I got home on Friday and, more importantly, got to be back with Susie after two weeks away. The long flight from Delhi to Newark and connections to Dallas (me) and San Jose (Dad) went smoothly; although a silent, empty Newark airport was a bit eerie at 4:30 in the morning. Now I just need to convince my body that falling asleep at 5 PM and waking up at 3 AM is not really what I need when I go back to work tomorrow. I want to finish this blog with a couple of final thoughts and some updates (see below).
My little journey back to India was a wonderful experience. Of course, flying business class, staying in luxury hotels, and using a car and driver was a very different India experience from what I had in high school (third class train tickets and cheap, dingy hotels)… but one that’s easy to get used to. I am grateful to my cousin, Lynn Mumby, who made it all happen.
I can’t explain how much it meant to share this adventure with my father. He and I have done a lot together over the years, and we quickly fell into an easy rapport. Re-visiting Woodstock and seeing the improvements with him was very special. He is an amazing man. He turns 83 on October 7th and has a bum knee, but he walked from the Hanifl Center to Woodstock, then all the way down to Hanson Field… and back! He was game for everything that was thrown at him during the trip, including speaking at the gym dedication ceremony. I can only hope to be capable of that much when I’m his age.
I also want to thank all of you who have followed along on this trip, especially those who sent comments. It made the trip even more fun for me.
Till the next adventure,
Marc
Updates
- New Woodstock Gym – Here is a copy of the Woodstock Gym Factsheet that Woodstock prepared with everything you want to know about the new Win Mumby gym.
- Dance Party Video – a short video clip from the dance party held the evening of the Win Mumby Gym dedication ceremony. Not exactly like the dances we had when I attended Woodstock! Yeah, I know, the sound sucks… sorry.
A Journey Back to India 
September 28, 2009 at 5:07 am
thank you for the time and insights that it took to put together a very entertaining travel blog. i too thought about our trip to south india, in contrast to this trip “we took together” through your writing.
September 28, 2009 at 10:30 am
Thanks, Marc, for letting us take this trip with you. Your pictures provided wonderful accents to your writing. Yes, your Dad is a remarkable man, as is your father-son relationship. Mary
September 28, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Oh my gosh, you may have flown over us on the way home…we were near Freehold New Jersey when you went throught Trenton! (Did you see my comment about you flying over PEI?).
What a fantastic trip! Read the info on the gym construction…amazing! Glad you decided to do this blog…even non-Woodstock people enjoy it.
Bonnie
October 15, 2009 at 3:26 am
Hello,
I came across your blog and its amazing! I graduated from Woodstock in `03 and it was the best experience in my life so far! The changed that you have portrayed in WS through your pictures are so amazing. I was visiting 2 years ago and half the things that are there now weren’t even on the agenda then I think! 🙂 Thank you so much, once again I’m having a nostalgic moment here!