Day 31

I would like to utilize this blog space to express how deeply thankful I am that Allie and Ariana are here with me in India. I have said it before and I will say it again, I couldn't ask for better traveling companions.

Emily Antoine
Ariana Blair
Allie Cook

…. Together we are the ABC's… or i guess "BAC" if you rearrange it, but ABC's fits better because we're teachers.

Ariana is our world traveler. Her previous India experiences has granted us many advantages, such as knowing all the best places to eat, and the shops to avoid. She can do an impression of anyone and anything and she comes up with these random voices and dance moves that keep Allie and I cracking up. What I document on this blog, she documents on film, and I can't wait to see how it turns out. The video she is making is sure to be absolutely incredible. I love Ariana because she is exactly who she is no matter what and because she inspired Allie and I to embark on this journey with her that we might have never done otherwise….Plus, her amazing cartooning ability is always appreciated when it comes to making worksheets and flashcards.

Allie is our nurse. She knows everything about every pain, sore, and illness, and the second Ariana or I express discomfort, she is there with tylenol and a remedy. I love how she doesn't take any crap from anyone and is one of the only people in the house who will get right back in Jack's face when he gets in hers. I can't believe that I have only known Allie since the beginning of this trip because after thirty one days of rooming with her, I feel like I have known her my whole life. We have talked about every topic, every ex boyfriend, and every single aspiration we have for our lives. I always forget that she is barely nineteen because sometimes she seems like the more mature one out of the three of us. :)

Honestly, I didn't know it was possible for three girls to live in the same room for a month without getting sick of each other. Actually, it is going to be strange when we go back to Vancouver and suddenly have to sleep by ourselves. Who will I have to keep me up all hours of the night laughing until my abs hurt? Who will I have to tell my crazy dreams to and to share theirs with me? Who will dance in the rain with me, run barefoot down the street with me, and make up stupid raps with me?

….

I have spent every waking moment with these girls and shared some of the best memories of my life with them. We have grown as close as sisters and it is going to be hard adjusting to life without them. Ariana will be moving to Olympia to attend Evergreen, Allie will be staying in Vancouver, getting her degree at Clark, and I will be off at Pullman. But I know, if our friendship can survive India, it can survive a few miles apart.

I think regular Skype dates will have to be a must though…..

There is another Indian phrase that I am reminded of in this moment:

"Ye duiya ye mehfil mere kaam ki nahi tumhare bina"

…………………..This world and these people are none of my concern without you.

And it really isn't.

This adventure would be nothing without these girls to share it with. The memories. The moments. They are made special because of them, because at the end of the day, no matter what the hell happens to us, I know I can count on Allie for the pain meds and Ariana for a laugh.


So I dedicate this blog to you, Ariana and Allie… Forever my Desi girls!

By the end of this trip, I will have spent twenty four hours a day with you, seven days a week, for seven straight weeks.

Thanks for all the memories we have shared thus far and will share over the next few weeks.

Muje tumse pyar hai!

I LOVE YOU!!!!