Stories about my S Asia working experiences
She glanced at the fund transfer for one hundred thousand rupees about to be handed over to College Administration. It was not a huge amount when converted to dollars, but a princely sum in the local economy. She was overjoyed to have facilitated this donation, and her mind went back to the event which made this possible. The college President had one day called her … Continue reading Nothing is Impossible
“We’ll be landing in approximately twenty minutes.” The voice of the co-pilot trailed off as he switched frequencies to listen to the conversation between pilot and air traffic controller at Mumbai international airport, in what was then known as the city of Bombay. Back in the rear of the plane I joined other passengers who were making last minute entries on immigration forms. The line … Continue reading VISA PROBLEMS
We were just beginning to emerge from that initial culture shock all experience when setting up house in a new country. We’d only been in India for a couple of weeks, and everything was so different to the way things were done in Australia. Georgine having lived in Hungary and Germany before immigrating to Australia was taking it all in her stride and all her … Continue reading PAO ROTI
We could scarcely afford to make this trip as a family, but after spending entire lives in Southern Asia our children needed to see exotic Nepal before finally saying goodbye to the sub-continent 1985 and heading to a new assignment location in Singapore where they would further their education. Our small aircraft taxied into the Katmandu airport; noses of our two children pressed firmly against … Continue reading Nepal
I hadn’t taken kindly to a suggestion by companions in travel we visit the Maharajah’s palace in Mysore. The palace was commissioned in 1897, and its construction was completed in 1912. This palace is now one of the famous tourist attractions of India. After a vacation in the mountain cool of Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu we’d descended to blistering heat of the plains, and completed our … Continue reading MYSORE PALACE
On the hot, dusty but fertile plains of the south Deccan Plateau in India a son was born to an orthodox Hindu family. They called him Madhu, and proceeded to shower on the young child the love and devotion Hindus give in abundance to their children. They were double blessed as this was a boy! Village life was very pleasant, though people with a western … Continue reading MADHU’S CHOICE
Jean stood by the window peeping from the side of the curtains. “She’s actually doing it! Should we run out and stop her?” Her husband Tom opened a corner of the curtains on the other side of the window and looked out over the front driveway. His little four years old was struggling down the driveway with her doll suitcase. He looked at Jean. “What … Continue reading Running Away
The sign introduced the quaint little building of at least 1930’s vintage as the “Green Hotel” I’d booked into. I painfully unwound my legs after what seemed like hours of straddling luggage on the floor of an overfull Matador van. It had served as a village to village bus service. I was at my destination in the state of Bihar India for the evening … Continue reading The Green Hotel
“This is our premier Junior College!” I remarked to my travelling companion. As my expatriate companion moved to open the door of our car, school officials came running to shake his hand and place a customary circle of flowers around his neck; the token of respect and affection in that part of the world. Hundreds had gathered at the entrance of the college to watch … Continue reading IMPORTANT VISITOR
“Dad, take us to Motocross!” I looked at the girls in surprise. Why would early teen girls be interested in going to Motocross? The local English language newspaper was thrust into my hands and small fingers tapped the appropriate column in a desperate manoeuvre to get my attention. It was obvious this had been talked over by … Continue reading Motocross
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