I’m Off (Nearly)

Well, here I am on the eve of my departure and just to make it fun London Transport has decided to close lots of tube lines tomorrow so the journey to Heathrow may be more difficult than the flight!

I have had an exciting day with friends and colleagues in the Professional Speaking Association in London but the way ‘home’ on the tube was somewhat like the game of sardines! ‘Home’ at the moment is in the London Stratford, not the Avon one, courtesy of my old friend Sanjay who has let me stay here after I left my lodging with Sandra. (Thanks for a year or so of house share, Sandra.)

I had an interesting time packing my belongings for store in Squab, just near Leamington. They have a box about 1.5 metres wide, 2 metres deep and maybe 2.5 metres tall and my boxes filled less than half. Two of my treatments tables have been lent to colleagues and one is with me here. The car, I have given to my neice. The tables I want back, the car I don’t. Apart from that I have just a few clothes with me here.

I am really lucky that on my return I can stay again here in London with Sanjay, or in Birmingham with my sister until I sort something more permanent – that’s ‘permanent’ in the Jarvie dictionary.

My visa came through last week after an epic struggle. Unwisely I had applied for the correct visa, an Employment visa, which is for voluntary work as well as paid work. But it just got too-oo-oo difficult so on a call to the High Commission from outside a café in the rain, I said I wouldn’t do any voluntary work, could I just have a Tourist visa. I had to swear in blood (I exaggerate, but only a little!) that I would not do any work. So if you plan to visit India, just go for a Tourist visa, it’s much simpler!

So, on Monday morning I will arrive in Bhopal. Sathyu is away that day at a court hearing so it could be an interesting time to arrive. Also they will be preparing for the 29^th anniversary – on 2/3 December and I wonder what demonstrations or performances are planned this year. The locals in Bhopal always hold some sort of remembrance.

Do stay with me on this blog and remember that the kindle of my last visit is on Amazon, called “3 Months in Bhopal” at only £1.54 and all profit goes to the BMA. If you want a chat while I am there, my Skype name is “Spineworks”, Bhopal is 4½ hours ahead of the UK so don’t make it too late.

I will sign off now and write again next Sunday.