As you probably know, I’m not a real pharma, drug kinda gal. But can I just hear some hallelujahs for whoever invented Cipro? If you haven’t traveled to a developing country, let’s just say that Cipro and the like are indispensible for those of us lucky enough to get the “traveler’s friend” while partaking in the local cuisine.

Hallelujah for Cipro!

…and we saw one that won’t read in the guidebooks. It was the contrast between dinner at Anil’s home (Anil is the owner of the tour agency we used), and the dinner at the home of our fearless and faithful driver, Asif.

When Asif extended us an invitation we were surprised, as we suspected he was a man of very simple means (an assumption proven to be true). Then Anil called to extend his invitation to us too (we were feeling quite popular). Not wishing to offend his boss, Asif asked us what we wanted to do. We wanted to go to Asif’s, and we also wanted to honor Anil’s request…so we did both. Dinner, Part One was held at Anil’s gated home on the outskirts of Jaipur. The exchange was cordial, the food (as always) tasty, and the ambiance….a bit stiff. It was 10pm by the time we made it back into the Old City center for Dinner, Part Two at Asif’s home. There, we were met by his two boys, Sajid (16) and Samer (13) and his smiling, petite, beautiful wife Zarin (which Asif proudly told us means “shining” in Arabic). She had handmade us rotis, a chicken curry for Sue and a veg paneer for me.

The entire time, Zarin and Asif giggled with one another, and I was taken aback by the wink Samer slipped in to me when nobody was looking (I concluded that “Samer” must translate into “rascal” ;). The joy and warmth emanated so richly from this SINGLE room (no bathroom, let alone working kitchen) that the power outage and stench from the animals in the street faded to the background. How many proverbs talk about how it is better to be with little and have peace in the home, than have much and strife? Asif is a blessed man.

Lately at work I’ve been confronted by just how self-absorbed I am and how far I am from being a true servant to those around me. I’ve prayed to become more like a Daniel or a Joseph, who both served so extraordinarily well in their adverse circumstances.

Here in India, we have been blessed to meet a real, live, present-day Joseph in the form of a modest, Muslim car driver named Asif. Both Sue and I admitted to being a bit unnerved by his formidable photo the tour agency sent to us, but the moment we entered the airport gate, his sweet, welcoming smile made us feel the kind of safety that endured throughout our many miles with him. He was always always always so quick to anticipate our every need, from getting water for us, to opening the door, to being ready on the drop of a dime to get us, even when it meant waiting outside in the cruel heat for us to return to the car. Always with a smile and a cute head bob and a “yes, m’um.” Always quick and anticipatory in his serving, with the biggest heart you can imagine. Combined with eyes like a hawk that scowled down any form of harassment from “without” our automobile enclave. I truly cried the day before we parted. A true, modern-day Joseph who I hope will be blessed to move beyond his very very (for lack of better word) modest circumstances.