Qatar

So first to make a correction: Doha is in Qatar, not Oman. Which is where we are now! Lots of burqas and Arab men in traditional dress; very exotic to me. I can’t believe I’m this far from home, and in an area that’s in our news constantly, and that I’ve read about in adventure stories. Speaking of stories, I watched Inkheart on the plane. Cool movie about reading aloud and having the characters and events come alive! Our story is alive and about to get really interesting, I’m sure. –Lisa

It is great to finally land back in an atmosphere I am familiar with (having grown up in the Middle East). I have been trying to view it through my students eyes to determine what might seem different or confusing or exciting. I hope that they are able to take it all in and explore. We head for Chennai in about 2 hours and there will be another 8 hour flight (this is a large world!) We are expecting great culture shock as everyone I have spoken to says, “You can’t prepare for it! It is overwhelming to your senses!” We are looking forward to getting settled and prepared for the students to arrive on the 11th.
--Heidi

Taking off!

Heidi, Sangeeta and I leave tonight from Dulles Airport. We’re flying to Doha, Oman and from there to Chennai. The students leave on Thursday. We should have a chance to get settled, start getting over jetlag, and begin to get our bearings. I feel strangely calm, until I realize that soon I’ll be on the plane and this will all be real. Then my heart jumps and I have to take a deep breath! That haunting question, “What if…?” is important to ask and think about, in order to be somewhat prepared, but it can weigh heavy. The Dalai Lama has the answer: essentially, why worry? If you can do something about it, do it. Then it’s taken care of and there’s nothing to worry about. If there’s nothing you can do about it, then why worry? It’s not in your control, so it makes no sense to worry.