Blog Kick-Off
Trip Start
Jan 19, 2008
1
6
Trip End
Feb 19, 2008
Clarion,
Pennsylvania,
United States
Thursday, December 27, 2007
The Rotary Foundation is paying for our travel and Rotary District 7280 is paying for our blazers and business cards. Rotary District 3090 will pay for our lodging and meals during the exchange. We've been scouring the area for Western PA items that we can give as gifts to our host families. So far, we've collected items from Wendell August Forge, pickle and ketchup pins from Heinz, and ceramic ornaments.
It looks like our flight details have emerged and we'll be departing Pittsburgh at 5pm on January 19, 2007 for Newark on Continental Air. Then, we'll depart Newark at 8:40 pm for a 14 hour flight to New Delhi. There, we'll be received by a member of the Indian Rotary District 3090 who will transport us to our host families. We've been told we can look forward to visiting the Taj Mahal, the Om Shanti Retreat Center, the Golden Temple, and many other exciting destinations!
We are all very excited about the trip and looking forward to sharing the experience. As more details emerge, I will continue to post. Thank you all for your well wishes, support, and prayers!
Comments
Dina
Dina,
Hopefully you will receive this message. We love you and wish you a happy, healthy, and safe trip. Your picture was beautiful! Be well--and enjoy.
Love Aunt Beba
Jolene
Thinking of you all, hope everyone had an enjoyable trip. Reply ASAP!!
Take care,
The gang
Hi Jolene!
Hope you are doing well, have a wonderful time!! Can't wait to hear about your adventures. Hope to hear from you soon! Love, Jilly
Dina
Your mom has been unable to log on to the web site.
I will try to keep her informed until we can get her up and running. Be well! Aunt Beba
Jolene
Hope everything is going well. Take care and be safe.
Curt
Dina
Hope you had a good day. Thinking of you. Be safe!
Love, Aunt Beba
Dina
I hope you remembered to bring your pepto bismol. We are very excited for you and think about you everyday. I heard you saw some camels on your way to your host home. Your uncle wanted to know if they had any antlers(?) He also said to bring him one rupee!!! (.... no tattoos!)
Aunt Sally
Hi Dina
Aunt Sally told me I could post a message -- I had to call them back to find out where this was- Yikes -I wrote to you where it says 'send an e-mail' so who knows where that went!! I'm sure this first week flew by - can't wait to hear about this amazing trip. Love & Prayers, Aunt Vo :) :)
Dina
I just finished reading an article in the 'Youngstown Vindicator' about India. I will save it for you. Thinking of you---Love, Aunt Beba
Dina
I heard you were a bit cold today! Can you believe it? Hope you found a coat or sweater to help keep you warm! Love, Aunt Beba
Re: Dina
Hi! This is the first time I've had to get online. Thanks for the comments!! We are struggling to post pictures since you need a certain plug in that we don't have---but we trying to find a solution.
I have been taking my pepto every day, it was an excellent tip. The food has been great, not too spicy and only a few dishes that I haven't liked.
Aside from that everything is great. it's been record cold here---and none of the buildings or homes are centrally heated (since it's normally so hot!) so, we've been wrapped in shawls (remember pashminas from a few year ago---I'm now the proud owner of two woolen pashmina shawls).
The Taj Mahal was beautiful, and incredibly perfect. I think my pictures came out well enough, but nothing does it justice.
I spoke today to three groups at a local college about HR in America. The first group was all MBA students the second was faculty, and the third was a small group of the MBA students that wanted to ask some follow up questions. I Think I did ok, and they seemed to understand (whew!). Little did I know I was going to be lecturing on this trip!!
We went to a Sikh temple today and received robes of honor, given only to the highest priority guests, like the prime minister or visiting presidents. Not sure why we got them, but we'vebeen wearing them proudly all day.
We are going to keep trying to get the pictures to post, but internet connection out here in the villages is more difficult to come by than we anticipated.
Love you and miss you,
Dina
Dina
I can't believe I almost didn't answer the phone this morning. You made our morning! Grandma was on the phone the rest of the morning completing the phone chain. Keep warm and in touch. Love, Aunt Beba
Dina
I can't believe I almost didn't answer the phone this morning. You made our morning! Grandma was on the phone the rest of the morning completing the phone chain. Keep warm and in touch. Love, Aunt Beba
Dina
What the hey---two comments posted---the weather here is very cold and windy--blame it on that.
Just wanted you to know I'm not crazy yet. Love,
( What's my name? Oh that's right---Aunt Beba
Happy Birthday Jo!
I wanted to be the first to wish you a very happy birthday! You are how old???? 30!!!Have a wonderful day and we will celebrate when you get home. Happy Groundhog day also!! Love, Jilly
Hi Dina,
I have been checking your itinerary every day to see what you're up to. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the Taj Mahal. I can't wait to see those pictures. Yesterday was Ground Hog Day and today is the Superbowl. Nothing compared to what you are experiencing in India. Of course they recognized you as a celebrity, because you've a princess to us. Don't forget our dinner date at Luigi's when you get back. Talk to you soon.
Love,
Aunt Sally