In the two and a half months Lori and I have been in Bangalore, we have had a chance to visit various parts of the city as well as take a very enjoyable vacation in the Philippines. Throughout this time, there have been many situations that remind us how small of a world we live in. Yes, you may hear the saying often and I'm sure you have examples that you can also share (please do in the comments!) but I have been surprised that while living in a city of over 8 million people, we continue finding examples of how true this saying is.
Lori and I enjoy a sense of community and getting to know others, therefore we have taken up many people on invites, offers and setting something up with friends of friends that happen to be in Bangalore. In one example, before leaving Minneapolis we were given a business card of our parents friends co-worker working here in Bangalore. Before we had a chance to email or call, we met him while walking in a botanical garden. Lori struck up a conversation with a group of guys (imagine Lori talking to strangers?), one of them wearing a MN Twins Cap. It was to our surprise in a crowded park of people, when one of the guys is the guy we were supposed to meet up with. Adam introduced himself and then showed him guy's business card from his wallet.
The very next weekend Lori and I were walking in a market and a man (speaking very clear English) was asking a street vendor if he had a map of Bangalore. Lori, the kind and outgoing soul that she is, offered for this stranger to use the one we had in our bag. We started chatting and soon discovered he lives in Burnsville, MN and owns a business helping people relocate and navigate India. He actually had helped a previous Target Expat (who I had just met with before leaving) before her assignment a few years back. I will remind one more time, over 8 million people, over 8000 miles away from home and we run into this guy in the middle of the busiest commercial streets in Bangalore.
We recently went to the Philippines for a week long vacation. On day one on a small island called Panglao, our transport showed upwearing a MN Vikings hat. Granted American sports are very popular in the Philippines, especially the NBA. Whenever anyone would ask where we were from and then the state, a common response was - Timberwoves...nice. Not so nice, but this year isn't too bad - thanks Ricky Rubio.
Part of the reason for the phillipines trip was to spend time with one of Lori's best friends. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to see friends that feel like family. All of the photos below will share a snapshot of a few of the beaches we were fortunate enough to spend some time on. And of course we could not pass up the Obama Grill, located on the beachfront of Boracay. Their slogan was 'You want good food, yes we can!' Jack was welcomed with open arms with his American Flag shorts.
I seem to find these small world examples somewhat rare, fun and often how our universe operates. Especially when you are open to meeting new people and new experiences. What I find even more interesting is how it is becoming easier and easier to stay connected. This morning I talked with my sister and brother in law over Skype to put some final plans for their trip in a few weeks, seeing and hearing them as clear as if they were next door. After the call I was able to read about what is happening in the Standish Erickson neighborhood, of where Lori and I live back home - all while listening to an 89.3 the Currrent in studio performance by Dr. Dog, a band that played at First Ave the other night (of which was a great show based on the updates my friends sent on Twitter and Facebook). Over 8000 miles away, hanging out with over 8 million people and a little taste of Minneapolis isn't too difficlut to have close by when that world is actually a lot smaller than I once thought it was.
Lazy sunset.
Proud to be an American
Go Vikes!
Lori and I enjoy a sense of community and getting to know others, therefore we have taken up many people on invites, offers and setting something up with friends of friends that happen to be in Bangalore. In one example, before leaving Minneapolis we were given a business card of our parents friends co-worker working here in Bangalore. Before we had a chance to email or call, we met him while walking in a botanical garden. Lori struck up a conversation with a group of guys (imagine Lori talking to strangers?), one of them wearing a MN Twins Cap. It was to our surprise in a crowded park of people, when one of the guys is the guy we were supposed to meet up with. Adam introduced himself and then showed him guy's business card from his wallet.
The very next weekend Lori and I were walking in a market and a man (speaking very clear English) was asking a street vendor if he had a map of Bangalore. Lori, the kind and outgoing soul that she is, offered for this stranger to use the one we had in our bag. We started chatting and soon discovered he lives in Burnsville, MN and owns a business helping people relocate and navigate India. He actually had helped a previous Target Expat (who I had just met with before leaving) before her assignment a few years back. I will remind one more time, over 8 million people, over 8000 miles away from home and we run into this guy in the middle of the busiest commercial streets in Bangalore.
We recently went to the Philippines for a week long vacation. On day one on a small island called Panglao, our transport showed upwearing a MN Vikings hat. Granted American sports are very popular in the Philippines, especially the NBA. Whenever anyone would ask where we were from and then the state, a common response was - Timberwoves...nice. Not so nice, but this year isn't too bad - thanks Ricky Rubio.
Part of the reason for the phillipines trip was to spend time with one of Lori's best friends. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to see friends that feel like family. All of the photos below will share a snapshot of a few of the beaches we were fortunate enough to spend some time on. And of course we could not pass up the Obama Grill, located on the beachfront of Boracay. Their slogan was 'You want good food, yes we can!' Jack was welcomed with open arms with his American Flag shorts.
I seem to find these small world examples somewhat rare, fun and often how our universe operates. Especially when you are open to meeting new people and new experiences. What I find even more interesting is how it is becoming easier and easier to stay connected. This morning I talked with my sister and brother in law over Skype to put some final plans for their trip in a few weeks, seeing and hearing them as clear as if they were next door. After the call I was able to read about what is happening in the Standish Erickson neighborhood, of where Lori and I live back home - all while listening to an 89.3 the Currrent in studio performance by Dr. Dog, a band that played at First Ave the other night (of which was a great show based on the updates my friends sent on Twitter and Facebook). Over 8000 miles away, hanging out with over 8 million people and a little taste of Minneapolis isn't too difficlut to have close by when that world is actually a lot smaller than I once thought it was.
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