Peace Out, Atlanta. Namaste, India.

On 14 August 2007, I flew from San Diego to Atlanta. I stayed in Atlanta until my flight to India on 18 August 2007. My time there was filled with errand running, but more importantly gave me some priceless time with my beautiful, love-filled family!
The trip to Atlanta was a great decision, because it served at a great transition to India. I was gone from my normal home, so I started to get used to that feeling, but I was also in a familiar place where I was surrounded by support and love. While in Atlanta, my grandmother decided to get me a traditional Indian outfit. We ended up getting a simple and beautiful salwar kameez at a sari store in Atlanta.
My last night, my aunt and uncle invited a bunch of people over for a bon voyage party and they all sent me off with their love, support, and prayers.
The next day, my dad and grandmother took me to the airport with a one-way ticket to Mumbai in my hand. My flight schedule was to fly Delta from Atlanta to New York and then change to Air India flight 102 in New York, which would stop in London and then connect to Mumbai. After checking in with Delta, I said my goodbyes and “I love you”s to my dad and grandma and headed to the New York flight. The flight took about 2 hours and upon landing in New York, I boarded my flight to London on Air India.
I immediately knew that something had changed when I got on the plane. First of all, the scent in the airplane was a heavy, savory musk, a welcome change to the scentless Delta flight. Second, the wallpaper was a shimmery, floral design with paisley and vines.
Third, the bathroom was fully equipped with a communal bottle of mouthwash, that is, one bottle for whoever felt their breath needed refreshing! As I settled into my seat, I was thrilled. My concept of normalcy was bending and adapting to this new environment. Mind you, I’m simply on a plane in New York! As the plane took off, I said my final goodbye to the U.S.
In the air, I suddenly realized where I was, what I was doing, and what it all meant (a little late, I know). I was alone as an adult, beginning my independent life. However, this independence is not a sad or lonely kind. It is surrounded by love of my family and friends, but most importantly by the guidance of God. So though I was physically alone, I felt completely safe and happy. The love of my dear ones and the presence of God are with me and thus, I am alone and yet I am not.
The rest of the flight was great, full of new snacks (goodbye pretzels and peanuts), funny Bollywood music videos, and delicious in flight meals (for once!).

We arrived in London about 5 and a half hours later and boarded the next plane to Mumbai! On that flight, I got a full row and ended up just sleeping, eating, and listening to my iPod. I did, however, meet a nice lady who did not speak English but found my attempts at Hindi very entertaining. I offered her some M&M’s (thanks Karin), which aren’t commonly sold in India and she gave me some silver, mint-flavored candy. She also showed me her thumb, which had two tips and two fingernails and let me take a picture.
She was very sweet and later gave me a hair clip. All I had to give her were some bracelets, which she refused until I insisted.
8 and a half hours later the wheels of Air India flight 102 touched down in Mumbai! Upon arrival, and after about an hour and a half of asking questions and being sent all over the airport, I found out that my baggage was not on the flight. Somewhere along the line it had been misplaced. Tired and eager to get on with the rest of my journey, I filled out a luggage report and told them to send it to me in Panchgani once it surfaced. Another guy on my flight, Nash, had lost his luggage and he really helped me figure out what was going on. Although English is an official language of India, I could not understand a lot of what was said to me. Nash was Indian, but worked in the U.K. so he was a true godsend in translating what was going on. When we left the airport, he even invited me to come to his wedding in Mumbai (many people still call it Bombay) on 21 October 2007!
A teacher from New Era, the school in Panchgani where I will be serving, picked me up from the airport along with his sweet family. We got in their car and drove 5 hours through the night to Panchgani, a small town high on a hill. I could not see much of India during the drive because it was dark, but when the sun rose, India woke up! Women came out of their roadside shacks and began fires for breakfast, while men crossed the highway heading on their way to work. We finally reached Panchgani about 5 hours later and I was taken to my room (the bed with the pink pillow is mine).
The house is on campus and is laid out in suite style with 4 rooms containing 3 beds adjacent to one main room. There is also a kitchen and two bathrooms, both without showers, just buckets and a faucet! So long 15-minute showers!
I changed into my Indian outfit (which I luckily packed in my carry-on luggage) and headed over to the main office to meet Santha, the man who had helped me organize my year of service. He introduced me to all the people in the office and told me where I would be serving. At the moment, I will be teaching English in the primary school and working in the Junior Youth Empowerment Program. I also will be choreographing for their Youth Dance Workshop, a group that examines various social ills through dance, theatre, and song. That is the plan for now, but Santha explained that I am encouraged to feel out the school and local community and contribute however I see fit. In other words, this is the plan for now, but if I see a new or more important need, I am welcome to serve there! He then helped me with some logistics of opening a bank account and reporting my stay to the consulate. Most of the day, however, was filled with meeting people, getting settled, and exploring Panchgani. I’ve never, in my whole life, not once, ever been in a town like Panchgani. I really can’t describe it. I’m simply at a loss for words. But, know that I really enjoy being in town and will post pictures later that will hopefully illustrate what I cannot.
That night was the Baha’i 19 Day Feast and I met my new Baha’i community. It was amazing because all the way in India, the Feast is run in much the same manner! “Dear Friends…” introduces every address and smiles abound. The warmth of the Baha’i community is universal and a welcoming attitude is ever present. Though I knew no ones name, I felt like I was in the company of friends and family. During the social portion many people came up to me and introduced themselves and offered to teach me Hindi and Marathi. There are many youth in this community because New Era Teacher Training center is only about 15 minutes from the high school. I met two awesome girls from Dubai, one of whom is related to a woman in my Feast group in San Diego (if it’s a small world, it’s a microscopic Baha’i world). Leaving, I felt totally happy, safe, and protected. I know that the Baha’is of Panchgani will be a big part of my life here and I loved meeting all of them. I can’t wait to start getting to know them better and serving the greater Panchgani community with them.
I fell into bed exhausted and passed out to the sound of monsoon rain dancing on my roof.