The Good Parts

Ah yes, I couldn't let you think it was ALL bad, could I?

But just to cement what I said before - both John and I have cried about 80K times today. So.

We also laughed a bunch of times. The most hearty laugh coming after I put Cortisol 10 on my toothbrush at my in-laws house and actually brushed my teeth with it, like, for a little while....

So. We're good.

Whenever anyone wonders how it is we can do this, it all comes down to John. He has never met a stranger he didn't like. So when we're traveling he's a marvel. I'll sit off to the side of the bus, looking at the window endlessly and John will be chatting and laughing with another traveler. When we're done, I've listened to a podcast and John has made a friend for life.

I can think of at least four occasions we've been traveling that John has met someone who later became "important" to us. One time, on our first trip to India, I swear to god John saved someone's life. My personal opinion of course, but these two became so close so fast and got incredibly deep into life - on a train ride.

I'm much more of an observer when we travel. I like to stay quiet and ignorable. It's so great then, because John will go make all of the friends and introduce me later. Then I'll generally stay in touch with everyone because John isn't so much for Facebook but trust me when I say he's really good at meeting people.

When we went to India the first time in 2010 - we stayed in the Pearl Palace Hotel in Jaipur. When the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was filming in Jaipur - the cast stayed with Mr. Singh. When they came to film the second one, they used his new hotel in the actual movie. So cool.

John found the Pearl Palace, we both pick places when we travel but John found this place, I remember how excited he was about it.

As well he should be because the Pearl Palace is the single greatest refuge of India. It's a budget hotel and it is SPECTACULAR. It is one of the most beautiful places in all of India if you ask me. Each room is done with Mr. Singh's artistic and lovely hand and each one different from the next. There's a restaurant on top called The Peacock and at the Peacock the Westerner can eat safe food, free from worry.

John soon met the owner - Mr. Singh. And guess what? Right. They hit it off. They hit it off so hard, John went back two years later to do Mr. Singh's website.

And now, in 2017, Mr. Singh has a new business venture. He's making and selling beautiful clothes.

So now John goes back and we stay at his beautiful hotel and eat at his beautiful restaurant and because of John and his friendliness and Mr. Singh and his generosity, we have this chance of a lifetime.

Good job boys.