After a fantastic flight (s) back to NZ we arrived to an amazing welcome from family and friends. I was quite overwhelmed. It was so good to see some familiar faces, smell the sweet NZ air and I wanted to talk to everyone at once and make sure we didn't miss anyone.
The days have been passing quickly, our visa applications and passports got lost in the post and finally arrived at the high commission of India a week late. I would love to say that I took it all in my stride but to be honest it was constantly on my mind. I just want it all signed and sealed and to know what lies ahead of us and to be able to dream ahead and get lost in the anticipation of what is back in India awaiting us. We then received a phone call from the embassy telling us that they would not be able to give us the visa we had applied for and offered us a 1 year business visa for DC and a three month tourist visa for the rest of us. At this point I went into a small flap and it was decided that we would reapply for an employment visa like last time and then we will just have to trust God to help us get the business turning over enough to pay ourselves US$25000 per year as per the visa requirement. We have still not heard back yet as to whether or not it has been granted to us but I think it should not be an issue this time. Patience patience I keep telling myself.
So while all this has been going on in the back ground, we have had some great times with our good friends, shared a beer, crashed on their floor (not due to the beer) and laughed lots. We have spent time with my family and then this past weekend we spent time with DC's family. It was a lovely time but sad to see DC's Dad slowly losing us from his memory due to Alzheimer's. I found it hard enough as a daughter in law but it must be heart wrenching for DC. His Dad did really well though, especially being out his own environment and surrounded by so many people and little people making noise and running all over the place. It was special time and one I will treasure.
It's interesting how people respond to us. Some extended family who do not approve of us being in India just avoid talking to us about India and are not at all interested in what we are doing. It makes it hard when you are so passionate about it but hey, I guess we are all different and I can't let it bother me. Others want to know every last detail and treat us as if we are some amazing pioneers that have conquered Everest. I would like to find the balance. We are passionate about what we are doing but do not see ourselves as anything super special. We are just being who we are and living out our passions even if it is hard sometimes. It's about where our heart is and where our heart is leading us. So as long as my heart is beating I would rather it beats where it longs to be.
The days have been passing quickly, our visa applications and passports got lost in the post and finally arrived at the high commission of India a week late. I would love to say that I took it all in my stride but to be honest it was constantly on my mind. I just want it all signed and sealed and to know what lies ahead of us and to be able to dream ahead and get lost in the anticipation of what is back in India awaiting us. We then received a phone call from the embassy telling us that they would not be able to give us the visa we had applied for and offered us a 1 year business visa for DC and a three month tourist visa for the rest of us. At this point I went into a small flap and it was decided that we would reapply for an employment visa like last time and then we will just have to trust God to help us get the business turning over enough to pay ourselves US$25000 per year as per the visa requirement. We have still not heard back yet as to whether or not it has been granted to us but I think it should not be an issue this time. Patience patience I keep telling myself.
So while all this has been going on in the back ground, we have had some great times with our good friends, shared a beer, crashed on their floor (not due to the beer) and laughed lots. We have spent time with my family and then this past weekend we spent time with DC's family. It was a lovely time but sad to see DC's Dad slowly losing us from his memory due to Alzheimer's. I found it hard enough as a daughter in law but it must be heart wrenching for DC. His Dad did really well though, especially being out his own environment and surrounded by so many people and little people making noise and running all over the place. It was special time and one I will treasure.
It's interesting how people respond to us. Some extended family who do not approve of us being in India just avoid talking to us about India and are not at all interested in what we are doing. It makes it hard when you are so passionate about it but hey, I guess we are all different and I can't let it bother me. Others want to know every last detail and treat us as if we are some amazing pioneers that have conquered Everest. I would like to find the balance. We are passionate about what we are doing but do not see ourselves as anything super special. We are just being who we are and living out our passions even if it is hard sometimes. It's about where our heart is and where our heart is leading us. So as long as my heart is beating I would rather it beats where it longs to be.
