JUNE, 2011
“DON’T KNOW WHERE I’M GOING, BUT SURE KNOW WHERE I’VE BEEN”
I have written about my likes and dislikes. Hopefully mainly in jest. I have written about what I have thought is right and wrong. But I knew soon into our trip that I am here not to judge. I am here wanting to understand, even if it meant sometimes just a little.
I understand that in a sense it is a small world after all. That here, half way around the world, there is someone just like me. Not some mysterious soul in some far–off foreign country. And like home there are those more and less fortunate than myself.
I understand that it’s also a huge world as well. We spent an average of two nights per stay. Two days in someplace where someone has lived for over a thousand years. Barely enough time for me to decipher a foreign menu.
Most places prompting the planning of another five-week travel itinerary just to explore all that we had found new. Just in India, when we connected the dots on a map of where we have been, it is laughably small.
For Kate and I it has been an experience, which I’m not sure if I fully appreciate yet
We are travelling with our daughters. We are travelling as a family
I try now to only be a parent when there is a minimum of one hundred kilometers between the girls and myself. It is then that in Sobeys I name drop. Ryerson, Mumbai, Queen’s, Nepal, Tunisia and most times have to stop myself. Am I proud? Very much so.
Here hopefully we have all been travel companions, not always but more so with the same interests, wishes and destinations. For that am thankful.
Kate and I will soon be home. We have travelled as relatively comfortable observers of this world. When required we were both full on but also standing back once in a while and having a chance to catch our breath. I am proud of all of us. When I put a holiday in the “We managed to pull it off category” it’s good. This was not a vacation. It was part time adventure and challenge.
What I believe is especially amazing to see, is that our two daughters have become participants of this world. Their schooling has gone far beyond Canada. Coming home now will be and should the out of the way trip.
Nicola will be staying in India beyond her planed stay. Soon this huge world will interfere with all our plans, so sisters should be together when they can. They will see more of each other in India than if they were home. Further more I am of utmost belief, than there is no better story, happy or sad, than a story shared with a loved one, no matter how near or far.
I have wanted to understand, but also to learn. To me countries are places on a map.
It’s the people I have met that have taught me the things that have changed me as a traveller and a person. Many times I’ve looked at what seemed absolute desperation only to meet people who would step forward, and offer to share what little they might have. People who share just in the triumph of the human spirit.
I write this as we descend on our flight from Bangkok to New Delhi for one more night before we return to Canada. I will walk out the same departure doors into the heat as I did five weeks ago. Possibly a little better prepared for all things Mother India. All things loving, caring and serving.
“ON THE DAY I WENT AWAY
WAS ALL I HAD TO SAY
I WANT TO COME AGAIN AND STAY
SMILE, AND THAT WILL MEAN I MAY
‘CAUSE I’VE SEEN BLUE SKIES
THROUGH THE TEARS IN MY EYES
AND I REALIZE I’M GOING HOME
Dr. Frank-N-Furter
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| NICOLA NEMY |
