GOT MY VISA

Wow, it has been a couple of months (almost) since I posted anything - these have been a couple of busy months with daily work, meetings and making a trip to Thailand for a visa run. I ended up staying in Thai for almost 2 weeks because I forgot to sign one place on the application form and this was missed by the clerk checking it. Can you believe the Indian Embassy has outsourced the visa process !!! And wouldn't you know it - the day I was there was the first day they were functioning - yuk!!!
While in Thai I got to spend a couple of days with Jonah (a former IPHC student who has been serving in Korea for the past 3 yrs) - it sure was great catching up with what he is up to. He was just recovering from some pretty extensive dental surgery but we managed to get lots of talking done - in spite of that.
I sure didn't feel like I needed a holiday yet but had no choice so decided to make the most of it. Was great to be at the Juniper Tree again - although this time I went to the guest house up in Chiang Mai - what a lovely setting that is. I met a number of interesting people coming from different locations. In Bangkok I stayed at the Alliance Guest house - also met a number of interesting people.
Was very happy to come back home once I got my visa - but as result of poor communication on my part there wasn't a taxi waiting to meet me so had to find a taxi which delayed my getting home - only getting home by 4AM. But was able to stretch out and have a good sleep so could get into the base by the next morning - 10AM - it was great seeing all my friends there. The welcome was wonderful.
We are really enjoying the best weather of the year - warm during the day and cooling down real nice at nights.
I am really looking forward to Gloria coming for a vist in Dec - we will be keeping really busy with travelling etc while she is here - going up to see the Taj Mahal and Red Fort and various people in that area. Then of course go to Goa for Christmas - this has kind of become a tradition for me - so it will be great to introduce Gloria to this lovely tradition as well.