Dad, it has been a pleasure traveling with you over the last 6 months. Prior to leaving on this journey in January we talked of your travels and that you would follow me via my blog and of course the occasional skype. You were one of the few constants that I could rely on. You and Mom told me back in December that I was to continue my year abroad no matter what happened. I have to say that this is not what I expected or prepared for.
It is very interesting that of all places for me to receive the news I would be in Varanasi, India. Although I have not blogged online in several months i have daily or at least regularly made notes of my travels so that i can keep myself current on dates and events. The last 6 weeks has been amazing in India, the Land of Contradictions. I spent 3 weeks volunteering and although it is not what i expected in the cross cultrual realm, the volunteering of my time in the day-care center with between 15 to 18; 2 and 3 year olds was the best experience you can imagine. There were runny noses, potty accidents and basic mahem with noise decibels of unbelievable magnitudes; but the love and connection to these young lives is a forever memory.
I left the volunteer position and directly entered a 10 day guided Buddist teaching and meditation course; done in total silence; I know you wondered if I actaully was successful and Surprise....I was! It was incredible. I was ready after 6 months of non-stop traveling for some introspective me time. Once the course ended, I stayed 4 nights in Dharamcot a cozy Himalayan mountainside retreat town to just chill and bask in the amazement of the past 30 days.
I finally made flight reservations to return to New Delhi and then on to Varanasi, India. My India experience was heighted when Kingfisher Airlines (they need to stick to beer production; not everyone can be Richard Branson) cancelled my flight. In order to make my connecting flight to Varanasi I along with 4 other stranded travelers grabbed a 6 passenger cab/van and were driven the long grueling 12 hours to the New Delhi airport. Needless to say an evening in the airport without sleep and a thrilling ride with grumpy Indians to Varanasi was highlighted by my not making any arrangements for my arrival...Yup, no hotel/hostel lodging reservations or any idea of the transportation options upon arrival. Silly me; i was still basking in my meditative state to worry with details I guess. Needless to say; arrival was a bumpy ride which included an overnight stay in a buddist monestary in Sarnath (unexpected and un air conditioned), a cycle rickshaw ride, a motorized rickshaw ride, a referred hotel without vacancy, a walk with an Indian tout that wanted me to go to his best hotel (nightmare) to finally arriving at the Alka Hotel that believe it or not has the best view of the Ganges river in all of Varanasi, India.
I won't continue with this blog post but wanted to get you up to date. I dedicate this one to you Dad and although I know you have not left me alone for the remainder of my trip, I will surely miss you and think of you many times as I continue my around the world adventure. I know you are with me everyday as I am with you today.
I Love you Dad! Your around the world adventurer, Scott
PS: Mom, I will be home for Christmas!
It is very interesting that of all places for me to receive the news I would be in Varanasi, India. Although I have not blogged online in several months i have daily or at least regularly made notes of my travels so that i can keep myself current on dates and events. The last 6 weeks has been amazing in India, the Land of Contradictions. I spent 3 weeks volunteering and although it is not what i expected in the cross cultrual realm, the volunteering of my time in the day-care center with between 15 to 18; 2 and 3 year olds was the best experience you can imagine. There were runny noses, potty accidents and basic mahem with noise decibels of unbelievable magnitudes; but the love and connection to these young lives is a forever memory.
I left the volunteer position and directly entered a 10 day guided Buddist teaching and meditation course; done in total silence; I know you wondered if I actaully was successful and Surprise....I was! It was incredible. I was ready after 6 months of non-stop traveling for some introspective me time. Once the course ended, I stayed 4 nights in Dharamcot a cozy Himalayan mountainside retreat town to just chill and bask in the amazement of the past 30 days.
I finally made flight reservations to return to New Delhi and then on to Varanasi, India. My India experience was heighted when Kingfisher Airlines (they need to stick to beer production; not everyone can be Richard Branson) cancelled my flight. In order to make my connecting flight to Varanasi I along with 4 other stranded travelers grabbed a 6 passenger cab/van and were driven the long grueling 12 hours to the New Delhi airport. Needless to say an evening in the airport without sleep and a thrilling ride with grumpy Indians to Varanasi was highlighted by my not making any arrangements for my arrival...Yup, no hotel/hostel lodging reservations or any idea of the transportation options upon arrival. Silly me; i was still basking in my meditative state to worry with details I guess. Needless to say; arrival was a bumpy ride which included an overnight stay in a buddist monestary in Sarnath (unexpected and un air conditioned), a cycle rickshaw ride, a motorized rickshaw ride, a referred hotel without vacancy, a walk with an Indian tout that wanted me to go to his best hotel (nightmare) to finally arriving at the Alka Hotel that believe it or not has the best view of the Ganges river in all of Varanasi, India.
I won't continue with this blog post but wanted to get you up to date. I dedicate this one to you Dad and although I know you have not left me alone for the remainder of my trip, I will surely miss you and think of you many times as I continue my around the world adventure. I know you are with me everyday as I am with you today.
I Love you Dad! Your around the world adventurer, Scott
PS: Mom, I will be home for Christmas!
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| Written on the sandy Glenn Beach in Capetown, South Africa |
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