This past January, I had the opportunity to visit India with Jason Jaynes and Alison Manzer. The purpose of our trip was two fold - learn more about India and the Indian culture by exploring major destinations in India and meet with the Little Angels team and children we support in Pedda Kottala. The trip was amazing and opened my eyes to the beauty of the Indian people and culture!

Our journey began in Hyderabad and we spent the majority of our time in the Southeast state of Andhra Pradesh, staying in the small, rural village, Silveru. We visited many of the neighboring villages, towns and cities of Silveru, including Kurnool and Pedda Kottala. We also traveled north to Kolkatta (visiting the Mother Theresa House), New Delhi (capital of India) and Agra (the Taj Mahal). My favorite summary of India came from one of our northern guides, “The three most important facts you need to know about India is there are lots of people, lots of temples and lots of cars”.

There were many funny and memorable times along the way. Whether it was watching 2 cows fight across a busy highway, traveling 5 miles in our van against oncoming traffic, walking across busy highways and cars stopping inches from you (you are not supposed to run or hurry across), dancing with a King Cobra which was inches from my face (see picture below), or walking through a 1000 year old Banyon tree garden, the trip was amazing.

It was in Pedda Kottala that we witnessed the true essence of the Indian culture. During our stay in Pedda Kottala, we had the opportunity to meet with many of the children and their families who we support through Little Angels. The children were happy, engaged and filled with joy. The parents were grateful and treated us as family. Everyone opened their homes, sharing meals that came right from the towns livestock and crop fields. It was through these meals we got to know and understand the people of India. As a successful restaurant owner and lover of food, I can honestly say meals took on a whole new meaning and it is something I will never forget.

My time in India was truly amazing. It is a land I will definitely visit again. The people, the culture and the food is amazing. Our support is needed and I have now seen with my own eyes how we are truly helping one child at a time!