MAR. 21. FRI 12:10 AM Take an early morning (soon after midnight) flight from Newark, NJ to discover India.
MAR. 22. In Transit.
MAR 23. Morning arrive Kochi. Check into your hotel. Afternoon, Welcome to India Reception, orientation and overview of the program.
Kerala is a state that defies classification as a Third World backwater: Life expectancy is over 70 years; 100 percent of the population is literate; and the birth rate parallels that of the First World. Kerala shows the way to low consumption and sustainable development without massive industrialization. “Kerala demonstrates that a low-level economy can create a decent life, abundant in the things – health, education, community – that are most necessary for us all” Bill McKibben. It is known for its egalitarian distribution of wealth in a capitalist economy and is the first land on earth to democratically elect a communist government. It is famous for its Ayurvedic treatment and holistic health systems. There is lot to discover in Kerala.
City sightseeing includes St. John’s church, where Vasco de Gama was buried; a Synagogue, the oldest outside of Israel; and the Chinese fishing net.
MAR 24. Visits: Community centers, a hospital, school of social work, a children’s village / Mother Theresa’s house. Evening roundtable discussion and seminar.
MAR. 25. Enjoy a ride through the backwaters of Kerala. Then enjoy an overland drive through the thick forests and lush-green tea gardens of Kerala to Periyar.
MAR. 26. Visit a tribal village, meet with tribal leaders, visit a school and meet with the teachers and staff. Enjoy a visit to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Afternoon, over land to Madurai, the home of the famous Meenakshi Temple.
MAR. 27. After breakfast visit the famous Meenakshi Temple (below) where you may get a blessing from an elephant, a rural comprehensive health and development agency and a women’s self-help program - Seminar and discussions. Overnight train to Madras
MAR 28. Educational visits and a city tour including a school, a university and San Thom Cathedral, where St. Thomas the Apostle is buried.
MAR 29. Visit to the famous Aurobindo Ashram. Or free day - do some shopping
or take a solo journey on your own.
MAR 30. Early morning flight back home via Bombay.
MAR 31. Tour of Old Delhi and New Delhi, the Parliament House, the Red Fort, Kutab Minar, Jama Masjid etc.
APR 1. Continue your discovery journey, over land to Jaipur the Pink City. Afternoon, city tour.
APR 2. Begin your discovery of Jaipur with an ascent to the Amber Palace on the back of a gaily-caparisoned elephant and tour of the chambers and hallways of the palace. Jaipur, the “Pink City,” surrounded by hills, crowned with forts, exotic palaces, gardens and museums has its own princely charm. Afternoon, over land to Agra, via Fatehpur Sikri, the capital city built by Emperor Akbar!
Tags: Education, Social Work, South india