Reflecting back on the first few weeks in the UK …

.. our re-introduction was quite a sharp one. First off we arrived at Cochin airport to find that our return flights hadn’t been booked, and there was no availability at all on the planned flight home with Jet, and only business class seats left with BA, and so a cool £3,200 later we were ready to depart India – physically at least. Emotionally departing proved to take a little longer!

The flight home for Roy took little over an hour, as he managed to sleep for the rest of the time. Finally his body had given in to rest, and bar the odd little bit of ‘awake-time chatter’ my Rambo-esque travelling partner slept peacefully! Uncharacteristically, I didn’t sleep that well on the flight home with my mind working overtime on much that we had experienced, the amazing people that we had met and what next with the charity.

At one point, I recall chatting to a young air steward who was talking about an orphanage that he helps out during is time off. He was just enquiring about our exploits when a fellow passenger came over, also unable to sleep and wanting to talk orphanages. It turns out that he runs a property development business in London which is now funding his own work with a brand new orphanage, also in Tamil Nadu. Here, by complete chance we were having a hushed conversation on the flight home exchanging tips and tricks and learning’s about orphanages in India.
As luck would have it, he had (by complete chance) met and subsequently partnered up with an Indian architect who specialised in planning charities and schools in Tamil Nadu, and also an accountant who specialised in bringing in foreign money for charities. Needless to say that these were two big gaps that we needed a solution to, and so clearly the flight changes and upgrades were meant to be!

The biggest surprise however was to hit us at the airport. As we made our way out of Heathrow, Terminal 5 we were stopped in our tracks by the sight of a 60 foot decorated Christmas Tree! Having missed the traditional indicators that Christmas is coming, such as Halloween, Bonfire night, etc. we had forgotten all about Christmas. After being so immersed in our journey and the ‘Indian experience’ we were taken aback by how bright, noisy and commercial everything was. It was like suddenly being transported into a whole other world!
It was wonderful however to be reunited with my family after 3 weeks, to see Karen, Samuel, Charlotte and Yogi (our dog) again. That said, the next three days were a bit of a blur, but apparently consisted of quite a lot of sleep and rest. It was quite reassuring to learn that most of the group had needed copious amounts of sleep and rest too. As well as the body’s way of recovering from such a ‘full-on endurance experience’ it’s probably also nature’s way of re-introducing you to a world that has changed very little over that three week period!

India is one of those places where you just become immersed in the culture and way of life, particularly as part of the adventure we had been lucky enough to enjoy and so settling back into ‘western life’ was a slow and trick process.
For one, the driving is just so different as it all seems so peaceful and sedate over here, such that you actually have to drive considerably faster just to partially recreate the level of excitement and challenge that we had become used to. These became known as ‘Dad’s white knuckle rides’ and fortunately my family were very understanding. I guess this gradually wore off over a 2 week period, and now I drive like a westerner once more (apparently!) Again, I understand that this past-time was also adopted by several others within our group. Obviously, I found my car a bit sophisticated after driving the Ambassador for so long too. How strange to miss the basics of the road system and cars like that!

More than anything though, I missed the people, both of native India with their wonderful smiles and resourceful spirit, but also the kindred spirits and camaraderie of our own group, and so it was such a relief when Gush (one of our group) put out an email communication to the whole group sharing everyone’s email addresses and putting his unique and humorous take on the experience. A fair bit of email chatter were to follow amongst the group which helped extend that feeling of connection.

Roy and I also had to get used to not sharing a car and a room which I have to say was kind of strange after day 2 as we had slipped into a pretty comfortable way of being, both under pressure and relaxed. Needless to say that we are planning a couple more trips back during 2010.

Reflecting back now, it seems strange to think that we would just wander into schools and kick off a game of cricket or a discussion. You’d be arrested within a matter of minutes if you did that here in the UK, and yet over there it seemed so normal and easy.

Much has moved on with the fundraising since being back, and I am continually humbled when every week several more donations arrive through the post, into GCT’s bank account or via PayPal. This will help us direct targeted support exactly where it’s needed, so a huge thank you to all of you who have sent funds through! In particular a special thank you to Rosie Warner who single headedly has raised over £600, and a motorised wheelchair since getting back! And to Johnny and Gush of Bulletproof who kindly donated their £1000 Christmas Card fun to GCT – thanks guys

We’ve had lots of contact with the Happy Home orphanage since returning and are building a wonderful relationship which will hopefully support and sustain the amazing work that they are already doing, but at a whole new level. More on this to follow …

The most interesting and powerful feeling has been that this all feels like very much the start of ours and The Global Children’s Trust’s journey, rather than the end of something. 2010 an is going to be a huge year for GCT and I trust that we will be able to count on your support in whatever capacity going forward.

Happy New Year everyone!