All you need is love...

The Open Market was calling our name today, so we stepped out into the heart of Kakinada to stroll through the streets where the locals shop. The smells varied as much as the colors and sounds; bold and full of life! The other thing to note was this...I can understand the cheerful greetings when we walk through the village of Madhavapatnam because of our connection with Marshall School, but to be in the big city and still have people randomly smile and say Namaste' to us just goes to show how few white foreigners come to this area (we really stick out here) and how welcoming the locals are to them.

 

 

 

After a morning of marketing, it was time to take the beloved hostel children to the beach!! The travelers divided up into several different auto rickshaws and then the kids piled in!

 

The drive was bumpy, and filled with simple conversations, games and sightseeing. 

The ride should only take about a half an hour, that is unless you get to the train tracks and find one standing still...then you can add another half hour to the trip. The good natured gals in my vehicle were excited to learn a new song while we waited; I'd say they did pretty well for only a few time running through John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt!

We finally made it!! You can imagine how excited everyone was to jump into the Bay of Bengal and cool off!

 Okay, well maybe not everyone...

Whether in the water or on the sand, a good time was certainly had by all!!

 

 

 

The sun began to set; time to head back... What an amazing afternoon it's been spending time reveling in the outpouring of love and fun from our dear Indian family!!

Although most of us were beat after such a full day, there were still some diehards in the group that went back to the hostel for a bonfire and more dancing. Thank you Jo, Jordan, and Sophie for taking one for the team...I'm ready for bed!!

We brought Jiffy Pop Popcorn for the kids to try.  It got a little burnt, but was still a hit!!

As we turn the corner and approach the final days of our time here in India, I'm beginning to sense that familiar emotion that I've experienced every other trip...the excitement of going home to my loved ones mixed with a heavy heart at leaving my Joyful Journeys family...I pray for my fellow travelers, especially the newbies who have no idea what lies ahead, that we can be in the moment, and rejoice in what we came here to do...LOVE!!!

Signing off and it's not even midnight yet (that's a first)!! Hallelujah!! 

Namaste'
~Jenny