Jennifer Youmans

1. April started off with a bang. My friend Connor and I flew to India on April 2. We knew we only had 5 days so we jam-packed our adventure. We had plans to visit New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. All of our Airbnbs and trains booked, we couldn't have been more excited. I feel so fortunate to be living in Asia where so many places seem so close.

2. We arrived in India safely, made it through customs, but ended up leaving the airport 2 hours later than planned, meaning our New Delhi Airbnb hosts probably hated us at this point...as they were supposed to be picking us up. BUT because of the incredible humans they are, they WAITED all that time and just when they were going to leave, made one more airport loop & we magically met up with them (Thanks again Dhruv & Taran!!!). Great first impression and a great way to start the trip.

3. The next morning Connor and I took a tuk tuk to the metro, heading out for our first tourist stop, Red Fort. Just when we figured out the metro map, we took off into an excited skip and BAM. I (gracefully) fell on my face and BROKE MY ANKLE... needless to say we headed back to our hosts' home (Dhruv & Taran). This darn ankle, while quite painful, actually opened a lot of doors that the non-busted ankle trip may not have...

Dhruv took me and Connor to the ER. People were so nice. While we didn't really enjoy spending our first day in India this way, it could have been worse. Dhruv was so so sweet and stayed the whole day with me (so did Connor of course!) and made sure everything was taken care of. Luckily, it was a fracture and I didn't need surgery!!! I got wrapped up in a temporary cast and sent on my way. I relaxed the rest of the night and sipped delish chai.

4. The broken ankle changed our plans quite a bit (poor Connor!) but it allowed us to create really great friendships with our hosts, Dhruv and Taran. We even got to go to Agra and I saw the Taj Mahal. Ay. May. Zing. There we met some more beautiful people who kindly hosted us. Rita, Colonel and Pooja! It really feels like life-long friendships were created.

5. The April ankle saga didn't stop in India... I took a lovely trip to the public hospital after getting back to HK and got a new (real) cast put on and after a sleepover there (not recommended), I was on my road to recovery. I arranged with my boss and coworkers (who are incredible and understanding) to work from home for the next 2 weeks and would know more after my next doctor visit. I felt so so blessed to feel so much love from friends, family and coworkers. A special thanks to Kim who picked me up from the hospital, took me to another appointment (& waited with me!), AND took me to the airport...

6. Although sad to see them go, I was glad I was able to join the party and send off Louise and Michal at their farewell party/album launch. I was so glad I got to go, even if I had to crutch-hop my way around the party. You should follow their journey too, it's really inspirational: thetravellerstwo.com.

7. On April 23rd I had a follow-up appointment and learned that my cast could be removed 2 weeks from then (instead of the original 4 more weeks I though I had!). However, this meant more time working from home, trying to do some impossible things on my own, and I was going a bit crazy. SOOOOOO, long story short...and thanks to my loving uncle, I flew to the US the next morning to finish my recovery there! Sometimes, you just need your mommy.

8. Since it all happened pretty quickly, I had my sister pick me up from the airport and surprised my parents! <3

9. Recovering at home is still not very glamorous, but I'm fortunate to be able to working from here. I also was able to celebrate my dad's birthday, I'll be home for Mother's day, my sister's graduation and birthday aaannndddd....

10. This unexpected trip home also meant I got to surprise my best friend at her baby shower! That was really one of the most amazing blessings that has come from this ankle. I'll be in the US until June 11th and will also hopefully get to see the newborn baby girl before heading back to HK!

(To see more, visit my blog at jennyoumans.com)