Kim here

I know it is there.... I can't see it, but I know! A big giant 'L' on my forhead. And, Sean has one, too. We booked an airport shuttle two days ago and confirmed it yesterday. Of course at 4:30 this morning when he arrived there was only room for one person. We jumped in our car thinking we would just leave it at the airport. I got out with the luggage and lined up to wait for Sean while he parked the car. Just as I got to be 'next', Sean came in looking for security. Seems the mechanical bar that lets the car thru was not working. He found security and she dawdled out in slow motion complaining that we have a new multi million dollar extension on the airport and nothing works. Sean did NOT hit her even tho the desire was overwhelming. When he finally met me inside we tried to give the keys to the Air Canada desk for someone to pick up the vechicle, but they don't do that anymore. 'L'!!!!!!!! We then got to sit next to the 350 lb. guy that snored like a banshee all the way to Halifax. It is a good thing we can laugh at these things. I am so glad I am travelling with Sean and not one of those horrible people that cannot take upset in their plans. We are spending the night in Newark and off to Delhi tomorrow. Hope I can find computers easily there!

Preparing for India

Sean:
We finally got our Visas for India... If you know me... really know me... you would know that I often overly prepare for journeys. Sean's bible is always a small binder of photocopies of passports and cardcredits, immunization records and health insurance (crap... forgot health insurance!). This trip is a little more complicated because of the unknown aspects of the journey and the fact that I don't feel prepared. Every scenario is popping into my mind and frankly, no level of preparation can prepare you for everything... so, I'm relaxing.

Note to reader... apply for your India Visas at least a month in advance... ignore the website's 'week turn-around' time of one week. Ours took two weeks but only because of an angel at Gerry Byrne's (our local Member of Parliament) office. Lisa Snow, after receiving a call from me on January 16 concerned that we will never have our passports and visas in time, launched operation 'Kim and Sean to India'. She called the Indian Consulate, the Passport Office, set up three-way conference calls between government officials and Kim and me... went way beyond her responsibly to the constituents. 6:48am this morning, our 'mole' at the post office called, "Your Visas arrived!"

So from now until Thursday (5:50am departure - I think Air Canada could make it a little earlier if they tried!), its time to finish my work responsibilities and try to find more gifts for kids.

... Oh! health insurance, batteries, passport photos for our Nepal excursion and photocopies.... lots of photocopies!

We are off to Indial

I turn fifty this year. Wow! Half a century. Pretty darn scary. For my fiftieth I told Sean I did not want a cruise or a Caribbean adventure. I wanted to do something that counted. Well, we are. On Thursday we are off to India with Rotary International to work in a Muslim village 50 km north of Delhi. In an effort to eradicate polio worldwide, Rotary has taken on the village of Chahalka in Northern India and for the third year are sending a team to help protect the water supply against contamination as well as construct toilet and washing facilities. Sean and I will be a member of this team for one week. It should prove to be interesting. From what I understand from the previous teams the work is hard and not the most pleasant but it is rewarding. I have never been afraid of hard work but I do find unpleasant odors to be a bit of a challenge. Please God I will get used to it quickly. The information that we have been sent says that due to the Muslim presence, women on the team are expected to cover their heads and wear loose clothing that covers all of the flesh. Those of you who know me are laughing now! I'm a big girl... I can do it! I just keep reminding myself that my sister visited Quatar and came back in one piece. We had dibs on her getting stoned to death in a town square.

After our week in Chahalka we are going to do some travelling around Northern India and then spend a week in Nepal. Our excitement is mounting and we are praying that our nemisis, Air Canada, is not planning yet another rain on our parade. Keep your fingers crossed for us!