SEVEN THINGS WE THINK ABOUT

POST #33

SEVEN THINGS WE NEVER THINK ABOUT IN NORTH AMERICA BUT ASK EACH DAY WHILE CYCLING IN INDIA

1. “Is this water purified? Are you sure?” We drink only sealed bottled water.

2. If water is not coming from a faucet: “Where is the nearest well with a hand pump?” Makes you appreciate running water.

3. Because hot water is not usually readily on tap: “Do you have a hand-held electric water heating rod that I may use?” Makes you appreciate water heaters.

4. Daily reminder to oneself: “Have I taken my malaria prevention pill today?”

5. At an eatery (unless you choose to eat Indian style): “Do you have forks or spoons available?”

6. Because rolling blackouts occur throughout the country: “What hours of the day will electricity not be available?” Imagine planning your business around this. Honda has made a haul selling petrol-powered generators across the nation.

7. John’s daily quest: “Internet? Cyber café?” If you’re reading this, we found one in the town this day.

FROM SAGAR TO LALITPUR. We rode 116 kilometers / 70.5 miles today on more rough roads from Sagar to Lalitpur. Not so many potholes as uneven and patched tarmac. Our new team of Indian riders got an immediate baptism in riding such a distance in a day. Yogish, a young man from Nagpur, experienced only our second tire puncture in over 2,400 km today. John fell on an earthen detour while trying to avoid rocks—his third spill of the journey (no injuries except to his pride). Also, one of our Indian riders fell (again, no injuries).

HARRIET BENSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. We left the state of Madhya Pradesh and entered the state of Uttar Pradesh, inching us nearer to New Delhi. We are privileged to be hosted in the guest house of the Harriet Benson Memorial Hospital here in Lalitpur. This is our second evening to be guests of Christian hospitals (other than Umri Christian Hospital) initiated by missionaries external to India and now led by Indian medical and operations staff. These hospitals have an important medical mission in serving the poorest of the poor with caring and quality medical care. Photo: Children from a migrant family camping near our lodging.

Thanks for your interest & involvement. Check back often for updates. Learn more @ www.bikeindia.org.