We have been on this exchange during Rotary’s month of “World Understanding” and it could not have happened at a more appropriate time. We experienced first hand the truth that all people and countries are the same in many respects. We all love our families; we all want to share the best sights, sounds, smells, tastes, of our country with visitors. We have been at the receiving end of the outpouring of friendship and love. Everyone was generous with their heart and kind in word and deed.
It is hard to believe that five weeks are now over. We have met many wonderful people that we hope to keep in contact with and have an opportunity to reciprocate with kindness when they come and visit in the future.
Being a member of this GSE program has been an experience that no one could replicate when travelling alone. It was the opportunity to live with families and experience their way of life that truly allowed us all to experience India as no tourist would ever have been able. We learned about the family’s religion, work practices, rituals, marriage arrangements, favorite sports, and hopes and dreams for their children and grandchildren.
The trip is coming to an end and in a few hours we will be homeward bound on our flight back to home and family. While this will bring to a close an amazing trip our experiences and new friendships will be carried on with us indefinitely. A big thank you to the Rotary Foundation and local Rotary clubs for this incredible opportunity and to all our families, friends and employers for your support. Many thanks to all those in India that coordinated the daily and weekly activities and those that were our hosts during the home stays. Words can not express the gratitude that we feel. A world of thanks to everyone!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Saying Goodbye
How lucky we are to have something that makes saying good-bye so hard.
None of us could have ever imagined the extent to which India and its people would touch us. How can we possibly sum up an experience that has had such a profound effect on each one of our lives? And how can we even begin to thank all the people who have made these last 5 weeks one of the most enriching, unforgettable and unique travel experiences ever? The love we have been shown, the learning we have done, the people we have met, the things we have seen…how can we put all this into words?
As she was showing us around Mumbai the other day, one of our hosts said: “If everyone in the world had an opportunity to do a GSE exchange, then there would be no war.” We couldn’t agree more. What better way to reach deep understanding of culture, religions, and values than through the eyes and perspectives of the people of a country while living life alongside them, even if just for a brief period of time. The speed and depth of the connections that have developed during our time here is a beautiful reminder that at the very heart of it all, people are people no matter where you go. We may be leaving India but we are returning home carrying home in our hearts the kindness we have been shown as well as precious memories that will forever endure.
"I cannot say good-bye to those whom I have grown to love, for the memories we have made will last a lifetime and never know a good-bye." Anonymous
None of us could have ever imagined the extent to which India and its people would touch us. How can we possibly sum up an experience that has had such a profound effect on each one of our lives? And how can we even begin to thank all the people who have made these last 5 weeks one of the most enriching, unforgettable and unique travel experiences ever? The love we have been shown, the learning we have done, the people we have met, the things we have seen…how can we put all this into words?
As she was showing us around Mumbai the other day, one of our hosts said: “If everyone in the world had an opportunity to do a GSE exchange, then there would be no war.” We couldn’t agree more. What better way to reach deep understanding of culture, religions, and values than through the eyes and perspectives of the people of a country while living life alongside them, even if just for a brief period of time. The speed and depth of the connections that have developed during our time here is a beautiful reminder that at the very heart of it all, people are people no matter where you go. We may be leaving India but we are returning home carrying home in our hearts the kindness we have been shown as well as precious memories that will forever endure.
"I cannot say good-bye to those whom I have grown to love, for the memories we have made will last a lifetime and never know a good-bye." Anonymous
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Taj Mahal
No matter how many times we have seen it in pictures, nothing compares to seeing the world’s ultimate tribute to love in person. Fifth in line at the gate at 6:30 a.m. yesterday, we entered a large courtyard with other “early birds” as the sun rose. Through the doorway of a red sandstone gateway we had our first glimpse of the Taj Mahal – initially a grey blue color in the early morning light, it was enough to give me goose bumps. Within minutes as we admired the incredible view, the sun rose higher and the Taj took on a warm glow as breathtaking shadows cast their way across the marble walkways, shining like ice. Although a few hundred others shared the moment with us, there was a serenity to the place that cannot be described…the Yamuna River on the North side was a mystical site with fog slowly lifting off its surface as a lone fisherman peacefully drifted by; even the birds who soared over the central dome in perfect patterns added to the poetry. By 9 a.m. we were leaving, marveling at the beauty we had just witnessed as thousands more tourists started appearing – as far as we were concerned though, we had caught the best part of the day! 
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
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