Dr. Jean Lieu - Jan 10,2005 Nagapattinam
January 10, 2005
I'm sitting in the Suyam office, exhausted and huddled in a sweater for warmth. Even though it was 80 degrees outside, I felt fevers and chills. But there were miles and miles to go before I sleep, more to do before my flight back to the US. Ripu noted that I didn't look too well and suggested that I stayed at the office to rest. I refused and made him take me along to complete all the errands we still needed to do. As we went from shop to shop looking for a vendor to convert our raw footage onto DVD, I fought from passing out on the streets. I was almost home. I had to hold on. If I needed to be in a hospital, it would be in the States near my family and friends, not in a foreign country where everything was so unfamiliar. I couldn't wait to return to the amenities of life in the States. I'd give anything for a hot shower or bath and to sleep on my own comfortable bed. I could sleep for a month! The food here is starting to irritate my stomach, making me nauseous and very uncomfortable. There is so much oil, lard and grease since everything is fried. I'd killed for a good bowl of warm pho or canh chua right now!!
Despite my present discomfort, I think I've done some good here-not as much as I wished I had. I might not have effected much change in India, but India has effected great change in me. I wanted to loose myself in India. Instead, I discovered strength and conviction, friendship and compassion. I discovered an entire world, an entire horizon that I never would have otherwise discovered in this lifetime. But saying goodbye was hard. Although we've only spent a short time together, we've created bonds that will last a lifetime. We all share a common goal, a common purpose--one common heart beat. In our own ways, we sought to make the world a better place, to do what we can to contribute to humanity. I think we've succeeded in some small regards. It's impossible to effect change on our own but our collective effort create ripples in the water, and together, all ripples effect change in the vast ocean of life. It is when we no longer have desire to effect change that we are no longer making a difference. We might never see the fruits of our efforts in our lifetime but I am certain that we have done some good here. Together, our efforts have added to the collective whole. If we are able to effect change, to create a better world for posterity, then we must take action. And that is exactly what we have done so very wholeheartedly here in India, together, regardless of where we were from. I have never seen more heart than I have seen here. And I am fortunate to have been a part of it all.
I'm sitting in the Suyam office, exhausted and huddled in a sweater for warmth. Even though it was 80 degrees outside, I felt fevers and chills. But there were miles and miles to go before I sleep, more to do before my flight back to the US. Ripu noted that I didn't look too well and suggested that I stayed at the office to rest. I refused and made him take me along to complete all the errands we still needed to do. As we went from shop to shop looking for a vendor to convert our raw footage onto DVD, I fought from passing out on the streets. I was almost home. I had to hold on. If I needed to be in a hospital, it would be in the States near my family and friends, not in a foreign country where everything was so unfamiliar. I couldn't wait to return to the amenities of life in the States. I'd give anything for a hot shower or bath and to sleep on my own comfortable bed. I could sleep for a month! The food here is starting to irritate my stomach, making me nauseous and very uncomfortable. There is so much oil, lard and grease since everything is fried. I'd killed for a good bowl of warm pho or canh chua right now!!
Despite my present discomfort, I think I've done some good here-not as much as I wished I had. I might not have effected much change in India, but India has effected great change in me. I wanted to loose myself in India. Instead, I discovered strength and conviction, friendship and compassion. I discovered an entire world, an entire horizon that I never would have otherwise discovered in this lifetime. But saying goodbye was hard. Although we've only spent a short time together, we've created bonds that will last a lifetime. We all share a common goal, a common purpose--one common heart beat. In our own ways, we sought to make the world a better place, to do what we can to contribute to humanity. I think we've succeeded in some small regards. It's impossible to effect change on our own but our collective effort create ripples in the water, and together, all ripples effect change in the vast ocean of life. It is when we no longer have desire to effect change that we are no longer making a difference. We might never see the fruits of our efforts in our lifetime but I am certain that we have done some good here. Together, our efforts have added to the collective whole. If we are able to effect change, to create a better world for posterity, then we must take action. And that is exactly what we have done so very wholeheartedly here in India, together, regardless of where we were from. I have never seen more heart than I have seen here. And I am fortunate to have been a part of it all.
posted by JC @ 6:30 PM
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