Out in Indiyah
Emma's in India. I hope she is having the time of her life.Happily, she got through Bangkok 24 hours before the airports closed (they are only now re-opening), and even more happily, she was nowhere near Mumbai when those terrible attacks occurred.
She is with tigers, mountains, temples and jungles in Northern India, trekking so high (over 4000m) that she will need to take altitude sickness prevention tablets. In a week or so she will move down near Jaipur with her group to work on renovations and improvements to a local children's school.
Above:Saying goodbye to Sadie
Below: At school on departure day
The world is a big place, and having an opportunity like this to see a part of it so vastly removed from her own is brilliant. She has been preparing for this for 18 months, and has worked hard to pay for the trip herself; this is part of the World Challenge deal. You fund your adventure and you own it.She's with good friends, an inspiring trek leader and two wonderful teachers from her school. The latter three are there to keep them safe - the group of 16/17 year-olds makes the decisions, does the budgeting, and has planned the itinerary, with the leader simply as facilitator.
I miss Em dreadfully, but wouldn't wish her back from such an experience until she's soaked up every moment of it.
posted by MargieCM at 8:28 am
8 Comments:
Wow, Margie! I was wondering about Emma when I heard about the attack in Mumbai.
I was sure I read somewhere on your blog that she was headed that way - do you think I could find the comment anywhere?? Thank goodness she was a long ways away. My Mum and Dad were in Singapore at the time, on their way to visit my brother and his family in Perth for 3 months.
Emma must be having the time of her young life!
LOL I've heard of altitude sickness pills...it just sounds funny to me. I know that, in South America at the hotels in Quito, they offer free oxygen to their guests...
I live in the mountains, but none so high in altitude as the Himalayas. The summit of our ski hill is only 8000 feet - yet still high enough to knock some off their feet!
What a wonderful experience for Emma, and, even though you miss her so, I know you would want no less for your lovely daughter.
xx
Oh Margie... yes. yes I would not want her to miss this for the world. would that I could inspire my own to try such adventures.....
You must have freaked when you heard about the attacks! I am so happy she is safe...and enjoying herself. What an experience she will remember forever.
If you like Will Ferrell, you will enjoy Elf, give it a rent, it is an enjoyable Christmas tale. I've already seen it 2x this week. (it was on tv a few times)! Anyway, you'll like it.
take care, xo
Oh Margie, I'm so glad to see this post. As you already know, I was worrying about Emma and where she was headed, so it's such a relief to know she is far away from anywhere connected to those terrifying attacks.
I will never forget her smile, her spunk and the almost fierce streak of intelligence that runs through that small person, and these photos are a testament to her character. I think it's marvellous that she has prepared for this trip so determinedly and it will be an experience she will never forget!. What an absolutely wonderful adventure. All your girls are just amazing.
I think you said she would be away for a month, so I suppose she is now more than a week into her adventure. I also suppose you will have little news until she is back, but what a homecoming that will be!
She will come away from all this changed, richer, as she moves on to her next challenges. It’s such an education, and kudos to her for financing the experience. Wonderful that she can see India at such a young age. It was a profound experience for me, both awe-inspiring and humbling. There will be smiles and tears and blisters and hugs and bugs. Terrific work she’s doing: You’ve a fantastic family ambassador there, you bunch of all-stars!
Be well, be lucky, love,
P
x
Hi Margie,
What a lucky girl she is (and not just because of her travel karma!), and kudos to her for planning and funding the trip. I hope she has a marvelous time.
My brother has been to India, and it is on my to-do list. He said I would be overwhelmed by the sounds, smells, sights and tastes, and that my ADD-brain would be on overload. I think it would be a feast for the sense, personally.
Have you ever seen the film, The Darjeeling Limited? Perhaps a good night in at the movies might get you ready for the stories she will undoubtedly tell.
xx
AM
On a bit of a different note, Margie, I am impressed that the common house cat is prevalent in Australia.
How is that, in a place that is known for its uncommon fauna?
...but then, compared to you, we have unusual wildlife... the eyes of the beholder, yes?
Thanks so much all of you - yes, she is indeed a lucky one.
Dale, you know what the cure for altitude sickness is? Walk back down the mountain until you're better. It's a lot easier than cholera or rabies. As for the domestic moggy, yes, we have many cats in Australia (four next door!). Sadly, these introduced animals are not so good for the locals - cats have to be kept indoors after dark so they don't hunt possums and other small mammals. Sadie still grabs the occasional bird though, the fiend. Then there are the ferals, which are hugely destructive. The things we do.
Stevie, yours will fly off exploring (actually or metaphorically) when the time is right for them. There are no rules, and everyone's different. I'm not sure if Sophie will follow on and do this sort of trip in a couple of years when it's offered to her. It's a huge physical and mental challenge, and she may prefer the more comfortable option of the Classics tour that's also offered at their school at the same time of year - it goes to Italy and Greece. Travel of any sort is wonderful though, from childhood sleepovers to camping trips twenty miles away to grand adventures. It's all good, and it all teaches.
Grace, it wasn't so bad as I know she was very far away. There were lots of other things I worried about more! Thanks for the tip on the movie too.
Vally, I really appreciated your email, which is what actually inspired this post. I am heavily biased of course, but I do think Em has something special. Not always easy, but so joyful to be around when things are working well. She certainly leaves a big hole when she's not here. She's now been gone two weeks, with another two to go - the homecoming is being planned already.
Paul, thank you. I hope they acquit themselves well working in the local community, and I'm sure such an experience can only make them deeper and more aware of the world and their place in it. I can't tell you how I'm looking forward to seeing her pictures and hearing her stories. She's a great natural story teller, and has kept a diary, so that should make for good reading too.
Anne Marie, I haven't seen that film, but will try to search it out and see it before she comes home, thank you. Like you, India is on my list, and from what Em says in her email (see next post), the sensory overload is very real. She says we won't believe the things she has experienced unless we see the photos and video grabs she's taken.
I still can't really believe she's actually doing all this ...
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