BACK TO CAMP FOR THE LAST EVENING - Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Before we returned from the dam site at Teench Wala, I asked if it would be alright if we could take about a half hour and walk up the hill to see the Hindu temple we had passed earlier on. Sanjiv asked the driver to stop and park the bus and together we walked to the summit of the hill and entered the gate to the temple. It was enjoyable for me to be able to explain some of the mythology surrounding the various depictions of the gods to my friends. The temple building and shrine were built of white marble, much the same as that used at the Taj Mahal in Agra. Once we were in the courtyard area, we approached the temple and saw a gentleman, most likely the caretaker/priest, and I asked if we would be able to enter the temple and perhaps, make an offering. He agreed and gave each of us a small sweet to eat, about the size of a Necco wafer, with a sugar/mint taste to it.  The temple had several manifestations of Lord Shiva, as well as Lord Ganesha, Parvati and the three-headed representation of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. It was so peaceful to be the only people there, almost like a private viewing. Each of us offered prayers and then simply walked around to take advantage of the stunning views from this vantage point.  Looking off to the distant valleys below, it was obvious to me that part of the lush green was a result of the construction of the dam from two years prior. Once more, Rotarians from all over the world had made a significant difference to the well-being of others, whom they would perhaps never meet, but whom they had served selflessly. It was very gratifying to know that ROTARY DREAM TEAM -INDIA 2010 had contributed to this. When I get home, I will definitely send on photos of the dedication tablet at the dam, listing all of the Rotary Clubs and the team members who had participated in this project. Now, back down the hill and aboard the bus and back to the village where we would meet the tractor driver or maybe, if luck was running our way, the "TING" would ferry us back to camp.  We did luck out and our regular driver was there with a big grin on his face, and we all climbed aboard the trailer and off we went.   When we arrived back at the tent village,  we were met by members of the team who had stayed behind. They all had questions about what we had seen. We enjoyed some drinks before going into the dining tent for dinner. Tonight, we would be exchanging club banner with one another, so we could take them back to our respective clubs, to include with the club's collection.  Linda Bertuzzi had also brought the banner from the N.I.D. and asked that we all sign our names to it, so she could bring it home with her to present first to her own Rotary Club, and then perhaps take it along to the District Conference later this Spring. When she asked me to make an announcement for everyone to sign the banner (about three feet by eight feet) I got another idea in my head - auctioning off that banner to the highest bidder. After all, we had all participated in the N.I.D. and would be equally proud to have the banner to share with our clubs and districts. I kind of suggested to Linda that I might do this and at fist, she was very upset. After thinking about it for a while, however, she came back to me and told me to go ahead. The moment arrived and I made the announcement that we would be all signing the banner and that I would then auction it off to the highest bidder, with the proceeds being designated to be used to the next project of ROTARY DREAM TEAM - INDIA 2013, whatever that might be.  I began the bidding with $100 and the contest moved forward from there.  There was some spirited bidding, a competition among three or four different areas - the Californians, the French, the Midwesterners and the Rotary Club of Delhi - Megapolis. In the end, we settled at $4,100 for next year's project!!! Not a shabby amount for a few minutes of work. Since this would be our final night together, before departing on our separate travel portions, with some even departing for home the following evening, we enjoyed good fellowship and then moved outside to the fire pit, where some Rajasthani performers - singers and dancers, waited to perform for our enjoyment, complete with fire-eating and two young women dancing with a stack of eight pots on their heads.  There was even an older gentleman, who had been a victim of polio in the sixties and although he had one leg totally withered and contorted at the knee, he danced for us, using a strong pole for balance. This was particularly moving for Linda, who herself had been a polio victim and who depended upon crutches for stable mobility. Dancing and singing continued for a couple of hours and then we all went off to our tents for hot water bottle enhanced sleep.