“Jesus loves you more than you will know…whoa whoa whoa.”
The past couple weeks have been tough ones for me. My camera, my friend’s ipod, and until recently my Chaco’s were stolen. My camera had a 512 MB card in it that I had been using since the beggining of the trip. It had over 600 pictures on it and several videos. I had never backed anything up so its all gone. We were giving a performance of the dance and theatre we learned in Bagamoyo and my bag was on stage being used as a prop and sometime after the show my stuff was stolen. The Chaco’s (world’s ugliest and most useless shoes) however, have been retrieved and are en route back to Boston. Phew. Also, one of the kids got kicked off the trip when we were in Zanzibar for buying pot from undercover police, running away from them (15 year jail sentence if caught) and then sneaking off the island on an emergency plane. So I was really upset to see him go. I ‘ll give the full story when I get home. After calling my mom and crying on the phone for about a half hour I felt much better. Sadly all the pics from that incredible London trip, and from my Maasai homestay are gone. Those I think were the biggest tragedies. Oh! and one of the kids on the trip found a starving kitten and we nursed it back to health and my host family kept it! The poor little thing was a furry orange skeleton. His name was fatty. He was the most pathetic, adorable baby in the world, but after we fed him and took care of him for a day he started purring and playing. Of course all the pictures of him are gone. My host family calls him Gersh 2. They called me Gersh cuz they couldn’t say Andie. Fatty didn’t catch on for some reason.
India is awesome. I am currently living on Gandhi’s Ashram in Sevagram. He lived here from 1936 to 1942. I got a good photo of me getting in his bathtub. I hope Gandhi had a sense of humor. They added 5 Indian students to the program. They are really nice. I lived with one of them, Isha, and her family while we were in Delhi. I got ridiculously sick in Delhi. Respiratory infection and a fever that wouldnt break for 3 straight days. The highlight though was when I stayed home from school for a day and Isha’s mom, (Mamaji) and I watched Hollywood Squares and took a nap. I am buying so much crap here and the best part is no matter how much you buy you still don’t actually spend anything. Stuff here is practically free. The streets are absolute chaos. I know that I gamble with my life every time I step into a rickshaw but they are so much fun. I’m having a really hard time with the child beggars here. These adorable children wearing twisted up paperclips for nose rings looks up at me. “Madame. Madame.” They hold out their hands and smile up at me and we’ve discussed so many times what you ought to do in these situations that I just freeze up every time. If you give money, every child in the street will swarm around you. I will give food if I have it but I rarely do. Sometimes they can be really mean and will taunt you and lift up your skirt and what not, but I just had to remind myself that they are children so I will look back at them and scold them and they immediately scurry away and point fingers. Its so weird to be so afraid of children.
Our party on the last night of Delhi was sweet. Our coordinator, Smitu, who I think I have a crush on, threw us a party to end one of the most intensely academic weeks we’ve had thus far. He sang. He danced. He’s amazing. He drove a few of us home afterward. We sang Silent Night and Mrs. Robinson. Voice of an angel. God…I could talk about him all day. Oh yea and we went to the Taj Mahal. Great photos came out of that one. (not taken by me of course). My writing has really gone to shit. I can hardly form a complete sentence. I can barely even think of a complete sentence.
So, I’m still caughing up some nasty green stuff but otherwise doing well. Indian food everyday. I love it. PLEASE SEND ME LOTS OF CHRISTMAS/CHANUKKAH LETTERS ETC. The holiday season is gonne be a little tough and I need all the support I can get. I am starting to get a little nostalgic and all that stuff. I really am starting to miss people from home and have been reminiscing a lot. Love you all so very much.
Namaste,
Gersh
Unbelievable. What an absolutely incredible adventure. I”m pretty sure there’’s a director in hollywood awaiting the script for a feature film. Seeing the world through your eyes is going to rank as one of the highlights of my life. Thank God you have maintained your sense of humor. Fortunately, it wasn”t in the bag :o)
Life in St Louis is still quite wonderful. We have enjoyed two great snows so far, and it’’s amazing to enjoy snow that doesn”t turn the roads to ice, a local government that knows how to deal with such weather, and people that don”t go absolutely bonkers and lose their mind while driving. I”m not sure how our three litlle fishies feel about all this, but it is quite interesting to see them in stasis, hibernating in the thirty-five degree water.
Grandmother was here for a weekend. We treated her for her birthday, and it was a wonderful and relaxing time. We took her to see Riverdance at the Fox Theater. I will have to take you there on your next trip. The architecture is amazing. (very historic) The theater is actually just off the St Louis University campus. So they host a lot of the school’’s programs.
We were thinking about going to Kansas for Christmas, but decided to enjoy a peaceful holiday in the new house. Did you get the last letter, and did the treats make in unscathed? What are your plans regarding a camera? Surely you don”t plan on going without for the rest of the trip.
Anyway, as you”ve heard many times, we miss you terribly, but are so thrilled that you are enjoying your adventure. Be safe, be smart.
Lots and lots of love,
Dad & Lynnett
I know that you won”t be able to get to a computer for quite some time. We”ve heard throught the parent’’s email chatter that you are on an organic farm that is up for sale and that, even though the food is good, there are no toilets. Well, when I was a kid, your GrandDad loved to camp and not in fancy smancy camp sites. We”d be out in the middle of nowhere with no facilities of any kind so just made like the animals. Didn”t like it then and would really not like it now, so I feel for you, kiddo.
At this time, Josh is on his way to Dallas, he’’s driving and should be here on the evening of the 22nd. On the 23rd, we”re all heading to Spring. Casey Leigh is working at Boston’’s and staying busy. So good to have her home. James is counting down the days to Xmas, he’’s sooo excited. Your Nona received your letter and was Thrilled!! We”ll be hearing about that for weeks! Your Aunt Angie said to tell you that she, too, waits to hear about your experiences…seems like you”re quite the topic of conversation when Angie and your Nona chatter on the phone.
Check in when you can sweetie, we all miss you terribly. Keep and eye on all your stuff, and as always, watch out for monkeys, mad cows, chickens, tarantulas, goat eating dogs and those nasty Roosters!
I love you!
Mom
Well…surprise, We got the white Christmas after all. A beautiful two inches of snow fell last night, and we woke to a breathtaking sight this morning. We didn”t really expect the temperature to get cold enough, and since it is supposed to get up to about 40 today, it probably won”t last long. But, it has been a real treat, especially with the view from our atrium.
I e-mailed you some information about the CRP. We can talk more about it later.
Til then,
All our love,
Dad & Lynnett
Merry Christmas, precious girl! We miss you so much today. This is the first year that I have not had you with me for Xmas and it feels so odd. But, as your siblings are "advising" me, I need to get used to having someone if not all missing from time to time. Doesn”t mean I have to like it though! The weather here is typical Texas. In the 30s one day and then in the 70s the next. I think it even got into the low 80s today. We”ve been watching all the classic Xmas movies, The Christmas Story, White Christmas, a Christmas Carole, etc and they all have snow in them, so we”ve lived it vicariously. Casey, Mr. G and I are leaving in the morning to go back to big D. Josh is leaving for San Antonio to pick up Amber and head back to Dallas for New Years. We will have an opportunity to get to know Amber for a few days since they are staying with us until Tuesday after the 1st.
Well Santa was very good to all but my best present was my phone call from you this morning. Since your time was limited, I didn”t get to tell you about your Christmas present. I”m hoping I hear from you before you go on your vacation week so I can let you know what it is!!
I hope you took some pictures of your party and especially of you in your egg nog costume! Also hope that all of you had a great day. Until next time, we all love you, Nandie Bee!
Mom
Well, I am guessing that you are starting your vacation week. Please update your blog and let us all know about your travels. How exciting! Like I told you on Xmas, your Uncle Ken and Aunt Vikki, Josh, Nona and I pooled our "Andie" Xmas money and I have made a deposit in your account. This is for your vacation week so you can have some fun and do some shopping!! Mr. G said that he’’s going to do something special for you in New Zealand and Monica has plans for your 21st B-Day! So Merry Christmas and happy Vacation!!
Josh got back to Dallas yesterday and I”ve enjoyed getting to know Amber. She seems really sweet. They are making dinner for me one night, so I”ll be able to witness Josh’’s new found chef skills! No real plans for New Years Eve, but staying at home sounds really good to me.
Stay safe sweet girl.
Love
Mom
Hi Sweetness,
Hope all your vacation travels are restfull and exciting if that is possible concurrently. I haven”t checked the calendar but it seems like you should be approaching the half way point of your trip. Can”t imagine what combination of weariness and unfulfilled curiousity you are feeling right now. Not unlike our situation right now. Somewhat worn out from the holidays, trying to rest up a bit but going back to work seems like both a tranquil yet horrible concept. Jessie is certainly not looking forward to that.
We missed you at Christmas. Casey did an admirable job of filling in your traditional role of package sorter for gifts Christmas morning. She also covered your chef responsibilities for leek preparation. Assuming you are both here next year we may have to make some adjustments in work assignments. For some reason I was particularly missing your hugs and snuggles. Hope you are saving some up.
Which reminds me, I haven”t heard anyone say what your summer plans are? Do you have anything set up as yet? Not sure if you what you are going to be up for after this years travels and excitement. I would guess something sedate and stable but it’’s possible that you will be completely refreshed and ready for more after a couple weeks rest.
Anyway, hope to hear from you soon. And hope you Mom’’s Christmas deposit provides for a nice mini vacation.
We love you,
K&V
Hey Butthead, as we talked on the phone about, I am really sorry that you had your stuff stolen
But like I said, at least you have the memories to last for a life time. I hope your fortune is getting better!! As all the family has pretty much told you, not having you here this christmas was awkward. We really did miss you…….well, they did, not me. I, for one, was relieved that I didn”t have to see you. You know how much I hate seeing you…..in fact, I hate you……………….okay okay. I am probably going to get a lot of nasty emails from the rest of the family for that but, they dont understand our little jokes. Sometimes neither do I. Well, sweety, I gotta run but do me a favor and check your facebook, you”ve got mail mudda fucka. Love you curly cue……. are you still a liberal or did you change your mind yet???.. (had to throw that in there), JF
Happy New Year, Andie Becca! We spent a pretty quiet evening at home. Casey had to work, but Josh and Amber cooked a great dinner with appetizers and wine. I was treated like a queen, only had to sit down to eat. Mr. G called from somewhere in Iraq, all is well with him. Monica had a date for New Year’’s so I”m guessing she enjoyed her eveing. Ken and Vikki still have Nona and were taking off on a "Hair of the Dog" tour this morning. Not sure what that’’s all about but I”m quessing it has something to do with BMWs. I really hope you are having a great week. Love you!
Mom