Day 26: Delhi: THE END!! I am alone for the first time in four weeks! And, as always, while there is a palpable sense of relief (physical, mental, and emotional) knowing that another trip has ended without disaster or catastrophe, there is also a sort of empty, melancholy feeling. I am alone, and I miss my dear Yatris already. It is sort of the empty nest syndrome: suddenly I have no one to care for, look after, worry about, and just generally be with. This is always a slightly sad night for me! The day started off late . . . we met for breakfast at 9:00. Immediately after breakfast, most of us walked one Yatri to the Airport Metro station (one block away) to see him off to the airport as he departed for Bangkok. Everyone returned to the hotel to pack. Those leaving for Dharamshala had to pack their bags for the trip and pack the bag that they were storing in Delhi. We were vacating all but one room by noon! I walked to the Dominoes on M Block to order pizzas for our closing pizza party. Usually, it is at about 6:00 before Yatris either leave for the train to Dharamshala or leave for the airport, but this year, we could not book the evening train to Dharamshala, so the Yatris had to leave at 2:30 for the train station. So, our pizza party had to be at lunchtime! When I returned from ordering the pizzas for delivery at noon, the Dharamshala Eight were in the lobby with their luggage that they wanted to store, but for some reason, the desk person did not understand why they were there. I explained that they needed to store their luggage . . . and it was stored! Shortly after that, the pizza arrived. While off-schedule, the pizza party played out like it usually does .. . . we shared our favorite or most memorable moments in India and we tried to formulate a quick, easily digestible answer to the question, “So, how was India?” As always, we failed! But it was a good time nonetheless. I left them with my memorable quote, “You will leave India, but India will never leave you. Bharat Mata will visit you in your waking and sleeping dreams, blessing you and haunting you . . . but she will never let you go!” The Dharamshala Eight went out to buy snacks for the train (it leaves at 3:50 and arrives at Pathankot at 2:50!), and the others just rested in the remaining room. I returned to my room to do some work and some organizing. At 2:15, we met in the lobby to say our goodbyes to the Dharamshala Eight as they boarded their taxis. It is a sad and moving moment as I give a strong sincere hug to each of these Yatris with whom I have shared so much, so deeply, so quickly. And now it is over! I got a little teary-eyed watching the two taxis drive out the gate. Then there were only three! They went back to the one open room and rested, watched TV, and packed. I spent the afternoon with Varun. He picked me up at about 3:00, took me to Bikaner House to book my ticket to Jaipur tomorrow, and then we went to my favorite restaurant and talked for a long time. It was a time of light conversation as well as deep reflection on important life issues. I always enjoy my time with Varun, but this afternoon was special. I felt like this was the most deeply we have conversed . . . sharing many things with each other that we would only share with a close friend. Later, Varun treated me to delicious snacks (Samosa, Pani Puri, Aloo Tikka . . .. all of my favorite snacks). Then I returned to the YWCA to spend time with the remaining three yatris. I saw them off almost four hours ago!! Another sad goodbye to Yatris I had grown close to! I had given a phone to the Dharamshala Eight so they could keep in touch with me. As I told them, just because I was no longer responsible for them, it did not mean I no longer cared about them. I told them to call or text me when they found the platform and got on the train. While I was with Varun, I received a call letting me know that they found the platform easily, boarded the train readily, and were ready to leave. As I was talking to them, the train pulled out. So I know that they are on their way. I told them to text me (not call me) at 3:00 am when they arrived at Pathankot, but to call me when they arrived in McCleodganj (or even on the bus to McCleodganj). (I just got a note from the Yatri in Bangkok . . . he arrived safely!). So, now I have to organize the mess in my room, pack the things for Jaipur and Kochi and store the things that are staying. That will take longer than you would think!! This is the last daily post for the India May Term because it is over. I may give random updates from Jaipur and Kochi . . . but only if something interesting happens! Basically, this is a sign off. Namaste!!
Posted on: Sun, 01 Jun 2014 18:40:05 +0000
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