Humility

I have 20minutes before getting in the van for the ride back to Etah, Kasganj, Delhi from Agra. There is a flood of impressions and happenings to relate, but I want first to go back to thoughts that are now three days old.

From the plane trip from Nagpur to Delhi to the train ride from Delhi to Agra we were treated with exceptional care. On the plane I sat next to a young couple who were returning home to Delhi after visiting her parents in Nagpur. Both are dentists who teach in the AM and operate their private clinic in the afternoons and evenings. She was particularly charming and beautiful and we enjoyed our conversation together. Deepika gave me her card and encouraged me to call her if I had any need, large or small. We were welcome to visit and the sincerity of her offer to help seemed most sincere.

From the airport in Delhi we taxied in two cabs to the home of Santosh George and his wife and son. Santosh met us on the road before we got to his street to avoid confusion in finding his apartment. Snacks were served and we awaited the arrival of the cell phone man that Santosh had arranged for us. He arrived, the phones unpacked and put on chargers. His wife, who works with him in the NGO dedicated to correcting club foot deformities in young children, had taken two days off from work to spend time at home with Santosh as they had not been home together for several weeks and were expecting overnight guests that evening. she was as gracious and relaxed and welcoming as could be. The original plan was that we could spend our time in a spare room they have until we needed to leave for the train to Agra while they went about their business. But they spent the day with us, even ordering takeout food for our lunch together. They are used to entertaining a stream of visitors and see that as an important part of their lives together. We had help getting our bags up and down the three flights of stairs, and taxis were called for the trip to the train station. Santosh spent considerable time trying to reserve tickets for us on the return to Delhi from Agra, but none were available?

On the train (there is now time now to talk aboutthe train station, etc.) we sat across the aisle from a young woman with two small children. She was charming and very interested in us and our trip and shared her excitement with her upcoming move to the Czech Republic for a year. She is an architect and stay at home Mom; her husband is an IT guy.

All these folks showed us extraordinary hospitality and I only wish I could be as giving as the strangers we meet along the way.