We left Ongole yesterday around 5:30 with our translator, Samuel. By leaving, I mean, we packed up all our stuff in our packs and rode in took tooks to the bus station. We had our first scare once we got there. Josi and I rode together, and when we left the other three took tooks, Josi could tell that our driver didn’t seem very happy. Neither of us could tell where we were going because our packs were on our laps. He finally stopped, and we got out. Then we waited. And waited. And waited. After about ten minutes, we started getting worried. We had no idea where the rest of our group was. I texted Joel, but didn’t hear back. We looked around at the other side of the station. Still no one. Then, Kaitlyn and Jessica showed up. They got out and joined our confused group. Finally, Garrett and Ashley pulled up. We were still missing Brody and our translator, as well as the other group of seven that was going to the bus station with us. I texted the other team leader, and after some more waiting, she called me and told me that they were at the other side of the station. Brody and Samuel were there too.
Before we received this call of relief, I just want to tell you about our circumstance. Here in India, wherever we go, we are the circus and people watch what we do. First, when it was just Josi and me, there was a small group of about four people, but after Kaitlyn and Jessica showed up, our group tripled. As soon as there were six of us standing in a circle around our bags. And, around our circle, was a double circle of viewers. We felt like we should have been performing tricks or juggling, the way they were just staring at us. This is how it has been wherever we go in India.
So, as soon as we moved to the other side of the station to join the group, and our American group doubled, you KNOW we brought in a crowd. A police man came over and told us that there were thieves in the area, so he started hitting people back with a stick. Not soon after we were all together (and shocked that the police was hitting people with a stick), the other group left on a bus. Our team stayed there for a little while longer, but then we were called to take a bus. We made our way on and moved to the back so we could all be together.
The bus ride was beautiful and bumpy. At one point, Josi asked me, “How does this bus stay together?” It was a valid question. We flew up in the air quite a few times from the bumps. Apart from that, it was a very nice ride. The windows were down, so it was even cool! What a treat!
We passed slums, villages, markets, religious statues and buildings, and hundreds of people. Some of the most interesting things were religious places and universities. The statues of their gods were hundreds of feet tall and so well maintained. They stood tall and proud right next to villages that no one should have to live in.
We passed a mountain range, and both Josi and Garrett looked at me and said, I hope we’re here! Sadly, we kept moving. For another hour. But, then came another mountain. And we slowed down, and got out.
