Catching Up

Ok folks! I know that it has been such a long time since I have updated this blog and the fact that I haven't put up some new photos since the beginning of time has some you wondering is it worth me going on line to read my blog at all, and to that I say yes stankins because despite these minor offenses, you haven't seen me in almost two months or for some of you longer, so bare with me. I'm in Vietnam now and I know I haven't recapped on Mauritius, India or Malaysia, so I will do that now. First I must shout out (I know) to Lynda who has written me some great letters and I have yet to write her a letter but I have sent a postcard to you, I hope you get it, and a letter for all my old friends at the ARC. Thank you to all those who have sent me letters, cards, or postcards I really needed them and they came right on time. Ok, here's the nitty gritty thus far:

Chennai, Inida:

This was the first port on the trip where I felt like I was actually traveling the world. I say this because in all the other ports I could find things that reminded me of home or had things that were familiar to me. I could relate some of the neighborhoods and restaurants to things I would see back on Market St. or in around town in Oakland. In Chennai the familiar disappeared. It was the city where I felt all of me was required. I should say it was more like a demand. I had to be completely aware of my surrounding, not because it was unsafe, but because there was an assault on my senses. There was so much to take in at one time. While you are dealing with the colors, smells, and beautiful saris on the women walking by, you are also checking out the cows (which are sacred) roaming around on the streets, the honking of about 200 motor scooters, and cars, naked children on the streets with their mothers waiting for someone to give them enough to eat for the day, and the heat beating down on you while you are bargaining for a taxi or ricksaw. What I'm writing to you isn't even a 10th of what I saw or experienced. I didn't go to the Taj which I thought was going to make my trip a little less than what I expected but that was not the case. I had an amazing time and it is hard to understand the level of poverty and beauty you see in one place. I kept struggling within myself because I was operating from a place of privilege which isn't an all together familiar feeling and seeing so many with so little. I didn't know whether to be angry, sad, or to feel guilty. Here comes a ship load of people from the USA with buying power galore to come and experience a country in less than 7 days. What was I going to take home with me aside from the purchases. It got to a point before I got on this ship that I my heart had taken a beating from losing someone and being heartbroken and I didn't have much left. I wanted to cry, moan, or shout but at who. So when I mentioned I was still processing everything, I mean that the life changing moments don't always happen the moment you are experiencing the life changing (if that makes sense). I'm going to stop for now and I know I need to give you some more of my experiences in Mauritius, Chennai, Malaysia, and now Vietnam. I miss you all and I can't wait to see your faces.

Love,
Shayla