Why would you need a fan when it's only 110 degrees outside?

IT IS HOT. And that may also be a little bit of an understatement. It is sweltering. Before I get into details...here's a quick run down of my flight:

I feel a little dazed and confused. My internal clock is WAY off, so I may recollect details wrong due to my blurry mind. I left Burlington, Vermont at 11:30 am on May 20th. My mom cried when I left, and even though I had somewhat of a peace about leaving, part of me was completely terrified. The flight to JFK in New York was quick, only about 45 minutes or so. I arrived in JFK and had a LOT of time to kill before my next flight at 5:40 pm. I think I spent half of the time just kind of wandering around blankly trying to figure out what to do with myself, and the other half of the time spent thinking and attempting to focus on my book. Luckily, at the boarding area I was able to meet two of the other people going on the trip for the first time. My mind was more at ease after that. A 22 or so hour trip alone is a little too long.
Our flight left at 5:40 pm for Brussels, Belgium. We landed in a stunning, foggy, Belgium sunrise around 7:00 am (their time). It only took 6 hours to get there...but the flight felt like ETERNITY. I didn't sleep much the night before I left, so I was exhausted but didn't fall asleep because I was too cramped and couldn't get comfortable. I watched a little bit of the Fantastic Mr. Fox, and a good episode of The Office. Side note: The food on the plane was mush. While in the Brussels airport, I spent way too much money on a measly bottle of water. I then prepared myself to stay awake for the longest flight in order to combat jet lag (or attempt to reduce the effects of it). Our flight for Chennai, India left Brussels at 10:30am. The plane was much nicer than the first flight, and miraculously, the flight didn't seem as long as the first.

We arrived in Chennai around 11:30pm. I could feel the heat through the gate the second I stepped off the plane. We grabbed our luggage, and a very nice man offered to help us lift our huge bins of art supplies off the conveyor belt. I thought, what a nice man! Until he then demanded a tip. Figures. haha. We walked out to see hundreds of faces lined up behind a gate, waiting for friends, family, and others. My heart jump when I saw the bright red sign that read "Sevalaya." We were welcomed with hugs and a beautiful handmade jasmine necklace from Saalai Monikam, our liaison. We were finally all together as a group for the first time: Mai (Executive director, Children's Art Village), Michelle (Music), Erin (Arts and Crafts), Bob (photography), and I.

We walked out into the night, and even though it was about 1 am at this point, it was still about 85 degrees outside. UNHEARD of in the Northeast, US. India is loud, vibrant, and full of life. People drive fast, and extremely close together. There are dogs, cows, goats, and motor bikes everywhere. After trying to keep my eyes open on our way to the Sevalaya I fell asleep.

Stir crazy

My stomach may surely fall out of my mouth. I went to bed last night at 2am and I've been up since 6am this morning (who could sleep when they will be halfway across the world in 24 hours?). I can hardly believe the day is finally here to lift off. I'm not sure I ever thought this day would arrive, or that it existed at all. The past week has been a blur, or I've been in a completely different world altogether (I apologize to those of you who experienced scattered brain).



For those of you who don't know, I'm travelling to India with the Children's Art Village (childrensartvillage.org), a non-profit organization that implements sustainable arts and music programs/curriculums at orphanages around the world, and is all about connecting children to themselves and their creative spirits through art. Their basic focus is to use art and music as mediums of expression to initiate the healing process for children who have been abandoned. They are starting a brand new program at the Sevalaya Orphange located in the village of Kasuva near Thiruninravur, about 40 minutes outside of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. If you get the chance, check out the Sevalaya's website. They are an amazing group of people. CAV is kicking off the new program by hosting a week-long arts and music camp in association with the Aadhi Arts Academy. After the camp ends, on May 29th, I'll spend a few days wandering Chennai, then I'll be back at the orphange after CAV leaves, until June 16th. I can't wait to witness the potential transformative power that art holds, and how it can be used as a mechanism for change.



I'd say I'm adequately prepared. I've never packed lighter in my life. I have enough medication to sedate an elephant. Batteries are all charged. I bought a head lamp (for reading at night of course, and because they're awesome). Safely packed in my carry-on: Journal, a few great books (Donald Miller's brand new book for inspiration), a mini sketch pad, and lots of think time.



Travel Itinerary:

Leave Burlington International Airport: 11:45am

Arrive at JFK in NY: 1:00pm

Leave JFK: 5:40pm

Arrive in Brussels, Belgium: 7:45am

Depart from Belgium: 10:30am

Arrive in Chennai (Madras), India: 11:30pm



Side note: My camera will become a third limb on my body during this trip. So, don't worry, I'll have an overload of pictures to show when I return. My worst fear right now? Sickness....or maybe Malaria...although I'm trusting in those overly expensive pills I bought for that. Overall, I'm beyond excited and can't wait to see what kinds of crazy turns my trip takes. I'm ready for anything. I'm leaving home in 20 minutes and can't think of anything else to say right now, so hasta la vista.

Next time I write it'll be on a new continent.