Brico Elephant Tango!! (Belgian guy spelling his name to a hotel over the phone)

I’m going to try and sum up the last week or two here. It’s been…well, it’s definitely been.
Rachel and I made some great friends in Bangalore, one spent time in CA growing up and has flown into the Livermore airport! After wrapping up our time with the Oasis Bangalore team, we set out for Ooty (or Udhagamandalam, if you prefer) to visit Freedom Firm. We stopped in halfway in Mysore (a touristy town from which we could see a palace on top of a mountain half covered in mist– one of the most ridiculously magical things I’ve ever laid eyes on). After dinner we went to find our cab to ride on. The driver informed me that is was getting dark, raining, and the elephants were crossing. Much too dangerous. So the risk of stampeding elephants stranded us in Mysore for the night.
The drive the next morning was breathtaking, trees and mountains and hovering mist took up all of my peripheral. I couldn’t stop staring out the windows drinking it in, it was like a banana shake for my soul (bananas are yummy yet nutritious.) We drove through a preserve where we saw said elephants, peacocks, and monkeys, quite fun. Ooty is by far my favorite place in India so far, it’s far up in the mountains surrounded by tea plantations built in a valley spilling up onto the hills. Kind of a run-down Vail, with much character (and amazing chocolate and tea.)
We met with Greg and Mala of Freedom Firm, a nonprofit that works to free girls from the sex slave trade and runs an aftercare home. It was wonderful to sit with them and hear about what they’re doing and what they’ve learned and are learning. It was a very connecting, human experience. We got to hang out in the aftercare home the next morning and afternoon, which was so wonderful. The home mother taught us how to cook a bit, and we spent time with the girls, chatting and helping them make masks for an upcoming party. One of the girls who speaks English told us her story of being trafficked, so humbling. They were beautiful souls as they opened up and talked with us, it was hard to leave them.
It was encouraging to spend time with people who’re doing work I connect with. I’m not a lawyer, I don’t want to be. What I am pulled towards is providing support for girls to regain their strength and humanity.
The rest of our time in Ooty was great, the rain rejuvenated me (I’m such a weirdo, too much sun depresses me.) We connected with some European backpackers and had a bit of community for a few days. Met some guys from Sudan living in Ooty, were yelled at by a Rastafarian who I suspect is frustrated by life in general. Found a cafe that serves proper coffee instead of powdered. In short, the usual.
okay. goodmorning or night, or what have you. much love.