Tom Lane

Bella Vita

This tour has been quite the adventure and is almost over.  We begin the trek home tomorrow from Oman, via Dubai-Atlanta-Home!  We’ve met some wonderful people in India, Sri Lanka, Dubai, Oman and again realize how blessed we are to do what we get to do.  What we take for granted on many levels is out of the ? for so many in the world.  It sure opens the eyes to God’s view of the world He loves and how important a role we play as His hands and feet on Earth.   Thanks for all the prayers!

Been quite a road the past few weeks.  Our full band finally arrived by the Dubai concert after much hassle and confusion with visas, etc.  It turned out to be one of the best concerts and events in general.  A King of one of the 7 Emirates States died the day we arrived and the gov’t cancelled most all events but for some reason let ours go on.  We had real favor there which is a miracle itself.  It’s is an unbelievable place, not like anywhere I’ve been.  They tout having the biggest and best of everything and I guess they do, lot’s of $$$.  We went up the worlds tallest bld. the Burj Kalifa, Tom Cruise was filming that day for Mission Impossible 4.  The chopper was flying around the bld filming, we later heard Tom was swinging on the outside of it doing his own stunts.

We went on from Dubai to Sri Lanka and had a warm welcome including some great Tea.  The people have only lived in freedom from war for one year now, this was a first of a kind worship event there.  Went out one night for some Sri Lankan Curry which they say is hotter than most-it was!-and very good.  After a few days there we began a 12 hour trek to Shillong India via 3 flights (all chaotic) and a 4 hour bus ride up into the mountains.  It was one of the hardest days of travel ever for all of us!

We’re in Shillong now still.  The first day we had seminars, concert the next and today was the first of 3 days off which we all are excited about.  Most have gotten sick, I have a bit of a cold now too.  Leann was unable to come to India with us due to visa problems so she couldn’t come.  Just found out she’s sick and went home today instead of joining us in Mumbai in a few days.   Shillong has a rich heritage of faith, 80% are Christians.  Though it’s India it’s really another country almost, with more chinese and mongolian influence than Indian.  We not all that far from Nepal, China, and Bangladesh.  It’s also a Hindu holiday so there have been non stop fireworks to sleep to.  They were going off during the entire concert also.  There must be no restrictions whatsoever because everyone everywhere were involved, a wonder the town’s not on fire.

I’m ready to be home, it’s been a long trip.  We go to Mumbai the 10th, back to Dubai the 14th-most will go straight home to the US then but a few of us will go to Oman for 2 more days then home.  I’ve a feeling Mumbai will be an unforgettable experience from all I hear.  22 million people there.

OK, I’m sippin a tea by a fire in my room nursing a cold-more news soon.

Some live footage!

Bangalore:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ula0jkVBJX8&feature=related

                    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-TkFsh1mCc&feature=related

Dubai:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1FR-EmdeF4

Chennai has been great, just very warm!   There were 12,000 people at the concert along with a myriad of flying insects and dragon flies big enough to cart you off to heaven.  We played for 2 and half hours and that was after departing from the hotel in Bangalore at 5:15am, flying to Chennai, 3 hour sound check due to problems and a few changes of clothes.  All of it worth it, the India people are very humble and sweet and have been very hospitable to us.

Tomorrow Rob, our bass player and Leann will arrive in Dubai and be with us the rest of the tour thankfully.  We’ve missed them for certain.  Don and I have been doing the Everly Brothers version of all his songs on vocals.  The band are a great crew and get along wonderfully well.

Trying to keep on an exercise routine, was amazed I didn’t fall of the tread mill after running a 1/2 hour.

It’s interesting the contrast of 5star hotels (for which we are very blessed and thankful to be staying in!) and the poverty right outside the gate.  I’m learning a lot I’ve never known about this culture and it’s diversity, some very educated and intelligent people here.  Met a new friend in a quaint little collectors shop, one of the oldest in India on the main street in Chennai (Madras.)  He’s a Dentist and was covering the shop for his father.  A Muslim and brilliant man, we had a long chat about the world, Indians, Americans, Music, etc.  I learned much from him I must say!

Today is a day off so I’m catching up and enjoying the down time.  Missing home and all the ones I love!

Tom

Got to rest a bit today, ate some great food, wrote some, and even exercised!   Tomorrow starts a pretty non stop schedule, we have  a concert then fly out on Sunday for Chennai.  So far the weather is good, warm but not too humid and evenings are nice.  

We arrived safely in Bangalore!   We got off to a different start than anticipated and planned but it was a blessing, got to be home an extra night with my lovely wife and dogs.  So we flew through Paris instead of Dubai and hopped another long 9.5hr flight to Bangalore.  Got in at 1am and didn’t leave the airport until 3: as half of our bags including all the equipment didn’t make it on the flight from Paris.  So we’re here and diving into seminars in just a few, the concert is tomorrow night.  The people are incredibly sweet and have welcomed us warmly.  More news soon.

Tom