Sorry I didn't add a post yesterday! It was a busy day. Mr. Pandit from the orphanage wanted to meet with us again because he forgot to tell us a few things. We were happy to go back, because once we got back to the hotel with Pratima (who prefers to be called Nanda (rhymes with Wanda or Rhonda:), we realized we had more questions. We had Indian Tea and cookies with Mr. Pandit, and sat and had a nice chat. Mona (our guide) was able to talk to Nanda's caregiver and get some more info. on bathing, etc. Nanda got to see her friends one last time. I think it hit her that she was really leaving, because once we returned to the hotel, she was feeling very sad. I feel so bad for her! Everything is so new for her. I don't think she left the orphanage very much. She had never been in a car before we took her away. She had never used a western toilet before either! She didn't know what to do. She is a very brave girl.

This is the welcoming committee at the hotel in Ahmedabad. I think everyone is being extra careful after all that has happened in Mumbai. This is the outside of the orphage. You would never guess that there was a lovely, large complex behind these doors. The orphanage is the oldest in India, started by Ghandi himself! Over one hundred years old. We were able to tour the eating area, sleeping area (we saw Nanda's bunk) doctors office, tv room, and school. We saw the nursery and toddler rooms too. They told us that they have to keep the toddlers away from the babies, because the toddlers take the babies bottles! Everything was very clean and neat. If you could see the poverty outside the gates (see the last picture) I don't think this orphage is a bad place to be. It seems that the children are loved and cared for. Mr. Pandit knows all 130 of their names, and is there every day of the week. He is very proud of the MRA.

Here is Nanda with her friends, caregiver (and Molly). It was so sad to see this and know that she may never see these girls again. There were no hugs or tears for good-byes from anyone.

This is the view directly across the street from the MRA. This is a very typical street scene. It is so different from Thiensville! You see every kind of vehicle including camels, motorcycles (with full families on board, mom side saddle in the back holding baby), rickshaws, buses, tractors, donkeys, bikes, cows and cars. Driving here is organized chaos. It seems to work, however. Mini said that the horn is more important than the brake!

Last night Mona and her sweet friend, Rushme, took us shopping. It was SO fun. The first store was like April Cornell on steroids. Shelves full of brightly colored clothing for all ages. Home goods too. Everything was so beautiful! Then we took Molly, Grammy and Jim back to the hotel, and the rest of us went out to a street market. This one near the hotel was full of mirrored skirts and textiles. It was amazing! Nanda said didn't want one though, she said she prefered jeans! I love her! She thought Molly would like one. She picked out some bangles and hair stuff for Molly. Very sweet! It was invaluable to have Mona and Rushme there to translate for us. Thank-you again Mona and Rushme (I'm sure I spelled your name wrong-sorry!)

This morning we left for Delhi, Nanda's first plane ride. She was excited to see the planes and once we took off she motioned that everything looked small from way up there. She is so sweet, but she is really missing her home. She will wear only the clothes that were given to us by the orphanage, and will only eat the biscuits they gave us as well. Please pray for her comfort and well-being.

Tomorrow we are off to the Embassy! I'll write again!

Love, Melinda