Goodbyes to old and new friends.

Sorry, been gone a while. Lots happening and no energy or time to give you all updates.

Day 11, Sunday

Went to church in the morning, a bit of shopping in the afternoon. Got suckered by a street vendor again...those guys just don't give up. Did get a pretty cool wooden thing for a lot less than his starting price, but he followed me for a half hour. "Please sir, small business". Back to the center for a farewell meal with the interpreters and those who helped with the medical camps. Then got to Skype Grace Community, by the time that was over no energy for updates.

Day 12, Monday

Today was for sightseeing. This is something we have not usually done, we have tended to work till the last minute, then jump on the plane. So today was an official "no work" day. We saw the Mysore Palace, the Palace Hotel, a summer palace, and went to the top of the hill (mountain, really) overlooking Mysore. Then it was back to the hotel for showers and packing up. We made a quick stop at the center for soup, tearful goodbyes, then boarded the busses for the 4 hour trip to the Bangalore airport.

We arrived around midnight, got the Kearney team unloaded, said our goodbyes to our new brothers and sisters, and saw them off. Then back into Bangalore, checked into our hotel around 1 am, bed at 1:45 or so.

Day 13, Tuesday

The morning came quick today!! Started off with breakfast with 2 new people from IJM, then off to a new NGO that we found out about, a fact-finding mission to see if we have the potential to work with them. Among the things they do is to work with the daughters of the Devadassi, who are at large risk for being trafficked. They provide them education, up to a certificate (similar to Jr. College degree) and can get them good jobs. They also have an international program where they bring in kids on opposite sides of a conflict to work on resolution, 20 kids from all around the world. Fascinating stuff.

Then we were off to visit an organic farmer. This guy is known throughout India and really is an expert on organic farming world-wide. And he as honored that John and I came to visit him. He is 78 years old, has a totally self sufficient 4 acre farm. The only thing we had for lunch that wasn't produced on his farm was the salt. He has planted over 500 trees, including teak. Teak trees need to grow for 40 years before harvesting. I'm guessing this guy will be around to get his check (he will turn 100 that year).

He has very strong opinions and beliefs concerning organic farming, and is certainly proving it on his farm. It was a fascinating visit.

On the way back, we stopped at an emu farm. They were unloading a whole bunch of little ones (and by little I mean the size of full-grown chickens). They looked like the raptors in Jurassic Park and a bit like 5 year olds playing soccer. One emu would run over to the NE corner of the cage, then all the others would sprint over there as well, then all off to the SW corner. Pretty funny stuff.

Got back to the hotel, met with a couple of great friends from previous trips, now catching up and planning what I'm gonna teach tomorrow. Only a couple of days left....

Stan