And Away We Go

In a little over 12 hours I will be leaving this place. These past three weeks have been such an amazing time. So many roles (teacher, student, expatriot, mini-Raj). I feel I've grown on this trip. Actually I like the person I am here much better than the one at home. Doug mentioned that I was different when he got here (not sure if that was good or bad). I am more polite, considerate, patient (Did I just hear my mother and sister falling over?). I have a better appreciation of what I have. I have a roof over my head, food on the table, family and friends who love me and that I love, and a puppy who most likely is having the time of his life and wont want to come home tomorrow. Material things don't seem quite as important. Hopefully I will hang on to this change and not get caught up with all the bullshit that, in Mr. Liveris's words, "at the end of the day" doesn't matter.

I hope I will be able to hold the bonds made with the other trainers at some level. Carmen, Marcel, Frederic and Vincent, I do hope our paths will cross again (In Europe as you would be terribly bored in Midland). Doug - You're in Midland and I see you everyday. I go all the way to India and still can't get away from you! ; )

I can not express how proud of Shami and Mandar I am. In fact I almost teared up a bit when I left yesterday (in fact as I write this I am a little misty). I have been working with them since early spring and have watched them progress into exceptional CAEC members. I have every confidence in them and am pleased I was able to come here and meet them.

Would I come back if needed? Yes. No question. I mentioned this to Gilberto and Deepa before I left yesterday as well as my supervisor at home. Of course I also mentioned I would be a less willing if it is December....HMMM.....It would be inexpensive to Christmas shop here.....

Now a recap of some surreal moments from the last three weeks:

• Goods being transported by ox and wagon on major roads
• Goods being transported by trucks that like they are 40 to 50 years old (big contrast to the semis at home)
• The transvestite near one of the overpasses we have to stop at. Because it is a high traffic area there are several people who try to sell the motorist things. It took me a second and a double take...I thought "she" looked better than some of the women in their saris...Honestly showing midriff is a priviledge not a right. (Same applies for Speedos, chunky hairy guy at the pool last week)
• The hairband station one night on the way home
• The DJ on the 80's station (City, City, Bang, Bang! was the program) and his "useful" sex tips (am I blushing???)
• Sitting at Vista during a cricket match and hearing the Indians actually being loud. (There is a big tourney going on in South Africa and India is doing very well....)
• The fact that there is a cricket channel....I have watched some and it is interesting to watch, but I have no clue what the rules are....
• And the number 1: Last Friday on the ride to the office hearing a Dolly Parton song. I know that doesn't seem surreal, but in the middle of the ride it seemed very strange...

The one thing that does bother me is that it only took a week for the poverty to seem normal. The first week, I watched out the window each day not believing what I was seeing. By Monday the second week, I was putting my head back, resting my eyes. Yesterday, Marcel and I left early as he had to leave and I needed to get some of my own work done. Seeing the ride home in the daylight for the first time, I took it all in again, but it just seemed normal. I don't care who you are, this should not seem normal or acceptable.

OK I am going to take my book and IPOD down to the lounge, have a cappuccino and give housekeeping a chance to clean clean. My packing is nearly done and I am waiting for Doug and Vincent to get back to say goodbye.... The only real question left?

"Where in the hell am I going to pack my shoes?"

See you all soon!

Lori