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!