Goodbyes Are Hard

Saying goodbye to the kids yesterday was hard. Sarah and her daughters took us out for dinner and then we drove to see the new ICM property. It is huge and they have big plans for it; a new SCH home, an ICM office, a school, playground, etc. It is going to be great once it is complete. After, we headed over to Victory to say our goodbyes. The kids were in their pajamas and ready for bed. I went around to each room and kissed those who were still awake and told them I loved them in Telugu (one of the few phrases I have learned!) The kids are used to volunteers coming and going, so I didn't expect it to be difficult for them, and it wasn't. Most of them didn't understand that we were leaving. Niramala and Anusha, however, started crying. And then I started crying. I knew Anusha would cry, but I was touched that her mother would miss us as well. I have a lot of admiration for her, she is a great lady. I had written up cards for Anusha, Niramala, and Hannah, and printed off some pictures for them. April was just falling asleep, so I didn't want to wake her up. I laid down beside her and kissed her and told her I loved her and then left. It was hard, I won't lie. I have a lot of thoughts on it, but am too tired to write right now. Maybe in awhile after I process everything a little, I will write more. I still have many videos of the SCH kids to share!

We took the overnight bus from Ongole to Hyderabad last night for 450 rupees (about $10) and it was very comfortable, and a lot cheaper than hiring a driver. We left at midnight and arrived around 6 or 6:30 this morning. We are staying at ICM's guest house, so Doug (who runs it) took us to do some shopping at the Big Bazaar. We are used to shopping 'Ongole style' (very rural area) so to be in Hyderabad is like going to a different world! The two cities are sooo different. Big Bazaar is like an Indian version of Walmart; five stories with electronics, clothes (mostly traditional Indian clothes), food, houseware, etc. I bought a salwar kameez and a kurta. I wish I could always wear Indian clothes! We stopped back at the guest house so Chelsea could finish packing, and then headed to the airport as she is on a flight right now back to America. However, we couldn't let her leave without a first taste of American food in a month; there is a McDonald's at the airport! It tastes pretty much the same (I had fries and ice cream) although there are some different (Indian) things on the menu. Chelsea- we miss you already!

I like Hyderabad, but I think I prefer Ongole. I love being one of the few foreigners, and I love that it FEELS so foreign. It is definitely interesting visiting Hyd and comparing the two though. Indians here seem very Western. In Ongole, all women and girls wear saris or salwar kameez's. Here, there are many women in Western clothes (skinny jeans, t-shirts, heels, etc.) Also, many Western stores and restaurants. It seems a lot more built up with a lesser level of poverty. Ongole is much simpler and more rural. It will be interesting seeing how Delhi compares with the three. It is about 7pm here and we are heading to the airport to fly to Delhi at 4:30 in the morning.