The trek to India...and I do mean trek!

The actual journey to India did not begin with the flight to India, but the flight to DC.  After many complications and vexing phone calls, it turns out the only way I cold get my visa in time to make my flight was to get it  from the Indian Visa Office myself.  So after staying up all night to pack for India, my dad and I set off to Charlotte for our 6 am flight to DC.  After arriving in DC, we had breakfast at a French café and walked around a bit waiting for the visa office to open. Once it was open

, we went and waited in line, praying that we would be able to get my visa quickly.  Leaving without assurance that my it would be ready by that evening, we went to check into our hotel.  I was lucky enough to receive my visa that evening, so the next morning we were on an early flight back home exhausted but relieved. 

The next day, Thursday, May 26^th, I was at the Charlotte airport again, this time for India.  After saying goodbye to my 

parents, I went to find Rachel at our gate, eager to begin our adventure.  Our first flight was from Charlotte to Munich.  Alo

ng the way we met some art students from Western Kentucky University who were taking a two-week-tour of Italy.  During our layover in Munich, we sat beside two Americans who were stationed in Germany with the Air Force. They were interested to hear about our summer plans in India, and we got to hear how they liked living in Germany.  After Munich, we flew to Frankfurt and then on to Mumbai.  There we were very surprised to met some Americans again, two students from Birmingham Southern University.  They helped us pass a few hours, but for the rest of the 12 hour layover we were on our own.  After moments of excitement, complete exhaustions, and perhaps even a few along the lines of

 “What am I doing in India?” it was finally time to board our final plane.  During the flight we sat beside a woman with henna on her hands.  When Rachel and I commented on how pretty it was, she offered to do henna on our hands for us. It is traditional for Indian women to wear henna during times of celebration; this woman was going to her cousin’s wedding.

We arrived at the very tiny Mangalore airport and after retrieving our bags, found the driver who was sent from Manipal Press to pick us up.  The drive from Mangalore to Manipal was scenic and quite eye opening.  Not only did we learn a lot about the crazy driving here, but we also got to see many rural towns, schools, and the local people.  After a bit, I fell asleep because all the crazy driving was making me feel a bit sick.  I woke up just as we were pulling into Valley View Hotel, 

the beautiful hotel we are staying at until our apartment is ready for us. 

We were both delusional but somehow managed to check in and make it up to our room.  And let me tell you, a shower after being in that many airports is absolutely wonderful.  We both showered and checked on times for mass the next morning, and then collectively decided to pass out for the next 15 hours.  I am not sure I have ever slept that soundly before.  We had finally made it to Manipal! Success!