On the Farm
When the alarm sounded at 0330 hours, I thought the night was just too short. Still jet lagged and adjusting to a new culture, a new climate, and the delayed arrival of my luggage, I had no idea what awaited me. Our host and guide Rajesh had planned a trip to the farm where he had been born. Our sightseeing bus quickly wound its way through Delhi traffic—at such an hour, the streets were almost empty—and we made good time to the farm in the village of Pachayara.
The bus had ground its way over a rutted road for several miles after we left the pavement. The gate revealed a smallm one-story building with covered folding chairs set outside, next to raised pallets where the residents slept. Children were everywhere because the extreme temperature—41 C or 105 F—forced the closing of school. Everyone had cell phones and we were the center of attention. I talked to several of the children and found them delightful.
We rode a wagon pulled behind a tractor to the nearby school, where the headmaster greeted everyone. He was smoking a hookah and presented a picture of calm confidence and welcome as he greeted us warmly. He called me out for special attention as the “elder” in our group. He rode me around on the back of his Enfield motorcycle and then presented me with a white welcoming scarf. I was touched beyond belief by his kindness and generosity.
As one of our guides had said the evening before: “The guest is God” in India. I truly felt like a god.
12:46 am
Bill-it looks like your adventure is off to a grand start. The photos are wonderful. I am going to show them to some of our students at school on Monday. They will especially like the one of you on the back of the motorcycle! I hope your luggage has since arrived.
Enjoy,
Becky
12:21 am
Becky: Luggage arrived. Thanks for asking. I was treated as an elder in the community. It was very moving. Thanks for checking in. —Bill
5:14 pm
Such an up-close experience of how elders are viewed in the cultures of many of our students. My eyes are moist reading about how they received you. Human kindness and beauty. Thanks for sharing all the photos, Bill.
12:57 am
Yours were not the only moist eyes…
8:08 pm
Bill/Elder, the trip looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing the pics and your insights. Stay safe, cool and enjoy the experience! Sean
12:56 am
It’s wonderful that so many of you are reading these posts.I’m delighted to share my experiences in India!
3:38 pm
Dear Bill such wonderful happenings for such a revered Elder!
It must be so emotional to be received by such dedicated and kind people, especially the children
Great to hear the Enfield motorcycles are still going strong, hope the scarf isn’t too warm in 107F
We await your return and all the many stories you will bring back with you!