Bangalore......Journey Finale

Here is a post from Vim:

This adventure begins on July 3^rd 2008 in Detroit Michigan.  4 individuals boarded a plane on route to Bangalore, India via Europe. 

Like any flight that day, the flight was comprised of strangers, among them;  a GM Employee, a "House Husband" to be, a Prep Student and a 4^th Grader.

As Lufthansa flight LH443 flew high over the Atlantic, these 4 individuals were going to be joined closer together than ever before.

A country far from the normal comforts of home, they found themselves on a journey that they could never have imagined.

They loved, they fought, they lost and there were times when things just went totally a-stray, eventually you just go with the flow, and after 730 days they return back to Michigan just were the journey started. 

The experience of being educated to understand, building upon and bridging values to ones heritage, culture, religion, appreciating life in India and fortunes we have in the west the two year journey exploring and experiencing India and its neighboring countries can only be summed up by quoting 'Ursula K. LeGuin' -   

                   ' It is good to have an end to this journey…

                        But it is the journey that matters, in the end.'
     

                     

                                                                                                     

!ndia.......Reflections

WOW!  What an opportunity to experience the motherland…. and some wondered Why? Others Critical that we would not survive or like India! 

But little, do people know us.  Looking back we did not know ourselves, until now – experiencing not just corporate India but adding allot more to the knowledge of our heritage as an individual, as a family.   

The first couple of days in India were really hard and overwhelming because I am used to being in control.  But when you surrender, it becomes a truly transforming experience.  Yet you’re Indian and you should know India, know it through family experiences, Bollywood, the music, the culture, and heritage.  It’s not like that at all.   

Being an ocean and continent or two away from the extended family, we have clearly bonded more so than ever before.  The journey has bought allot of clarity to many things from personal awareness, to traditions, cultural diversity and future outlook on life. 

India has long been known for its exotic culture and tradition. For a traveler, India offers a variety of experiences that can vary from the most uproarious to the very freakish. From one corner to the other, India is replete with attractions that can leave you in awe of its beauty.  No matter what your life interests are, India has to offer you a lot and that too in smash-hit proportions.

In a country as diverse and complex as India, it is not surprising to find that people here reflect the rich glories of the past, the culture, traditions and values relative to geographic locations and the numerous distinctive manners, habits and food that will always remain truly Indian.  

From the eternal snows of the Himalayas to the peninsula of the far South, from the deserts of the West to the humid deltas of the East, from the dry heat and cold of the Central Plateau to the cool forest foothills, Indian lifestyles reflect the geography, the food, clothing and habits of India differ in accordance to the place of origin.

The Colorful mosaic of Indian festivals and fairs - as diverse as the land, is an eternal expression of the spirit of celebration which are observed with enthusiasm and gaiety festivals are like gems ornamenting the crown of Indian Culture. They are round the year vibrant interludes in the mundane routine of life. 

What will be missed…. Everything!  The colorful, vibrant daily, crazy way of organized chaotic life that totally baffle you from why, things are done the way they are, and the one expression they have here nodding the head side to side with a smile which means; “Yes, No, Probably, Maybe, Possibly and even !*$#-Off - remember with a smile!” based on the reply of context/question presented, yet everything works like clock-work and amazingly enough India is a major Global Super Power and influencer on many global affairs even though it has its share of poor internal political miss-management of the country and its civic duties to its citizens.  -  Vim.