Archive - Preserving Our Heritage Blog

Published on: January 24, 2016

Day 2: West Bandra, Mumbai

Just a quick note about today before I hit the sack.

The morning we spent writing emails and figuring out our technology. We had a lovely lunch at Just Around the Corner (which by the way has lovely shots of the Himalayas in the bathroom). We were meeting up with another Woodstock classmate, Dorothy B., who is working in Mumbai. Her parents and my parents worked together in Ludhiana in '69. We will meet again on Tuesday, so I will catch a shot of her then.

Then after a quick nap we went on a walk on the Prominade on a lovely Sunday evening. Facinating watching young families, lovers, elderly, dog walkers, strollers, loungers and joggers out and about.

Published on: January 23, 2016

Day 1: Mumbai

It is so wonderful to be here in India. We have hooked up to 21st century Indian technology and have pretty much overcome our jet lag. It is really travel fatigue, the lag hits on the return trip. Both Dad and I are showing resilient stamina, so far.

In Frankfurt we had a 2.5 hour layover.in Frankfurt. Frankfurt and Mumbai airports contrast as night and day. Believe it or not, Mumbai (though we reached at night) is like day. The Mumbai airport is colorful, bright, and shiny and there are a host of personnel ready to assist. While in Frankfurt we had a 1/2hour walk (including a 2 minute train ride) from one end of the airport to the other. Perhaps we missed the signs for a transit bus, but most of the cross-terminal trek was through long, bending, sterile hallways where we found few people to ask if we were headed in the right direction. The flight tables that we passed periodically were not that helpful. We travelled on slow and steady with really nothing to look at but the grey halls, empty gates, and the occasional wall covered by the orange Lufthansa logo. Finally we came to the gate and checked in with a lovely Chinese woman who pronounced Feierabend beautifully. The lobby was sunny , warm and comfortable.

We managed the flight with sporadic sleep. I slept on the final flight out of exhaustion. Dad stayed awake watching the flight path showing the Google world images of as we flew over the Black Sea to the Gulf of Arabia.

We arrived at the lovely apartment we are staying at around 3:45 in the morning. By the time we had showered and settled into sleep the chorus of crows started waking the city. We slept through the increasing crescendo of city noises: scooter rickshaws, dogs barking, multiple bird sounds, and the flip flop of pedestrians walking by. Today a lovely flute off in the distance serenaded our breakfast. A bagpipe accompanying a wedding horse just passed by the street below.

We managed to get out and about town on the first day. Our first visit the Khadi (cotton handmade cloth) Emporium. Then we just drove around the city in a cab.

Still trying to figure out how to work with technology. So please excuse the periodical weird errors on this blog.

Published on: January 13, 2016

Final Week Till the Adventure Begins

Thank you for joining the adventure by following me on this Blog. I have been so encouraged by the support that has come in from all over. I feel confident that I have sufficient funds for what I will need on this trip and also some costs, after this trip, related to research and the writing of the book (including a trip to Germany later this year).

We are pretty sure that we have thought of everything to pack and plan. There are just a few things left on the checklist.

Someone asked me what exactly I will be doing on this trip. We are going as Tourists, but with a specific purpose to discover our ancestors history and legacy. So essentially the general answer is seeing sights (that may be off the beaten tourist track) and research. Exactly how the research will happen is not so marked out. As has been true in my professional life, I am the accidental researcher. Wandering about accidentally hitting upon a sweet spot, a gold mine.

Not that I believe it is any accident. It is a calling -- destiny. The same Spirit that lead me into this project will carry me through. My prayer is to be open and listening. I often worry about being a vessel too humble and weak to carry the abundance that comes my way. But that is one good reason to share my thoughts in writing and photos. Sharing delectable morsels that will hopefully refresh your soul.

I function generally under the guiding principle/premise that we all are missionaries in this world, sharing what we've each been given. Truth is more than we can hold alone. So my ultimate hope is to share the Gospel of Love and Peace that Jesus so mercifully shared with me.

May you also be able to afford to be generous, as people have been with me. As you follow along on this journey may you also witness the generosity of adventure. I have longed for but never realized, till recently, how this all could be afforded.

Published on: January 7, 2016

2 Weeks: Baggage Challenge

Now in considering what to take on the journey, I am starting to value the idea of renouncing all possessions. Take nothing. Buy what I need there (of course that's not the sanyasi way either). Even so Dad and I just returned from buying gifts. It is our custome to give something to those we meet along the way.

We were given a handy scale to determine the weight of the possessions we plan to take. Oh what judgement! The challenge is to have our check-in bag be no more than 15 kg, which is the limit for most domestic flights within India. My big suitcase is 5 kg empty! So already some changes need to be made. Along with miscellaneous assundry I'm up to 11 kg.

Published on: December 31, 2015

3 Weeks: Happy New Year

I am not big on celebrations. I appreciate the occasional fireworks and festivity, but in general I am just fine with quite thankfullness and reflection. Resolutions often arise out of such reflection. I'm learning to view resolutions as expressed intentions and an openness to receive with grace and thankfulness whatever life brings.

Today I am reflecting on the word "want". It began with hearing someone say "I wouldn't want it any other way" to describe a new travel adventure. I wondered, what would be different if anything was not as they wanted.

In three weeks I will be heading out on my own travel adventure. All I am aware of is that I want to go. and I want to see certain people and places. Beyond that I am not sure what I want. Not even sure what to expect. I almost feel that having too much want beyond that would get in the way of fully appreciating the experience. I certainly do not want anyone to get sick or hurt. But I am open to the possibility of that happening, just because things happen, and plan to role with whatever comes.

Currently I am visiting my daughter in Michigan. I had to postpone my road-trip a day because the first great winter storm hit the midwest the day I'd "wanted" to travel. We had around six inches of snow. I had to dig out of the drive way. After thirty minutes of shoveling, my dad suggested that maybe I shouldn't go. I was not going to be deterred. I was pretty sure that beyond our poorly shoveled street that the roads were drivable. It wasn't so much that I was thinking, I want this trip, so I'm going to do it. It was more that i felt called to this trip, so whatever it took I would forge through. My wants were pretty irrelevant. I didn't want it to snow, I didn't want to shovel, I didn't want five hours of driving. I did want to go and see my friend and my daughter and I am so appreciating the journey.

I questioned my self for asking my friend, who has metastic cancer and doesn't expect to live beyond summer, what she wanted or hoped for in this leg of her journey with cancer. She wants to not have pain, but it is with her always. She wonders how she can appreciate the life around her and still within her through this pain. I find her courage in taking what comes as best as she can. Appreciating that some times things are better. Some times she is angry and frustrated, because none of this she wants. However, she doesn't dwell there in anger. It helps nothing. Her journey is a difficult one. I am grateful to her for sharing it.

We all must navigate our wants, our fears, our pains and discover our appreciation along the way. My expressed intention is to appreciate the journey as it unrolls. In whatever I do or say to be thankful to God through my Lord Jesus for the life that is given and the path that lies ahead.

Published on: December 24, 2015

Thu, Dec 24, 2015

4 Weeks - Waiting

All plans and reservations have been set. What is left is the waiting.

I keep reminding myself that there are still many details, such as packing. And, even greater, here we are at Christmas. The time for celebration and family. Yet, my mind is in a state of anticipation. My wrestless heart waits for what lies ahead.

I have spent a lot of my life waiting. Traveled enough to hurry to many a station , like the one in the photo, to wait. One would think that I would have learned an effective practice. I tend to be anxious. I wish I were more like a child, having a gleeful anticipation for things like Christmas, Birthdays, and trips to Disney.

This little video reminds me to turn my anxiety into wonder.

Click to see video: The excitement and wonder of a child.....and utter trust.

May there also be that child like wonder and anticipation in this Christmas. The world is in desperate need of the Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace.

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