India Day Eleven - Flying South

Today we left at 6am (which was supposed to be 5am) to get to the airport for th second leg of our trip. 

Somewhere along the lines our taxi communication got mixed up and we were waiting on someone to join us we weren’t expecting so it was a bit frustrating. 

We rode 6+ hours in the car and headed to the airport in Delhi. 

We only got there just in time because we had to drop off our tag along and it was a bit stressful rushing through security, but all ended well as we finally got Cochin. 

Our resort is clean, nice, and has toilet paper! We are one happy group!!!

India Day Ten - Kanpur

Today we had a late start. We ate breakfast then waited for our host club to come for us. When they didn’t come, we decided to go grab a bite to eat before the little food bar closed and we ran into our hosts on our way to eat.

He first took us to look to look at the dam of the Ganges river. 

Then we went and ate lunch with some fellow rotations. Then we visited a sweet shop owned by a Rotarian. 

After, we went to an orphanage funded by the rotary club. They all introduced themselves, and then they performed for us.

Then to another rotarians to say hello. Every place fed us well and lots. It’s so hard to eat so much and they don’t take no for an answer. 

Our last stop was at the house we went to the night prior where we once again spent time with the family, did some dancing and ate. 

They got us home pretty late and we were very tired having to get up at 4am to make the airport. 

But mostly it was a good day once it started.

India Day Nine - Kanpur

Today was a pretty laidback day. We’ve really been introduced to Indian time here. When they say “be ready by” that means we won’t be there until after that time but it could be a couple hours or so... we were ready by 11am but didn’t leave until 1pm for a Rotary meeting where they were celebrating Holi. 

We danced, ate food, and enjoyed the people. I had a sugarcane drink that was to die for! I mean it was absolutely lovely I wish I could have more! 

Following that we went to see the Ganges River. We all got brave and stuck our feet in even though it was a bit of a risk. It a surprising to me how many people actually bathe in the water there in the river. 

After that we were once again all colored up so we went back to our rooms to clean up and wait for our next adventure. 

We went to tea at another rotarians home where we got to meet his wonderful family, but on our way there we ran out of gas so that was eventful. 

After our tea which was essentially a full meal we went to see a close by temple that was stunning. We made it just before closing and I’m glad we did because it was probably one of the prettiest ones we’ve seen. 

India Day Eight - Vrindavan to Kanpur

Today wasn’t very eventful. 

We woke up at 3am and took the train to Kanpur. We got to the train found our seats and I slept most of the trip because I was just exhausted.

We got picked up at the station and made the way to our next host family, which ended up not being at a families house but at a temple guesthouse. 

The place we’re supposed to stay had family come into town for Holi, so they arranged this for instead. We feel lucky to get to stay here because we doubt it is very common.

We had lunch here on site then took naps and got cleaned up from our travels. We also did some shopping at the gift shop here.

In the evening we went to the mall. At the mall they have Christmas decorations up all year which was fun! We then had our dinner in the food court. Then back to our guesthouse for bed.