The Beginning of the End . . .

Hey, everyone. After five flights and fifty hours of travel time, team members Marc and Kirsten finally made it home to Savannah late Saturday night.

It was a trip filled with long layovers, weather delays and hasty goodbyes. We left for the Mangalore Airport early Friday morning where heightened security measures forced us to bid farewell to our good friend (and trusty driver) Nagaraj through the terminal window. While he undoubtedly deserved better, “The Nag” seemed to handle it better than we did.

Following a sixty-minute flight, we spent the next eight hours enjoying the finer features of the Bangalore Airport. The long wait, along with easy access to one of Chikmagalur’s 900 “Café Coffee Day” locations and a well-stocked duty free shop, left me rupee-less, but awake and full, as we boarded a plane for Dubai.

Five hours in the Dubai terminal allowed us to become reacquainted with American institutions like Starbucks and Burger King. It also gave us time to peruse the various stores hawking mouse pads and other goods from faraway, exotic places like . . . the United States of America.

Back in the states, heavy snowfall in Charlotte led to a longer than expected stay in New York. The late arrival into Charlotte-Douglas allowed us only a quick wave to Melanie as she headed off to her connector to Augusta. Cold and exhausted, we counted down the hours until our 10:15 pm flight would finally push back and take us home.

We finally made it to Savannah minutes before midnight. And, while the airline had a little trouble accounting for Kirsten’s luggage, we were still happy to be home.

For me, the trip home was a microcosm of our five weeks spent in India. Challenging, but worth every minute. Thanks to all the great folks in Rotary International Districts 6920 and 3180 for making it happen.

More to come.

Marc – 31/01/10