Who would ever have believed that our three plus years as expats abroad would witness the world slowing to a crawl in so many ways as people all over the globe stumbled through never before experiences that continue even now?
Who would ever have believed that more than four months would lock themselves down since our last post, On the Street Where You Live, before we posted again, and how much we would miss our walkabouts and the open, genuine smiles gifting us those brief connections with so many?
And even more, who would ever have believed that Sarah and I would be experiencing these locked down times in a city of nearly 10 million in South India, where the city and the state and the country have done a solid job of dealing with the virus?
Who would ever have believed I would rarely engage my camera’s shutter with intention and connection during those four months?
Who would ever have believed, as recently as just five years ago, that we had no thought of even visiting India, let along living here?
Who would ever have believed, back then, that Sarah would be invited to provide Professional Development for the elementary music team at the American International School Chennai so we could spend a couple weeks here becoming infatuated with south India?
Who would ever have believed she would soon after that trip be contacted by the school and asked to consider a teaching position here?
Who would ever have believed we would then drop everything, quit our jobs, and eventually sell house and cars and single malt collection (okay, a mate is watching that last for me) to make complete our commitment to Chennai?
Who would ever have believed that we would fall head over heels for our vibrant life in India, for the striking reality of such genuine and fascinating sights and smells and sounds and tastes, of the most beautiful, most heartfelt, open smiles of those we met on the streets?
Who would ever have believed we would have the good fortune and the time to explore a handful of Incredible India’s magical destinations, to Himachal Pradesh and the Kangra Valley and Chettinadu and Madurai and magical Kerala, with so, so many more to discover?
Who would ever have believed we would fall into reviewing some of the top restaurants in Chennai and connecting with wonderful chefs and their staffs—and our forever favorite, Pumpkin Tales!
Who would ever have believed we would get to explore Abu Dhabi and Dubai and dine on the world’s finest crab in Sri Lanka and to meet the best chef in Asia at his restaurant in Bangkok and to explore the north of Thailand and to learn the fine art of Tuscan cooking and to photograph and share a tiny moment of connection with so many people of all walks of life?
Who would ever have believed that Sarah would be invited to present at music educator conferences in Madrid and Hong Kong and to conduct an honors choir in Dhaka, Bangladesh? Alas, she couldn’t make the trip to Hong Kong since she was the very first person in India to have a special new cartilage transplant in her left knee, but she did get a big press conference and nationwide coverage out of that, so who would ever have believed?
Who would ever have believed we would develop so many new friendships with the people of Chennai and our fellow educators and their families from around the world at AISC?
Who would ever have believed that, as those teachers moved on to other assignments, we would then have ongoing friendships in places around the globe, like Zambia, Beijing, Bangkok, Moscow, Zurich, Milan, Amsterdam, The Hague, Rome, Dubai, Luxemburg, Dhaka, Shanghai, Jakarta, Rumania, and even Slough, in the UK?
Who would ever have believed that I would fall madly in love with the smiles and openness of the hard working people of the back lanes and veg markets and shops and even the challenging, government neighborhoods, as they opened themselves to connect with me through my lens and their image on the camera’s back?
Who would ever have believed that, due to the impact of the spread of the virus, the school would face changing enrollment for the new school year just beginning?
Who would ever have believed that, in those circumstances, faculty and staff would also need to be adjusted, and Sarah would elect to take an early leave option that made excellent practical sense for us?
Who would ever have believed, then, that we will be leaving Namma Chennai, leaving India, in just a few days? We will miss so much and we forever will hear Madras is Calling.
Who would have believed that our dream of retiring to Lisbon, Portugal, is shaping up sooner than expected?
Who would ever have believed that our Iberian dream, though, can’t happen quite yet, as Portugal and the EU still won’t allow our passports to enter the country?
Who would ever have believed that, to wait it out, Sarah and I will fly to England, where we will self-isolate for 14 days at a cottage that’s part of an abbey in Maidenhead?
Who would ever have believed that we will then head over to the Cotswolds and Stratford-Upon-Avon for a bit, then down south to the Devon coast where we’ll extend our England adventure in Lyme Regis—where The French Lieutenant’s Woman took place—and then take repose in a Cornish cottage in Mousehole.
And from there, who knows? But we can stay in England for up to six months awaiting the opening of Portugal’s gates for us, so we may have time for discovery. We are indeed fortunate in these times.
But as so many friends depart Chennai for another school or another life, and as we ourselves move on, a song from the 60’s by Sandy Denny keeps ringing:
Who Knows Where the Time Goes?
Across the evening sky, all the birds are leaving
But how can they know it’s time for them to go?
Beside the autumn fire, I’ll still be dreaming
I have no thoughts for time
For who knows where the time goes?
Who knows where the time goes?
Sad, deserted shore, so many long time friends are leaving
But surely they must know the time is right for them to go
But I will still be here, I have no thought of leaving
I do not count the time
For who knows where the time goes?
Who knows where the time goes?
And I am not alone, my own true love is with me
I know it will be so until it’s time to go
So come the storms of winter and
The birds in spring again
We do not fear the time
For who knows how where the time goes?
And who knows how our love grows?
Indeed, who knows? And who knows the contours and timing of Sarah’s and my ongoing travels through Devon and Cornwall and eventually to Lisbon as we continue our expat Odyssey?
We will miss all these friendly smiles, and India, most terribly, but we know there will be other stories . . . .
Our time in India was cut way to short. I hope our paths cross again my friends.
We will return to see folks and to tour those areas of India we didn’t get to yet!
I shall miss the glorious colors that exude from your India photographs. But I know the next adventure will produce lovely images as well. The song, “who Knows Where the Time Goes?” is in my memoir book of my college years that I just completed. Bon voyage!
Thanks, Gail. I love that song and would love to see your memoir. Congrats!
It has been an exciting time for you and your followers! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! Stay tuned!
Your beautiful and photos and words convey such richness, David, and as you leave India behind for now you have us all anticipating your sharing of the next adventure.
Much love to you and Sarah,
Paula
Thanks! We look forward to our next stop on our Odyssey!
Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks! Hope to see you in Europe soon!
David and Sarah –
You guys live life to the fullest. I really enjoy your photos and stories. You will never forget your time in Chennai. I am excited about your new journey and the photos that will come from Portugal and beyond. Thanks for sharing this blog with others. Cheers!
Thanks Rob! I hope our paths will cross in Europe or in Africa one day!
Fabulous photos here and throughout your time in India. Thank you for sharing, for writing, for the joy your work radiates. Best wishes for your next adventure.
Thanks Ruth! Now you can come visit us more easily!
Wow. What a turning point in your journey. I admire your spirit of adventure and wonder at the footsteps being led to so many places in your dreams. I have watched your journey, Sarah and David. My own little Indian students will sit in their apartments this fall and make music on a screen. Sarah, I hope you will be able to join us on Sunday mornings for community with the International Orff online meeting!
I have been privileged to teach a variety of children who are refugees from all over the world. The Syrian children have started to outnumber the children from India and Pakistan. “Life is beautiful, life is wonderous. Every star above is shining just for us.” Keb’ Mo’
Thanks! Getting to meet and know other people around the world is a true joy!
David, The subjects, the quality, the colors of your photos embedded themselves into my soul. I hope, when you settle at your final destination of Lisbon you might reach out to see if someone is willing to publish a photo book for you. They are very special.
We will miss seeing you back in the states as originally planned, but then Covid changed things for a lot of people and you are riding the tide of change. Jeff and I are so eager to see photos and hear about your time in England, the Cotswolds and eventually on to Portugal. Be safe and stay healthy!
Hey Mix, thanks so much for following along on our adventures. Now, Sarah can enjoy a greater dose of leisure to share our times even more! Love to you guys!
David, a beautiful tribute to your life in India. I’ve missed your blog and pictures these last 4 months but this was well-worth the wait. You’ve captured the spirit of the people through their eyes and smiles. The one photo that is missing, is your photo! As a scroll the pictures again, Sarah’s photo just fits in the stream!
What is wonderful about this post is that you’ve taken what many would have looked at as a tragedy and found the positive as you embark on a new adventure. I bet your photos as you leave India would show your mixed emotions. The eyes behind the masks!
Wishing you and Sarah good health and happiness as you move on to this next phase of “retirement.” I’ll believe it when I see it with Sarah! In the meantime, I’ll continue to live vicariously as you continue on your journey and am delighted that together you found a way to continue this great adventure!
Safe travels!
Thanks so much! I like to hide behind the camera! We are so fortunate in these difficult times to be able to continue our travels and to live for awhile in different countries. Be well!
Thank you for your kind words. I would love to know more about your Sunday meetings.
Traveling Mercies! Thank you for coloring this time in our world with your pictures and tales of wonder and gratitude. Much love to you and Sarah. Happy Adventuring🤗🙏❤️!
Thanks so much and big hugs to you and Gerry!
David,
Your words are poignant and the the photographs are priceless. Thank you for are all the sharing these last three years and I’ll look forward to the next chapter just as I do for an excellently crafted book. Safe travels.
Thanks so much, Jodi! Stay tuned for more adventures. All best to you guys.
Thank you for sharing the journey of a lifetime. Every story holds my attention as I view the your life through pictures. I was delighted to read your latest post and hope your journey continues in a safe manner. We all miss you Sarah and hope you path takes a turn to Indiana.
Thanks so much! We will miss so much about India and our many friends there! We WILL return to visit!
Beautiful photos and update! We have a soft spot for Portugal as well–Porto and Esposende, the Algarve coast. When we are free to roam the globe again, let’s rendezvous…
Hey Widi, you got it! We WILL rendezvous somewhere before we know it!
Beautiful photos! So expressive and rich. I am one of Sarah’s Anderson “Orffies.” I have been thinking of you both and hoping you were okay in India. How wonderful to retire to Portugal. Retirement is a few years off for me but we are thinking of Mexico or maybe AZ–currently in Kalamazoo, MI.
If you could share with Sarah: It has been quite a year. Lived through a fiery social worker who showed some ageism. She has taken another position elsewhere and I am relieved. Covid has effected my teaching position. I am going to have a 2nd grade Gen. Ed. class instead of Music and Art. Hopefully just for one year. Smaller number of kiddos–18 to 20. I did not have to change rooms but my Orff instruments have been stored on the stage in the gym:( (Shhh, I kept a glockenspiel!) We might have someone teach a trimester of Music and one of Art, but I will work some of each into my literacy units. Creative movement will happen as brain breaks–lots more creative than videos that the children just imitate. My brain is swimming as I become familiar with the math, reading, writing, … curriculums. But it is also exciting and I will end the year with lots more ways to integrate subject areas. How is that for a positive attitude? I am staying connected to AOSA and my local chapter.
I have at least one virtual voice student through the local community college. I took a class on creating an online course this summer. We finished out lessons using Skype this year! The time delay drove me nuts! We ended up with “karaoke-style” juries.
I wish you both well. I know that you will bring joy wherever you go, Sarah! Bonnes aventures!
Hey Betty, Sarah wishes you the best as you continue your career in these challenging times. She looks forward to her retirement where we can continue to explore our Expat Odyssey!
So many awesome things you have shared and captured with the camera. Really looking forward to more adventures. Hello to Sarah.
Thanks Susan! Sarah says hey!