I miss eating with my hands

Well we've been back about two weeks now. I think we've almost adjusted to the American culture. I have been in search of pure mango juice since we've returned, and I was only able to find mango juice that was made with pear, pineapple, and apple juice....go figure. But to my excitement, Jamie bought us mango nectar that she found as a gift for Valentine's Day. It was beautiful.
Caraleigh and I have been working on our paintings for the art exhibit. We are currently planning on having our official opening at Cross Roads the first week of March. It has been really exciting to attempt to depict what we want people to see about gorgeous India, and I find it a rather difficult task to capture on a canvas the beauty of these people. Our dorm room is full of cans of paint..
create characteristics, but it is the way that these characteristics are intended to be put together that create masterpieces.
I believe that this is the goal of our artwork. Of course we would like for people to see the beautiful colors and clothes that they wear and even many of the components of their culture, but most importantly we would like for these people to see these other people as what they are intended to be. Masterpieces, inside and out.

Home Again Home Again Jiggedy Jog

Back! For some reason, it doesn't feel too weird. I think that my body is still in shock though from the time difference. Yesterday was the longest day I've ever had, it was literally 31 hours long! The flight back wasn't too bad, we survived the German airport with Haagen Dazs ice cream. It was great to see my parents and then the rest of my family, we ate at Cracker Barrel, a wonderful way to be initiated to southern food once again. I made Coorgi coffee this morning and then I went to the coffee house! It was so wonderful to make a Sam's trip to get milk and half n half again..well kind of. I'm so glad to be back, even though I really miss the friends that we made overseas so much. It was very comforting when someone blared their car horn at us for pulling out in front of them, I felt like I was back in India. Hello America!

Leigh

Two are back!

Leigh and I are back in America. We arrived yesterday afternoon after 19 hours of travel time. Its totally weird. I forgot what it was like to live here. Definitely experiencing a little culture shock. While there plenty of the people we met had been to the US before and one of their comments was everything is so BIG here! It is soo true. Especially the cup size, how can I drink all that?

But it is really good to be back. Again bittersweet emotions of joy to be back with Kevin and my family and friends, but sorrow and heartache to be separate from people in India I love dearly too. The conveniences of home are pretty awesome. I forgot how good it is to drink water from the sink or take a shower with out waiting for the water to heat up. Its so amazing. I am excited to share our stories. See you soon!

-Jamie

Almost Home

So many mixed emotions. As we drove from our home and family in Madikeri, I cried almost the entire way back to Bangalore. My heart aches to leave people I love so dearly. To know it will at the least be a while before I see them again. We invited many to come to America to see our home and I am sure some of them will. Plus many of them have our number at the coffeehouse so we'll be getting calls from India. How beautiful is that!

My heart also thrills to be back home with my family and friends, especially Kevin. Why again did I leave my husband for a month? But I long to share our stories and knowledge of these people and coffee. To be back at the coffeehouse again. Last night I listened to HopeDialect and remembered the smells of Cross Roads. It was again a beautiful moment!

I loved India. It was so amazing. We've gained so many stories and experiences and moments of laughter, goodness, and beautiful tears. I will it dearly. Now Caraleigh and her family are trying to convince us of the greatness of Jordan so we return here. Yeah I am convinced of both places. Oh how awesome is this creation! See you all very soon... I totally cannot believe its been a month. wow!

Jamie

Making Our Way Back

Hello! We arrived in Jordan two days ago, and we have been soo busy! The first day we visited Petra and it was gorgeou. The rocks were reds, yellows, and purples. We also rode donkeys and camels! Yesterday we saw Mt. Nebo where Moses stood, Jesus's baptismal spot, and put our feet in the Dead Sea...Everything has been inspiring us so much, and I hope that we will be able to produce artwork that will bring justice to the beauty of this place. All is well over here!

Leigh

Its Been A While

Again sorry its been so long since we've posted. The internet is not widely available here. It has been absolutely amazing. The people are so kind and welcoming to share their homes, hearts, time, much coffee, and kitchens with us. Our time here is coming to an end. It will be hard to leave and say goodbye to a place we've come to call home and people we have come to call family. I will miss many of them dearly.

As Leigh said, we've seen, done, and learned so much. We are now experts on coffee, south Indian food, and Coorgi culture. Leigh even had Canara lessons from our taxi driver. Its the local language. Pretty awesome. It has been an amazing time. Playing dress up with sarees and Leigh even wearing the men's traditional night clothes. Oh so fun!

But we miss our families, friends, and some comforts of home. I am definitely looking forward to being with my husband again. Still a few more days to play. Until then...