Update from Don Salyards (who is in India)

Dear Winona Rotarians:

The wedding was Sunday evening. If you want to read a touching story about this event, please go to my regular blog  www.donsalyards.com   Monday morning I boarded the Saurastra Express for a brief trip up to Gujarat before heading south to Mangalore to see Shayana, Blanche, Dave and Saul.  Met a nice young mother on the train with an rather uncontrollable 4-year old...but the kid slept for about 3 hours which bought us some peace (don't they teach yoga and meditation to 4 year olds???)  I attached a photo of me and "the kid" sharing earbuds, which didn't last long because he was so "active".

I've been on this train before, and it is not fast.  An hour and a half late, I reached Ankleshwar after 9 hours, where Anu Shah's parents Chetan and Daxsha live.  You might remember Anuj...he was our Rotary exchange student a few years ago.  Their home is one of my favorite, featuring an outdoor patio between the bedrooms, yet it is on the second floor and secure from the street.  

While the 5 star hotel in Bombay was a fine place, THIS is India...in a real Gujarati house with real guju's, discussing life's adventures, problems, and successes!  The life is at a much easier pace here...you get up for a light breakfast, go out and do some morning chores, eat lunch (which is prepared by Daxsha with fresh produce purchased a couple of hours earlier) and then go down for an afternoon nap!  Then you get up around 4pm, hang out, have some supper and eventually go to your evening gig (which is a rotary meeting tonight).

So far I'm healthy...haven't gotten sick yet (woooo I shouldn't have said that...I'm cursed now) and the trip is starting to come together now.

Keep well, and I'll try to keep you informed as much as I can.  In these parts internet connections are tough to come by....I'm on the porch of a neighbor now, where I'm "borrowing" his wi-fi signal. 

Until Later!

Don