Daughter in India - ThinnerTimes

Squishy · 01-02-2008, 05:28 AM

Hello all!

Just thought I would share that our daughter is in India for her Christmas break this year on a study abroad program. She has always been fascinated by India. She had about an 18 hour flight into Mumbai and spent a few days there. Yesterday they flew to Bangalore. They have several more cities to visit over the 17 days they will be there.

She has only been able to write a couple short emails, but she is fascinated, excited, scared, and troubled by what she is seeing. There are a lot of amazing things to see. At that same time, there are a lot of people living in complete poverty, sleeping in the streets, begging, etc. Her professor is from India and is acting as their guide.

In addition to the poverty, the sanitation is not what she is used to here. She cannot drink the water or even eat salads in restaurants because they wash the lettuce in the contaminated water. She has to brush her teeth with bottled water and has to be careful not to get the water in her mouth when showering.

On the other hand, she will see the Taj Mahal, went to the Elephanta Caves, will spend a night in a tiger park, will go to some of their technology centers, and will see many other fantastic sites.

I'm sure that she is having a real eye-opening experience and I think she will come back with an even greater appreciation for their culture and for our own. I think she will return with a completely new appreciation for the quality of life that she has here.

It makes me realize that I take a lot for granted. So as we enter 2008, it seems an appropriate time to count my blessings.

-Mike-

Toony · 01-02-2008, 06:29 AM

Mike, my sister-in-law has traveled to India many times... there is a strong attraction for her there! I'm sure your daughter will have the trip of a lifetime... I hope she went with a digital camera and lots of memory sticks!

Katie

(What is your new avatar? I can't process it...)

Duckie · 01-02-2008, 07:44 AM

Katie, I was wondering the same thing about teh avie... a fish? lol
I would love to go to India someday but yes, there is a LOT of poverty there. I'm sure she will have a greater appreciation of her everyday life when she returns.

Squishy · 01-02-2008, 10:05 AM

The avatar is a "Frog Fish". I was hoping to see one in Hawaii, but didn't. I think they are just crazy looking fish!!

I'll attach a bigger picture. I think it looks like me. Ha Ha!

-Mike-

Toony · 01-02-2008, 10:07 AM

Looks like something out of PIXAR's studios... bizarre!

Omaha Jim · 01-02-2008, 11:35 AM

Mike,
I have been to India about a dozen times. If she is staying in nice hotels, she can eat the lettuce - (big hotels where Americans stay). Also the higher end restaurants have treated or filtered water. If not one of those - don't. Everything else you say is correct. India is an amazing country. I would go there to work in an instant. I love the people, the country. I have many fond memories. Every night 1-2 million sleep on the streets of Mumbai. It is bizarre to say the least, yet every morning, millions pile out of the tin shack shanties in the slums, trudge off to work in their clean brightly colored clothes, with smiles on their faces and make the best of their days.

Never have I seen a people, with so little, so happy to have that little bit that they do. I love India and the Indian people.

If she gets in a bind over there, I have local contacts that can help, based in Delhi and Mumbai, but they can help all over the country.

Squishy · 01-02-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaha Jim

Mike,
I have been to India about a dozen times. If she is staying in nice hotels, she can eat the lettuce - (big hotels where Americans stay). Also the higher end restaurants have treated or filtered water. If not one of those - don't. Everything else you say is correct. India is an amazing country. I would go there to work in an instant. I love the people, the country. I have many fond memories. Every night 1-2 million sleep on the streets of Mumbai. It is bizarre to say the least, yet every morning, millions pile out of the tin shack shanties in the slums, trudge off to work in their clean brightly colored clothes, with smiles on their faces and make the best of their days.

Never have I seen a people, with so little, so happy to have that little bit that they do. I love India and the Indian people.

If she gets in a bind over there, I have local contacts that can help, based in Delhi and Mumbai, but they can help all over the country.

THANK YOU Jim!! Very nice of you to offer that! I have to admit that we are a little worried with the trouble in neighboring Pakistan. What did you do in India?

They are staying in pretty nice hotels... everything from The Taj View to a Holiday Inn.

She left Mumbai and is now in Bangalore. From there she goes to Delhi on Sunday, takes bus trips to Agra, Ranthambore, and Jaipur. She'll fly home from Delhi on the 14th.

Today, she got to meet with a business who delivers lunches to business people. I think they call them Dabbawallas. They will be visiting several high-tech companies while there too.

Thanks again for the offer! I am so excited for her! I wish I had gone on adventures like that when I was 22... but as a parent it is nice to have some kind of contacts in case problems arise.

I appreciate it,
-Mike-

rainrain · 01-02-2008, 07:03 PM

what a great dad you are to allow your daughter to have such an amazing experience!!!

I worry about my daughter going down the street to Starbucks....I really need to stop that...don't I???

Omaha Jim · 01-02-2008, 07:31 PM

Mike I know what you are going through. My daughter went to Budapest Hungary and Romania when she was 15, Guyaquil, Ecuador when she was 17 and Macedonia/Greece when she was 23. I those countries, I had no contacts. The first 2 trips were about 2 weeks. The Macedonia/Greece trip was 6 weeks. So I can smell what yer stepping in, if you know what I mean. She will be fine. India is very safe, and an incredible country.

I started a new manpower business for the construction and commissioning of power plants worldwide to supplement our US expatriate teams around the world for the General Electric Company. It was a great experience and I have lifelong friendships that were developed from it.

She will be fine. Let me know when she is back home safe so I can call off the dogs!

VanessaSFL · 01-02-2008, 07:40 PM

Very cool Mike, surly a trip of a lifetime.
Good for her.