Last day in India

Today was our last day here, which is both exciting and sad. India is such a powerful and amazing place, it's hard to leave. At the same time, I'm hearing more and more conversations about home. I guess it's time.

We had a free day today, and most of the students spent some time on the beach. Today was our most humid day so far, which is really saying something! So if people weren't in the ocean, they were in the pool. Or shopping in the little beach town close by. It's just a lovely 40 walk on the beach to the little town of Colva. Apparently during "the season" it is filled with tourist friendly shops (some of which are still open, thank goodness!). I think most of the last minute shopping was finished up today in Colva.

Tonight we had dinner on the beach at sunset. There we were, on this beautiful beach in this beautiful country, such a great group of students, watching the glorious pink sun set over the rolling waves of the Arabian Sea. It was breathtaking.

Later, after dark, we sat eating with candles on the tables and our feet on the sand. Around us were groups of Indians talking and strolling on the beach. There was a friendly pack of happy- looking street dogs playing nearby in the sand, and an adorable little beach puppy that some of the students cuddled. The ocean breeze was cool and calming. We talked and laughed and ate, there were a few little speeches, and we thanked our wonderful escort Uttam Mishra, who travelled with us our whole way. He has been so competent and so accommodating, and so much fun! Students got him a number of presents to say thanks, including quite a striking American flag theme sleeveless shirt. We laughed and laughed. It was really a lovely way to end our class in India.

This has been such a great group of students, and we have had so many amazing experiences--and some challenging experiences as well. India is such a multicultural place, and it is so full of contrasts. The wealth and great poverty. The ancient and the aggressively modern. The east and the west. Very local and at the same time, so very global. What a place is India!

We leave midday tomorrow for our bus ride to the airport. We have 4 connecting flights and then a bus ride back to campus. It's a long trip, but it will help us slowly transition home. I'll try to update the blog as I can. We'll be back Monday In the early evening if all goes well. And we'll be ready to be home by then.