tidal wave

Thank you to everyone who called and wrote to ask about the welfare of myself and my family following the tsunami in SE Asia - I, and everyone I know, is fine. Unfortunatly, as happens too often, it is mainly the poor who will be greatly affected in India. Under the initial shock that comes with such a huge death toll after a natural disater comes the part where the poor and disadvantaged suffer greatly from mismanaged infrastructure (contaminated water, no food, no shelter, no medicine). I was on the other side of the country when the tsunami hit, so I have not actually encountered the physical damage. It all seems very unreal.

Currently, I am in Hyderabad, birthplace of my father. He hasn't seen his friends in over 30 years. It's been really fun to see their reactions as he just strolls back into their lives. I went to the bangle bazzar today - thousands of glass and gold bangles, shop after shop. Some people wear them up to their elbows (mine are only mid-arm today). If I ever figure out a way to get my pictures off of my camera and onto a computer, I will regal all with pictures.

Happy New Year to everyone. I'll see 2005 before most of you. Here's to the future, and the events that bring us to that place.