Phyllis Journal #8

Friday, March 4, 2011
Bike, breakfast and finished my book. Started a new one “A Tiger’s Heart” – very interesting – written by Aisling Juanjuan Shen about a modern Chinese Woman. It takes place from 1974 to 2009. She really overcomes a lot of struggles of a Chinese woman. Our group “The Sea Salts” are giving a performance tonight and we are practicing this morning at 7:00 AM and giving the performance tonight at 7:00 PM. Played hand and foot with Linda, Laura, Pat Bender and myself this afternoon. Had a tour of where they store the extra food and liquor on the ship. Had preport on India. To me it is complicated with all the Hindu gods, castes and the untouchables. Many classes of people. Hard to believe.

Saturday, March 5, 2011
Today breakfast, bike and Global Study class. It was very interesting. The class was on Singapore which we are going to after India. This afternoon we had a speaker on what to say to Indians. We had a pizza party tonight with Dave and Jean and their extended family. Then we went to the union where we did our Indian dance and chant. It was a big success and they asked us to do it again at the end of the performance. Then everyone joined in. Got our green sheet tonight as tomorrow we will be in Chennai, India port. It is a dangerous place and we are asked to be very careful.

Sunday, March 6, 2011
Happy Birthday to Drew (9), Dawn (10) and Bailey (13)!
We are in port in Chennai, India. We go thru immigration first and carry our real passports with us. This we have not done in other ports. It is a huge place here with millions of people. This afternoon at
1:00 PM we are going on a city orientation tour. We will get back to ship today at 6:00 PM. Tomorrow we leave for Taj Mahal. We go by bus, train, and airlines. It will take several hours to get there. Yesterday we stopped at San Thome(St. Thomas in English) Cathedral Basilica. It is supposed to be the only place where Christ is shown completely clothed. When waiting by shops I saw a cow walk down a busy street. She looked pregnant and didn’t have a care in the world. It is very dirty in the streets and shoes all over the place. People walk barefoot everywhere. Some places were really strong with odors. They have tons of vendors on the street selling everything you can think of. Went by beach on the ocean. It was beautiful. People go there on Sundays and meet with family and friends. Most people were friendly and stared at us as much as we did them.

Monday, March 7, 2011
This morning we all went shopping at a large mall shopping center. Then we walked over to a 5 star hotel and had lunch which Dave and Jean treated us to. Then Jean, Carol and I rode back in a 3 wheeler open air tuk tuk. I wish you could have seen my face when I washed the dirt off. The traffic here is horrendous – everyone honking the horns continually and everyone going in different directions. We are leaving today for Taj Mahal at 4:00 PM. Transfer to the domestic airport – depart for Delhi by air. Arrive and go to Hotel Ramada Plaza – overnight in Delhi.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011
5:15 AM to railway station – Leave Delhi for Agra. Arrive Agra and proceed to Gateway Hotel. There are many homeless people sleeping on floor of railway station. They beg for food and money. The floors are very dirty. Also lots and lots of people hovering over you to buy trinkets. Then visit to Taj Mahal – very beautiful place. People there selling trinkets – post cards, books, jewelry, etc. Then on to Varanasi to stay at Gateway Hotel. Rode in rickshaw to see Ghat at River Ganges. Carol and I rode together and a man rides bike to river. Then back to Gateway for dinner. At 5:00 AM back to river and on boat to see sunrise. They have people washing clothes on rocks, people bathing, people burning dead people and preparing for funeral. Watching all this from boats. Buildings are hundreds of years old and some are very colorful. Beautiful sunrise! This is a very sacred place. Then on to an old city with streets where only one person can pass through. Lots of cows and animals also live there. We walked on streets with lots of cow shit. Vendors are also there trying to see you something. People everywhere. Then breakfast at hotel and tour of city. Most roads are dirt and very crooked and bumpy. Saw forts and other old buildings and always vendors and cars honking continuously. Our tour guide has a PHD and his wife was a lawyer. They have two children 5 and 3. Very interesting person. He has lived here all his life and does not want to ever move from here. Then back on two different planes (Spice Jets) name of airlines. Arrived back on boat at 12:00 AM. Busy time but interesting.

Friday, March 11, 2011
Did some shopping this morning in Chennai. Then lunch at Taj. Very nice restaurant and hotel. Spencer Shopping Center next. Had to be on ship tonight and turn passport back. We are now sailing again and next stop will be Singapore.

Saturday, March 12, 2011
Had an appointment for a trim on my hair this morning. Today is picture day. We had picture today for Sea Salts (our name for lifelong learners). Then this afternoon we had a picture of everyone on the whole ship. That is a lot of people gathered in one spot. Tonight we met with several groups to reflect what we saw in India. It was very interesting to hear what everyone’s opinion was. Then they served us cookies and milk. Went to bed at 10:00 PM as I am still exhausted from our trip. We had very little sleep. It will take a few days to catch up.