy and Joey on behalf of the Bridges to India 2011 crew. peace.
Wednesday
It has been an incredible trip, one that I feel so lucky to have been selected to accompany your children on an adventure that will last for them (and me) for a lifetime. What we are experiencing and seeing every day is amazing and in very stark contrast to our regular lives. The kids are just terrific, and they are excellent travellers.
I just wanted to briefly address some health issues, as there are false rumors of what is happening here at Hope Clinic. For anyone that has travelled in places such as India, you know of intestinal issues that accompany such adventures. To say that we have had more than our share would unfortunately be an understatement (including me) but please know that everyone is on the mend and no one has gone to the hospital (there apparently is a rumor running around Riverdale that Nick has been hospitalized, this is not true). The majority of us have had issues, and some have missed some activities due to intestinal distress. We are so fortunate to have two Doctors at our disposal (Daisy and Dr. Seshi) so they are keeping a close eye on us and making sure that we are on the road to recovery. It is very hot and humid here, so drinking plenty of fluids with electrolytes is very important. One thing that I thought would help is to take a picture from tonight's dinner, and it is below. As you can see, the kids still have a sense of humor. Nick is much better, by the way.
I just wanted to briefly address some health issues, as there are false rumors of what is happening here at Hope Clinic. For anyone that has travelled in places such as India, you know of intestinal issues that accompany such adventures. To say that we have had more than our share would unfortunately be an understatement (including me) but please know that everyone is on the mend and no one has gone to the hospital (there apparently is a rumor running around Riverdale that Nick has been hospitalized, this is not true). The majority of us have had issues, and some have missed some activities due to intestinal distress. We are so fortunate to have two Doctors at our disposal (Daisy and Dr. Seshi) so they are keeping a close eye on us and making sure that we are on the road to recovery. It is very hot and humid here, so drinking plenty of fluids with electrolytes is very important. One thing that I thought would help is to take a picture from tonight's dinner, and it is below. As you can see, the kids still have a sense of humor. Nick is much better, by the way.
On arrival in Kochi
Upon arrival in Cochin, we were met by representatives of Jet Airways, as well as the Airport Manager (who is in this picture). Jet Airways worked out really well for us, particularly since Kingfisher (another airline) cut back a significant number of flights due to financial difficulties. A big thanks to Jet Airways for their hospitality!
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