Rest Day

I am tired to the core and thankful for a day of rest.  My day was supposed to be filled with all of my favorite activities, so despite my aching arms and tired eyes, I would have tried to do them all… because I love it!  Yet, it is probably o.k. that everything was cancelled.  I have laid around all day trying to catch up on sleep.  I know jet lag has hit every year but I just don’t have time for it this year.  I only have one week to see so many great people before I head north.   I'm trying to stay present in the moment and hoping for short periods of time with many, many people.  I'm hoping their hearts are as encouraged as mine.  Tonight, I am heading out with some friends for dinner and shopping.  Should be fun.. hopefully I'll stay awake. I should at least be well rested. 

and....if there was any doubt.. I still LOVE IT!

And.. there was doubt (a lot of it).  I had a good school year, so I wasn't sure why I felt so worn out leading up to this trip.  All I wanted was a summer at the pool.  I wanted to lay around, sit in the sun, drink ice coffee, and do NOTHING.  It took me forever to commit to purchasing tickets this year.  For a variety of reasons I kept putting it off.  The closer I got to summer, the more thoughts of not coming to India really seemed to gain momentum - worthy of my consideration. I have for sure had moments of panic before but this year wasn't like that, just an un-ending "I don't want to go!!" feeling.  I kept assuring myself it would be fine once I got here.  ...  AND guess what.....IT IS!!

Today was SO nice.  I was able to visit a village of women I enjoy so very much.  We sat on porches, in doorways, and by outside fire pits, sharing stories from the year...heartaches and joys.  Joys including the birth of a sweet, three day old, little" peanut".  Usually, translated conversations are awkward but not today.  It just flowed.
I like that!

Today ended with a "Bread and Wine" kind of night. Bread and Wine is a book I am reading now.  I would recommend any book by this author... I have referred to her before. This book is a celebration of life around the table.... cooking, eating, and sharing lives. Tonight was that kind of night...three ladies, three countries, a table of good food, and time together.

Now I am back in my room. I am sitting here tonight with a contented heart.  Thankful for the way I GET to spend my summers and thankful that I get to do it all over again tomorrow. 

I  made it.. India round 6.

I love people watching and airports are good for that... two airport watching moments I must share.

 1.   I love it when people catch me off guard and change my thinking.  First thing yesterday morning, a couple was waiting for a plane.  The husband, a tough looking older guy, long beard and deer print shirt leans over and gives his wife Eskimo kisses! Didn't expect that.

2. An older lady walks into that bathroom as I was looking in a full length wall mirror trying to do something with my hair.  She spoke no English but gestured to the mirror.  I figured she wanted to check her dress so I stepped to the side, thinking we could share.  She proceeded to walk straight into the wall.  I am guessing she thought it was the walkway leading to the bathrooms.. those mirrors can be tricky. : ) .. don't worry, I turned her around and got her heading in the right direction.