Enjoying the journey!

Date: June 20, 2009
Time: 9:18 p.m. Indian time
Location: New Paris Restaurant in Madikeri, Karnataka India, drinking hot lemon tea
Accomplishments: 1 km climb to Raj Seat view of the city. 8 km to and 8 km return from Abbey Falls, rest from the bicycle!

I feel the soft hand of the wind on my shoulder. A gentle mist from the gray cloud floating by. I wonder, "Is this the beginning of the monsoon? Later in July will the rain be harsh and angry?" Bright green leaves of the coffee bushes outline the road. The leaves are so bright, they look like the plastic leaves on artificial plants. On the ground, pink polka-dot plants that I would find at a florist shop make a carpet. The background is a painting by a famous painter of a valley and green mountains. We walk for miles, talking about where we think the journey of life will take us. Maybe someday we will hike in the jungles of Borneo, Malaysia. We never know. As a teenager in high school reading the CITY OF JOY never did I imagine that I would someday be cycling around India. The end of our walk uphill brings us to Abbey falls. They are beautiful and breathtaking, but even more memorable--the journey itself and the views.

Then a rickshaw driver offers us a ride back to the town of Madikeri.
"No thank you," we say politely.
Five minutes up the road, he is waiting and again asks, "You want a ride? I take you. Rain is coming!"
"No thank you," we say this time more firmly.
He drives off, but not for long. The rain comes and it is a gentle mist.
Again, the rickshaw is waiting, "Rain is here. I can take you!"
"NO THANK YOU! Good-bye," we say firmly.

The rain does come, but we enjoy our journey and each and every flower and coffee plant on the way. We hope you enjoy your journey today, wherever it may take you!