I Made It!

So after 25 hours of traveling, I finally made it to India!  As usual, I over packed

The Christian's Home

and had to pay extra fees, but figured it was all worth it to bring a three month supply of Wheat Thins, peanut butter pretzels, and of course a necessary staple -brownie mix.  I was fortunate enough to have three seats to myself on the first leg of the journey from San Francisco to Hong Kong; although, during the 13-hour flight I can claim only one hour of sleep.  There was a four-hour layover in Hong Kong which allowed me to enjoy my last iced almond latte from Starbucks and use of my cell phone before I boarded the plane for the final 5 hour flight. I arrived in Chennai International airport and my friends (the Christians) were there to greet me at 2:30 am in 86 degree weather.  I will be staying with the Christian family these next few months.  John and Carol Christian have been good friends with my parents for many years.  They have one daughter, Sharon, who is 21 and in her third year of engineering school in Chennai, and one son, Aaron, who is 16 and at a boarding school up in the mountains 10 hours away.  The Christian family used to live in San Jose and Sharon and I were great friends before their family moved back to India when I was nine.  We have remained great friends through these many years. They actually lived with our family this summer for two months while they were on sabbatical.  I am so happy to be staying with them because they are like my second family. 

The view from my window

Sleeping and unpacking have been my primary activities, as these past few days have been Hindu and Muslim holidays so everything is closed.  My body is getting used to a 12 ½ hour time difference – it will no doubt, take a bit of time.   The Christians live about an hour away from Chennai- in the tourist town Mahabalipuram.  Situated near the beach, “Mahabs” was greatly affected by the 2005 tsunami.  It is also a tourist beach spot that specializes in carving Hindu statues- which is quite a sight to see. 

India is unlike anything I have ever experienced in America.  Chaos can often be the best word to describe it- wandering cows/ goats/ bulls/ dogs in the middle of the road; two lane road with four cars coming at you in every direction; vibrant colored saris and brightly painted buildings; strong scents from locally grown produce sold on the curbside; the blaring Hindu temple music from parades and local shops; the unnerving blasts from loudly honking cars, the mounds of garbage thrown in streets; and the massive population becomes a vision overload.  I am still trying to take it all in, despite this being my third time to India; I wonder if all of this will “become normal” over the next 3 months.  Hard to believe that it can.

John, Carol, Sharon, and me!

Thank you all for reading my blog.  It is so important for me to share my experience here in India so that I may continue to stay connected with all of you! These next three months will be full of challenges, experiences, and blessings; I am so excited to share with you how God is working over here in India.  And you know me, I LOVE hearing from you and being so far away from all those that I love is going to be my biggest challenge- so keep in touch! Please keep checking back for more posts and pictures!

Love,

McKenna

Mahabalipuram