Rising Star Campus

This morning we all congregated together and headed out in the Rising Star vans to the place where we will be staying for the next two weeks. In the van I was right under the air conditioning...which means I didn't feel much air, but I did get a steady stream of water flowing down my back.
One of the best parts of the day came later that afternoon when a thunder and lightening show lit up the sky and cooled the place down. Most of the girls could not stand to stay out of the rain, and most everyone ended up soaked.
If you weren't soaked by playing in the rain, you were on the tour where we went to see the kids. In order to get to them, we had to walk across campus.
They were really happy to see us...and our camera's. They all seemed to know how to use one.
After play time, we were able to go back later that night to specific families to help out with homework and just talk to the kids.
Besides, the kids we have all sorts of things to look forward to tomorrow...frogs in the toilets, squatters, bucket showers, rats in the garbage cans, crazy high temperatures and hopefully more rain. Good times!

Welcome to Chennai!

After a few good hours rest in a super soft, three pillow bed (I love pillows!), we dressed in our Sunday clothes and went down to meet Brandie's brother Derek and any other Rising Star Volunteers who had arrived early. Shortly thereafter we loaded up and meet with the saints in India.

Afterward, some of us decided to hire a rickshaw and hit the town to see the locals and some sites. Derek, myself and Brandie were in one, with "Uncle" Phil, Anna and Micah in another, we literally raced across town to see a few temples.
Along the way, we weaved in and out of traffic, had near collisions with our fellow rickshaw driver, and got to enjoy all the locals that were out and about. I saw quite a few animals wandering around (dogs, cows and goats), but they didn't seem to turn up anyone's eyebrows but me.
We found a few places open (they all appear to have weird times) and set about to explore the surroundings.

At Saint Andrew's Kirk, we found the temple closed but they had a really nice slide that we of course had to climb all over..although it was not so much fun sliding down.As we were about to leave, a nice man opened the side door and allowed us inside to look at the temple. As we sat by the organ, he even offered to play us some music...of course that was after we had found the joy in the automatic timer of Derek's camera:
There were large pillars outside, were we also posed for surprise! Another picture.
After checking out the local markets, we headed back to the Marriott hotel for one more night of hot showers and western toilets, because tomorrow will definitely be a brand NEW day with new experiences.

Airport Extravaganza!

Well, three planes, 4 airports and 24 hours later, I made it to India! American and British, Cowboys and Cunucks (Get it....Dallas airport, Ontario airport, London airport) all led me to where I am today...Chennai, India! Dallas has some fun transportation, and after sitting at the front of the tram for a bit, it made me feel like I was driving...or on a collision course into the walls since there was no steering wheel.
Going around the world seemed to lead to many naps on benches, floors and airplane seats. Brandie caught a break on our final flight (since it was not full), and was able to lounge across 3 airplane chairs for some much needed rest. I on the other hand only had 2 (I know, better than one), but that was enough to keep me comfortable and allowed me to sleep most of the last 9 hour flight.
Upon arrival in Chennai. we crossed our fingers that our luggage would turn up (which it did), and proceeded to go through several bag and person checks just to get out of the airport...where we meet our hotel driver. But at the hotel had to go through the exact same thing...sheesh!!

Our final miracle for the night (since we arrive at the hotel at 4:00 AM) was the hotel manager allowing us to check in early with no extra charge. The shower and bed never felt so good! Tomorrow, it is off to church and a little site seeing! Stay tuned!

Blogging again...we will see.

So...I am going on another trip across the world and it has been suggested to me that I blog about it rather than pretend to send emails. I am not anticipating anyone following faithfully, but I am going to try to blog at least every other day.

So, in just a few short days, I will be traveling to India!


I have to be honest and tell you that going to India has never been in my top 5 or top 10 travel destinations. But, in my quest to travel to every country possible, when the opportunity came to travel to India, I just couldn't say no. (Sorry, New Zealand...I promise to still come see you!)

I also have two other reasons for going. One, my good friend asked me to go (little did I know in the beginning that this meant be her travel guide). Two, I cannot pass up the opportunity to see the Taj Mahal. I have also wanted to see a place where the cow is worshiped...and can paint.


I have many work friends that are from India so I have been warned multiple times about the higher priced items for tourists, the need to drink bottled water and the fact that I am going to India during monsoon season (at least I like a good rain storm right?).

So, I put it to you...any advice? What do I need to remember to pack? What do I need to bring back?