"What makes a country so rich are the people"

Journal #24 March 9, 2009

Today was my last day in India. I have mixed emotions about leaving. I loved India so much I did not want to leave, but I did want to get back on the ship and head for Thailand. I woke up around 9, got ready and took a taxi to Spencers Plaza to meet up with Sayeed. Meghan, Elise, Alexandria, and I went together. We spent a while in his shop buying some stuff and then he took us to his house were we had cookies and tea. The tea was awesome. It was saffron, sugar, and cinnamon. SOOOOO GOOD!!!!

We then went to a fish market so see what that was like. It smelt pretty bad and there were bugs everywhere but it was still interesting to see. Then me and Meghan had to leave early and head back to the ship to go on an SAS trip. It was hard saying goodbye to Sayeed and his wife. They had taken care of me and been so nice and this was probably the last time I was going to be able to see them.

I got back to the ship on time and headed out for my next trip. I was going on a trip that showed the socioeconomic problems in India. We were headed to the poorest area in India. I knew this was going to be a hard trip but I was really excited. We took a bus for about 45 min and arrived at the town that was the most destroyed by the tsunami in 2004. It was right across from the beach and all the homes were built on sand. We walked through the town for about a mile and were able to see the smiling faces of all the residents.

Our fist destination was a school for disabled children. This was probably my favorite part. The kids were soo happy and cute. We were able to dance with the kids and play games with them. One of the girls went to the special Olympics in Italy and won the silver medal. She was my favorite. We were able to communicate with our hands and she told me all about her plane ride to Italy. We took lots of pictures. I was extremely humbled by the way the teachers help these children and love them unconditionally. The children made necklaces and baskets that were really cool.

After the school we went to a building of women who were in a self help group. There was about 30 women in the building and all of them were from the town and had been with the group for over a year, but no longer then 5 years. Each of these women joined this group so they could supply for their family and be able to send their kids to school. A lot of the women had raised over $10,000 and was able to give others loans to help their kids. These groups of women were just amazing in my eyes. They come from a culture where women do not take role in their supplying for their families, but they want their children to have a better education and to have clothes and a home to live in. I was amazed at their courage and determination for their families. As we were leaving, children and parents from the town came around the bus and just wanted to meet us. We got many pictures of the kids and every time I took one they made me show them on my digital camera. It was crazy how this is the first time that they have ever seen a camera like this.

When I got back onto the ship I went straight to my room and just cried. It was not a cry of feeling sad for these people or of my being homesick, but rather a cry of amazement. The people of India are some of the nicest people I have ever met. They are the happiest and have no worries. They have barely anything but act like they have the world. I wish every person in the US could come to India and see what I have seen. India is truly one of the greatest places on earth. Who cares if the air is so dirty every time you breath you inhale smoke, who cares if there is dirt on every inch of the ground, who cares if there are homeless people sleeping in the medians at night, because what makes a country so rich are the people in the country. And in my standards India is the richest country of all. I really do hope to come back one day, and bring my family and friends. Because I want them to see how great of a country India is.

Love
Michelle