Pune, India

The next morning we were wide awake at about 3:30AM due to jet lag and time differences. We had wanted to get up early to take the train to Pune at 5:40AM and had set our alarms but not that early! So we took a taxi to the down-town train station and got there plenty early. We wandered around admiring the architecture (even though in poor repair) of the station built by the British but at the same time keeping an open eye and making sure not to step on anyone sleeping on the ground in and around the train station. There was so many people sleeping in the train station, that we wonder if some don't actually '"live" there and weren't actually waiting for a train! We got some pictures by pretending to be taking pictures of each other. Even then we had someone approah us and ask to see what we were taking pictures of. I didn't ever feel entirely safe in Mumbai, we were always cautious and kept aware of where we were and when. We also refused any kind of help ever because people were always clamoring to "help us" tourists! For money of course or for whatever reason we didn't want to dwell on like steal from us. As for being careful, we also were careful what we touched or were we walked. What an overwhelming, bustling, dirty city! We used a lot of hand sanitizer! And were very thankful that we brought our own kleenx/toliet paper! However in their defense, with it being such a hot climate, one must keep windows open and have lots of ventilation so it would be a never ending struggle to keep the dirt and dust out! I cannot speak in defense of urinating or defecting in public however but we didn't see too much of that thankfully!

So on the train ride to Pune we had to pass through and over hills. We enjoyed the scenery, observing people in the various towns we passed through and chatting with a fellow passenger who could speak very good English.

Once we arrived in Pune we took an auto rickshaw or "putt putt" as Lorna called them to Spicer Memorial College where Lorna lived with her family for several years as a teenager. Previously I had said I wouldn't ride on of those things through the crazy traffic in India (for self preservation of course in case of an accident) but Lorna convinced me otherwise in the spur of the moment after all "Its all part of the experience". We said that whenever one of us needed convincing to do something! Usually it was Lorna convincing me to do something, but it never took much convincing!

I fell in love with the school as soon as I saw it, the grounds were well looked after and the people were friendly and didn't openly stare at us! We had a lovely day touring the grounds and buildings with Lorna reminiscing and telling stories! We even visited a classroom that Lorna had been in as a student in junior high!

Lunch was the best! We went to the cafeteria for lunch and as we got there Lorna remembered that cutlery wasn't something that they provided all those years back! And guess what they still didn't, however they did understand our plight and found a couple of plastic spoons for us! After we ate, I had fun just sitting there observing the students, a majority of whom were eating with their hands! Mind you, the right hand and there is actually a technique. The delicious lunch consisted of chapati, dahl, curry and yoghurt or "curd". While eating with the right hand, the left was either kept under the table or most often their left elbow rested on the table with their left hand up in the air next to them which they used to gesture as they talked. They used their right hand to make a ball of rice and either slopped some runny dhal over it or dipped it in the dhal. Many even ripped the chapati with one hand but some used the left hand just to help tear it. We were joined by some students eventually and had a nice conversation with them.

Later that day we visited a nearby elementary school, Spicer Food Products head office, Salsbury park which had a printing press and the school were Lorna had gone as a younger child, now housing an adoption agency of sorts. Then took the 3.5-hour train ride back to Mumbai, of which I slept the whole way I was so exhausted. Then we were a little nervous for our taxi ride back to the school because it was after dark already. To make matters worse, we had just found a taxi ride (however the driver didn't speak English and I had a bad vibe from him) and we were leaving when suddenly another man jumped into the front seat! Lorna and I were very nervous but we made it back without incident but maybe because we had them drop us off at the well light YMCA! Actually I think it is because Lorna was praying and God was looking out after us!