India is a nation of extremes, and our current living space is certainly allowing us to briefly touch another. For most of our trip we have been staying in areas in which every sense is engaged, From the sound of horns in the dance of traffic on the roads, to the myriad of colorful clothes and painted temples, to the combination of smells that seem to alter with every breeze, India is an experience that comes at you from all fronts.

Our current lodging (Temple Tree Retreat) is at the opposite side of life. You have a surplus of space, time seems to dissipate, and sound seems to be blocked at the wall as a barbarian at the gate. There are only 6 visitor rooms run from a private residence. Hospitality, beauty, peace, and harmony strike you as you enter the gate. We all took the opportunity to dip our feet into a pond with fish that give you a pedicure as they nibble away at your toes. This was a reminder of how spoiled we are in our lives, and how easy it is to sink into a comfortable bed.

Will we keep the lessons of this trip in our hearts? How do we take our observations and experiences and mold them into continued action and partnership when we are back in our comfortable lives and homes? Let us not forget our values as we return to our privilege.

Ty Thayer