LAST DAYS, PART 1: The "Expat" Soon To Turn Tail Toward "Home"!


Despite the mild disillusionment with India which I was experiencing when I wrote  the last post, it is nonetheless with great sadness and a heavy heart that I must soon take my leave of this magical land.

My visa expires on July 31st. It is a ten year tourist visa, but has to be "renewed" by exiting the country each 180 days. My original plan was to jump down to Sri Lanka and visit a Facebook friend in the capitol city of Colomo for a week or so, before returning to India. The other possible choices of nearby, inexpensive excursions out of India included Nepal, Thailand, Bali, Vietnam, Maldives, and so forth. 

All before Covid, of course.

Sri Lanka has recently suspended any visas for entry into their country indefinitely.

So have most other countries: borders are basically closed to all except for each country's own citizens.

I COULD get a ticket to Thailand--no visa required for Americans--but I would get stuck there: India has suspended its visas--even existing ones, like mine--so NO ONE who is not an Indian national will be allowed into the country until the pandemic is a thing of the past.  God only  knows how long it will be before that happens!

The cold reality is thus: my only option is to return to the good ol' U.S. of A.

Despite all the craziness taking place right now in my home country. I just have to grin and bear it and hope for the best!

Before my departure in two weeks, however, I am hoping to get in some last interesting photos and stories of my remaining time here.

So here you are....read on.


We recently went into another, very strict, lock down here in Pune for 10 days. So strict that even grocery stores are closed for half that time, and everyone--self included--had to scramble to stock up for a week. The following day, day one of the absolute lock-down:  like a virtual ghost town on the main drag beyond the gates of my Airbnb's society. The main street which you see below is normally bustling with traffic of all variety.  Now... absolutely empty! Eerie! 

Looking right, outside of the Valentina Society

Looking left.... 

Quite amazing, right?!?!

I love it, I have to say...it is SO much more quiet and peaceful!


And the lovely weather--cool temps, gorgeous skies--continue:

Looking across the river from a garden area of my society

If you have not already read my "Bombs Away" blog, do so now! This rotten coconut "bomb" fell within a few feet of me as I was circling the small, grassy square! MOST chilling, indeed!  

"MY" grassy square! I have had it to myself for the most part... one woman showed up to walk her dogs briefly, and we had a nice conversation from a safe distance! 

Pretty, flowering plant on the periphery of the little garden square

Other pretty plants... I will miss the lovely foliage of India!

More stories and photos to come in my "Last Days" remaining blogs! 

Comments

  1. Valerie StoreyJuly 22, 2020 at 3:04 PM

    Such strange times, who would ever have thought any of this would ever even be possible? I am so sorry that you have to leave India, but you can also consider it part of the Grand Adventure and the Big Story. How unique that you got to witness first-hand India in lock-down, LOL! Anyway, there will be many, many more places waiting for you to visit once this is all over, and going home to the USA is probably a much-needed respite from the craziness. Can't wait to read the next installment. In the meantime, enjoy the serenity!

    ReplyDelete
  2. JeanneJuly 28, 2020 at 9:50 PM

    For a too brief time I experienced zero traffic on my street too. It is eerie but nice for you not to have to be on alert for traffic coming from all directions - just falling coconuts! With closed borders and suspended visas I’m glad you can still come back to California!

    ReplyDelete

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