Written by Marliaan
There is no words to describe the past 3 weeks in India! Me, Roelf, Marna, Karlien and Janica arrived at 2.15am to CRAZY, CHAOTIC, DIRTY and CROWDED India.There was a driver in a very small car that picked us up in the MAD traffic. No robots, stop signs or lanes. The hooter means that I am beside or behind you, keep out of my way! We were in the 'Hotel' at 4.15am in New Delhi where literally "everything" happens in the street. It is where you eat, sleep, do business and yes, goes to the bathroom! Oh my word, the smell!!!
We slept for 2 hours and met the rest of the team at 8. To our delight there was some fresh faces. The schoolteam from PE arrived and joined us for a shortterm outreach in India at a Children's Home.They are young, bubbly and full of energy!They gave a new dimention to the team.This is where we met the 'Rikshaws' of India. They carry 2/2 people, with all their baggage on a bicycle! What a sight!
The next few days we played with the children, taught them a Christmas Play, learned more about their culture and costums. We were streched in a lot of ways, emotionally, spiritually, psychologically and physically. A lot of us got really sick from the water, dehidration or some kind of bug! This was really bad and you miss out on a lot. We also served them by painting walls, fixing their sourage and water system. It was graet to see the improvement and their appreciation.
One of the greatest gifts we gave them was to take them to Pizza Hut in town. That was really great! They were so excited.
Last Saturday we chose to go to the Taj Mahal. We got up at 3am, and as always our bus driver arrived an hour and a half later.After an 6 hour drive we only had an hour and a half to be a tourist at the Taj Mahal. It was wonderful and extravagant but sad in a way to see all the money spent on such a big building while the country is starving. 6 Hours back to Delhi to get on an overnight train ride to Jammu Tawi. It was very overcrowded and uncomfortable but some were able to sleep throughout the night - not me! We arrived early in the morning and the team took two busses for a "supposedly" 10 hour (284km) drive to our destination in Shringala in Kashmir. Well, it turned out to be a 30 hour bus drive! Being icy-cold in the Himalayas we slept in the bus from 3-5am. There was a traffic "JAM" on this only road in to Shringala. There were busses, trucks and Army soldiers everywhere! What an experience. We where tired, cold and very hungry but we kept the spirit up by having snow fights, eating sweets and having interesting conversations.
Gulmarg was really like they said - Little Switzerland - picturesq! It looks like in Narnia with the snow on the tree tops and everything!! Wow! We ate a hot meal, slept in a bed and had a on-suit bathroom - luxury! The following morning we had warm water in a bucket and showered! Wow! Then it was off to our first skiing lesson. It was wonderfull but very exhausting. It was nice to ski down but then you have to walk all the way up the hill again.
I fell a couple of times but it was a great experience. The following morning the PE team and some others left (by aeroplane) back to Delhi. We stayed another day and me, Karlien, Janica, Elsabe, Anita and Phillip went on a sledging trip in the mountains. That was al lot of FUN! And then of course went shopping!!!!!!
Well, we learned a few lessons in India, time is VERY relative! Our flight was delayed 5 times by an hour and we then unfortunately missed the children's Christmas play. So sad but we where just in time to greet the PE team farewell. We are going to miss their happy smiling faces and energy!
Like in every country, we waited for the much anticipated Race! The Red team had a guest member - Anita. The all-girｌs team was very excited! They just announced that we won the previous race in Malaysia! We literally grab the bull (Waterbuffolo) by the horns (one of our tasks) and was the first team to go. We had to go in to New Delhi and see a lot of tourist attractions. On the train ride we met a doctor friend that helped us a lot and organized a Taxi for us. Once again, we were the first team to arrive - we will wait for confirmation that we won but I am so proud of the girls team! Especially the spirit that we did it in. GO RED TEAM!!! After that we did some more shopping and saw another side of Delhi - the tourist, richer side!
Back at the childrens home we packed and said our goodbuys! Missing 3 and a half hours of sleep arrived at Tokyo/Japan at 6.30 (3 am Indian time). Our team split up in 2 - some of us is flying to Hawaii at 19h00 and the rest stay over in Tokyo. The funny thing is - Hawaii is 12 hours behind Japan. So, we fly out at 19h00 (23 Des) and arrive at 9am on the 23 Des.
PS: This is what happen in a nutshell the past 3 weeks. I am very sorry for the poor language but I am VERY tired! Thank you for all your comments, love, support and prayer. We are off to Honolulu Hawaii and looking forward to the rest!
Blessings!
nMarliaan