Our journey from London to Gopalpur entailed a flight to Mumbai, a five hour wait in the airport, a connecting flight to Bhubaneswar, and a four hour coach journey to Gopalpur. The most interesting leg of our journey was the four hour coach trip. This coach felt more like an assortment of metal pieces glued together. One of which actually lept from the vehicle along the highway, and was later retrieved by a passenger. I joked that it offered excellent air conditioning as the side door was left wide open whilst we were traveling.
We passed women with oversized bundles of hay and wood toppling their heads, a family of cows casually meandering towards us, dusty, crowded markets and stunning green countryside.
On arrival, we were met by three of our national counterparts who placed a ring of bright orange marigolds round our necks, and a single red spot on our heads. This is a tradition to welcome God, but for us, they were welcoming guests.
I am glad to be spending the next couple of months here.
