DAY 1, Saturday, 18 July 1998

        Today was the first day of the Side By Side programme.  I woke up late this morning at my hotel, and I made my way back to the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport where I arrived yesterday.
        There, I met Joel Rova and Wendy, along with my room mate, Steve, who is going on the crew to Puerto Rico.  He is a really awesome guy to be around, and we hung out together during the afternoon whilst awaiting the start of training.
        So, here I am at Concordia University.   I've met my fellow crew members, and--MAN!--they are some of the most awesome people!!  They are almost all musically inclined, too.  Hehe.  I see so much talent and sincerity in the group.  One girl, Erika, is so awesome!!  Today during our crew meeting on expectations she said something about living out her faith, and I found that to be very admirable, since I try to do the same with my life.  And, all the way through the rest of the day, her smile, energy, and positive attitude really made a good impression on me...
        Events today went well.  I feel good--very good--about spending the next month with these people.  I feel honoured and blessed to have these people as fellow ministers!

DAY 2, Sunday, 19 July 1998

        Okay--day two of training.   The day seemed to go rather slowly.  The morning went by rather quickly, though, with a song learning session, a communion worship service, and a long break before lunch.
        After lunch, we played the Bafa Bafa game.   It was quite the experience.  I was a member of the Beta culture, one of two involved in the game.  Each culture was learned and acted out by a group.  The objective, then, was for the two cultures to learn about one another through an observer and six visitors who interacted with the opposite culture and reported their experiences to their own, much like each of our crews would have to do overseas.  It was fun.
        Afterwards, though, we had a very long session about culture shock.  It was boring.  Useful information was presented, but the way in which it was presented was annoying.  I fell asleep, and dinner came soon enough.
        Following dinner, we met by crew, and the India crew got to interact with two people who had lived in India to ask questions and learn other useful infobits about the culture.  Jen Knutson also shared from her own past experiences on Side By Side to India.  We got to see a lot of clothing, and it was an interesting time all around.
        Our crew Family Time went very well once again...  We shared about the day and worked on our covenant.  Today was also the first day with our crew leader, David, who seems like a pretty cool guy.  Asha, the other adult leader, is also very nifty, and my fellow crew members just rock all 'round!!
        Oh, and my room mate, Steve, is still very phenomenal.  He has a lot of insights into his faith, and through some awesome discussion, I've found that he and I share a lot in common about our faith and the ways in which we apply it to our lives.
        Well, after learning more today, I am very excited about going overseas in less than 48 hours!  I think my camp and travel experiences will pay off!

DAY 3, Monday, 20 July 1998

        "What is not given is lost"
        Today was largely boring.  First Word, breakfast, and a run to the Target store for last minute essentials got the day started.   Then, we hung out until lunch watching the Tanzania Crew pack.  They departed straight away after lunch. There was NOTHING to do until dinner at 4.30pm!  UGH.   Dinner...Malaria Monday #2 of 8.  UGH!
        The India and Puerto Rico Crews went to Como Park and Zoo after supper.  That was quite spiffy aside from my severe stomach cramps, which were my reaction to the LARIAM pill.  If you've ever to take that vaccination, make sure that you follow the instructions...take it with water, not Coca-Cola!
        After getting back, Fat and Happy gave an informal acoustic concert, which was quite good!  I'm looking forwards to seeing them again at Impact!
        Oh, yesterday and today, I saw Michelle Schmieder, former fellow Lutherlyn Summer Staff member!!  She seems to be doing well, and it was great to get to see her again!
        After the concert, we watched "City of Joy", a movie about a doctor who serves in India.  Good movie, but it made for a late night.  I'm going to sleep now...long flights tomorrow.  I'm not sure what's gonna happen to Wednesday!  I guess we'll see...

DAY 4/5 - Tuesday/Wednesday, 21/22 July 1998

        Okay...so who knows what day it is?  I suppose it's Wednesday.  On Tuesday, we woke up and saw the Puerto Rico Crew off.  Then, we left after lunch.  Our KLM flight to Amsterdam was quite good.  I had a row of three seats by the window all to myself!  It was great for stretching out to sleep, except for this screaming baby that was a few rows up.  Oh, well.  Now, it's Wednesday at 11.26 Amsterdam time (4.26am in Minnesota).  We were supposed to be in the air at about 10.45.  We're now waiting because our flight on KLM to Mumbai (Bombay) is delayed until 13.30.  UGH.
        Hey, the chocolate milk to REALLY GOOD here!   And, the food is, too.  Amsterdam airport isn't such a bad place.  I bought 2 CDs at the CD store.  Yey!  Okay, I'm tired and jet lagged and only 1/2 way to India and two more flights from Hyderabad.  UGH!

DAY 6 - Thursday, 23 July 1998

        Whoohoo!!  We made it to Hyderabad!  We arrived at the airport on our Jet Airways flight from Mumbai.   Okay...where to start?
        Mumbai, a.k.a. Bombay...we landed here in India, and man!, was it different.  The air has a different character here: very hot, humid, and scented with unique odours at every turn.  At the airport is where I had the first Indian culinary experience: a vegetable samosa, which was quite tasty!
        What a warm welcome we received here in Hyderabad!  Sunitha and her husband, Paul (our contacts) met us at the airport with hugs and an air conditioned van.  And, when we got here to the seminary, there were a bunch of people waiting.  They had prepared an awesome welcome sign in chalk on the ground along with crowns of leaves and floral bouquets for each of us.  They were SO friendly!
        So, we moved into our rooms and went to the bank to exchange currency.  Then, we went to an awesome store, and after that, to lunch.  Lunch was this crispy fried dough shell with a meat and veggie filling served with curry.  Not bad at all!  (Later, I found out that this is called a "dosai".)
        When we got back from lunch, I collapsed and slept until just past 18.00.  Then, we went to dinner at a Chinese restaurant.   It was EXTREMELY YUMMY!  Our hosts really knew how to make our first day easier on us!!
        While we were hanging out waiting for everyone to come down to dinner, there were some Indian children who were about 12 years old.   They spoke to us in Telugu and were fascinated by our Indiglo watches!
        And, a memorable, funny moment today...Ericka took a picture of the aeroplane at the airport in Mumbai and had her film confiscated.   It is illegal to take photographs at airports here for security reasons.

DAY 7 - Friday, 24 July 1998

More coming soon!!