Hi Family and Friends,

We’ve just arrived in Delhi. We had an uneventful flight and just sat down to a late dinner at the hotel. Tomorrow we will have a morning tour of Delhi before driving to Agra in the afternoon.  We’ll stay in Agra and visit the Taj Mahal early the next morning before returning to Delhi for our international flight!  Everyone is getting excited about returning home and seeing family and friends again!  They have many many stories to share and 1000s of pictures to show you! Both April and I have noticed considerable change in everyone in 3 weeks–independence, responsibility, consideration for others, global perspective, etc. It’s been fun to be part of their transformation. They have been a great group of students to travel with.

Here are the latest shout outs from our last days in Pondy/Auroville:

“Hey, we are staying in Auroville right now. It is so hot! Yesterday we went to a temple and I got blessed by an elephant. We have a cooking class today and then we are going shopping. I love you all!” –Molly

“We’re in auroville. It’s a very peaceful place. We rode bikes to the solar kitchen (food is cooked by solar power.) It’s been fun. We watercolor-painted today. That was awesome! We learned a lot about yoga and sustainability. My room is like a little tree house. And I’m feeling better now from being sick. I miss you mommy! I’ll be home in a week! and We’ll have lots of mom and Beth time! I love you!” –Beth

“The solar cafe was awesome. A restaurant that feeds 1000’s of people on solar power!” –Jeremy

“Hello! Today 07/22/2008 we went to an art workshop. it was pretty fun We ate in a solar kitchen. I MISS YOU MOM!” –Ana

“We met two awesome indian artists, vishwajyoti and kirti, who spoke to us about art. It was a really cool experience. Miss you M & D.” –Althea

“We’re in Auroville now and just got done eating at the solar kitchen which is powered solely by solar energy. This is an awesome place and I’m stoked for the rest of our time here.” –Josh

“Time is winding down, 5 days left. Today we ate at a solar kitchen. Pondicherry is awesome. One of the nicest cities we’ve been to so far. All is well. Can’t wait to get back home.” –Shawn

“We are currently staying at a guest house in Auroville. We meet two indian artists today who happen to be amazing. See you soon family.” –Valeria

“Awuu Yea” –Chris

“Hello! We got art lessons from Vishwajyoti and Kirti today. We also ate at the solar kithen! Basically everything in Auroville is ecofriendly. I do miss air conditioning though. But the beauty of Auroville makes up for it. I even got blessed by Lakshmi! The temple elephant! Peace!” –Amy

“July 22, 2008. Vishwajoyti and Kirthi’s lecture and inside into Indian Contemporary Art was very insiteful. The way it differs from American Art is not to far fetched. I learned many types of art and the basis for which they use in their Art. Theres six basic principles that they must use and the work is not complete without all. Kirti and Vishwajoythi’s Art was amazing to say the lease. Inspired me to do more with my art and even perchase some.” –Tyler

“Hi Again, We are here in Pondi. We met with the talented writer Manoj Das who spoke to us about Sri Aurobindo and the Ashram. Shoba took us to the Ganapati temple and we were blessed by Lakshmi the elephant. We took a walk along the Bay of Bengal and saw the Gandhi statue. We ate a lovely dinner at Surguru…mmm. Today we rode bikes to Gallery Square and met with Kirti and Vishwajoythi for a talk and workshop on contemporary art in India. We then rode to the solar kitchen for lunch. It’s been lovely seeing all my friends in pondicherry! Bye for now!” –April