final am

breakfast by myself listening to chatter of other guests. One table of Indians not happy with the "Indian tea" requests real masala tea and gets it--lucky.

So, what have I learned this trip? What am I taking back from India? The knowledge that I need to do more for those in need back home. Don't misread that statement. What I have been involved with in India is amazing and as soon as I can save up enough money I will go again. But I will ponder on the trip home how I can do more.

I work for a non-profit group that helps beneficiaries with opportunities to go to school for short periods of time to find better positions of employment and hopefully more self esteem. I sit on two boards -- one that gives a hand up to people one house at a time the other encourages youth to learn valuable skills in a fun way. Maybe it is simple [And then the entry ends. I am still trying to decide how I can do more for those in need here in Canada, specifically here in Nunavut, I'm sure that when the right opportunity presents itself, I'll know.]

And the final entry....

I'm back in Frankfurt. After a long flight from Chennai (almost 10 hours) I'm tired. I slept most of the flight but my body is confused. I want to sleep, I want to eat--I really want a change of clothes and a shower.

Those from the GV team who were/are leaving India today have various theories on the best way to beat jet lag. I prefer to sleep the entire flgiht if possible and then go to bed at the 'normal' time when I reach my destination. Other will try and reset on the plane - but frankly I can't keep myself awake or entertained for these long hauls...and so I sleep.

My plans to do a quick explore [of Frankfurt] are not forgotten--simply postponed indefinitely. This morning flying in it seemed more hassle to get euros, figure out the trains during rush hour and go through immigration twice.

Perhaps my experiences in Chennai had something to do with that. The airport was a tad confusing and one of the people in the group I was with is a green horn to travel. I said be agressive--push your way through as tight to N's back as you can get. She didn't and it held everyone up. I had no trouble checking in and then budded (sp) into the immigration line. I'm glad I did--once past the checkpoint it was still a 2 hour wait to see a customs person--and then up to security. The group I was with arrived a 1/2 hour laster--while their flight was being given last call so the good byes were short. My flight boarded 5 minutes later.

It is almost 10am Germany time and I have an 8 hour flgith ahead of me. Sigh. I'm going to try and stay awake till my flight and then watch a movie (if possible) till I fall asleep.

I'm still digesting India.

And that ends the India diary. There was so much more that happened and that I experienced. I need to write an entry on the key ceremony that I attended...but in the meantime.


Would I do it again? Absolutely. I've already been on the Habitat site looking for trips.

Was it everything I had hoped it would be? YES and so much more. The emotions I felt during my trip were hard to explain. I made so many great friends in such a short period of time and all my emotions were on high alert during the trip.

Did I come back a changed person? I don't know. I guess that is up to you to decide. Everywhere we go, everything we do leaves an impression on us. I was more concerned with leaving a good impression on the people of India of Canadians than of changing my outlook on life. It is always a tragedy when someone travels abroad and leaves negative impressions of Canada.

Did I get sick? Yes, but I got sick in Toronto...and then again in PEI...the anti-malaria pills took a major toll on me. Once the 'issues' from TO stopped I had nightmares...really bad, scary ones that stayed with me well into my days...they stopped and the 'issues' started up again.....yep, nothing like looking forward to an 8 or 10 hour plane ride and wondering how far your seat is from the bathroom. I didn't get sick from India.

How was the food? Amazing, terrific and fantastic. I love Indian food...and still do. I took myself off Indian when I first arrived back in Canada...but I'm back on it now. And am hoping to figure out how to make masala tea from scratch.

Tired...must sleep. Enjoy the entry below and the pics.