December 28: LOOOONG Day

I will be posting my journal that I wrote each day in India. Since I did not have reliable internet access over there, this is the best way I can blog for you all. We went to India as a cross-cultural excursion to learn about the culture, not on a mission trip. Cross-cultural is a required course at Methodist Theological School in Ohio and a great learning experience for us! I hope you enjoy!
--------------
I write this from my bed in the guest house at the Talmilnadu Theological Seminary in Madurai, India. It is a balmy 24 degrees Celsius (according to the last pilot we had). And it has been a looong day.

We left Columbus at noon on December 26 and arrived at Madurai at 11 AM December 28, about 36 hours later. After 4 bad flights, we finally made it. Between some very scary turbulence, a cramped plane for one of the long flights, and an unplanned landing for 3 hours to wait for visibility, we were very glad to be done with planes.

I still can’t believe we are actually in India, though the food is fairly convincing. They dulled down the spices for us, but so far the food has been very good. Our first meal here we had a lentil/rice patty with a yellow curry, toast (for the American in us), and fried egg. It helps you try new things, though, when you have only had airplane food, and that irregularly, for the last two days!

When we got off the last plane and into our vans to head to the seminary, we saw our first impressions of India. As we rode, I was stunned by how much it looks like a smaller version of Slumdog Millionaire. From shanty towns, to little street venders, the buildings look run down in our eyes. The best buildings, the ones made of stone, are worse than I can imagine living in. As we drove past the buildings, Dr. Van Meter explained that people set up wherever they can to protect their families.

The roads were teaming with people walking and on motorcycles. There were very few vehicles bigger than a rickshaw. A motorcycle could have as many as five people on it: a man, wife, and 3 kids under 7 in one case. Most people were dressed traditionally, except for some men.

We as westerners draw a lot of attention. Because our plane stopped for three hours, we only spent a couple minutes at the wedding reception. People kept taking our pictures. People wanted to shake our hands. When we greeted the new couple, we had our picture taken with them, just as everybody else did. It was when we stood in line to greet them that our pictures were taken in a way that was unusual.

For the wedding, the colors seemed to be primarily red and gold. The couple and several others were wearing this, though the bride was the most ornate. Behind the couple was a red and gold couch, though I am not sure what it was for. It was a Christian wedding.

Well, I’m exhausted, so I’ll catch you up again soon!