Catch up post...

Today is Monday, and I am a week into my trip, though I've only been in India for 5 full days. My trip so far has been masterfully planned by Leah, filling the time with an impressive variety of tours, meetings and new contacts. I have to say that Leah has done an amazing job of finding amazing people here who can not only teach us about the organic way of life, but who are also savvy business people and great potential partners.

Since we have not been able to keep up with each day, I will bring everyone up to speed on where we have been so far and what we have learned...

Ahmedabad
Following our epic day in Coimbatore, Leah and I flew that evening to Ahmedabad and quickly settled in Leah's favorite hotel, Hotel Volga at about 11:30pm. The hotel is tucked away off a main street, is inexpensive and clean. We rested until about 10:30am when we were picked up by our local hosts at the hotel. We drove directly to their facility for a tour and meetings. More on what we learned here another time... After our meetings (all day), we were invited to a going away party for one of our host's current customers, who was moving out of his flat in Ahmedabad. The party was at a roof-top patio, overlooking suburban Ahmedabad and under a canopy of stars. It was a beautiful night. The party was a cosmopolitan affair with guests from Canada, USA, Germany, Spain, Denmark and India. There were designers, architects, teachers, a journalist and business people. It was a great conversation and dinner party.

Umergaon
The next day we were booked on the 2:30pm train south to Umergaon, which is about 3 hours north of Mumbai. We travelled with our hosts from Ahmedabad on the six hour train. We met our Umergaon hosts for dinner at the home and organic farm of our host's family. We ate out at the gazebo in the farm that included a small man-made lake, palm trees, animals, and a host of other indigenous plants. It was another great evening of fine food and more conversations about local industry and organic farming. Since it was a local holiday, the entire family (both sides), including their very cute little girls, were in attendance. We were made to feel very welcome at this family gathering.

The following morning we toured the manufacturing facility of our host, who only deals in organic fabric. We were greeted with a traditional Indian prayer and welcomed with a candle as we were each given a bindi and necklace for good luck. The manufacturing floors were immaculate, another manufacturing facility where I could leave my shoes at the door, it was amazing. There is also a calmness in this place, even though the plant is running at full tilt. The owner is a young man (my age) of few words and calm demeanor, a tribute to the saying "walks softly but carries a big stick". Again, Leah has found another great potential partner here.

Indore
After a quick lunch back at the family farm, we were whisked away to the local train station to catch a train to Mumbai, 3 hours south. The train ride was pleasant, we were in a first class cabin, which is nothing like flying first class, but comfortable all the same. As we headed south, I was struck by the extreme poverty of those who live next to the tracks, with it becoming more pronounced the closer we got to Mumbai. I couldn't help but feel extremely grateful to have been born into a much easier life that the people I saw living in squalor beside the tracks. I'm sure I don't appreciate the comfortable life I have been given nearly enough...

After a quick jaunt for dinner during our 2 hour "layover" at Mumbai Central (which almost turned into disaster as we couldn't find the restaurant we were looking for), we returned to the station with cold finger chips (french fries) and quesadillas 20 minutes before our overnight train to Indore left the station. We settled in for a long night on the train, which was comfortable, though I still didn't get enough sleep. Remember those No Jet Lag pills I was so impressed with? Well, they work too well, methinks, as I've certainly been alert, though at all hours at night. I hope for a full nights sleep soon...

We arrived in Indore (located in central India in the state of Madhya Pradesh) at about 9:30am. We were greeted by our new host, who would drive us 4 hours southwest to an Organic Farm project. The ride itself was an adventure and we learned more at the organic farm, both stories that I will leave with Leah to write...

So we are almost caught up. What a week it has been, a most fruitful trip to be sure! At the halfway point I can already say that this trip has been an unmitigated success and I can't wait to see what the next week brings...