Well it is almost one week since we returned and what a week it has been! It has been wonderful to share our stories and adventures with family and friends and yet not be able to really articulate what this experience has been. When you talk to people that have been there, they get what we can't say.
Jet lag has been one of the hardest thing for us. I was told that it takes one day for every hour of time difference - so that is putting us at around 11 days ... arrrgggg. It was way worse coming back than going and I look forward to getting past 4 am!!
Did I accomplish what I set out to do for Douglas College? That and more - no question! I continue to receive emails every day from one or several of those who were part of the workshops as they continue to share their experiences lived with new information and always "when are you coming back?" My answer, taken from Onika's evaluation at the Mumbai workshop.. " Dear Kathie, If you give a man a fish, he eats for a day. If you teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime. You have made fishermen of us all, nourishing us with knowledge and food for thought." This is what I feel I have accomplished and as much as I would go back to do this again, I left my fishing gear with Dr Vijaya in Hyderbad. I know she will also be making fishermen throughout India and Douglas College will continue to be well represented.
I would like to thank our Dean, Mike Tarko, for his support in helping to make this happen and I look forward to sharing my "brag book" with Health Sciences and anyone else who might want to listen!!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Bye to Hyderabad
Today is our last day in Hyderabad. It has been great to have a couple of days without responsibility - other than to stay safe!
Vijaya took us shopping yesterday and knew all the best places to go :) We did make it to Charmina - what an experience! Pictures to follow as only they could portray what we saw.
We are heading to an area of Hyderabad called "Paradise" to meet with Carol Roberts for lunch. She is from the US and is a doula and lamaze educator who is working with the families who live in the slums and in the aids camps. She invited us to come and see where she works and we declined - not because we didn't want to see where she is working but appreciate it is not a place for spectators. She is bringing pictures and her stories!
From there we go back to JJ Hospital and meet with Dr Jayanthia. She is the OB who owns the hospital and has made so many incredible changes in the face of much resistence from her colleauges.
And then to pack the freeking suitcases once again!! Even though most of the contents from one of them will be staying wtih Vijaya - we have managed to fill all the empty spaces!
We leave at 7 am tomorrow for Dubai and can hardly take in how fast our time has gone here. Amazing experiences like we have never had/seen before and the highlights have definitley been the amazing women and men we have met along the way.
Home is sounding really nice ........ have had my share of waves of home sickness and missing my husband and kids! It was the greatest surprise to pick up the ringing phone at 12 midnight our time to hear my grandson " Hi Toto ...." Prepared him for lots of long hugs when I see him!
Sorry about the lack of pictures ... the only thing I lost along the way was my charger for my camera battery ...... I was able to download what we have to date and will post those tonight.
Vijaya took us shopping yesterday and knew all the best places to go :) We did make it to Charmina - what an experience! Pictures to follow as only they could portray what we saw.
We are heading to an area of Hyderabad called "Paradise" to meet with Carol Roberts for lunch. She is from the US and is a doula and lamaze educator who is working with the families who live in the slums and in the aids camps. She invited us to come and see where she works and we declined - not because we didn't want to see where she is working but appreciate it is not a place for spectators. She is bringing pictures and her stories!
From there we go back to JJ Hospital and meet with Dr Jayanthia. She is the OB who owns the hospital and has made so many incredible changes in the face of much resistence from her colleauges.
And then to pack the freeking suitcases once again!! Even though most of the contents from one of them will be staying wtih Vijaya - we have managed to fill all the empty spaces!
We leave at 7 am tomorrow for Dubai and can hardly take in how fast our time has gone here. Amazing experiences like we have never had/seen before and the highlights have definitley been the amazing women and men we have met along the way.
Home is sounding really nice ........ have had my share of waves of home sickness and missing my husband and kids! It was the greatest surprise to pick up the ringing phone at 12 midnight our time to hear my grandson " Hi Toto ...." Prepared him for lots of long hugs when I see him!
Sorry about the lack of pictures ... the only thing I lost along the way was my charger for my camera battery ...... I was able to download what we have to date and will post those tonight.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Welcome to Mumbai
I haven’t been able to blog until now due to the fact of being completely overwhelmed with this city called Mumbai.
Arriving at one of the most crowded airports I have ever seen, we were very relieved to finally see our luggage lumbering along the carousal. Vijaya looked after getting a taxi to take us to the hotel. We looked at the taxi and I kept looking for a bigger one or the second one that would take the 3 of us with 5 huge suitcases to our hotel. Very quickly four men surrounded us and our luggage and hoisted 4 of the suitcases onto the roof of the car and tied it down with rope. We piled into the car and off we limped!
The freeway …… at least we were all going in the same direction, weaving in and out of traffic, passing busses, trucks, motor bikes and rickshaws, hurtling over pot holes and hanging on for dear life. I kept looking out the back window to see if the contents of our suitcases were strewn on the road behind us! I would have been okay if it was our clothes but please …. not my teaching aids! Picturing pelvis’s, knitted uterus’s and breasts rolling into the slums that lined the road ways all the way from the airport to the hotel.
We arrived at the hotel and when we got out of the taxi, the smell almost finished me. I have a very sensitive gag reflex and it was all I could do to hold it together. The slums obviously have no indoor plumbing or outhouses and the smell permeates everything.
Once inside, we were informed that although we had the room booked for the workshop, there were no rooms available. We sat in the lobby and waited Indian time. They managed to find one room and were looking at moving some of us to their sister hotel that was about 10 minutes away. I jumped at that and said Brea and I would be fine to take that option! They sent a car to get us and the 10 minute journey at 6:30 pm took us close to an hour.
When we arrived at the hotel, we were thrilled that there had been a miscommunication – there is no way I could have stayed at that hotel.
The meeting room for the workshop is separate and the smells are only evident when the door is opened.
That all aside – what has enabled me to survive this assault to the senses is the women that are here for the 3 days Teaching Skills workshop and Doula Skills workshop on Sunday.
I can’t tell you what it has been like to get to know these women. Two of the OB’s, Mauli & Shirta, have been most receptive and eager to do what they can to change some of the practices that are done in the name of routine. It is so encouraging to see them open to new ways of learning and doing things.
The two midwives, Lina from England and Red from my home town of Abbotsford (!!!) have shared what it is like to work with the women and families who live in the slums and on the train stations. Sharing what it is like to go to a government hospital and see them so abused by the medical staff as they are giving birth. We treat our animals way better than these women are treated. Yet they continue to try and make a difference in such an archaic and broken system.
Onika, a researcher from New York flew to Mumbai to take this workshop and spend some time volunteering in India.
Rita, a passionate and wise woman who is the only person in her city (500 miles away) who is trying to help women learn about normal birth.
Shrreya, an author and yoga instructor from Pune, 24 years old, who has the most incredible passion and energy …… we know Pune will be well served!
We met with members of Birth India for dinner last night and it was sitting around the table with these women and men from all over India and other countries that I realized this was what I wanted from India. For me it is not about the sites to be seen but rather the lives to be shared, to touch and be touched and to teach and to learn, to laugh and to cry, to be proud and to be humbled. Half way around the world and we all speak the same language.
We finished the workshops today and our closing was one of the most touching and emotional that I have been privileged to be a part of. Their words, poems and appreciation for us coming to Mumbai, moved me beyond tears.
We are meeting some of them for lunch tomorrow and then will be flying back to Hyderabad. We have three days with Dr Vijaya and she has assured us that there will definitely be time for shopping in Old Hyderabad!!
Hoping some of the pictures I am trying to post, will give you a small glimpse of what this has been for us.
Arriving at one of the most crowded airports I have ever seen, we were very relieved to finally see our luggage lumbering along the carousal. Vijaya looked after getting a taxi to take us to the hotel. We looked at the taxi and I kept looking for a bigger one or the second one that would take the 3 of us with 5 huge suitcases to our hotel. Very quickly four men surrounded us and our luggage and hoisted 4 of the suitcases onto the roof of the car and tied it down with rope. We piled into the car and off we limped!
The freeway …… at least we were all going in the same direction, weaving in and out of traffic, passing busses, trucks, motor bikes and rickshaws, hurtling over pot holes and hanging on for dear life. I kept looking out the back window to see if the contents of our suitcases were strewn on the road behind us! I would have been okay if it was our clothes but please …. not my teaching aids! Picturing pelvis’s, knitted uterus’s and breasts rolling into the slums that lined the road ways all the way from the airport to the hotel.
We arrived at the hotel and when we got out of the taxi, the smell almost finished me. I have a very sensitive gag reflex and it was all I could do to hold it together. The slums obviously have no indoor plumbing or outhouses and the smell permeates everything.
Once inside, we were informed that although we had the room booked for the workshop, there were no rooms available. We sat in the lobby and waited Indian time. They managed to find one room and were looking at moving some of us to their sister hotel that was about 10 minutes away. I jumped at that and said Brea and I would be fine to take that option! They sent a car to get us and the 10 minute journey at 6:30 pm took us close to an hour.
When we arrived at the hotel, we were thrilled that there had been a miscommunication – there is no way I could have stayed at that hotel.
The meeting room for the workshop is separate and the smells are only evident when the door is opened.
That all aside – what has enabled me to survive this assault to the senses is the women that are here for the 3 days Teaching Skills workshop and Doula Skills workshop on Sunday.
I can’t tell you what it has been like to get to know these women. Two of the OB’s, Mauli & Shirta, have been most receptive and eager to do what they can to change some of the practices that are done in the name of routine. It is so encouraging to see them open to new ways of learning and doing things.
The two midwives, Lina from England and Red from my home town of Abbotsford (!!!) have shared what it is like to work with the women and families who live in the slums and on the train stations. Sharing what it is like to go to a government hospital and see them so abused by the medical staff as they are giving birth. We treat our animals way better than these women are treated. Yet they continue to try and make a difference in such an archaic and broken system.
Onika, a researcher from New York flew to Mumbai to take this workshop and spend some time volunteering in India.
Rita, a passionate and wise woman who is the only person in her city (500 miles away) who is trying to help women learn about normal birth.
Shrreya, an author and yoga instructor from Pune, 24 years old, who has the most incredible passion and energy …… we know Pune will be well served!
We met with members of Birth India for dinner last night and it was sitting around the table with these women and men from all over India and other countries that I realized this was what I wanted from India. For me it is not about the sites to be seen but rather the lives to be shared, to touch and be touched and to teach and to learn, to laugh and to cry, to be proud and to be humbled. Half way around the world and we all speak the same language.
We finished the workshops today and our closing was one of the most touching and emotional that I have been privileged to be a part of. Their words, poems and appreciation for us coming to Mumbai, moved me beyond tears.
We are meeting some of them for lunch tomorrow and then will be flying back to Hyderabad. We have three days with Dr Vijaya and she has assured us that there will definitely be time for shopping in Old Hyderabad!!
Hoping some of the pictures I am trying to post, will give you a small glimpse of what this has been for us.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
India and more
We have finished the workshops in Hyderabad and it is hard to find words that describe what these days have been for us.
The women who attended the Teaching Skills Workshop taught us so much. The presentations they were required to do as part of the workshop, gave evidence of the amazing educators they are going to be. I was glad that we only really had to say goodbye to one of them, the OB from Bangalore. All the others were able to stay for the Doula Skills workshop we had on Monday.
We ended the workshop on Saturday with a tour of the hospital and the Birthing Centre. When you see the pictures, you will realize how much of an achievement this has been for Dr Vijaya and her husband Krishnan. It is one small step but knowing them and seeing what they have accomplished, know it is only the beginning of giant steps for the future of birthing families in India! Dr Jayanthia is the OB who runs the hospital and who gave them the opportunity to transform the space that is now Healthy Mother's Birthing Centre. She came for all three days of the workshop as well as the Doula Skills Workshop and made sure I knew that the workshops have already changed some of her practices!
Some of the routine practices here are shaving, enemas, episiotomies, oxytocin administered while moms are pushing and fundal pressure to get the babies out as soon as possible and vigorous preparation of breasts for breastfeeding. Babies are immediately taken to be cleaned, weighed, vit K and eye treatment and then given to the mother.
Dr Vijaya has been modeling the Lamaze best birth practices by her prenatal education and care of the women during labour and birth and in turn have seen many of these "not best birth practices" gradually change.
When we arrived at the hospital, some of the doctors, nursing staff and housekeepers were there to greet us and present Brea and I will huge fresh flower leis that came down to our knees! They treated us like we were royalty and followed us throughout the tour with big smiles and bowing.
Dr Vijaya and Jayanthia arranged for the doctors, nurses and housekeepers who work in the birthing centre to take the Doula Skills Workshop. No small feat to arrange for them to have the day off and you could tell by their faces when they came, that they had no idea what to expect. I took direction from Vijaya as to what would be the best information for them and for the time we had. I cannot tell you how much fun we had - I was so thrilled that they got me and my sense of humour! They warmed up right away and the hands on part of the afternoon included Pramila (from Salem) singing classincal Indian while Dr Jayanthia and one of the nurses demonstrated their Indian dancing skills! They had us all joining in and our laughter had Vijaya's husband coming in and asking "is this usually part of your doula training??" No one was in any hurry to leave, they all stayed to help us pack up and with hugs and tears we ended our day.
One more quick story ....... Pramila, the psychologist and her best friend Deepa came by bus and plane from Salem. Deepa's husband insisted that she attend with Pramila and even accompanied them. Deepa told us that when they went back to the hotel, her husband would want all the details of the day. She demonstrated how she would immitate me and she had my gestures and expressions down to a T and had us in gales of laughter. It was so hilarious to see this beautiful Indian woman in her traditional dress mimic me! They gave me this Indian figure that has a baby on her shoulder and the baby is holding a dove. They said it was me, with Brea on my shoulder and we are bringing the message of not just good birth practices but peaceful and spiritual birth practices to India! Saturday was the festival of friendship and they gave all of us friendship bracelets. They were definitely two kindred spirits!!!
On Sunday we were given the tour of Hyderabad and what a city of contrasts! The influence of the IT boom and all the money that this has brought to certain areas - new buildings, high rises are springing up everywhere and along side them the tents and squallor of hundreds of migrant workers. Cattle wander on the streets and Brea cannot get the image of a goat being slaughtered on the sidewalk as just part of the street markets along with fruits, vegetables and fish! The lake that is across the street from our hotel where high fences are erected and suicide patrols try and deter the many who attempt suicide on a daily basis ....... family of five on a motorbike, women bent over sweeping the streets with short brooms, monkeys, lizards and the incredible colours ........ a city of contrasts indeed!
We leave for Mumbai tomorrow and can hardly wait to see what is in store for us!
Pictures to follow!
The women who attended the Teaching Skills Workshop taught us so much. The presentations they were required to do as part of the workshop, gave evidence of the amazing educators they are going to be. I was glad that we only really had to say goodbye to one of them, the OB from Bangalore. All the others were able to stay for the Doula Skills workshop we had on Monday.
We ended the workshop on Saturday with a tour of the hospital and the Birthing Centre. When you see the pictures, you will realize how much of an achievement this has been for Dr Vijaya and her husband Krishnan. It is one small step but knowing them and seeing what they have accomplished, know it is only the beginning of giant steps for the future of birthing families in India! Dr Jayanthia is the OB who runs the hospital and who gave them the opportunity to transform the space that is now Healthy Mother's Birthing Centre. She came for all three days of the workshop as well as the Doula Skills Workshop and made sure I knew that the workshops have already changed some of her practices!
Some of the routine practices here are shaving, enemas, episiotomies, oxytocin administered while moms are pushing and fundal pressure to get the babies out as soon as possible and vigorous preparation of breasts for breastfeeding. Babies are immediately taken to be cleaned, weighed, vit K and eye treatment and then given to the mother.
Dr Vijaya has been modeling the Lamaze best birth practices by her prenatal education and care of the women during labour and birth and in turn have seen many of these "not best birth practices" gradually change.
When we arrived at the hospital, some of the doctors, nursing staff and housekeepers were there to greet us and present Brea and I will huge fresh flower leis that came down to our knees! They treated us like we were royalty and followed us throughout the tour with big smiles and bowing.
Dr Vijaya and Jayanthia arranged for the doctors, nurses and housekeepers who work in the birthing centre to take the Doula Skills Workshop. No small feat to arrange for them to have the day off and you could tell by their faces when they came, that they had no idea what to expect. I took direction from Vijaya as to what would be the best information for them and for the time we had. I cannot tell you how much fun we had - I was so thrilled that they got me and my sense of humour! They warmed up right away and the hands on part of the afternoon included Pramila (from Salem) singing classincal Indian while Dr Jayanthia and one of the nurses demonstrated their Indian dancing skills! They had us all joining in and our laughter had Vijaya's husband coming in and asking "is this usually part of your doula training??" No one was in any hurry to leave, they all stayed to help us pack up and with hugs and tears we ended our day.
One more quick story ....... Pramila, the psychologist and her best friend Deepa came by bus and plane from Salem. Deepa's husband insisted that she attend with Pramila and even accompanied them. Deepa told us that when they went back to the hotel, her husband would want all the details of the day. She demonstrated how she would immitate me and she had my gestures and expressions down to a T and had us in gales of laughter. It was so hilarious to see this beautiful Indian woman in her traditional dress mimic me! They gave me this Indian figure that has a baby on her shoulder and the baby is holding a dove. They said it was me, with Brea on my shoulder and we are bringing the message of not just good birth practices but peaceful and spiritual birth practices to India! Saturday was the festival of friendship and they gave all of us friendship bracelets. They were definitely two kindred spirits!!!
On Sunday we were given the tour of Hyderabad and what a city of contrasts! The influence of the IT boom and all the money that this has brought to certain areas - new buildings, high rises are springing up everywhere and along side them the tents and squallor of hundreds of migrant workers. Cattle wander on the streets and Brea cannot get the image of a goat being slaughtered on the sidewalk as just part of the street markets along with fruits, vegetables and fish! The lake that is across the street from our hotel where high fences are erected and suicide patrols try and deter the many who attempt suicide on a daily basis ....... family of five on a motorbike, women bent over sweeping the streets with short brooms, monkeys, lizards and the incredible colours ........ a city of contrasts indeed!
We leave for Mumbai tomorrow and can hardly wait to see what is in store for us!
Pictures to follow!
Friday, July 31, 2009
The difference a day makes.........
Our day started at 5 am with the call to prayer that is broadcast through out the city ..... most amazing sounds.
Dr Vijaya met us at the hotel and we coordinated our outlines and headed off to the hotel where the workshop is being held. If we thought the traffic was crazy at 4:30 in the morning - it didn't touch what 8:30 held! There are only a few lights and they don't mean much - the one in the intersection whatever colour the light is - wins. One lane holds one bus, one car, one three wheeled taxi, one motor bike, bicycle and even those who are walking and are crazy enough to try and cut through all that. We were told the crime rate is not bad at all in Hyderabad but the accident rate is the highest in all of India. I am just amazed we have travelled back and forth for two days now and not seen one!
The Teaching Skills Workshop started yesterday and all I can say is ... amazing! Amazing women, some who have travelled 12 hours on the train to be here, two OB's, one psychologist and three others who bring their wisdom and passion for working with childbearing families.
I am mentoring/training Dr Vijaya to teach this program and we are having great fun and she is a natural! The stories that have been shared from these women, have once again humbled me, encouraged me and made me realize once again all we have in common wherever we are from and whatever our language is. The language of women and the language of birth is universal.
These women have such a depth and respect for the process that goes far deeper than the physical event of birth but rather focus their energies on the emotional and spiritual aspects as being the most important. They are all keen to get started as soon as they get back to their communites and we will be mentoring them as they work toward their certification with Lamaze.
These connections made are not for these four days, they will continue long after these days are done here and I value all they have already taught me!
Jet lag has set in ..... I was awake at 3 am this morning and I heard Brea say - "Mom, I am awake too" So we sat up and talked for an hour and a half about the workshop and the women and how great it was to have this opportunity. We never did go back to sleep, so it has been a long day .........
I needed to find chocolate coins for our closing gifts tomorrow, so we braved out with a driver from the hotel who know just where to take us. I just close my eyes and wait for the crash or until we reached our destination! He stopped outside the store and Brea and I ran in and found exactly what we were looking for. Five minutes at the most. Came out to find our driver in a shouting match with someone with a baseball bat! He claimed the driver had blocked his piece of the sidewalk and was demanding money. More than likely because the car had "Mariott Hotel" written on it.
It was the Marriott that was targeting in Mumbai and ever since then they have heightened security at this location. We still have to go throught the security checkpoints upon entering the hotel and now this weekend, being a celebration of one of their gods, it has been stepped up even more. We cannot enter the hotel until they scan our bags and take us into an alcove where a woman guard frisks us! On the other hand, I don't think we could be in a more secure place!
Our last day of the workshop tomorrow but we look forward to all of these participants staying for the Doula Skills workshop on Monday. We are being taken out for an Indian feast and then for some shopping at one of the most famous markets that is in the old part of Hyderabad.
Brea is already sleeping and I will soon be doing the same! Thinking about our family and friends that are just starting their day when we go to bed!
Dr Vijaya met us at the hotel and we coordinated our outlines and headed off to the hotel where the workshop is being held. If we thought the traffic was crazy at 4:30 in the morning - it didn't touch what 8:30 held! There are only a few lights and they don't mean much - the one in the intersection whatever colour the light is - wins. One lane holds one bus, one car, one three wheeled taxi, one motor bike, bicycle and even those who are walking and are crazy enough to try and cut through all that. We were told the crime rate is not bad at all in Hyderabad but the accident rate is the highest in all of India. I am just amazed we have travelled back and forth for two days now and not seen one!
The Teaching Skills Workshop started yesterday and all I can say is ... amazing! Amazing women, some who have travelled 12 hours on the train to be here, two OB's, one psychologist and three others who bring their wisdom and passion for working with childbearing families.
I am mentoring/training Dr Vijaya to teach this program and we are having great fun and she is a natural! The stories that have been shared from these women, have once again humbled me, encouraged me and made me realize once again all we have in common wherever we are from and whatever our language is. The language of women and the language of birth is universal.
These women have such a depth and respect for the process that goes far deeper than the physical event of birth but rather focus their energies on the emotional and spiritual aspects as being the most important. They are all keen to get started as soon as they get back to their communites and we will be mentoring them as they work toward their certification with Lamaze.
These connections made are not for these four days, they will continue long after these days are done here and I value all they have already taught me!
Jet lag has set in ..... I was awake at 3 am this morning and I heard Brea say - "Mom, I am awake too" So we sat up and talked for an hour and a half about the workshop and the women and how great it was to have this opportunity. We never did go back to sleep, so it has been a long day .........
I needed to find chocolate coins for our closing gifts tomorrow, so we braved out with a driver from the hotel who know just where to take us. I just close my eyes and wait for the crash or until we reached our destination! He stopped outside the store and Brea and I ran in and found exactly what we were looking for. Five minutes at the most. Came out to find our driver in a shouting match with someone with a baseball bat! He claimed the driver had blocked his piece of the sidewalk and was demanding money. More than likely because the car had "Mariott Hotel" written on it.
It was the Marriott that was targeting in Mumbai and ever since then they have heightened security at this location. We still have to go throught the security checkpoints upon entering the hotel and now this weekend, being a celebration of one of their gods, it has been stepped up even more. We cannot enter the hotel until they scan our bags and take us into an alcove where a woman guard frisks us! On the other hand, I don't think we could be in a more secure place!
Our last day of the workshop tomorrow but we look forward to all of these participants staying for the Doula Skills workshop on Monday. We are being taken out for an Indian feast and then for some shopping at one of the most famous markets that is in the old part of Hyderabad.
Brea is already sleeping and I will soon be doing the same! Thinking about our family and friends that are just starting their day when we go to bed!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
We have arrived!
We are here! A 31/2 hour flight to LA - our luggage arrived and we very quickly checked it through to Hyderabad. Had some quiet time in the LAX lounge and then boarded our 15 1/2 hour flight to Dubai.
Yikes.... never ever have been on a flight for that long. We tried every way to Sunday to find some comfortable positions to try and catch an hour here and there for sleep. To the credit of Emirates Airlines - the flight was very smooth but in economy class - there was no comfortable position to be had on this full flight.
We arrived in Dubai, slightly behind schedule and only enough time to find the terminal and the gate and get on the flight to Hyderabad. A very full flight. A jam packed flight and we were at the back of the bus. I had to keep my head in Breanne's shoulder in order to not be overcome with the "scents" of fellow passengers and the incredible noise level of very vocal passengers and the numerous babies and children. I was actually in tears for much of the 3 hour flight. Over tired and over-whelmed indeed.
When we arrived at the Hyderabad airport we were directed to the health screening area of the airport where we had to fill out detailed paper work of our health status and submit to a temperature reading before we were allowed throught to collect our luggage.
We finally got through the doors at 4:30 am on Wednesday and managed to find our driver from the Marriott hotel amongst the 2000 people lined up to meet the arriving passengers.
As we travelled though the streets in the wee hours of the morning, we were struck with the un-ending traffic and honking and bikes and three wheeled taxi's and trucks and people!!
I have to admit, I had a few thoughts of " I hope this driver really is from the Marriott hotel" and when he stopped on the side of some dark road , I thought "oh boy - we are going to get robbed and dumped!" He was adjusting our luggage that was threatening his steering wheel.
Sleep deprived paranoia stting in.......... We finally recognized our hotel but came to an abrupt stop outside the gates. Kathie says "oh is this where we get out?" and I was told to stay in the car. The car doors were opened by 8 security guards, two dogs and two guards with very big rifles. We were checked out and checked in at 5:30 am. We made it to our room and the first thing we noticed was the smell. I said "curry Breanne said "Vancouver Acquarium - the turtle and lizard room" ..... ah the smells of India.....
We had a few hours of exhausted sleep and then explored our hotel. We loved it! It really was everything the web site said it was and more. We are treated like royalty and every wish is our command! We had been warned that as good as the lake view sounded - don't do it. It is summer and it is noisey and smelly. So we chose the city view. Once I figure out how to post the pictures, I will share them. We opened our curtains and our "city view" consists of a broken down temple, squatter shacks and a very crude cemetary that has seen better days.
Obviously "city view" is relative and a much needed revelation to us. We are in India.
Our first day of teaching started today and that is another post.
Yikes.... never ever have been on a flight for that long. We tried every way to Sunday to find some comfortable positions to try and catch an hour here and there for sleep. To the credit of Emirates Airlines - the flight was very smooth but in economy class - there was no comfortable position to be had on this full flight.
We arrived in Dubai, slightly behind schedule and only enough time to find the terminal and the gate and get on the flight to Hyderabad. A very full flight. A jam packed flight and we were at the back of the bus. I had to keep my head in Breanne's shoulder in order to not be overcome with the "scents" of fellow passengers and the incredible noise level of very vocal passengers and the numerous babies and children. I was actually in tears for much of the 3 hour flight. Over tired and over-whelmed indeed.
When we arrived at the Hyderabad airport we were directed to the health screening area of the airport where we had to fill out detailed paper work of our health status and submit to a temperature reading before we were allowed throught to collect our luggage.
We finally got through the doors at 4:30 am on Wednesday and managed to find our driver from the Marriott hotel amongst the 2000 people lined up to meet the arriving passengers.
As we travelled though the streets in the wee hours of the morning, we were struck with the un-ending traffic and honking and bikes and three wheeled taxi's and trucks and people!!
I have to admit, I had a few thoughts of " I hope this driver really is from the Marriott hotel" and when he stopped on the side of some dark road , I thought "oh boy - we are going to get robbed and dumped!" He was adjusting our luggage that was threatening his steering wheel.
Sleep deprived paranoia stting in.......... We finally recognized our hotel but came to an abrupt stop outside the gates. Kathie says "oh is this where we get out?" and I was told to stay in the car. The car doors were opened by 8 security guards, two dogs and two guards with very big rifles. We were checked out and checked in at 5:30 am. We made it to our room and the first thing we noticed was the smell. I said "curry Breanne said "Vancouver Acquarium - the turtle and lizard room" ..... ah the smells of India.....
We had a few hours of exhausted sleep and then explored our hotel. We loved it! It really was everything the web site said it was and more. We are treated like royalty and every wish is our command! We had been warned that as good as the lake view sounded - don't do it. It is summer and it is noisey and smelly. So we chose the city view. Once I figure out how to post the pictures, I will share them. We opened our curtains and our "city view" consists of a broken down temple, squatter shacks and a very crude cemetary that has seen better days.
Obviously "city view" is relative and a much needed revelation to us. We are in India.
Our first day of teaching started today and that is another post.
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