We made our presentation at the conference yesterday morning and, although scheduled for 9:00, it didn't commence until around 11:00 (ah, that Indian Standard Time!) The place was packed - there had to be over 1,500 Rotarians there - and I was so glad I got the chance to read my speech.
I had written about my experiences along the way: the people I'd met, the projects we'd seen. I wrote about the spiritual transformation that had taken place (and was still taking place) inside of me. My change of perspective, my change in priorities. I closed saying, "Three weeks ago I came to India as an American. And in ten days, I'll be honored to return to America as an Indian."
After our presentation, the guys from Gadag kind of kidnapped us (quite literally - they got us into the car and wouldn't tell us where they were taking us) and we ended up at the Cotton County Club - basically the equivalent to a country club in the U.S.
It had a swimming pool, squash courts and a big restaurant. We all sat at this big table overlooking the pool and commenced drinking.
I had about four-too many glasses of wine and a bit too much Gobi Manchurian. I vaguely remember having awesome philosophical discussions with Mohan about many different topics ranging from the meaning of life, to how people make arranged marriages work. It was just a really great time.
My philosophical buddy.
At some point, we made our way back to the conference hall and met up with our hosts. I somehow managed to pack all my stuff (though I don't remember the actual packing procedure) and Ashwin's wife, Neeta, took me back to the hall. I remember stopping at a lake with her for some reason (although only after seeing the picture on my camera!)
Umm... lake?
We all piled into two separate vehicles - Misty, Elizabeth and Rajiv in one, me and Bernie in the other - and set sail for Goa.
"What the..?"
The roads were terrible and I started feeling sicker and sicker. I vaguely remember stopping while the drivers fixed a flat tire from the bumps in the road...
... and then stopping in Belgaum. This is where the Gobi Manchurian came back to haunt me.
Door #1 - Hole in the floor.
Door #2 - Gobi Manchurian reprise.
(Thanks for the photo, Misty!!)
So now I am officially done drinking for the rest of the trip. While it was a lot of fun hanging out, I feel like I missed an entire day. And India is just too good to miss.
Evil in a bottle. No more for me.
I'm in Mapusa, Goa now. It's amazingly beautiful!! Goa is on the southwest coast of India and is a big tourist destination for Indians and Europeans. The weather is a little more humid and there are palm trees everywhere. It's as if, during my drunken stupor, I left India and woke up in some other country.
Not sure what our plans are for today. I still feel a little crappy. I think I met my host family last night but I don't remember too much about them. I guess I ought to go and meet them again.