In 1999, she volunteered in Donetsk, Ukraine. There, public transportation was a challenge. But it was rewarding for Andrews as well as for the Ukrainian women she trained to run their own businesses. "I'm a little more aware of local culture and I'm not worried about traveling," Andrews said. "I made some friends in the Peace Corps and have traveled several times with them.
Avis Andrews went to Donetsk, Ukraine, as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1999
Andrews journeys to India to attend Camel Festival
By Debra Jacobsen/Tribune correspondent
Thursday, Mar 11, 2010 - 10:36:51 am CST
Avis Andrews is accustomed to law -- and order.
However, that wasn't the case when the Fremont attorney made a trip to India recently.
"It appears there is no order. The traffic is fascinating - carts and cattle in the road -- (but) they manage to miss each other," Andrews said. "Tiny, narrow streets. You've got to get out of the way for cars, carts and motor scooters."
It was another form of transportation that brought Andrews to India.
The main reason for the journey was to attend the Camel Festival at Pushkar.
"They have thousands of camels," Andrews said.
The event is held near the site of a sacred lake that has since evaporated.
"We stayed in a tent city - 30 or 40 tents in ours," Andrews said.
She is no stranger to world travel.
"In 1998, Egypt and Israel - my first time out of the country," Andrews said.
The Peace Corps was the next step for Andrews.
In 1999, she volunteered in Donetsk, Ukraine.
There, public transportation was a challenge.
But it was rewarding for Andrews as well as for the Ukrainian women she trained to run their own businesses.
"I'm a little more aware of local culture and I'm not worried about traveling," Andrews said. "I made some friends in the Peace Corps and have traveled several times with them.
"I had an idea to go every other year. I went to Peru to see Machu Picchu," she added.
Other sites included China, England, Scotland, Turkey and Russia.
There is no statute of limitations on learning.
"I'm up to 27 countries. I went to some when I was in the Peace Corps - (only) 150 or so more to go," Andrews said with a smile.
"India is so big and so different. Every day you walk out of the hotel and see something fabulous. We started in Delhi - it was crowded - 15 million people."
Besides typical hotels, her group was housed in converted palaces.
In contrast, they gathered for tea at a village mud hut.
The most unusual aspect of the trip?
"We went to Varanasi, a city on barges where people take the dead to cremate them. At night it's wall-to-wall people and every few feet a religious festival," Andrews said.
"People were in the water lighting candles with rings of marigolds," she added.
While in Varanasi, Andrews had a view of the stars.
"We saw Goldie Hawn there to consult with a religious leader and scout locations for a film," Andrews said.
The Taj Mahal was another highlight for Andrews.
"Even though I've seen a thousand pictures, it's stunningly beautiful. With decorations of semi-precious stones, as the sun comes over, it makes it shine," Andrews said.
Andrews' tour group concentrated on North India.
"I encourage everyone to go. We were treated really well everywhere," Andrews said. "There were lots of spices everywhere and people walking carrying long lengths of sugar cane."
Sugar, spice - and nice.
Just what Andrews ordered.
