So, fun story to start things off... I'll work backwards today:
After leaving Chiluvuru around 1pm to get to the airport in Vijayawada on time for departure to Hyderabad... We arrived at the Vijayada airport right around 2, to find that it consisted of a couple of concrete buildings and a lone security guard standing outside with an AK-47. Walked in to find the place dark and dreary without much of anything really, including airlines... Kingfisher was the only one flying out of there, and they looked suprised to see me, bad sign.
Go up to the counter and they all look at me like I must be lost, asking me what they can help me with... another bad sign. When I told them I was there to check in for my flight, they all looked at each other as if to say, "who's gonna tell him?" Finally one guy said that the flight was cancelled 3 days ago due to operational issues, haven't flown that route since then and didn't anticipate to until next week... again, bad sign. So, I decided rather than blow up because they didn't let me know, I would just calmly ask, "Ok, now we've identified the problem, let's find a solution." They took it rather well! :)
Matt and I ended up getting a full refund on our tickets and the airline called a driver to pick us up at the airport and take us directly to the Hyderabad airport... more expensive than the bus, but simpler, and half the price of a plane ticket! But soon Matt and I were really wishing that the flight hadn't been cancelled, because it was 7 hours in the back seat of a TATA Indica, look it up, pretty small car...
The road we were on reminded us a lot of US 50 between Newton and Emporia, at least, it was a two lane highway... really though, it was completely different: no center line most of the time, no paved shoulders, construction the entire way (yes, no exageration...), fewer traffic restrictions, less respect for any traffic restrictions, and bumper to bumper traffic most of the way. I also have never been three wide on US 50, let alone four wide :) Also, everything from semis, busses, farm trucks, tracters, and ox carts, to cars, minivans, SUV's, and motorcycles... mix in a few free range waterbuffalo and that describes our company!
Needless to say, we were both glad when we finally pulled into the airport a little after 10... then it took us a bit to find the nap and shower center I was looking for, but sure glad we did! I totally recommend it, good prices and good food!
Back to Chiluvuru, it was very sad leaving this morning... had another great day yesterday visiting old friends, the ladies that used to be on staff, Yakabu, my dad's very good friend, and more time with Srinu and Moni. This morning I talked more with Koti and some of the other staff at the clinic, it was good! I leave the village with much left unsaid, much left undone, and a longing to go back...
It was also interesting to reflect back on my trip and realize that my time in Chiluvuru was the longest I'll be in one place for the entire trip! 4 nights... seemed way too short. At the same time though, while I feel like I could've, and maybe should've in some cases, spent more time in places, I don't know what I would've sacrificed to do so... I feel blessed and was glad I got the chance to go everywhere I've been, and will continue tomorrow!
Well, it's about ten after midnight here, and my flight leaves in 4 hours so it's probably time to begin thinking about a shower, food, and heading upstairs to check-in... Lord-willing the rest of my travels go as planned :) Will fly to Dubai and then onto Paris where I'll have to do some metro hopping to get to the right train station, then catch the high speed TGV line to Mannheim, Germany! Looking forward to meeting the Detweillers and spending the weekend with them.
Thanks for the support and prayers! I'm sure it definitely helped in getting us here to the airport in one piece :)
Blessings,
John
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