I am nearly half way around the world from my home and I could not pass up the opportunity to meet a friend I have known since kindergarten. He and his brothers went to the same school as I did (with my two brothers) all the way through high school. He even came back and taught social studies for a few years at the same school I taught at and the school from which we both graduated. He sent his children there and I coached his son.
Bangalore is about a one-hour plane flight southeast of Goa, and is not on most people’s itinerary who, like me, are in India to see historic, or beautiful locations, and wildlife. I knew it was a sprawling city that had grown quickly as a result of the age of the internet, and often when you needed something fixed on your computer you would get connected to someone in Bangalore, who would attempt to solve your problem remotely. The city might have grown a little too quickly, and my expectations were probably set a little low, because when I told people in India that I was going to Bangalore, they got a look on their face followed by the question “why are you going there?” On its own, I have been pleasantly surprised by the place, but my answer has always been, I am going to see my friend Charlie. I am happy I did! Friendships and relationships are to be cherished and nurtured throughout one’s life. I hope he is able to find his way here in India.
In our effort to try to see it all, we should remain open to new possibilities.