MY INDIA …THIRD WEEK

Linda Mary Liotino

My third week in India is dotted with learning more about my adopted country and experiencing the daily life.  Daily life is not easy and one has to either love India as to not allow the difficulties to overcome the spirit.   There are no air conditioners running 24/7, swimming pools, and a constant reliable electrical power service in the daily lives of most Indians.  The heat fights you on every corner of the day and one must get use to sweating, feeling sticky, your energy level being at 50% and fighting the urge to nap the day away.  Surprisingly, the Indian people go through their daily life as seemly effortlessly with this is life, life goes on, life is lived.  Many Indians live together with several generations in one room where socialization, cooking and sleeping takes place.  Without even being in contact with a family that lives under these conditions one would be hard pressed to not fully understand what this entails considering the life of one in India.   However, like in all cultures there are times of discontent and the voice can be heard from one who is in this state.  What I found interesting was the only voice you hear is the one in discontent there are no exchange of words.  It appears the one in discontent holds sway over those whom the words are being directed towards.   Although I cannot understand what is being said the raising levels of the voice and the manner the words are being delivered gives credence to something is up. 

With the several generations living together a child of a parent no matter the age is still a child and is spoken to in this matter.  For example a father was upset how his 35 year old son spent monies and although the son work for this money could not be heard saying one word in his defense from the tyrannical words of the father who believes once a child always a child.   

Directly below my bedroom window up against the house is a thatched roof dwelling, which I assumed because of its size 12×12 that tools or something was being stored there.  I was shock to find out a 70+ year old man lived there who still had to go to work everyday.  What led to this man’s living conditions can only be imagined ranging from mismanaging his future in his youth for living for the moment to some detachment from his family either by his own actions or the actions of another.  My disconnection to what goes on below my window is the fact the thatched roof attracts every insect known to Southern India where residence is taken up making my being able to keep the window open impossible. 

Chennai is gearing up for the Monsoon Season, which begins at the beginning of October and although I will take you on this journey when I go through it I mentioned these brief facts.  First the electric company is going around checking telephone poles to be sure they are secured well as not to collapse when the ground becomes soft from the rains.  Two the different lakes around the city are being dug to be made deeper to hold the additional water from the rains.  Third in case of flooding there is a drainage hole behind the TV in the living room of our home to allow for drainage if flooding occurs.

Also in October is a Hindi Festival the Burning of the Garbage even though I have some idea what this entails I will leave you wondering until the next Blog. 

As I bring this Blog to a close I have witnessed a down pouring of rain seen as a prelude to the Monsoons to come.  Although the storm lasted only about thirty minutes the electricity failed twice.  The rain and winds afforded us cool refreshing breeze of shorten comfort. 

I leave you with this imagine Mario in the dinning room at the table writing, Franco in the living room sketching and me as always at my computer.

May the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Bless You. 

Copyright 2009 Linda Mary Liotino

9/27/09 

INDIA MY HOME/MY NEIGHBORHOOD

Linda Mary Liotino

I live in the home of Franco Joseph and his son Mario who is 17 years old.  The first thing you are aware of as you enter the modest home is it is dedicated to God.  The center of the home the living room has a alter dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Anthony, honoring the Mother of God, and St. Joseph.  There is also a homemade Grotto for Our Lady of the Rosary made by Franco, a Crucifix, bible and several prayer books.  I bought with me two status of Mama one Our Lady of Mt Carmel and Immaculate Heart of Mama, which are now apart of the family alter.  I have a small private alter in my room, where I can pray quietly by myself, which has my crucifix, Liturgy of Hours and a bless picture of Mama given to me by Franco, my dear St. Theresa and a painting of Our Lord’s face done by my friend in Canada.  There is a peace that is prevalent in our home and the presences of Our Lord is felt for the home was bless by the local priest several months ago. 
The kitchen is Franco’s sole domain where he prepares all the meals and makes tea, which is served three to four times a day.  The food is rice based with side dishes of meat, eggs, variety of sauces for the rice and dipping.  Spices are central to the cooking of Indian food.  I not being use to the spices especially curry sent my tummy to flip flops for several days and I basically ate soup and rice.  I am now gradually incorporating the spices into my diet in small doses and I am finally tolerating it well.
My new home is full of life, love, laughter, and joy.  With a teenager in the home music is playing or the game system on, or the watching of sports especially Cricket, which at the present India is doing well however, I wish I could say I have a understanding of the game.  Mario is a very bright with a joyful and loving heart.  He has a great sense of humor and we are getting to know one another.  Father and son who have been bachelors for some six years since the passing of Franco’s wife and Mario’s mother have a a bond of shared love, mutual respect and playfulness between them both.  It is beautiful to witness this relationship of a father and son a blessing for me.
Outside the home are steps leading to a roof top terrace.  It is there I can get a panoramic view of the neighborhood.  Every morning weather permitting I walk around for an hour while Mario sleeps and Franco is off on his jog.  It is at this time I hear the music of praise coming from the Hindu Temple and the chiming of bells calling one to prayer.  Indian woman are up early and the first thing they can be seen doing is cleaning the front walk of their home sweeping and washing it this signifies that there is someone living in that particular house.  If the home is a Hindu home a drawing is also on the walkway.
Although the temperatures are in the mid nineties for the most part I am tolerating the heat surprisingly well.  However, with that being said the too often electrical outages can be not only be a nuisance but also make one feel miserable.  Living in a totally different country and culture is not an easy undertaking.  To be honest I thought the transition would just fall into place with little or no effort on my part it was/is an unrealistic ideology.  I have allot to learn and it is only by putting one foot in front of another daily taking those baby steps slowly and assuredly will I be ready to be an instrument God can use.  I liken what is happening to this anyone can buy an apple and eat it but it is when one is required to climb the tree to pluck the apple then one truly understands the climb is not easy with pitfalls hampering the climb to pluck the apple.  It is the same for me on this journey the road is neither smooth or straight but I am willing to go through the hardships to be God’s instrument.  I must make it clear that I am in a learning process and getting use too everything.  The dynamics and complications to helping the children is far stretching and it is not easy to just say that I want to scoop up [rescue children].  This subject will be covered in depth in another Blog.
India is like any another country with all its beauty in all its faults.  I have learned one cannot look at things in half truths because it is only in living can one experience reality.  I am secure in my decision to come to India and I want to see this journey to its end.
If I am to leave you with one thought whatever undertaking you are willing to take be prepared know as much as you can about that which you seek to do then do it remembering that the decision comes with a price and the price may be death and are you willing to pay the price.
May the Heart of Jesus and Mary Bless You!                

Copyright 2009 Linda Mary Liotino

9/17/09

INDIA…THE ARRIVAL

Series of Blogs on the First Week

Linda Mary Liotino

I arrived in Mumbai, India from Newark, NJ a half hour earlier then scheduled.  The first thing that struck me was the almost dead activity at the airport for such a large city of Mumbai and the next observation was at every station of clearance everyone had surgical masks on due to the swine flu.  Anyone with a cold had to submit to a blood test before gaining entry into India.
I was assisted by a sky cap with the luggage as I finally entered the place where family and friends wait for arrival of love ones.  The minute I came to the common area to my left in the front corner I saw Franco who was smiling from ear to ear.  As he came over to me in his hand was a beautiful flower arrangement of purple baby lilies and baby white gladiolas.   The ease of the first face to face meeting was just a part of the formality that culminated nine months of communication.
The cab ride to the hotel was an experience.  There are driving laws in India I am told but with that being said it is a chaotic at best.  The first rule of thumb is to drive with at least one thumb on the horn and believe me that horn is used constantly.  The traffic moves slowly with a constant weaving in and out of cars, scooters, motor bikes and bicycles.  Often times there are no lane indicators, which lends to five or six make shift lanes created by the drivers.  Surprising the Indian drivers take this all in stride, there is no cursing, yelling or obscene hand jester.  I did comment to Franco that this type of driving in the USA would cause a road rage reaction that could become volatile.
We arrived at the hotel I was hungry and tired.  It was here I had my first taste of Indian food the spices are geared to the tourist and dotted with some European cuisine such as a continental breakfast.  The services was exceptional and I was assisted every where I went through out the hotel.  A girl would be happy to have one man open the car door and assisted in and out I was surrounded by at least four.  I was to learn later that the hotel owner is an old friend of Franco’s  therefore, even in India it is not what you know but who you know!
The following morning it being the birthday of the Mother of God we went to Mount Mary for the mass.   The day is celebrated with a festival honoring the Mother of God.  Unfortunately due to our time constants we were not able to participate in them but before we left the flowers Franco gave me I left them at the church where they were put at the foot of the alter my birthday gift to Mama.
We left Mumbai at 2p.m. for the train ride home to Chennai.  The train trip gave a photo snap shot of India in all here beauty and poverty.  There was a place we passed that was a hovel of poverty and yet the disturbing bleakness of this was brighten by the beautiful colors of dress of the Indian woman.  The contrast was starling.  The train passed though farms, mountainous areas,  the jungle where I could see the different villages.  Each village has its own church depending on the domination of the village.  Some villages are in remote areas where one needs to walk into the village or hire a donkey and cart for transportation.  I will elaborate in future Blogs on village life when Franco takes me to visit them.
During the train ride, which stop at every station between Mumbai and Chennai there is a flow of vendors selling everything from coffee, tea, homemade foods, reading materials, and yes even snacks including ice cream.  These vendors some are independent of one another and the train company.  The ones associated with the train company have badges.
The rocking of the train made for lulling one off to sleep although the mattress was hard and the space very confining.
We arrived in Chennai on Wednesday September 9th around 6 p.m.
May the Heart of Jesus and Mary Bless You!

Copyright 2009 Linda Mary Liotino

9/13/09

I AM IN INDIA
Linda Mary Liotino

I arrived in India on time and the plane trip was almost flawless.  I hardly got any sleep the excitement of it all prevented that from happening.  I found the missing glove that I sough to fit my hand in this life.  India is the perfect fit and where I should be I am home.  Even the littlest concerns have not even come into play…I am adjusting very well to everything as it comes along…The blessings and graces of God how AWESOME!
Franco and I first meeting face to face was done with ease!  It is a remarkable transition liken to that we have known each other all our lives.  The train trip capsulized the many facets of India and at a future date I will begin to write about them all.
I Love My India…The people in my limited contact are beautiful, caring, and extend a hand of assistance with ease/grace without hesitation.  The children beautiful, smiling with eyes that reflect love and joy and at times clouded in pain/suffering/need.
I know this hardly touches the journey of the last five days, please forgive me I am still trying to catch the sleep I lost.
I love you all…For the prayer intentions sent to me I continue to pray for them and will do so until all are answered.  Comments are on hold until I get my computer, which will be hopefully within a week or so.  Thank you for the comments already received they bring me such joy.
OK my eyes are tired already and it is only morning here.  You all are 12 hours behind me.  It is already Thursday here.  God Bless!      

Copyright 2009 Linda Mary Liotino

9/8/09

INDIA…THE JOURNEY BEGINS BUT NOT WITHOUT YOU!

Entrusting My Words to the Holy Spirit

Linda Mary Liotino

  It is 12 more days until my departure to India on the 6^th of September but this Blog is not about that it is about you my beloved friends.  I have the very best and supported friends here on MySpace and you know who you are for we share love, prayers, sadness and joy.  You have shared your life with me your happiness, sorrows and stories. Your testimonies strengthen me in convictions, give me courage and let me hear the whispers of God’s voice.    Each one of your hearts showers my heart with love.

You have supported me from the beginning of this decision to heed God’s calling on my life to ….India. The many emails to just give me a word to keep me focused and on track.  The beautiful prayers prayed for me and the personal notes at the end of your comments of appreciation and love.  How blessed am I to have such love from your heart to mine.  

You show such love for the plight of the children and Unborn.  You send me beautiful babies and children at play, smiling beautifully and radiating love.  Some of you shared personal pictures of your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews these bring me much joy.  

We are family of brothers, sisters and I could not ask for a better family then you all to have in my heart and life.  I know we will remain close in love and prayer.  Many of you have exchanged private email addresses with me so that we are always in contact.  We have bonded…WOW!

I plan to keep a personal weekly journal with pictures of India, the children, and my journey.  As my love affair with India begins so will your love affair with India begin.  I say this you are all invited to come to India and visit and meet the children.   I will need time to learn the language, embrace the culture and get use to the climate therefore, start saving your pennies for the journey.  If you haven’t got a passport this would be something you can start to apply for from now.

In my heart is each and every one of you and on my lips are whispers of prayers to the heart of Our Lord.  Please pray for me your prayers I need your love I know I have…I love you all!

May the hearts of Jesus and Mary bless you as you have blessed me!

Copyright 2009 Linda Mary Liotino