To India We Go!

Early in my childhood days I had a deep desire to travel. I wanted to go to Far Away Places. It seemed to me purely unwise to spend large sums of money for short luxury trips to London, Paris, or any far away place. I dreamed of travelling for two or three year trips. I wanted varied sights,. I wanted to acquaint myself with different people and their cultures.

My fifteen year old daughter Evelyn, an assertive high school girl, approached me full of questions. "Daddy, Why can't we go some place? Anybody that is anybody gets to travel a lot!"

"Oh, you've been talking to Wendy again haven't you?" I answered.

"Yes I have and she and her family are going to Europe this summer. So are Elizabeth and her parents going to travel.

"Evelyn, the truth is I would like to travel extensively. But the summer months is the time my veterinary practice is at its best. That's when I can save money to carry over the slow season and save for your college education. Wendy's and Elizabeth's parents are school teachers with paid vacation time and money to travel during the summer month."

This episode was my challenge. Of course, I am somebody! Surely I would like to travel. I would like to see Far Away Places. There must be a way. I will find a way! Now was the time to set goals. Secretly I applied to every organization I could find that might offer me foreign employment and travel.

Months passed without much encouragement. Unexpectedly on a November Monday afternoon I received a telephone call. The good news came as a surprise, but welcome.

The call was from Dr. Joseph Caldwell of the University of Missouri. "We just received you biographical data from Civil Service. Are you still interested in foreign country employment and travel?" he asked.

"Oh, yes I am. Please explain," I said.

"The University of Missouri has a program in India with the Technical Cooperative Mission. We have been searching for a veterinarian for a post in Northeast India at Assam College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry. Your biographical data appears very interesting. The Dean of our College of Veterinary medicine would like to have a personal interview with you. We will pay your travel expenses and make your airplane reservations. When can you come?"

By now my heart was fluttering with excitement. "Dr. Caldwell," I said, "I normally have Thursdays as my day off. I can get weekend relief veterinarians so any weekend will be fine!"

Wednesday morning at home my wife Eva called from the kitchen telephone.

"It's a Dr. Caldwell from Missouri calling."

So soon?, I mused to myself on the way to answer.

"Dean Kiehl has other interviews this weekend. He wondered if you can join up? We have been trying to fill this appointment for some time and would like to decide as soon as possible!"

"That's short notice but I can arrange to come."

"Very well," he said, "We will meet you at the airport . There is a United Airlines flight arriving here at 4 p.m. We will make hotel reservations and reimburse you for all trip expenses."

"Okay," I said. "I will se you Thursday at four o'clock."

"What was that all about? How come you are going to the University of Missouri?" Eva asked.

"Veterinary business! Dean or Elmer Kiehl wants to have a interview with me."

"Oh, I see. You are going alone, huh?"

Yes, dear, it's a surprise to me too! We will have more time to plan a different trip I promise. Dr. Caldwell has made sure of flight schedules. I change planes in Kansas City. I will be back Saturday. I hadn't planned ahead. I can tell you more when I return home."

In Columbia, Missouri Dr. Caldwell greeted me warmly and transported me to Daniel Boone Hotel. Dr. Caldwell advised me that I would be conducted on a tour of the University of Missouri Veterinary Department to meet the head of each department on the next morning.

After my departmental tour, I would be interviewed by Dean Kiehl personally, and he would give me details of their program in Northeast India, and decide if I was qualified and ascertain if I would accept a two year appointment.

My official tour would then end and I would return home Saturday.

* * * *

As Dr. Caldwell took me back to the airport on Saturday morning for my home-bound trip, he said, "Dr. Wood, I overheard Dr. Keihl tell his secretary, 'If Dr. Wood accepts the appointment I have completed my choice and selected our India program team members."

"I will let you know. How soon can you go?"

"I'll need thirty days to arrange for the trip," I answered, naively.

I had a four-hour lay over in Kansas City. I called a former class mate of Texas A & Am University, Dr. Maynard Curtis. He was glad to visit withme, and came to the airport. Dr. Curtis was delighted to take me to his home and bring me back at flight time!

I was home early Saturday evening.

My wife Eva was curious and full of questions. I placated her by saying that the interview was in response to civil service records of applicants for foreign service. I still had no official word!

In the mail on Tuesday following my interview, I received a letter of congratulations confirming my two year appointment. The letter outlined details. Then addded, "How soon can you go?"

I had a premonition the sudden news would be a shock to my dear wife. I had to play it cool! I knew I wanted the assignment but realized important decisions pro and con had to be made.

I didn't reveal the letter immediately.

My announcement began with camouflaged statements. My teen-age daughter Evelyn was still making snide remarks that "Any body that is anybody goes on summer trips! My friends' parents are taking European vacations!"

"It would be nice to see other places and other cultures," I told my wife.

Eva replied, "Yeah, since Evelyn and I made that trip to Hawaii she has bugged me for more travel."

I hear India is a mysterious land with conflicting cultures and varied scenery. How would a trip to India fit the curious traveler's ideals?" I asked.

"India? India? Oh, how wonderful that would be! No use getting worked up over that thought! Let's forget it!"

Then I pulled out my letter of appointment. Eva was elated! She ran to a friendly neighbor to tell Jessame Golgart the great news. The Golgarts had completed a foriegn assignment to the Phillipines. Jessame was supportive and encouraged the adventure.

But the negative thoughts began to flow. "What will you do with your veterinary hospital and veterinary practice? What will we do about our nice home? How will our son and daughter continue their education? What will happen to our three automobiles? Furniture storage is expensive. We may as well give it away? Where will we live?" Remember we are all involved in community activities, especially YOU!," Eva reminded me.

All these were important. All othese facts had to be answered.

A lull came. The University of Missouri had decided. We had decided. However, months passed, with only, "We will let you know when and how to go."

The months ticked away. We had dismissed the dream.

With the same urgency as the first interview came the announcement. "All is ready for your departure. How soon can you go?"

Up to this point, the "How soon" seemed to be, "How long can you wait?" Now this called for immediate action. It's a good thing that unseen problems are not brought into view until they actually demand answers.

The contract was read carefully and each item seemed to resolve each negative thought.

Definite plans had to be made.

A five year lease on Wood Dog and Cat Hospital answered the problem of what to do with the veterinary hospital. A decision to ship only our Mercedes Benz and personal items would be covered in the contract. Our daughter Evelyn was already in Aix en Provence, France, enrolled in the study of French language. Our ten year old son would go to Mussourie School for Foreign Students in India. All educational expenses would be paid. Airfare was provided round trip for all family members. The contract provided a 20% post differential which would go a long way on foreign expenses. Housing, travel expenses, automobile, a driver, household servants and orientation expenses were provided in the two year agreement.

The eleven months of waiting for travel instructions had mellowed the anxiety but had not aided in the difficult decisions that had to be answered now.

The provisions of the assignment required that I would provide two full years of techincal professional service. My family members were only required one year residency in the foreign land. With this provision in mind, it was decided that I should leave as soon as possible. The family members could follow.

With my passport in hand and travel arrangements made, I was ordered to leave.

My official travel plans provided five days from home to Calcutta, India. After three flight plans had been made then cancelled because my India Visa had not arrived, I was ordered to proceed to Hawaii with the promise that my required visa would be forwarded to me there at my hotel which had been reserved for me, all expenses paid.

When my visa had not arrived on the arranged day of departure to Tokyo from Honolulu, I called the University to report my delay. I was informed that my India visa had arrived at the University during the weekend instead of being sent to my home. "Just wait there." came my instructions. "Rent a car. Tour the island. Visit the Pineapple fields. Wait until your visa arrives!"

A week passed.

This was luau week! The islands were alive with inter-island boat races, dances, sports, entertainment and authentic pork luau traditionally cooked.

The same sort of thing happened at each stage of my trip, via Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok, before getting to Calcutta! My visa delays caused unexepected layovers. My five day trip grew into three weeks total!

I was told not to worry. The delays were not my fault. All expenses were paid by the university. I was rewarded with foreign travel experiences and delights that I had not planned. These were serendipities!

I arrived in Calcutta late at night where my Group leader met me. I was finally in the country of my next two year residence.

Calcutta was dismally hot day and night, and reeked with a mixture of foul odors. Peple and animals crowded the streets even at midnight!

I was promised my veterinary assignment would be in a more exciting and pleasurable location in Assam. Soon I would attend orientation and begin to understand the ways of India.

© Copyright 1997 Harold Wm. Wood

This page is maintained by Dr. Wood's son, Harold W. Wood, Jr., of Visalia, California.
My E-mail address is: harold@planetaryexploration.net

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